It rained in the morning and the weather looked threatening all day. I sat quietly at home all the time it was doubtful and read German, Goethe’s Werther by which, and a volume of Lessing’s Laocoon which I opened, I can test the progress I have made. It is greater than I had anticipated. Read also the Doctor &ca., and had half an hour’s conversation with my Mother, respecting my future plans for the winter. I must bethink myself rather sooner than I had expected to as my decision is very likely to affect that of others. I laid before her the precise state of the case and requested her to ascertain what the probable cost would be of spending some months in Washington. She said she would try.1

As it seemed to hold up at one, I accompanied my father and Walter Hellen to Squantum—It being the day of the regular meeting for choice of Directors &ca. of the Neponset Bridge Corporation. They usually have a dinner and invite all the gentlemen in the town. Mr. Beale, Messrs. Danl. and Thos. and E. Price Greenleaf, Mr. Miller, T. B. Adams, Dr. Woodward, Mr. Emmons and a certain Capt. Quincy made the Company. Two years since on a similar but worse day I had been foolish enough to commit an excess in drinking bad wine. I remembered it upon this occasion to advantage.2 I do not know why I derived so much satisfaction from my this day’s moderation unless it was that I felt as if the Quincy people present might be looking with a little attention to my conduct. Our family has been so severely scourged by this vice that every member of it is constantly on his trial. I hope I 378am now properly aware of the necessity of avoiding even the shadow of suspicion.3 Nothing passed, the weather cleared up and we returned home before sunset. Evening. Cards, and the Dr. &ca.

A lovely morning after the rain. I went to town and upon arriving received an invitation to dine at Mr. Everett’s which I accepted. My time passed pretty actively. I made up the Arrears of my Diary and finished a volume of the Doctor &ca. Mr. N. Curtis called upon me with a piece of business as a Lawyer. I have so much given up business that I feel a little doubtful about undertaking it. On the whole, my morning was fully taken up until two o’clock when I walked over to Charlestown. Met at dinner Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Brooks who are now here, Mr. Edward Brooks, my Wife and her father. Quiet enough. And dull.

I returned to Boston, got my Gig, took Mr. Brooks up from Charlestown and reached Medford at sunset. My Wife in the Carriage with Sidney and his Wife. On her arriving, she gave me a notification of my election as a delegate to the Antimasonic Convention. This is dated August 16, and was left at the house. I was there on the 26th when it was not given me and was probably not left. It becomes necessary for me to reflect now what I must do. I endeavoured to digest my thoughts this evening. My prevailing inclination is to decline. The Worcester men upon whom I relied have left the party, and the Boston men have obtained a complete control by the new organization of the State Committee to include several of the then dissatisfied members. Evening, conversation. I read a few Chapters of the Life of Maintenon.

A fine day but exceedingly warm. I accompanied Mr. Brooks to town. My first business was to reflect calmly upon the subject alluded to yesterday and to prepare a letter in case I should conclude to decline. In affairs of party it is always a hard thing to know what to do and yet it is worse to stand still. It is evident to me that the object of 379the Boston men is to join with the Jackson party, this by force of organization they will carry. The candidate of Antimasons for the Governorship will be the candidate of the present dominant party in the Nation. The result must inevitably be the union of these two parties in all subsequent measures, and in the submersion of the weaker in the stronger. Now with my present feeling to Jacksonism I cannot bring my mind even indirectly to give it any aid. On the other hand Governor Davis and a considerable number of Masons in various parts of the State are lending their aid to dissolve the Institution, the results of which exertion are not yet visible. I think the duty of Antimasons is to suspend action until the hope of any effect from it has expired. And not to rush into violent measures which will only exasperate and defeat the object in view. This will not however be the opinion of active Politicians who live upon organization.1 I finally settled down upon these latter considerations as motives for my declining, wrote them out fairly and sent them to Dr. Phelps, Chairman of the meeting,2 under cover to Mr. Hallett. Thus finishes this business with me. My Antimasonry has not been a discreet measure but it was based upon what I believe to be solid principles and the same is the case with my retirement. There is no other safety for a person taking part in political affairs. My mind was easy when I had done it.

The remainder of the morning was taken up in the usual way. Returned to Medford. Mr. Brooks had expected some of the family but none came. Sidney and Wife passed the day. In the afternoon read Maintenon, and Ovid. Evening it was so warm I was idle. Did not touch German today.