Still cold. Time according to custom. Evening at Dr. Frothingham’s. At the Office, I went on with the examination of the papers re-198specting the frontier and obtained a pretty clear notion of the points of controversy. They are very certainly with the United States but the adherence of the British to their side of the matter and the pertinacity with which they have continued to support their claim and push it whenever they reasonably could make the chance of amicable settlement more doubtful than I had supposed. God only knows what the result will be. I cannot believe it will be a war.

Home. Antigone. After dinner, Crevier, the Roman Empire in its decay—Gallienus, Claudius, and Aurelian—still some vigour left. Went in the evening to see Dr. and Mrs. Frothingham and we had a pleasant conversation. Afterwards, creeping with Burr.

Clear and more mild. Distribution as usual. Evening at home.

We have accounts of the breaking up of Congress as usual in a great hurry. They have passed a bill providing for contingencies in Maine and for a special mission to England about it. Public opinion points to Mr. Webster or to my father, and there is so obvious a fitness in the selection of the latter that I cannot help thinking of it though my judgment leads me to suppose it impossible. Mr. Van Buren will appoint a partisan. I am sorry my father has been named1 because it unsettles my thoughts. The probabilities of difficulty do not diminish.

Occupied at Office in making up Diary. Walk, and Antigone. After dinner, Crevier and continue busy upon Burr. I find the subject fruitful but difficult to handle.

Mild and pleasant. Time as usual.

The difficulties with Great Britain still continue to be the general topic. I received today a letter from my father dated at Washington on Sunday,1 from which it is clear to me that he had not the remotest idea of being called upon at this contingency. I therefore dismiss it from my thoughts.

Devoted myself to the currency papers which have been languishing for some time. Finished one and began a second. The afternoon attending to Crevier and after a quiet evening at home, finished the first draft of Burr. I hope I shall be able to make something creditable to me out of this.