A lovely day. I walked up early to the Capitol, calling on my way at Mrs. Latimer’s, to see Baron de Roenne, who had left a card for me some time ago. Much conversation with him upon the state of our political and financial affairs. Banking and Texas. On the latter subject he seemed unwilling to put much confidence in the professions of the 41Administration. I am inclined to think this is true. The Government acts upon no public question fully up to it’s professions.

Called for T. K. Davis but he was not at home. At the Capital, Mr. Thompson, after a little preliminary business, continued his Speech. Then came Rhett of Carolina, a high flying disciple of the new school. Nothing more violent nor more absurd than his speech could well be conceived. Menifee and Southgate of Kentucky replied in the manner for which they are peculiar and with much point.1 Then came an apparent struggle between the two parties to settle the question or delay it, and at seven o’clock I left them in the full expectation of a late Session. I could not help thinking all the time, of the fact that in the anxiety to play the game, the final object was perpetually going out of sight. Dinner late and short evening.

My father did not get up from the House until nearly two o’clock this morning and yet the Administration party did not succeed in carrying their bill. The game continued, sharply contested by votes of only one, two or three majority. And after all, with what object, merely to embarrass Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Woodbury.1 And for the sake of this, the Country pays it’s thousands.

After breakfast, I filled up Arrears, and then attended divine service at the Presbyterian church with my father. A young man whose name I did not know preached from John 5. 40. “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” The various reasons for irreligion, fear, shame, pleasure &c. discussed in an ordinary way, but I still think in manner better than the clergymen with us.

Read a Sermon of Buckminster which I think is one of the best I have yet read. Philip. 1. 9. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more.” Upon the different effect of reason and of feeling in religion, the excess of coldness produced by one and of vehemence or fanaticism resulting from the other. The introduction of the affections in religion is one of the most difficult and yet the most necessary 42of operations. Indeed I would go further and apply my remark to life in general. Reason is a sure guide only when in conjunction with that moral feeling which is if not originated at least in its perfect state has been much cultivated by the action of the affections. There are passages in this discourse which run very much in my way of thinking.

At three we went by invitation to Woodley, Mr. Johnson’s residence to dine with him. My father and I accompanied Governor J. Pope, and the ladies came with I. Hull. This place was once a pretty country seat of one of the Maryland planters but now partakes of their decay. It has fallen into the hands of one of the french purveyors of the Metropolis, who has made a little out of the foreign legations. Our dinner was a formal one consisting of every thing that could be given, and the wine was abundant. We returned home by eight. I found my letter to the Courier sent from here on the 5th was published in the paper of the 11th. To bed early.