Morning quite warm. This season is what they call here Indian Summer. At home reading Mr. Burke on the State of the Nation. Passed the afternoon in making an outline of a letter to Mr. Brooks. The Oyster Supper did not quite agree with me. Took a ride with my Mother. A company to dine today. Gov. Cass, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Eliot, Miss Lamb,1 Judge and Miss Cranch, Mrs. Dawes, Mr. and Mrs. Barrel, Dr. Watkins, Dr. Huntt, Mr. Persico,2 Col. Trumbull, Mr. Frye and the family. It was a singular collection but it passed off very well. I sat between Mr. Persico and Dr. Huntt.

Morning pleasant. Passed in reading Mr. Burke and wasting much of the time. After luncheon, walked out with Thomas and paid visits to the Secretary at War and Mr. King’s Gallery of Paintings where we lounged until late. On my return, I was occupied in writing a rough draught of a letter to Mr. Brooks, but as I proceed in it, I feel less confident in my success. Extraordinary as it seems, I have a most singular feeling when I take up my pen to address him and can write nothing to please me. Evening at home, and very quiet.

Morning quite warm and pleasant. Passed a portion of it in copying Mr. Vaughan’s papers and another part in reading Mr. Burke. This with a call or two with Thomas at some of the principal houses here finished the time until luncheon, after which I took a walk and answered a letter from Abby received this morning. I felt as if I had very little fluency today and so finished only four pages, instead of the more common quantity of five. Her letter was a pleasant one, and giving me notice of her return to Boston shortly. Evening quietly at home. Thomas Hellen dined here. He looks shockingly.

The weather very warm and sultry today. Went to St. John’s this morning and heard Mr. Hawley preach a Sermon. I admire the Episcopal service. If I consulted my own feelings, I would always attend the Church of that sect. It is the only one in which my feelings of devotion are excited. One feels less the want of merit in a Preacher because you feel yourself capable of partaking equally in the services. This cannot be where you must trust a man to pray for you. He may not and probably will not draw your attention. In the afternoon, I wrote and sent a letter to Mr. Brooks on the subject of my marriage.1 It is gratifying to think the thing off my mind. The result will soon come, and all I can trust to is the purity of my motives. I have done my duty as far as I can.