Morning cloudy. I went to the Office. Mr. Conant the younger called on me from Weston about the Farm and discussed the subject of the Lease. I told him of what I proposed to do. It seems both these brothers want the Farm, and very probably will bid upon each other for it. I do not much relish the idea but see no way clearly to help it. After he had gone, I called to see Mr. Hallet and had a long conversation with him. I communicated to him my father’s determination1 and heard his objections which were neither few nor gentle—To all which I tried to reply as well as I could. He said he would write to my father, which I urged him to do.2 I suppose he suspects me a little of partial statements. I am not radical enough. We discussed the Memorial also. Quiet afternoon. Walk. Lord Bacon de Augmentis Scientiarum. Virgil seventh book. Tom Jones and writing to my father. Correspondence Boileau and Racine.

Morning the same kind of cloudy weather we have had for some time back. I went to the Office and was engaged for some time in Accounts, then called upon Mr. Hallett and had another conversation with him, which ended in his bringing out a Memorial. I have been all along surprised at the singular mode of proceeding he has adopted, and today I found out the secret. My being put at the head of the Committee was an unexpected stroke to him as he intended to draw up the Memorial, from the first. The delays are accounted for as my Draught embarrassed him. It now turns out, that the Committee has met without notifying me and adopted his and rejected my draught which in its present shape was never intended to be submitted to the Committee. I am not a little mortified at the position in which I have been in spite of myself placed. Nevertheless I must take it as the first lesson of my political experiences. I took a walk. In the Afternoon, looked over his draught, made some alterations and sent them back with a letter to Mr. Hallett.1 Evening at home. Tom Jones, and finished the letter to my father.

The weather continues mild. I went to the Office. Received an apologizing letter from Mr. Hallett,1 returning me the draught with a request I would remodel it. I replied very briefly declining to do so, in this stage of the business and intimating to him in reply my utter dissatisfaction with his proceeding.2 In his letter, he says both draughts were read to the Committee, and with the State Committee present. Now this was totally against my will, but what is more singular Mr. Bailey happening to come in, I find that it is not true. He made a representation to the Committee that his was the result of joint consultation, giving them the impression I had seen it, while he suppressed my draught, and now he tells me this is the result of consultation with 224the Committee upon both drafts. This want of honesty in so trifling a transaction has shaken my faith in his political character and principles. I have therefore written to my father to be guarded towards him.3

Mr. Bailey conversed much with me, and I communicated to him my father’s intention that he might reflect upon it. I gained no time to walk. After dinner engaged with Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Eddy upon the last year’s Accounts of the Middlesex Canal.4 It took us about two hours to go over them very superficially and check them with the book. The rest of the day and evening with the exception of a little while to finish Tom Jones was devoted to copying a letter from my father.