A pleasanter morning. I devoted a considerable portion of it to transferring a few English Oaks to the top of the hill. I took two fine ones but doubt very much whether my experiment will prove successful. There remain seven holes to fill in which I shall place in the Spring—firs. The remainder of my time was taken up in drawing the remainder of the Leases. One to Mr. Hardwick of a Stone Quarry and that to Mr. Carr remain to be executed. I found more difficulty in the first than in doing any yet. I also arranged the rest of the papers to take into town.

In the afternoon, I went over the hill and met Mr. Spear. With him I went over to the Quarries and after having shown to Mr. Hardwick the Lease, with which he seemed satisfied, I marked a great number of cedars to be cut for my use, and the remainder was pointed out to be sold for clearing. This will save the expense of it to which I should otherwise have been put on my father’s account, and restore the farm somewhat to it’s original character. It took us all the afternoon. Eve-122ning at home. I spent a part of it in finishing off the Leases and adding some supplementary clauses to Mr. Carr’s. After which cards with the ladies of the family.

A clear pleasant morning. I rode to town but without the power of effecting as much as I had anticipated. At the Office I finished the Draught of the Quarterly Account which I have suffered to run in arrear, and I gave many directions for the proper ordering of things at the house but was unable to go in person to see to them so that they will not be done.

A. H. Everett came in and read me a letter which he had written to his Constituents the Abolitionists. It was tolerably cautious and yet very evidently stretched as far as he can go to accommodate them. I went into a conversation with him upon general politics, in which I explained to him my grounds of dissatisfaction with Mr. Hallett’s course and my indisposition as well as inability to follow it further than the present Election. After which time, I should be disposed to try Mr. Van Buren fairly but impartially by his acts. Neither he nor Hallett can follow the same track because they are bound by nominations to office.

Home. Afternoon upon the hill where I found they had done my cellar foundations, and a very fair piece of work it is. It now remains to take proper precautions for the winter. I went to the Quarries and from thence round to the Canal. They have not delivered as yet more than half the lumber and I must against my will act by Attorney in the matter. Evening at home. Cards, and Lady Montague.

Morning rather pleasant. I rode to town and spent a greater part of my day in making the necessary arrangements for a return to our house. I first went to the House to superintend the warming and ventilating and then went to the various places where provisions and stores were to be had in order that my wife should have as little to ask for as possible. This however took up much of my time and I had but a moment left for to call and see Mr. Brooks.

A Mr. Lemon came to see me this morning or at least dropped in accidentally, having called to see Mr. Everett. He was one of the Committee for whom the Democratic Address was written and is Postmaster of Roxbury. He came to show a letter of refusal by the Editors 123of the Dedham Patriot to him who had asked the admission of a piece in favor of Mr. Everett. Incidentally he mentioned a possibility of getting something into the Norfolk Advertiser, another paper professing to be neutral, and asked me to furnish one particularly relating to the question of nonresidence.2 I told him I would and there left it. He to call Wednesday morning. The letter of refusal is a singular specimen of the vindictiveness which pursues Mr. Everett. On this account it is mainly that I am desirous to aid him, for I see much that I cannot admire.

Home. Afternoon short. I only went up the hill and observed that they had brought several loads of lumber today. There is water in my well twenty feet deep. So much for that. I spent some time in the various duty of winding up odd ends. Evening the same. The ladies played whist at which I took my turn.