Chilly with clouds. At home. Evening at the Mansion.

As it was on the whole more convenient for me to go into town tomorrow, and as my father was in a way to need my vehicle today I thought I would remain at home, and having no temptation to go out, I really did make better progress than usual in my article, but I have wholly remoulded the former draft so that the progress is rather crab-like, and I am not sure that I shall be satisfied with it even in it’s present form. The day was cold and cheerless and gave me many symptoms of inclination for my town house.

Evening at the Mansion where my father was, having returned from the dinner at Dr. Parkman’s. He mentioned to me that he had seen Mr. Brooks at dinner who had expressed to him his regret at the course I had taken about the representative business, that Governor Everett had written to him about it that he might use his influence with me to procure the withdrawal of my letter, and that I. P. Davis had urged him to withdraw it upon his own responsibility, but this he could not undertake.

Of course all this is quite gratifying to my vanity. But my importance in Governor Everett’s eyes springs quite as much from the weakness of the Whig party as from kindness to me. Yet I would not be considered as in so small a matter as this disposed to disregard the wishes or opinion of those who are older and discreet friends too. I hope by this time the matter is settled for me so that there need be 319neither appearance of retreat nor of slight to those whom I feel every disposition to respect.