Morning pleasant. The family have had a favorable journey, and I presume will reach home today. I went to the Office and passed my time in regulating my accounts and in trying to bring up arrears.

The accounts from Pennsylvania are such as to inspire the Whigs here with strong hopes of victory. But so far as I can see the truth they hardly justify the extravagant exultation.1 The Whigs as usual show their deficiencies in principle so strongly by exaggerating and falsifying the returns in order to operate upon elections in other states. One thing however is not doubtful, that Mr. Van Buren is not very strong in the confidence of the people and is sustained mainly by party organization. This may lead to important consequences hereafter.

Home where I read Livy. Nothing of consequence. My little girl as usual upon my return to town is sick. This is not calculated to add to my spirits. Evening at home. I have begun reading as usual to my Wife, the book, Lamartine’s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land translated.2