Morning at the Office, a Cold Storm threatening us all day. I was engaged in reading the Memoirs of Arthur Lee which I found quite interesting. The foreign transactions of the United States are fully developed in them, with some slight reflection upon the character of Franklin. This is not much of a favourite with me. There is too much selfishness in his philosophy, though I do not doubt that it has been serviceable in the world.1 My interruptions this morning were numerous. Mr. Tarbell came up to see me having heard I had called once or twice. I inquired what was to be done with Titcomb who has been so long on my hands,2 and with the other accounts which I have in my possession; he told me to begin again with the first and do as well as I could with the others. He sat with me talking half an hour pleasantly enough upon subjects in general, and then gave way to Col. Davis, who came to ask when my father would be in town for he wished to see him to which I gave as a reply that I could not tell. Mr. Danl. Hollis is the Carpenter superintending my father’s houses and called to get instructions as heretofore directed. I went to look at the House behind the Office and found it in wretched condition. I told him that at present nothing could be done, that I must wait until the present tenancy expired, but that then I expected him to do a great deal. Luckily I have contrived to run up against him as I have indeed with all the Tenants, a pretty heavy bill of arrears for rent, and this will go a good way towards the expenses for repairs which will now be found necessary.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s with Abby. Nobody else. Tolerably pleasant although nothing remarkable. But I felt more at home. We were amused with a letter from Sidney Brooks’ wife to mine, full of her usual nothings.3 After dinner, I walked again to the Store of Messrs. John D. and M. Williams and succeeded this time in making a selection of some Wine. I purchased some Sherry at two dollars the gallon, thinking that if it turned out well I should then like to keep some of it as choice Wine, which I could not do if I bought cheaper, however fine it might prove. There is much Charlatanerie about Wine 62especially in the name. And I have seen so much of it as to induce me to make an experiment thereupon.4 Returned to my Study too late to do anything in the regular way, so I continued La Harpe’s Analysis of Cicero’s Orations, until late, when I again went to Mr. Frothingham’s to call for my Wife. The night was very stormy but we reached home before the floods came.

The first incident which happened this morning was a fire, and not far from my House. We heard the alarm which proved to be from a house next to that occupied by Mr. Thomas Perkins, commonly called short Tom.1 It was kept under, luckily for had it once burst out, the wind was so high that in all probability the whole block would have been consumed. I went to the Office in the midst of a violent Storm of rain, and enjoyed a very comfortable portion of time in examining the Life of Arthur Lee, especially the Documents, which are very interesting as they respect the History of our Revolution. Mr. T. Welsh came in to speak to me about the purchase of his former residence in Hancock Street, which is offered now for Sale at five thousand dollars.2 I made several inquiries about the property, and satisfied myself that it would on the whole be a very safe purchase—And if possible intend to prevail upon my father to purchase it. It would prove better property than his Stock in the State Bank and might prevent his transferring the money to Washington on less safe speculations. I hope to see about it next Week.

My father himself made his appearance and upon my proposing it seemed to relish the plan without giving me definite instructions upon it. He came in through the Storm, in order to despatch a letter to Mr. Vaughan on the business of the Estate of Thomas Boylston,3 and to do some other business in relation to that Estate. As he was here I sent for 63Col. J. B. Davis who had some conversation with him upon the present state of political affairs highly interesting to me. Poor Davis feels himself in a very bad pickle, for he now does not know what course to take and whom to support and therefore feels restless until he can get some ground to stand upon. The prospect of the promotion of Otis to the government of the State seems to provoke him no little—And well it may.4 My father dined with me and was disposed to remain all night but John, his Servant was obliged to return so that he decided to go through a very disagreeable storm. I lost the afternoon for study, and so was obliged to satisfy myself with a little of La Harpe, who gives the Orations against Verres and Catiline, a due share of attention. Evening, read to Abby the beginning of Clarissa Harlowe,5 and closed as usual with five Chapters of John.