Morning cold and gloomy. I went to the Office and passed my time as usual in reading Marshall, excepting a small portion of it devoted as usual to the regulation of my Accounts. Mr. Kinsman called upon me to pay a portion of the Note of the City Guards to the Estate of my brother, and to discuss the matter of Mr. Whitney’s Affair. I left the settlement of this altogether to him, if he can make terms with him, it is well and much more than I can. I hope this disagreeable business will terminate without a reference to law, but if it is not my mind is made up. I have only the course of decision to take. My character always was one which verged to obstinacy in points where it was based upon belief of right and now when the conviction of justice is most prevalent, it is rather hard to yield to the sense of expediency.

Marshall was not over interesting but I got along tolerably in progress. At home found Mr. Brooks who dined with us. I was very glad to have the opportunity to receive him in this way, without ceremony or parade. And he was very mild and pleasant as usual. He left us immediately, and I occupied myself during the afternoon in reading and writing upon Mr. Graham’s History. I feel as if I might be able to write upon this subject but I do not know whether it does 211not require more perseverance than I am equal to. And yet it is a shame to say so. But the subject is interesting and I propose at any rate to pursue it for my own instruction.

The Evening was passed in reading Eustace to my Wife. This author is full of prejudice, and John Bullism but yet has a cultivated mind, and much that is entertaining and instructive. After this was finished, for the Evening I read some Articles in the North American Review upon Jefferson’s works and others.1