Clear and pleasant, division as usual. Evening out. Office.

Much interest is now excited by the movement of Mr. Biddle and 151the Bank of the United States at Philadelphia, in holding up the price of cotton. There is cause for serious apprehension, I think, of the consequences of these operations. Perhaps it may be croaking but it does not look right. Yet I perceive that the President congratulates himself in his new Message upon the present state of security as if it was established upon a permanent basis. Talked with Mr. T. W. Ward about it who is a well informed merchant and who as Agent of a great London banking house is much interested in watching these operations.

Mr. Lunt dined with me from Quincy and thus cut off Alcestis. Coins as usual. Went to a party in the evening at the house of Mr. Charles Brooks, a cousin of my Wife, where however I saw only the members of the family whom I knew.