The weather changed with great suddenness during the night and this morning it was blowing a gale from the North. I was out superintending the setting of trees almost all day but I found much inconvenience from a flying pain in my teeth which the cold increased. This will probably check the extent of my plantations this autumn.

My father took me out to show me his sowing four walnut trees at the corners of my lot. This might prove an inconvenience to me and a blemish in my general plan but who can resist so innocent a hobby in a father?

I finished the MS papers of my grandmother which is a great gratification as I shall not consider the Summer to have been entirely wasted. Evening at home. Talk with my father upon things in general.

The cold day of yesterday was continued upon this and the north wind blew with more violence than ever. I remained at home and occupied myself in the morning in setting out trees. I have now set six elm trees in the road way up the hill, eight on the west side of the house, with one ash, one button wood, and three oaks. This with one or two English oaks will make all for this season. I expect to kill several generations in transplanting but I shall succeed, I hope at last.

The cold was so great that none of the workmen were doing any thing to my cellar and I was myself glad to get home. Afternoon I read the work of President Goguet excepting a walk towards sunset to the Canal to see if Mr. Ayer had been here. I found he had and that all was ordered, but the delivery has been stopped for some time. They still promise to do it by the end of the week but I doubt. And I must go in on Tuesday to town. This is inconvenient.

Returned home by the way of the Quarries and found Colburn fencing himself against the North wind with a range of Cedar bushes. He works hard now. Home. Evening, I tried to write one or two articles for the Advocate but failed. Cards with the ladies.

It was still cold today but not so cold as it has been. I went to Boston with the view of operating pretty extensively in preparations for my return but I did not succeed in doing much, for visitors.

Mr. Walsh came in and talked about the nominations of the democratic party. He said he had attended the meeting the other evening and found there were difficulties in the way. This led him to ask me if I wished my name to be put on the list and to offer any assistance he could furnish. I do not suppose this is much but still I thanked him for his good will and explained to him exactly how I wished to stand. He said he saw the obstacles in my way but thought nothing necessary excepting to attain a position. I am aware of this myself but hitherto 121my honest efforts have proved fruitless. I talked very frankly with him and stated my motives of action. I asked him to remain quiet and let things take their course. I preferred this to again declining before nomination through Mr. Hallett. If they should leave me out there would be no occasion for any movement. If on the other hand they should put me at all upon their ticket, I should have the opportunity of explaining my own reasons for declining. After he left, T. K. Davis came in and talked of things in general. He has been lately to Philadelphia and has been pleased. A. H. Everett came in and read to us a letter from a Committee of Abolitionists in his district, upon which he wished me to give my opinion. I could not very well do so, because I see that his position is not independent and that he must get his head at the expense of a little independence. After a call to see Mr. Brooks I returned to Quincy.

After dinner I walked up the hill. They are at work today upon the cellar and will soon finish. But I must leave many other things undone which I regret. Home where I was occupied in writing. Evening, Price Greenleaf came in, miscellaneous conversation. Stone Quarries and Trees are the topics for him. Read a letter or two of Lady Wortley Montague.1