A beautiful morning. I went to the Office and occupied myself as usual in writing and Accounts. Went to the Athenaeum for the purpose of picking up some items of political information to make use of in my future numbers.

I wait the issue of this election with great anxiety. I want to see how far my efforts have succeeded in producing any effect at all upon 254the public mind. If they altogether fail, why I think I may as well stop in my career. If on the other hand they succeed, we shall then do better. I shall fix a base in Massachusetts to resist the confounded machinations of Mr. Webster’s jealousy.

Dropped in to see some pictures which are now exhibiting, copies of Old Masters, and remained until dinner time. Found Mrs. John Adams at the house who has come in to spend a few days. Afternoon I spent in writing out another paper of the Massachusetts Voter. This work is becoming laborious to me and unprofitable. I passed the evening with the ladies. Elizabeth C. Adams came in to stay the night. I wrote and read a little of Smith’s History of Astronomy.