Morning milder betokening a change in the weather. The cold has been on the whole as persevering as I ever in my experience knew it to be. I woke up in the morning unwell from an imprudence in taking two glasses of sweet Frontignan last night, and as usual paid the 336penalty with a sick head ach for the whole day. This disabled me from much exertion.

I succeeded however in getting into my Office and there had one or two persons to see me. Mr. Willard from the Stone quarries in Quincy with a paper of plans respecting a road, across from one side to the other instead of the crooked and circuitous one now adopted. I thought his idea good and promised my cooperation. He speaks very sanguinely of the value of all our Quarries up there. I hope they will turn out according to his expectation, for they would in that case alone constitute for us an immense property. But why do I desire to be richer? In this Country, wealth is daily marking a man more and more for proscription. Mr. Beale came also with a view to make some inquiry about a parsonage house for Mr. Lunt, at Quincy. He seems to have an idea that my father can do almost every thing, and in this case appears to expect he will build this house. I left him to undeceive himself which he did at his leisure. He made no definite proposal.

Called to see Mr. Hallett who gave me a pretty distinct account of the series of embarrassments presented on all sides by the meeting at Faneuil Hall. It has effected nothing in the way of conciliation and appears to me to be jeopardizing every thing in the State. He showed me what the policy of the Post party had been and how the Loco focos had seized upon the whole thing with a view to turn it to their own advantage. He laid open the variety of manoeuvres by which he had been surrounded and seemed anxious to know what was to be done under them. The Morning post had an illnatured paragraph which he was tempted to answer, and that and the Reformer both had altered the record of the meeting. He read a proposed reply to be published on Monday. I dissuaded him from it, being satisfied that the most certain way to disappoint them would be to avoid a breach. Mr. H. then read a letter from Mr. Everett which contained nothing important. He has been dining about among politicians but has as yet got no intimations of their course. I am almost entirely disgusted.

Home. The remainder of the day is a record only of almost vacancy under the infliction of a head ach.

Morning mild and beginning to melt—Indications of the breaking up of the Winter. I passed all my leisure time in writing a letter to my father giving the details of what has passed in the political way 337during the last two weeks.1 His position is a painful one and so is mine. We have no friends. I pursue politics as a duty and not by any means as a pleasure.

Attended divine service and heard an excellent discourse by Mr. Frothingham upon the prevailing tendency in the Community to excessive lenity towards criminal offenders. Acts 3. 14. “Ye desired a murderer to be granted unto you.” This was immediately occasioned by a question now before the Governor and Council respecting the condemnation of a couple of incendiaries. Upon leaving Church however, Mr. Bradlee told me they were condemned.

A Walk notwithstanding the weather. Mr. Walsh dined with me and attended service afterwards. Mr. Gannet. 1. Timothy 5. 5. “Trusting in God and continuing in supplications and prayers night and day.” Upon prayer, the necessity of it. There is something overdone in this man that prevents the effect of what he says. Afterwards a discourse of Dr. Barrow in continuation of the subject of self, and divided into the four heads of self confidence, self complacence, self will and self interest. Very good. Evening quiet at home.