Pleasant day. My two numbers written for political effect appeared yesterday and today.1 That of this morning seems to me pretty good. I remained at home and read a part of the twenty seventh book of Livy which continues to interest as at first. I also wrote pretty steadily at a third number. I also devote a short time to my daughter Louisa who makes some little progress in her reading, and to my Wife who has resumed reading French. Thus there is no great leisure for me in my home days and the work upon the MS goes on very slowly.

Afternoon, a visit from the daughters of James H. Foster2 for half an hour and then over the Hills to meet Mr. Dutton, the foreman of Mr. Colburn on his ledge, who has made an application for another on his own account. The whole afternoon was spent in making the agreement, and after talking over the whole matter and looking over the ground we came to terms a little in advance of Colburn’s. He is to go right on and I am to draw up his Lease for five years. I am disposed in all these cases to a pretty liberal policy as I wish to get it first established that there are ledges here which can be worked. This point once gained, their nearness will very much recommend them. I think the tract of land upon which the stone is here to be found is as yet but poorly explored. There are many quarries even upon the single piece now in question.

Returned home, crossing over the fields, and after tea walked to Mrs. Adams’ where my Wife and Mary had taken tea, from thence they went with Elizabeth C. Adams to see Mr. and Mrs. Lunt. I had felt the progress of a headach all day but as it grew later it increased in violence until I was obliged to ask my Wife to cut short her visit and return home. The night was cold and clear. I went very shortly to bed and thus escaped the sickness which is the usual termination of these things with me.

Morning cool. I rode to town and passed most of my time at the Office where I was occupied partly in Accounts, partly in drawing up Leases, and partly in visits. Saw Mr. Geitner who came to pay his rent in advance. Also Mr. Walsh who was a little for talk. Also Mr. A. H. Everett with whom I had a few words upon politics. But I did not succeed in the main point for which I went to town which was to see Mr. Stanwood about his first payment of interest. There was a mistake as so often happens in similar cases and I am obliged to go in again on Monday. I did not see Mr. Ayer, another failure on his part. Returned to Quincy.

Afternoon passed at home. I finished my third paper upon the present state of political affairs with which I was not entirely satisfied. Received a letter from my father together with the seal my grandfather had cut, emblematic of his continued support of the liberties of the Country.1 This day seven years I was married and when I recollect how uninterruptedly happy my life has since been, I stand in fear and trembling before my God lest my many demerits should render me unworthy of a continuance of my blessings. I can only trust as I have always done. Evening at home. Mr. Beale came in and talked of Quincy matters which are more fruitful than they used to be.