A mild pleasant day. I went to the Office and was occupied there in a somewhat singular manner. Before I left my House, Gibson who is a sort of deputy of Mr. Hallett came in and showed me two articles in the two democratic Newspapers of the morning, having each a hostile bearing upon the other. He consulted me upon the mode of pursuing the subject. The Custom House party has been so far foiled in it’s attempts to make Mr. J. K. Simpson Collector in the room of Henshaw, as to show great symptoms of discontent at the counteracting movement which has been produced by the nomination of Mr. Robinson at a caucus in the Legislature. The Morning Post has not ventured to take ground itself but has transferred to it’s own columns a violent article from a Lowell Newspaper with a kind of indorsing comment at its close. On the other hand the Advocate has attacked the Post in rather an ungracious manner for it’s jesuitism in regard to the Legislative proceedings. Gibson’s object seemed to be to get from me an article which would defend them. I told him that I thought the whole subject should be left to Mr. Hallett’s own judgment. When he came, he knew how he stood at Washington and could then take the course that suited him. In the mean time and article might be put in which would be defensive and yet not absolutely commit him. I agreed to draft such an article, although I notified Gibson that I was not over well satisfied with Mr. Van Buren and was by no means inclined to be ranked as yet in the number of his supporters.

At the Office, T. Ayer came about my House to ask more directions and I gave them to him. Gibson called again and I gave him a paper I had drawn with which he appeared satisfied.1 He detained me talking until quite late. Home.

Afternoon reading Burnet and Forster. My wife went to Cambridge to tea so that while I was taking it alone, in came T. K. Davis who joined me and passed the evening. We had talk as usual of political principles and of theatrical criticism and so forth. He went late.

Morning foggy. I went to the Office as usual. Worked upon the arrears of my Diary which I no sooner bring completely up once than it gets back again.

Read today Mr. Van Buren’s Inaugural Address. A production on the whole of tolerable merit. There is a mildness in it which contrasts favourably with the ferocity of Jackson’s papers. He confines himself entirely to general professions excepting in the single case of slavery in which he takes pains to satisfy all the demands of the South. This will have a considerable effect in weakening him with the party which has certainly gained strength in the North. For myself, I notice mainly the general phraseology as it respects the past Presidents which differs from that frequently used in relation to my grandfather more particularly.1 Nothing further material.

Home where I resumed Homer and made a pretty full examination of forty lines. This after all is the only way in which I can apply Grammar. Afternoon, Burnet, and Forster whose book now becomes much easier. Mr. Brooks took tea and spent the evening. After which, Moore’s Life of Byron.2