The morning was clear and rather cool. I was up early and busy in preparation for returning. After two or three visitors and a pretty quiet breakfast we were called to start in the same state that we went. I took leave of our party expressing my thanks to Mr. Cushing for the civility manifested by him. The number of guests here was very considerable, being besides ourselves, Mr. and Mrs. Wild and their boy, six years old, and Mrs. Doane of Boston. These are connected with Mr. Cushing through his late wife, their sister and the children of Judge Wild.1 We returned to town without accident arriving there a few minutes after one o’clock. Thus has passed what to me at least was a very irksome period and one which I hope not soon to be called to repeat.

My father having made an arrangement to dine at Mr. Frothingham’s, we remained in town, and I had an opportunity to perform 274several commissions about which I had been anxious. After a quiet and pleasant dinner we returned to Quincy in my Gig which I had left in town for the purpose, and I had an hour to pass in reviewing what had been done in my absence, some of which was ill done. So very difficult it is to entrust any thing to another, even the best disposed. However it was not too late to alter. Evening, the ladies made a short visit to Mr. and Miss Beale, and I accompanied them. Nothing material.

Morning looked cloudy and threatening but it passed off and was fine. I was at my house most of the morning superintending the variety of work that was going on there. The stones are now in the course to their destined spots, which materially aids the encumbered ground. As I approach to a termination of the work, it seems to me that I become rather more impatient.

At one I went in my Gig accompanied by my father to Squantum to attend the usual annual dinner of the Proprietors of Neponset Bridge. The succession of bad days in the month of September which they have experienced of late years has induced them to change the day to this month. The wind was nevertheless east today and it was just comfortable. The company consisted of the usual persons, subtracting Mr. Daniel Greenleaf and Mr. Whitney who have heretofore attended and adding Mr. Frothingham, who was a real acquisition. The conversation was not general, but at one end of the table was of a higher character than usual. I can say that I enjoyed it far better than any thing of the kind for many years. Home to tea and quiet evening.

The morning was quite pleasant, and I went to town. Time taken up much as usual. Called upon Mrs. Frothingham and from thence to my House and to the Office. A variety of small commissions cut time very much into nothing.

Engaged in Accounts and received a visit from Mr. Fuller1 with an account of the feeling of Abolitionists in favor of my father. He brought Miss Martineau’s book. He took occasion to inquire of me my opinions. I told him with great frankness what they were—said that I 275had published them in the Advocate and they had been very extensively republished in the Antimasonic and Abolition papers2—that while I entirely dissented from the Abolition views respecting the District of Columbia, I was yet clearly in favour of discussion, and would by no means give to the principle of Slavery any thing more than the toleration which the Constitution had granted. These are not views to suit parties, but I have outlived the desire of conciliating them.

Home. Afternoon called at Mrs. Adams’ where I transacted business and then to my own House where I got into a passion with Mr. Ayer for his obstinacy. Evening nothing remarkable. Mr. and Mrs. Quincy spent an hour.