My head ach had not entirely left me this morning which I spent partly in writing but was soon taken off to go to town with my father and Wife in the Carriage. We went early to give him an opportunity to execute some business which after all, I believe he did not succeed in. I was glad of a little time to arrange my Accounts, but it was much disturbed by visits of Isaac P. Davis1 and others.

At half past two my Wife called at the Office for us and we went to Charlestown to Governor Everett’s. There were at dinner there, Mr. Brooks, his sons P. C. and Gorham with his Wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham, a Mr. and Mrs. Chinn of New Orleans, strangers, J. C. Gray and I. P. Davis. The entertainment was very handsome but I did not enjoy it partly from head ach, partly from feeling no great interest in the company.

I am a little amused by the manner in which Governor Everett treats me. A sort of doubtful feeling seems to pervade him whether in fact I am politically opposing him or not, and at the same time an appearance of respect which he did not formerly show. My situation respecting him is a singular and a very unpleasant one. I can have no 69confidence in or respect for his political opinions and conduct and yet I have much feeling for his situation and amiable temper in private life. We left Charlestown at about six, bringing I. P. Davis with us to town, and thence home.

I have but a very meagre account to give of my day. The head ach of yesterday was so little improved by the diet of the day that I felt entirely disabled from all work during the morning. Indeed I have rarely suffered more severely and certainly not of late. My best course as I thought was to submit in patience so I secluded myself in as quiet a place as I could find, and slept as much as I could. This process with starvation soon effected my cure. I was relieved by dinner time and perfectly well by tea. I was therefore able to continue my Diary which ought and must be brought up directly. Having slept so much during the day, I was enabled to take some hours from night in the prosecution of this work.

Cold morning. I went into town and was occupied in business at the Office. Had two or three persons to call. Mr. W. Forbes about an old claim upon me for the board of the horses sold by him. I paid the bill thinking it useless to contest the point with a rogue. I took the opportunity however to take a receipt from him such as is sometimes advisable from a man with whom one has had dealings and finds dishonest, and I gave him my opinion of his conduct at the same time.

Mr. Ayer, the Carpenter was also here upon the plan. I submitted to him all the details for execution and he gave his opinion upon the various questions which yet remained open. Some of them we settled together, others were left open for further reflection. I conversed principally with him upon the terms upon which he would undertake it. I told him that the Quincy people would perhaps feel a little hurt at my selecting a chief workman out of their limits but I was willing to incur that risk provided it would cost me no more and I should be compensated by the superiority of the work. He seemed to hesitate about the price and said he doubted whether he could work in competition with Country workmen. I told him that I should consider farther what agreement I should think proper to make but some decided one I 70should insist upon. I then took the plan, rolled it up and brought it off to Quincy to submit to the ladies of the family. Their comments upon it were few but they pleaded for a portico so strongly that I agreed to extend it along the front. This is all of portico that I can agree to, for the prevailing fashion of putting pillars for every thing strikes me to be a mistake. I passed some time in writing Diary which at length appears to show progress.