A fine day. I went to the Office and was occupied as usual in Accounts and Diary. The usual routine with the usual number and description of visitors. Mr. Walsh and A. H. Everett. Talked with the latter upon the subject of my papers. He is one of a few familiar with the subject, who seems to understand it as I do, but even he appears to have been puzzled by the co-existence of specie and paper in this Country.

Home a little late. Dutton of the Quincy Stone Cutters. T. Adams Jr. and J. H. Adams all came on dunning expeditions. I paid them all and spoke to the second about procuring me a horse in the spring. Livy. Afternoon Buffon and Burnet with a very languid portion of Plutarch.

Evening, reading to my Wife a part of a new book of Captain Basil Hall’s called Schloss Hainfeld1—amusing enough in his John Bull way. Afterwards, continued writing upon Currency but this was one of 173my bad nights when things do not run well and I only spoil sheets of paper.