We arrived at Baltimore at about four o’clock and I dressed immediately to go up and obtain a seat in the Mail for Washington. But I found great difficulty in getting any place at all owing to the number of persons going on, and it was only by taking an outside seat in an extra stage that I managed to go on. Nothing particular happened but in travelling onward I could not help remarking how very much altered was the state of my feelings at this time from any preceding journey in this direction. My interests and associations are now fixed elsewhere and nothing but the remaining term of my father’s Presidency whether short or long gives it any kind of charm. I dressed myself upon my arrival at Gadsby’s1 and walked up to the house.

Found my Mother very much better and sitting up though still extremely weak from the great violence of her attack. Mary, my brother’s wife, very well, Abby Adams, my Aunt and Uncle Smith, my father and John very well. Those compose the family. The two last only arrived yesterday. They all treated me very kindly. I conversed with my Mother until dinner time, and after it, rode with John to my Aunt Frye’s, where they seemed quite glad to see me. But on returning I came near finishing my visit. John’s horse became restless, and I was thrown out in one of his plunges. My head was bruised and my shoulder but luckily with no further damage, which considering 283my very flat and heavy fall, may be esteemed providential. I walked home and retired soon after, being in much pain.

Arose this morning with a headache and numb feeling in my shoulder which gradually disappeared in the course of the day. I passed a large part of the morning with my Mother, who did not appear so well today. She talked a great deal with me upon indifferent subjects. I then took a walk and stopped at Johnson Hellen’s Office,1 found him alone, and talked a great deal with him upon the only subject in which he appears to feel any decided interest, the election. I talked with him, though my interest rises in that sickly kind of way which precedes immediate loathing. In the afternoon, I sat down and wrote to Abby, a long letter giving an account of every thing of interest which I could find, all of which did not amount to much, for a less interesting journey, it seems to me that I never took in my whole life.2 Our way of life here is one of luxury and strongly contrasts with mine in Boston. But I feel little or no attachment to it now, and am surprised at my own indifference. Evening with my Mother.

Morning, arose much better. With rubbing my shoulder with spirit, I have prevented any serious consequence, but it was a serious injury and came near making my visit a pretty disagreeable one. My 284Mother was much better this morning and I passed it with her, in general conversation. Afternoon, wrote a short letter to George,1 and received a long one from Abby written only the day after I left her. This gave me great pleasure and put me in good spirits for the day. I could not think of wasting all my time however and so began the Works of Burke in a copy which John has been so kind as to give me, a most acceptable present. I passed the evening with my Mother.