A clear and warm morning again. My time spent much as usual. I had made an engagement with Mr. Johnson who is the Agent of the Railway Company to call for me to go and see the land for which they have been applying for some time past. But he did not come. I read my usual quantity of Livy, containing the account of Scipio’s mode of suppressing the mutiny of the troops in Spain, and wrote an article criticising the Whig State Address.

The workmen still go on with their work but as yet find no water. Mr. Spear’s men were clearing the ground of rocks today. As I was standing there Mr. Hardwick came along and made an application to try the rocks on the lower end of the Farm not far from where Dutton has gone. I told him he might try. Accordingly when I went over in the afternoon I found that he and his men were hard at work although there was not much of promise in the appearance of the rock. I called 99also at Colburn’s ledge and took an account. They are very much encouraged here. My father walked over the ground with me.

Evening at home. Mrs. T. B. Adams and L. C. Smith dined and spent the evening in cards. My boy John Quincy this day three years old. Not so well as he commonly is, but I have reason to be grateful for his preservation thus far.

I went to town this morning taking with me my children’s nurse, Catherine. My intentions somewhat interrupted by a shower of rain which however lasted not much longer than the portion of the day that I passed in town. Sent for Mr. Ayer with whom I had much discussion upon various points connected with the House. We settled some doubtful points and left others undecided.

I saw Mr. A. H. Everett and had some political talk with him. He spoke of the Whig State Address and the course pursued in it towards my father, and I told him of my criticism of it which I this day sent to Hallett.1 He says the paper is written by R. C. Winthrop which I regret to hear as my severity upon it may be ill construed.2

Home. Afternoon on the hill, where they keep at work slowly, clearing the land of stones and the hole for a well of blue mud. But there is yet not enough water. Thence to the Quarries where Mr. Hardwick had made his trial apparently not much to his satisfaction. He talked however as if he meant to persevere and told me he and his brothers meant to consider of the matter this evening and decide. Thence to Colburn’s. Nothing new. Home where I was engaged most of the time in writing. Evening Mr. Price Greenleaf came in, and as the ladies were out at Mrs. T. B. Adams’ and expected me, upon my starting to go, he volunteered to accompany me. Whist up there. Walk home and continue my copy.

My wife went into town this morning in the Carriage which was going for the purpose of bringing back Mrs. John Adams who has been spending some days at Medford with Mrs. Angier. I had wished to go in myself but concluded otherwise as the time is growing shorter and 100my father being unwell places all the burden of getting ready a copy of the Eulogy upon me. I therefore worked pretty steadily all the morning not even reading as is my custom Livy or stopping to see some visitors who came from town to see the ladies of the family.

In the afternoon I went up the hill as usual. The men are still busy at their work but struck off an hour before sundown in order to return to Boston for Sunday. I went over to the Quarries where I saw Dutton had begun a road in earnest. Hardwick appears to have abandoned his attempt. Returned home and wrote steadily the greater part of the afternoon and evening.