The weather is waxing warmer. I went out early this morning and made a call upon Dr. Thomas returning a visit from him, and also one from A. H. Everett who is still up in his room, although nearly recovered. Much conversation with him upon the state of politics here and in Boston. I stated very frankly my difficulties as I always do and expressed my unwillingness to put confidence in an Administration which drew it’s support from a sacrifice of the North to the sectional pride of Mr. Calhoun. He told me that Mr. Van Buren had written me a note acknowledging my Pamphlets which note I never received. Also that Mr. Foster wrote to him that the Advocate was to be abandoned, and complained of the doubtful course of the Government. What a turbid state.

My difficulties are of a peculiar character. I want confidence in every thing and every body, and feel almost as hostile to one party on principle as I do to the other from feeling. I trust in an overruling providence both for the country and for myself.

Went to the Capitol. Mr. R. Biddle was speaking and I very soon became interested in his argument. Indeed it is the only one which I have heard which is of a high character. He took up in turn each of the Administration party and certainly exposed them in a manner which could not be exceeded. There was an elegance of style and a facility of imagery which is uncommon where mere talent seems to be almost universal.

After he ceased Mr. Bell took up the debate and as I think little of 44him, I returned home. T. K. Davis really went this morning and I felt his absence. Mr. Everett says he Davis has been very well received and made a favorable impression. So far, so good.

After dinner, again to the play. Mrs. Smith taking the place of my Mother whose visit to the theatre last evening proved too much for her, and she has been unwell ever since. The Barber of Seville. Caradori as Rosina, Walton as Figaro, Pearson as Almaviva and Brough as Basil. The piece quite tolerably sustained. Pearson did well in parts but he spoilt the Quintette at the close of the second act. The trio “Zitti, zitti,” very well indeed. Caradori also sung Una voce, very well. On the whole the Barber carried off the piece most effectively. Home late.

The heat of the Theatre last night made my head ach and I got up with it which made a bad prospect for me for the day. I of course tried to go out to get the benefit of the air. Called on the way to see Madame Caradori, found her not yet up but saw her husband, then left a card for Mr. Cushing and went on to the Capitol.

A speech from Mr. Hoffman, attacking the South Carolinians, then a plain, sensible address from Mr. Jones of Virginia on the Administration side, to which Mr. Wise made a reply. Hoffman is a mere declaimer, but I think Wise may become a great man if he tries to learn wisdom by experience. The interest in the debate appeared to flag a little and my head disabled me from relishing as much of it as I otherwise should.

At four I left Wise speaking to return home. The sun was scorching, and upon my reaching the house I felt much exhausted by the fatigue. My system has become so accustomed to the bracing cold of our Eastern Atmosphere that the enervating influence of this air is almost intolerable.

After dinner, the ladies went in the carriage and I accompanied them to Mr. Frye’s where the members of the family were assembled, excepting my father who was detained until too late at the Capitol and my mother unwell. We had cards and then a pretty Supper and music from I. Hull and Campbell, after which we went home.

I felt so much fatigued that I almost determined upon remaining at home all day, but although warm the day was cloudy with drops of 45rain so as to make the walking less difficult. After writing up the arrears of my Diary, I went in the Carriage with the ladies calling at Mrs. Thornton’s,1 as far as Claggett’s shop where I got out and walked from thence to the Capitol.

The question was upon the passage of the Treasury Note bill which had been squeezed through last night, but was arrested on a reconsideration this morning. It was clear that this was a close party test in a full house and as such excited great interest. The vote turned out 110 in the affirmative and 109 in the negative to which the Speaker added his vote thus producing a tie and defeating the reconsideration. Thus it appears pretty plain that allowing the Administration nearly all the Carolinians, they are still in a minority in the House.

After this was well over, the House went upon some matter connected with the question of Northwest boundary, and Mr. Cushing went upon it2 in so dry a way that I transferred myself to the Senate where they were discussing as drily the District Bank charters.

So I returned and found my father up making an explanatory Speech respecting our boundary titles to the Westward in the course of which he went over much interesting matter as well relating to the history of the discovery, as to certain cabinet proceedings of which he gave a pleasing sketch, and of his own agency therein. It was amusing to observe how he collected his audience from a handful, for the excitement of the preceding days had exhausted the House, to a little collection around him. Shortly afterwards the House adjourned but I left beforehand. Quiet evening at home. A curious notice in the Boston Courier of my letters which is too flattering.3