I felt exceedingly fatigued from want of rest, as towards morning the children always begin to disturb. The day was clear and cold. I went to the Office and was occupied as usual. Received a letter from Mr. Treadway1 about his affair with Professor Greenleaf and a retaining fee in the shape of an edition of his Digest of American Law. This is tedious and disgusting. I detest litigation in all its shapes and forms.

Reflected upon the election which still remains in an exceedingly doubtful state. The Senators are very much divided among the parties. Both sides claim the victory, although it is substantially on the side of the Antimasons. We must however go on. The shoulder must be set to the Wheel.

I took a walk and performed commissions. Home. Tenth satire of Juvenal. Very good. Afternoon. Began Rousseau’s Social compact,2 but wrote for the most part, a new Article to lend the tone after the election. Nothing material today.

Morning clear but much cooler than it has been and far more in accordance with the season. I went to the Office as usual. The returns of the Election continue to come in and present the varied aspect of such struggles. But the general complexion is eminently favorable. The Antimasons continue to show a heavy preponderance in the scales. As they vote, the decision generally follows. This is precisely as it should be. The effect abroad will be the greater.

I was engaged in Accounts and so forth. Nothing particular. I went down to the Athenaeum and passed much time in investigations connected with my Essays for the Newspapers. It is wonderful how inaccurate my Memory is in details, and how very difficult I find it to settle doubtful points. I did not succeed at all today. Home where I went on with Juvenal. Afternoon, Rousseau’s Contrat Social. And working on my paper entitled the Result of the Election, which I finished and think will do.1

I accompanied my Wife this evening to a party at Mr. T. B. Wales’. Company generally strangers to me. The lines of society in Boston are drawn singularly distinct. Of all the company present to night not more than eight persons ourselves included were at Mrs. Taylor’s. I managed to get through the evening and home before eleven.

Much colder but a very fine day. I went to the Office and was occupied as usual. Received a letter from Mr. Greenleaf inviting my propositions,1 so that I concluded to get into the Cambridge hourly at eleven o’clock, and call and see the gentleman at his Office. I went and found him. After preluding with a denial of any admission of right by my Act, as well as an intimation that I was not acting as an 265Attorney, I stated both the propositions in order. He positively declined the first and also the second in its existing shape. But he would consent to a reference to any lawyer of established reputation or he would sell his Copyright for four hundred dollars. Thereupon we parted. Mr. Greenleaf is a fair talking man but there is something sharp about his eye and he has a face not prepossessing though intelligent. I left him and walked into town. Home in time to read Juvenal. Afternoon, wrote an answer to Mr. Treadway embodying the substance of what was said.2 Evening quietly at home. Finished Antommarchi.