Morning cloudy with a cold Northerly rain and constant drizzle. Nevertheless my father determined upon going to Quincy and as I had engaged to meet the Surveyor and the Carpenter out there, he went with me. Most of my time was taken up in superintending the survey and this in an Easterly mist on damp earth which was no very pleasant affair. Returned home to dinner. Nothing material. The accounts from Washington are that the Bank of the Metropolis has undertaken to continue to pay specie. A curious exemplification of the system of the Administration.

Afternoon, I felt so fatigued that I was unable to do much in the way of work. I feel at this season of the year commonly, very much oppressed with drowsiness and today so much so that it seemed to 244render me almost unfit for any use. Read however some of Agathon. Evening, my Wife and I to see Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham. Found there Mr. Brooks. Conversation, principally turning upon present events and the law of currency which is now rapidly carrying out of circulation all the small money. Home late.

Heavy rain all day at intervals. I went to the Office and from thence round about to perform sundry commissions. At noon found the Community in a great state of excitement owing to the order of the Government by the Southern mail. The Postmaster General has undertaken to require the payment for all Letters in specie and the Treasury the collection in the same manner of the revenue bonds.1 But so universal has been the suspension of the Banks, that it is tolerably plain the thing is quite impossible. Had the United States Bank gone on, I think it could have been done. At present the experiment works marvellously. Today the Notes of the Kilby Bank were thrown out at the other Banks. The rumour is that three others are tomorrow to be treated likewise. On the back of this comes news from England of the tottering condition of the Bankers and the capture of a Mexican ship of war by a U. S. corvette.2 Thus the country goes.

Afternoon at home, writing principally. I do not know whether to go on publishing or not. At any rate it will do no harm to commit to paper. Evening, reading to my Wife, and then writing.

Morning cloudy but cleared up beautifully by the Afternoon. I went to the Office. Found the people in a state of intense excitement at this intelligence about the bonds, and a public meeting having been called 245about it at Faneuil Hall, I went down to see how things went on. The hall was full to overflowing and I was much struck with the very excited and at the same time stern appearance of the multitude.1 It was clear that the present case was not one to be trifled with and that the Government by interposing vain obstacles was only drawing upon itself the gathering indignation.

Finding my own feelings to be coming very near to boiling point I thought it useless to stay and hear only broken sentences at the outer door, so I returned to the Office and cooled down. Mr. Everett came in soon afterwards and we had a talk. He still seems to hold much upon the Government. Mine are feeble hopes. The degree of infatuation which has possessed Kendall is astonishing and if not soon remedied will destroy him in the public estimation. Wrote a little but not with system.

Home. Afternoon to Quincy. Nothing material. Saw my father and went to superintend my House. Conversation with the former as to public affairs. He advises quiet. Home. Evening to Mr. Brooks’, family meeting. Conversation respecting some failures that took place today, and the Faneuil Hall meeting which ended more mildly than it began.