The day was fine and somewhat pleasanter than any we have had although still with the North East wind. I went down to superintend some repairs at my house in Acorn Street which is vacated after which to the Office, Diary, and Accounts.

Mr. Hallett came in to gain information respecting the state of things at Washington. We talked it over and he gave me further information from Washington which led me to believe that Whitney the Bank hero1 was the source of the Articles in the Globe. I affected to believe it—But I have no confidence in Mr. Van Buren.

He then went on to talk of his relations with Governor Everett, and the state of the controversy between himself and the Advertiser.2 I have observed this with much attention and regret only that the Governor should have allowed himself to get into it. The course of the Advocate is somewhat rough as it always is and hasty but is substantially correct. I told him my belief that Mr. Everett was himself the author of the papers at which he seemed surprised—And that his continuing the controversy was more the result of feeling than of judgment. Mr. Everett from his timidity and defect of moral principle is utterly unfit for political life. Mr. Hallett read me a strong letter from Mr. Lathrop embodying all my ground. I think with care we may sail through this perilous navigation.

Home—Afternoon, engaged in assorting papers. Went over those 403of Mr. Dumas and in this way completed another Volume. Ariosto and some amusing Anecdotes or rather German popular stories collected by Musaeus.3 Evening at home, Mr. T. K. Davis came in and passed it pleasantly.

The North east wind again brought drizzle and cold. I had engaged Mr. Walsh to go out with me and examine a site at Quincy for my house. But the weather not admitting of walking in grass, I went alone, merely for the purpose of superintending the ground and seeing the Tenant Mr. Carr. When I got there Mrs. Kirk wished to see me and made a demand for some of the money due to her by me. She is Bank mad like every body else at Quincy. I paid her or rather called over to see Mr. Beale and paid him on her account the interest and half of the Note. She will probably call for the rest at the next Instalment.

The mist was increasing so much that I thought my best way was to return home which I did by twelve o’clock. At the Office saw Mr. Everett—Conversation with him about Hallett and the Newspaper dispute. His position is a singular and amusing one. Home. Read Livy. Afterwards Burnet, and Ariosto. My contemplated journey yet hangs in the wind, very doubtful.1

East wind and cloudy weather although the temperature of the air has risen considerably notwithstanding. I occupied myself in reading and reflecting upon Mr. Loudon’s Encyclopedia and came to the 404conclusion that the only two plans I saw were impracticable in this Country.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham. Ephesians 4. 10 “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” This discourse did not make any impression at all upon me and I can give no account of it. Afternoon not much better. “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.” I have heard this before, I think. Mr. Walsh walked and dined with me.

I read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow’s, upon Whitsunday, Acts 2. 38 “And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He gives reasons for keeping Church festivals, alludes to the coincidence which often happens between those ordered in the Jewish ritual and the Anniversaries of great events under the new law, and then assigns as reasons for keeping them, the preservation of the knowledge of these events, and the desire for christian improvement which they give rise to. Thus passed the day. Evening very quietly at home. Swift, Drapier.