Morning clear and cool. I went to town, accompanied by John Quincy Adams Jr. who went with me to the Office and I finished the transaction respecting his legacy and paid him the balance due.1 I then went to my House and upon a variety of commissions which took up time. Engaged also in Accounts prior to settling day. Called to see Carey and give him directions about the Mantle pieces which he is to set up this week. At Office, calls from J. T. Kauffer and A. H. Everett. 256The first about his bill and rent which I found as usual in such cases nearly set off each other, and the last to talk. Nothing new however. Home to dinner. Afternoon spent at the house and going round upon various objects. More materials. Will there ever be any end to this? Home at last to read a little of Wieland. Evening, conversation until late. Politics.

Fine day. I remained at home. Time taken up as usual, much of it at my House superintending various portions of the work, the rest at home reading. Homer and Plutarch. I have given up writing of late as an impossible job, but I still entertain some notion of returning to it, when my mind shall have become relieved from it’s present anxieties. For the rest it is rather pleasant to watch the gradual transformation from the rough state to the polished, which a house undergoes in building.

Afternoon, Wieland. Ride with my Wife. We got upon the Blue hill turnpike. I am very slightly acquainted with the vicinity of this place at present and am desirous of becoming more so. The Country never looked more green and fresh, and I am particularly partial to the scenery round Milton. Evening, Tocqueville.

Day cloudy with a sharp East wind and occasional drizzle. I went into town taking with me one of my Wife’s women whom I left. My time much taken up at the Office in Accounts preparatory to my regular annual examination. The difficulties heretofore experienced were removed and I proceeded to closing my books as usual.

This process was interrupted by a call from Mr. Hallett. Quite unexpected and as I afterwards discovered not by any means intended. I felt bound to be somewhat upon my guard and was so. Our talk upon the state of affairs and the Banking system. Mr. Hallett has screwed himself into an attitude of hostility to all Banks including the deposite Banks and he thinks the Government will sustain him and sacrifice them. My own impression is different. The deposite Banks were selected for their fidelity to the Administration and have partisans both as owners, managers and borrowers. How then can a head of a party 257sacrifice all the friends he has rewarded, because they accepted and used the reward? I said I thought a compromise might be attempted, and was the more confirmed in the idea from an article in the Richmond Enquirer. He said he thought the only safe ground for the President to take in his Message would be to cut the Government entirely clear from all banks. If he did this, the people would sustain him. If not, his fate was sealed and Mr. Thomas H. Benton would ride over him.

A. H. Everett came in and I soon gave the conversation another turn. Having discussed slavery and abolition, he retired, and Mr. Everett then intimated that there was a difficulty in the wind about the Advocate, it’s proprietors revolting much at the ground proposed to be taken respecting Banks. And Mr. Hallett had come to see Everett to advise with him respecting it. This does not surprise me knowing who the Advocate’s proprietors are. Nor am I sorry for it as Mr. Hallett has sacrificed every thing for his head. My own feeling is one rather of release. For in the change which must soon take place in the position of the paper, I can be released from any responsibility. To be sure I am thrown back again just where I was, but this must be set down to my situation which forbids success in politics. Perhaps I am as happy for it.

Home to dinner. Afternoon at home and at the house. Wieland and Tocqueville, and copying a long paper for my father.