My books and my old diaries being packed up for some time and not to be obtained in all probability for a year at least, and the circumstance of my entering now into a mode of life entirely new and in some respects worthy of remembrance, induces me to begin anew. I shall attempt in this book to combine both my former plans of Index and Journal. I commence with the date as above because on that morning I took leave of Washington where I had passed many very pleasant and I may say also many very painful hours. The very last ones were marked by the same fate which had overspread them all, a mingled variety of good and evil feelings, arising equally from feelings of strong passion. I will not here nor indeed any where give in detail any account of these moments. Suffice it to say that I left the place with feelings which repaid me for all I had formerly endured, and at this distance of time I enjoy a sort of indefinable gratification 147whenever my thoughts turn that way, at the idea of duty performed, of feelings subdued, and I will add also, of vanity and pride gratified.

Take leave of Mary C. Hellen. Journey to Baltimore with my Father. I receive some information concerning his appointments to public stations, in order to gratify a request of Mr. Southard’s to me. Incident at Merrill’s Tavern. We fall in with an Administration County Committee who were gathered together to hear Mr. Clay’s Speech at Lexington which has just reached us and which is producing a great effect.1 My father went through an introduction of each individual, by Mr. Proud2 who seemed to be their chief man, and after dining we left them, previously taking a parting glass of wine with them.

At Baltimore, Mr. Coale came with an Invitation for me for the following day which I of course declined.