Fine day. Office. Nothing new. Called at the Advocate Office to give my first number upon the currency. Found there Mr. Paine and Gibson who is a sort of a party machine. They kept me there in conversation for some time, very friendly. Gibson is one of Mr. Hallets subagents who does the drudgery. He discussed today most especially the position of the Antimasons and the hostility manifested in the Custom house quarter against them.1 This shows itself in all forms—first, by squibs in the Morning Post, second by underhand denunciation, thirdly by sideway movement to edge out all the men from the party confidence. Gibson says there are now two points of importance to be gained. The first the organization of the State Committee, the second the filling the Collectorship. The Custom house party is making every effort to get the control of both these objects, and the question is how can they be effectively counteracted. I told him I thought this should be attempted in the Legislature where the party is not well affected to the Custom house but where it wants leaders. My general principle has been to avoid the personal intrigues of parties and I hope to do so still.

Returned to the Office late. After an hour passed in Diary and then a walk I went home and read Livy. Afternoon, Burnet and Plutarch. Evening, read a little of Willis’s travels.2 and then finished another paper upon Mr. Webster.