Morning cold and blustering. I went to the Office as usual. Heard of the murder of Mr. Jos. White at Salem, a shocking affair enough. Found in his bed this morning stabbed and bruised in the head. The City was a good deal excited about it.1 Read this morning Genl. Harrison’s Pamphlet and was satisfied by it, that his vanity and ignorance of the whole had made a fool of him.2 The worst danger of all to public men comes from themselves. Many are fully equal to prevent surprises from others, who are totally overset by some strange and insidious enemy in their own persons. Although this gentleman was most certainly ill treated, yet he proves himself fully unfit for the place he was occupying. I also read something of Marshall, relating to the early debates in Congress which formed the parties in the Country. These are interesting but they are not managed by Marshall as I should have supposed a man of his powers would have done. He wrote it in too much haste, and did not leave his mind to form conclusions, instead of merely hurrying over premises. But there is notwithstanding much information to be derived from the work. It contains a definite and not altogether a dry statement of facts, and explains the motions of parties, though by one side asserted to be partial.

I received today the Dividends upon the Stock in Neponset and West Boston Bridge.3 The latter is again becoming tolerable stock. My father’s personal Property here is generally good. And all, both real and personal, tolerably productive. If his other property was equally so, he would have been a wealthy man.

The afternoon was passed in reading Graham’s History of the United 208States, the portion relating to New England is very interesting as it conveys a clearer and more impartial account than any preceding Historian. I also compared Robertson.4 In the evening, I began reading aloud to my Wife a part of Eustace’s Tour in Italy,5 in order to render myself a little more familiar with places in that country. It was pleasing. After it, I read part of my father’s Lectures, and found in them much food for reflection.