The day was fine but rather windy. I was exceedingly occupied all my morning in last things to be done, and in packing. The various commissions took me forward and backward between the House and Office several times,1 prior to going up to an early dinner, so that I was tolerably well fatigued before it became time to start. Mr. Brooks2 and several other members of my Wife’s family came to bid her Goodbye. They have none of them been able to summon resolution enough to accompany us, although many of them have desired to do so. We start alone which is not so pleasant as to go with several. But my principle always has been to act with energy and without reference to the action of others. We got to the Depot of the Providence Railway3 in time and at one o’clock took our departure. My Wife who never had been in the Cars before found them so unpleasant that they brought on a headach. This was hastened by an accident which happened almost immediately after we started. The tender which goes directly behind the Engine and carries the supply of wood and water for it, broke down and thus obstructed the course of the Cars. Luckily for us, we were just starting and there was not speed enough to throw us out of the track. But we were detained an hour on a bleak plain just out of the City while the injured article was removing and the locomotive went for a substitute. This gave us a sort of ominous outset which was by no means to be admired. We were not however materially delayed as the train was made to accomplish in two hours the work usually allotted to three 5and thus reached the Steamer Massachusetts which was lying at the Wharf waiting for us at 4 o’clock the regular hour. There is not much to be said of the sail down the bay and through the Sound. The weather was fine and it would have been altogether agreeable, had it not been for the multitude of passengers and for my Wife’s suffering. Many Boston people on board—Mr. Stephen White with two of his daughters, Mrs. Paige, and Miss White, and his sister in law Miss Story; Mr. Israel Thorndike and his daughter Miss Sarah. Of these I found Mrs. Paige by far the most agreeable. Some conversation also with Mr. Alfred Greenough and George Gardner who together with his father were also on board.