Morning clear. At the Office, after inquiring and ascertaining the character of Mr. Spear. Found the reference so good that I decided upon accepting him. Gave my directions to regulate the Store and overlooked the Workmen in their progress which was tolerably satisfactory.

Mr. Brackett called and found himself anticipated about the House, but took the refusal of the other.1 hope in this way to get rid of both, and with an application this morning for a Tenement I hope this will close all my distresses about letting the real Estate. Now the trouble comes on respecting funds. Having received a letter from my Father respecting the Arrears I immediately addressed a Note to Whitney offering him what I considered as my final proposition.2 If this is not accepted I am afraid I shall be reduced to the gratification of sending him to prison which will hardly suffice to pay the demands coming upon the Property here on the 1st of April.

I had an hour’s work in drawing Leases of the Store and House which I have let, and the morning wasted away to a very small remnant, which I spent in reading some Eulogies of Washington in very bad taste.3 Returned home. Afternoon passed in reading Demosthenes, in which I made considerable progress. Then came down again to the Store, to see that all was safely arranged for night. For my workmen do not yet get through. I repent a little letting it so low, but next year I hope to redeem the deficiency. And I think the permanency of the Tenant will remedy the defect. Returned and read Campbell’s Rhetoric, a work I am going over again. Found it was time to go over to the usual meeting of my Wife’s family which tonight occurred at Mrs. Frothingham’s. It was tolerably pleasant. I was occupied merely in laughing for it is always impossible for me to talk, when so many louder voices are collected to make more noise. Returned at ten extremely drowsy.