Diary Entries 1861 January 1 January 1861Tuesday 1stWashingtonA fine clear and rather cool day. As it is a holiday I spent the evening in writing answers to lette... 2 January 1861Wednesday 2d.Washingtonrainy and disagreeable. Busy writing until the time to go to the Committee. The House met but did li... 3 January 1861Thursday 3dWashingtonFoggy and damp weather, very promotive of cold, and sore throats. I went to the Capitol early to att... 4 January 1861Friday 4thWashingtonThis day had been set apart by the President as a day of National fast and prayer for pardon for the... 5 January 1861Saturday 5thWashingtonMild and cloudy. I continued my labor at letter writing today. But the number I receive is so great ... 6 January 1861Sunday 6thWashingtonFine, mild day. Attended Divine service, and heard Mr Haley preach a sermon upon the text, study to ... 7 January 1861Monday 7thWashingtonI was asked to attend a preliminary meeting of our friends in the Committee at ten o’clock. I got th... 8 January 1861Tuesday 8thWashingtonA fine day. The party feeling of the time had made it a holiday for all but the members of the Commi... 9 January 1861Wednesday 9thWashingtonI was engaged in writing letters, and in finishing a draught of what was to be said on the New Mexic... 10 January 1861Thursday 10thWashingtonThe usual industry in the morning. Attended at the capitol. The business confined to District matter... 11 January 1861Friday 11thWashingtonI was asked to go early to the Capitol to meet the Republican members of the Committee, and to deter... 12 January 1861Saturday 12thWashingtonThere was another call for preliminary meeting of an our friends. I think Mr Cowrin’s report was rea... 13 January 1861Sunday 13thWashingtonCold morning. Attended Divine service. Mr Haley commenced the service, but at the time for the sermo... 14 January 1861Monday 14thWashingtonWe had been invited by Mr Corwin to meet in Committee at ten o’clock. I attended with some punctuali... 15 January 1861Tuesday 15thWashingtonMorning spent in finishing the new draught of my report, which satisfied me much better than either ... 16 January 1861Wednesday 16thWashingtonI now resume my usual habits of attendance on the House. Prior to the hour I am engaged in writing o... 17 January 1861Thursday 17thWashingtonI am trying to prepare the materials for a speech at the proper time, but it is very difficult to ge... 18 January 1861Friday 18thWashingtonI received this morning a vote from my friend Dr Palfrey announcing his arrival here last night. I h... 19 January 1861Saturday 19thWashingtonA lovely day. I wrote a little and more to my satisfaction. At the House, which did not sit long. Th... 20 January 1861Sunday 20thWashingtonI called for Dr Palfrey at his old lodgings and accompanied him to the Unitarian Church, where Mr Ha... 21 January 1861Monday 21stWashingtonI am getting a little uneasy under the responsibility of my speech. I see the difficulties attending... 22 January 1861Tuesday 22d.WashingtonA pleasant day. At the House we had some interesting debate. Mr Clemens of Virginia made a bold and ... 23 January 1861Wednesday 23d.WashingtonAt the House. The debate was continued. Mr Etheridge made a speech which seemed to make a great impr... 24 January 1861Thursday 24thWashingtonA hard rain with slippery streets so that I took the omnibus to the Capitol. Met with Mr Stephen H P... 25 January 1861Friday 25thWashingtonFor the first time for a long while I had a little headache which lasted all day. I am troubled with... 26 January 1861Saturday 26thWashingtonSnow of three or four inches. I called to see Mr Everett at the house of his daughter Mrs Wise. He h... 27 January 1861Sunday 27thWashingtonA beautiful sky, with unpleasant walking from the melting snow. I attended Divine service and heard ... 28 January 1861Monday 28thWashingtonI have received from Mr Charles Hale, an application for a copy of my speech in advance, so that he ... 29 January 1861Tuesday 29thWashingtonA fine day. Being now ready, my uneasiness to get clear of the responsibility begins. At the House, ... 30 January 1861Wednesday 30thWashingtonWeather fair. Henry dispatched the copy of my speech which he has made for the Advertiser last eveni... 31 January 1861Thursday January 31stWashingtonI slept badly as I have done for several nights. I had a cold and was feverish, and the anxiety and ... February 1 February 1861Friday February 1stWashingtonI was hoarse and uncomfortable from my cold, but still easier in my mind from getting disheartened o... 2 February 1861Saturday 2d.WashingtonThe newspapers have got it that there has been a difference between Mr Sumner and myself in regard t... 3 February 1861CFA's date as writtn here.WashingtonMild and damp. Attended Divine service, and heard a gentleman by the name of Livermore preach. Mr Ha... 4 February 1861Monday 4thWashingtonDamp, foggy, uncomfortable weather. Morning was spent in answering letters or franking speeches. At ... 5 February 1861Tuesday 5thWashingtonWet and damp. Morning spent in franking— At the Capitol. Governor Seward sent in for me to go to the... 6 February 1861Wednesday 6thWashingtonMy life is now one continued maze. My letters were beyond all bounds, so that I must despair of repl... 7 February 1861Thursday 7thWashingtonAt the Capitol betimes. The galleries sound decided indications that something was expected. On my w... 8 February 1861Friday 8thWashingtonVery cold. A tremendous gale of wind brought a cold temperature indicated by my glass at 8° of Fahre... 9 February 1861Saturday 9thWashingtonI had this morning a formal visit from the delegates of Massachusetts. They spent fifteen or twenty ... 10 February 1861Sunday 10thWashingtonA fine day. Attended Divine service at the Unitarian church. Mr Livermore preached a much longer and... 11 February 1861Monday 11thWashingtonMy letters from home and elsewhere continue in the highest degree complimentary. I answer them as we... 12 February 1861Tuesday 12thWashingtonWhilst in the midst of work I had a visit from a Mr Hadfield of Buffalo, who came to read me a long ... 13 February 1861Wednesday 13thWashingtonFine day. Mr Forbes came to me yesterday to know whether I though there was any danger in the proces... 14 February 1861Thursday 14thWashingtonMild and pleasant. A little rain at night. I am still engaged in despatching speeches for which the ... 15 February 1861Friday 15thWashingtonA cloudy, showery day. I went to the Capitol. The main business was the passage of the Post Office A... 16 February 1861Saturday 16thWashingtonI am getting into a bad habit of working so long at home as not to leave me time enough to get to th... 17 February 1861Sunday 17thWashingtonVariable day. Attended Divine service and heard a man apparently a German preach a Sermon, which I c... 18 February 1861Monday 18thWashingtonI am working through the labor of despatching my speeches, and those which have accumulated around m... 19 February 1861Tuesday 19thWashingtonMorning as usual. I have now succeeded in getting off the great mass of my documents. And I think af... 20 February 1861Wednesday 20thWashingtonI was a little out of order this morning, and suffered from a light dull headache all day. Walked to... 21 February 1861Thursday 21stWashingtonVisits from Messrs Hildreth and Churchill, who kept me in conversation until quite late so that I ha... 22 February 1861Friday 22dWashingtonA holiday celebrated with more ardor on account of the present condition of things. I was at home wr... 23 February 1861Saturday 23dWashingtonMild and cloudy terminating in heavy showers of rain. I walked up to the House but got there soon af... 24 February 1861Sunday 24thWashingtonClear and blustering. A wind that sweeps over this city with might power. Attended Divine service at... 25 February 1861Monday 25thWashingtonAs the adjournment was until ten this morning, I was off early after breakfast in order to get to th... 26 February 1861Tuesday 26thWashingtonThe House having fixed eleven o’clock as the hour of meeting I had not long to attend to my affairs ... 27 February 1861Wednesday 27thWashingtonMr H O Hildreth who is here on a visit came to breakfast and to talk with me for an hour about the a... 28 February 1861Thursday 28thWashingtonI went up to the Capitol this morning in good time as I supposed that the question would be early ta... March 1 March 1861Friday March 1stWashingtonVery warm and a high wind blowing he dust about in great quantities. At the Capitol early enough. Bu... 2 March 1861Saturday 2d.WashingtonThe last legislative day of this portentous session. Looking back upon it, the idea is that of escap... 3 March 1861Sunday 3dWashingtonAlmost a week of unexampled warm weather. Attended Divine service, and heard a good discourse from M... 4 March 1861Monday 4thWashingtonAt last the long expected day dawned upon us. It was mild and clear—not so warm as it had been but c... 5 March 1861Tuesday 5thWashingtonI waked with a sense of fatigue, which kept me at home most of the day. My labor as to being in brin... 6 March 1861Wednesday 6thWashingtonBlustering and cold with clouds of dust making all outdoor movement very uncomfortable. I walked nev... 7 March 1861CFA's date as writtn here.WashingtonAccording to arrangement Mr Hale called for me in a carriage and drove to the State Department where... 8 March 1861Friday 8thWashingtonMy employment of time now varies little from day to day. My visiters throng here and I am sometimes ... 9 March 1861Saturday 9thWashingtonHeavy rain in the morning, a thing by no means unwelcome in these streets where the dust is intolera... 10 March 1861Sunday 10thWashingtonFine day. Attended Divine service. Mr Cutler preached, but my attention was not improved. Called on ... 11 March 1861Monday 11thWashingtonA cool, clear, fine day. Having got pretty nearly through my labors I devoted a part of my morning t... 12 March 1861Tuesday 12thWashingtonThis day was mainly spent in packing up the rest of our things, in attending to various gentlemen ve... 13 March 1861Wednesday 13thPhiladelphiaA delightfully soft, spring morning. At two o’clock I had a visit from Mr George B Holmes, who is an... 14 March 1861Tuesday 14thNew YorkDuring the night a change in the atmosphere took place, and we had snow. We left Philadelphia having... 15 March 1861Friday 15thBostonCloudy and cheerless. After breakfast I went out with Mrs Adams to look at carriages at Brewster’s. ... 16 March 1861Saturday 16thBostonA heavier snow than I have seen this winter. I was not dressed when the first man appeared to get my... 17 March 1861Sunday 17thBostonClear. Attended Divine service at Chauncy place where Mr Ellis preached as usual. The congregation g... 18 March 1861Monday 18thWashingtonThermometer at 6.° that is, two degrees below any point reached at Washington, during the Winter. My... 19 March 1861Tuesday 19thBostonSnow. The winter seems to be just setting in. On opening the morning’s newspaper before breakfast I ... 20 March 1861Wednesday 20thBostonThere was no great variety in the entertainment this morning. I received numbers of applications, an... 21 March 1861Thursday 21stBostonAnother stormy day with a very high wind and heavy snow. My stream of visits abated only a little, u... 22 March 1861Friday 22dBostonA heavy snow blocking up all the great avenues of travel so that I had a comparatively quiet day. Th... 23 March 1861Saturday 23dBostonMilder—I had my customary attendance of applicants for office, but I perceived a difference in this,... 24 March 1861Sunday 24thBostonMild so that the streets are by no means comfortable for pedestrians. The children resumed their rea... 25 March 1861Monday 25thBostonThe usual array of applicants which I cut off at eleven o’clock in order to go to Quincy, for letter... 26 March 1861Tuesday 26thNew York at seaSoft, pleasant day. The customary assemblage in threes and fours began, until I received from Quincy... 27 March 1861Wednesday 27thWashingtonWe reached New York without incident a few minutes too late for the first train to Philadelphia, so ... 28 March 1861Thursday 28thWashingtonFrom the cars at Baltimore we passed over to those about to start for Washington and at six we had a... 29 March 1861Friday 29thWashingtonA fine day. After breakfast I ordered my things sent to No 326 N. Street and then went to the State ... 30 March 1861Saturday 30thWashingtonThe spring is advancing rapidly, but the winds are shockingly uncomfortable. I went to the Capitol t... 31 March 1861Sunday 31stNew York[?]Easter sunday. Attended Church at St John’s with the family. It was very full, and the altar was ado... April 1 April 1861Monday April 1stBostonAt four o’clock in the morning I reached the fifth Avenue Hotel and went to bed where I slept until ... 2 April 1861Tuesday 2d.BostonA heavy snow storm all day, so that I did not think it worth my while to stir out of the house. This... 3 April 1861Wednesday 3d.BostonThis day had been fixed upon by Mr Alley and Mr Rice for the adjourned meeting of the Massachusetts ... 4 April 1861Thursday 4thBostonThe day set apart for Fast. On my going out I was struck with the difference of the spectacle on the... 5 April 1861Friday 5thBostonFine day. The snow melting fast. After receiving a few calls I rushed out to extricate myself and to... 6 April 1861Saturday 6thBostonI had a stream of visiters continuously until one when I stopped it as usual. This beings to vex me ... 7 April 1861Sunday 7thBostonFine day. Attended Divine service all day. Mr Ellis preached, and officiated in the communion servic... 8 April 1861Monday 8thBostonThe snow has disappeared so generally that after a brief time deverted to visiters on the usual erra... 9 April 1861Tuesday 9thBostonFine day though with a cool east wind. My customary entertainment in the morning of a variety of app... 10 April 1861Wednesday 10thBostonI had assigned this day for the attendance of sundry person from Milford on their post Office busine... 11 April 1861Thursday 11thBostonI have now received my commission and instructions, so that I may be said to have vacated my post as... 12 April 1861Friday 12thBostonA mild spring morning. I went to Quincy by the early train for the purpose of transacting business a... 13 April 1861Saturday 13thBostonThe news of today is that firing has been continued at Charleston for twenty four hours and that the... 14 April 1861Sunday 14thBostonSpring like day. The verdure is just beginning to show itself, It is not so fresh as it was at Washi... 15 April 1861Monday 15thBostonThe details of the capitulation at Fort Sumpter were in the newspapers today, and also a proclamatio... 16 April 1861Tuesday 16thBostonA very heavy rain with a northeast wind. I was at work all the morning and had no interruption. In a... 17 April 1861Wednesday 17thBostonClouds in the morning, which cleared away fine. At noon I went to Quincy. The first thing I met was ... 18 April 1861Thursday 18thBostonThe new excitement has had one effect at least. It has relaxed the zeal of the men who came in quest... 19 April 1861Friday 19thBostonThe newspapers this morning did not confirm either of the rumors of yesterday excepting the last, an... 20 April 1861Saturday 20thBostonFine day. I had several straggling visits of persons about the Offices, but on the whole the war exc... 21 April 1861Sunday 21stBostonA fine day. Attended Divine service as usual, and heard Mr Ellis in the morning and Mr Waterston in ... 22 April 1861Monday 22dBostonLight rain and then cleared away. Occupied today in finishing the draught of my little valedictory, ... 23 April 1861Tuesday 23d.BostonA spring day. I went to Quincy and to the old Mansion which I now found quite neat and calm, and att... 24 April 1861Wednesday 24thBostonMy office seeking visits are mainly of those who are disappointed at the distribution of the places.... 25 April 1861Thursday 25thBostonMrs Adams’s birth day. Fifty three. It was a pleasant spring-like morning, but I felt more nervous a... 26 April 1861Friday 26thBostonVery pleasant. I went to Quincy in the morning train and made my final disposition of things there. ... 27 April 1861Saturday 27thBostonChilly easterly wind. My despatches arrived, and as well as I could consistently with many interrupt... 28 April 1861Sunday 28thBostonEast wind, clouds and rain. Attended Divine service, and heard Mr Newell of Cambridge preach. The su... 29 April 1861Monday 29thBostonA pleasant day. I began to make the final arrangements in packing and then went down into the city t... 30 April 1861Tuesday 30thBostonA soft, springlike day. Soon after ten o’clock Governor Andrew was announced but instead of coming a... May 1 May 1861Monday 1stBoston—at seaThe morning opened fine and mild. We were very busy making our final dispositions of things, packing... 2 May 1861Thursday 2dBoston—at seaMy night was restless and cold,and toward morning I was very seasick. The wind was sharp from the no... 3 May 1861Friday 3dAt seaThis morning at half past two o’clock we arrived at Halifax, where we stopped about an hour and a ha... 4 May 1861Saturday 4thAt seaA fine day. The wind drawing aft and the sea smooth so that in all felt quite comfortable. Little of... 5 May 1861Sunday 5thAt seaThe wind came to the south east during the night, in such a manner as to make the ship roll a good d... 6 May 1861Monday 6thAt seaThe wind blew a smart gale from the south east, which raised a rough sea and we rolled about at grea... 7 May 1861Tuesday 7thAt seaIn the course of the night the wind shifted to the westward and the sky cleared. The effect was to r... 8 May 1861Wednesday 8thAt seaWe made rapid progress yesterday, but the fine weather of today brought a change of wind to the east... 9 May 1861Thursday 9thAt seaThe sea was so calm that I really had a good quiet night’s rest and felt able to enjoy the beautify ... 10 May 1861Friday 10thAt seaClear with the wind still at the eastward and a little pitching motion just sufficient to make me un... 11 May 1861Saturday 11thAt seaThe wind holds pertinaciously ahead so as to check our speed a little, but here we find the superior... 12 May 1861Sunday 12thAt sea—Liverpool.The Captain did see land at half past three, but I did not get up on deck until after six when we we... 13 May 1861Monday 13thLondonBeautiful morning. Up early and on deck where I found we had passed the Sherries and Holyhead, and w... 14 May 1861Tuesday 14thLondonIn consequence of our fatigue we were not up very early to breakfast. Mr Dallas called with his son ... 15 May 1861Wednesday 15thLondonFeeling anxious lest the retirement of Lord John Russell might derange the rather informal arrangeme... 16 May 1861Thursday 16thLondonThe weather is quite clear and fine, though the East wind reminds me strongly of the same thing on o... 17 May 1861Friday 17thLondonChilly but clear. I was busy last night and this morning in writing my despatch No 1. giving an acco... 18 May 1861Saturday 18thLondonNot a great while after breakfast I received from Lord John Russell a note in reply to mine of yeste... 19 May 1861Sunday 19thLondonA mild and pleasant day. I reflected upon attendance on Divine service without being able to decide ... 20 May 1861Monday 20thLondonIt took me until noon to complete my paper, and I then took it to the Office which has been removed ... 21 May 1861Tuesday 21stLondonI went to the legation and compared the copy of my despatch with the draught, made the necessary cor... 22 May 1861Wednesday 22dLondonMy life is becoming somewhat regular, so far as it is possible to make it such in a hotel. I am call... 23 May 1861Thursday 23dLondonThe weather seemed to threaten but no rain came of it. I had the customary application as to make it... 24 May 1861Friday 24thLondonI know not what the cause may be but I do not find myself so well here as I am at home. Exercise unn... 25 May 1861Saturday 25thLondonThe weather continues clear and fine. But I am languid and uncomfortable. My morning slipped away in... 26 May 1861Sunday 26thLondonCloudy but mild. Not being disposed to remain entirely at home, I sallied forth with my son Brooks t... 27 May 1861Monday 27thLondonPleasant day. Walked to the legation after twelve. I limit my reception of business visits between 1... 28 May 1861Tuesday 28thLondonCloudy and chilly east wind. I think morning agreed to take a house No 17 St George’s place, Hyde pa... 29 May 1861Wednesday 29thLondonThe is the day of the Derby at Epsom. Parliament adjourns to let the members go and Lord Palmerston ... 30 May 1861Thursday 30thLondonMy day was spent in the ordinary routine of visitation excepting that in the afternoon I undertook t... 31 May 1861Friday 31stLondonAn opening the newspaper this morning I found that in a very full house the ministry had triumphed b... June 1 June 1861Saturday 1stLondonThis day we packed and bid goodbye to MrMannigy’s hotel. Whilst I rather prefer the English habit of... 2 June 1861Sunday 2d.LondonThis morning I walked with my son Brooks to attend religious services at St Paul’s. The crowd was su... 3 June 1861Monday 3dLondonWe are beginning to settle down. The day was cloudy and cold, so that at last I was drawn back to th... 4 June 1861Tuesday 4thLondonA quiet day at home. I was engaged in writing up the Diary which has a tendency to get into arrears.... 5 June 1861Wednesday 5thLondonCloudy and threatening rain. Yet Msrs Adams and I had fixed upon this morning to go to Twickenham, s... 6 June 1861Thursday 6thLondonThe morning was passed mainly in preparing a private despatch to Mr Seward, and a public one. In ord... 7 June 1861Friday 7thLondonThis being despatch day I was much engaged in finishing up several letters to be sent before night. ... 8 June 1861Saturday 8thLondonThis whole week has been chilly, cloudy and uncomfortable, giving no idea of spring or cheerfulness ... 8 June 1861Sunday, 8thLondonCloudy with rain. I sallied out to find a church to attend. But not having any definite idea of dire... 10 June 1861Monday 10thLondonChilly and showers, clearing away towards night. We received despatches and letters this morning fro... 11 June 1861Tuesday 11thLondonThe weather is improving, which is a blessing in this house, the back of which is not calculated for... 12 June 1861Wednesday 12thLondonA fine and warm day— I spent my morning is writing to my son John in advance of the mail day. But pr... 13 June 1861Thursday 13thLondonThe summer seems to be approaching. Soon after breakfast Mrs Adams and I went in the carriage to St ... 14 June 1861Friday 14thLondonQuite warm. This is my busy day. Yesterday I suceeded in making up two despatches to the State Depar... 15 June 1861Saturday 15thLondonAnother Summer’s day. Our cheerfulness is reviving under sunlight. My morning was absorbed by visits... 16 June 1861Sunday 16thLondonMr Ralston had invited us to go to the Temple Church today, so Mrs Adams and I drove down at eleven ... 17 June 1861Monday 17thLondonA fine day— I devoted much of my morning to finishing the arrears of such letters as have been upon ... 18 June 1861Tuesday 18thLondonThe season is now summerlike and charming. My morning devoted to visits of strangers. The only ones ... 19 June 1861Wednesday 19thLondonA lowering day but it cleared. We were all much occupied in the preparation of the necessary paraphe... 20 June 1861Thursday 20thLondonI conscientiously follow this kind of life in the hope that it may be of some use to me in my public... 21 June 1861Friday 21stLondonAt intervals snatched through the day yesterday I succeeded in preparing a portion of my usual despa... 22 June 1861Saturday 22d.LondonI was much troubled with applications for presentation to the Drawing room. This is the most annoyin... 23 June 1861Sunday 23dLondonI got so much interested in reading the newspapers received from home that I missed the time for my ... 24 June 1861Monday 24thLondonFine day. Morning wasted in interruptions of all kinds. In the midst of a heavy shower of rain we we... 25 June 1861Tuesday 25thLondonCloudy with light rain. I begin early this work to write my letter home as the later days bid fair t... 26 June 1861Wednesday 26thLondonFor a wonder we had not a single engagement for the day. The respects is certainly agreeable to me w... 27 June 1861Thursday 27thLondonA fine day. I was busy in the morning preparing my despatch for tomorrow. But I was early called off... 28 June 1861Friday 28thLondonMorning very busy in writing letters for the Mail. I finished one to Mr Dana, and one to my son John... 29 June 1861Saturday 29thLondonWe were invited this morning to breakfast. Mr Munckton Milnes had Mr and Mrs Grote, his sister Lady ... 30 June 1861Sunday 30thLondonThick, smoky morning. I went out in quest of a church, and finally, after failing in an attempt to g... July 1 July 1861Monday, July 1stLondonMy morning was spent in my own accounts, and in preparing my regular report for the quarter to the g... 2 July 1861Tuesday 2d.LondonMy morning much taken up with accounts. But at last I made a desperate effort to break away in order... 3 July 1861Wednesday 3d.LondonI had a visit from Sidney Broooks who wanted to talk politics. But it is a process that requires som... 4 July 1861Thursday 4thLondonA cloudy anniversary in more senses than one. On Tuesday I received an invitation to attend a breakf... 5 July 1861Friday 5thLondonThis being my despatch day I was engaged pretty industriously during the morning. But I had less mat... 6 July 1861Saturday 6thLondonCloudy and threatening with heavy rain at night. My morning was passed in a good measure in reading ... 7 July 1861Sunday 7thLondonA showery day. I found a church today being that called St Martin’s in the fields. It is an edificie... 8 July 1861Monday 8thLondonThe season of gaiety is drawing to a close, and I confess I am glad of it. A sense of duty has led m... 9 July 1861Tuesday 9thLondonVariable weather. I was somewhat taken up by visits. People come here daily from the United States, ... 10 July 1861Wednesday 10thLondonA rather quiet morning. I had visits from two Americans Mr John S Dwight and Mr George Bemis who tal... 11 July 1861Thursday 11thLondonI was busy much of the morning in writing my dispatch for the week. It has been made longer than usu... 12 July 1861Friday 12thLondonVery uncertain, showery weather. At night it rained quite hard. I continued my labours in writing le... 13 July 1861Saturday 13thLondonAnother showery day. I had intended to devote the morning to the gallery of the South Kensington Mus... 14 July 1861Sunday 14thLondonI went out once more on a voyage of discovery, and after a long walked settled into the church of St... 15 July 1861Monday 15thLondonI think this was the finest day I have yet seen. The air was clear and soft after a fresh morning sh... 16 July 1861Tuesday 16thLondonShowery day. The decline of the season is now visible in the cortège in Rotten row, and the evening ... 17 July 1861Wednesday 17thLondonA fine day, but little interrupted. Very busy in writing up all the arrears of my Diary, and in exam... 18 July 1861Saturday 18thLondonCloudy and variable. Morning employed in preparing despatches as usual this day. I find the business... 19 July 1861Friday 19thLondonCloudy and dark with rain at night. A very busy day, in drawing up despatches, and writing letters. ... 20 July 1861Saturday 20thBrightonThe course taken by Lord John Russell in refusing to negotiation excepting in concurrence with a sim... 21 July 1861Sunday 21stBrightonMorning rain with a warm southerly mist from the water, but it cleared at night. I sallied out in qu... 22 July 1861Monday 22dLondonI left Mrs Adams and Mary to stay at Brighton or to go on with the Brookses as they might agree unti... 23 July 1861Tuesday 23dLondonVariable with sunshine and rain. The morning was given up to the reception and perusal of the Americ... 24 July 1861Wednesday 24thLondonCloudy with showers. Mr Dayton came to see me at the time appointed, and we had a frank conversatino... 25 July 1861Thursday 25thLondonIt rains every day more or less. I began upon despatches which kept me busy all day. Mr Dayton came ... 26 July 1861Friday 26thLondonHaving go t my despatches done, the next thing is to complete my private letters. I wrote to my son ... 27 July 1861Saturday 27thLondonA heavy thunder shower. The drops looked like American rain. I left the office early for the purpose... 28 July 1861Sunday 28th.LondonThe news from home was not bad, yet it made me restless all night. Thus it is on each arrival of let... 29 July 1861Monday 29thLondonA very fine day, one of the few which we have experienced here. I was very much engaged with letters... 30 July 1861Tuesday 30thLondonWe made a commencement of moving today, but owing to delays at the new house we succeeded only in tr... 31 July 1861Wednesday 31stLondonA fine day. We were of course out of order, as we were in the very agony of removal. I was engaged p... August 1 August 1861Thursday August 1stLondonWith the aid of my new room which is free from the interruptions of the legation I did more real wor... 2 August 1861Friday 2dLondonWarm but showery. My works was so well advanced that I had not so much pressure today, and all my pa... 3 August 1861Saturday 3dLondonMrs Adams has persuaded me to take a lesson twice a week in French conversation, with my children, a... 4 August 1861Sunday 4thLondonA fine day. I found my way in company with my son Brooks to a small Unitarian church in Little Portl... 5 August 1861Monday 5thLondonThe effect of ill news now is always to wake me a couple of hours earlier than usual with a dull sen... 6 August 1861Tuesday 6thLondonThe London newspapers mostly betray a secret satisfaction with the humilaition we have met with. And... 7 August 1861Wednesday 7thLondonMy spirits do not quite recover the shock of Sunday. I find myself anxious and tremulous. I was busy... 8 August 1861Thursday 8thLondonThis morning is commonly devoted to letters and dispatches in season for the bag which goes tomorrow... 9 August 1861Friday 9thLondonIn consequence of my yesterday’s activity I had much less labor than usual to make up the post this ... 10 August 1861Saturday 10thLondon—CambridgeA fine, warm day. Having completed all our arrangements, the whole family took our leave of London f... 11 August 1861Sunday 11thLondon—CambridgeA very warm day, but bright and genial. I was out early. We visited King’s chapel too late to get wi... 12 August 1861Monday 12thEly, PeterboroughA Massachusetts man looks at Cambridge with a preference because it was the chief nursery of her ori... 13 August 1861Tuesday 13thBoston, LincolnAfter breakfast I got my letters from America which as usual depressed my spirits. I felt relieved b... 14 August 1861Wednesday 14thLincoln, DerbyA cooler day with clouds. After breakfast we all went to view the Cathedral, considered among the fi... 15 August 1861Thursday 15thLondonI found myself alone in my compartment, and slept pretty well for a large part of the way. I reached... 16 August 1861Friday 16thLondonI had a visit this morning from Mr George L Schuyler of New York, who has been sent out by the gover... 17 August 1861Saturday 17thMatlock BathEvery call of business having apparently been disposed of, I was now prepared to join my family agai... 18 August 1861Sunday 18thLondonMy birth day. I am fifty four years old. My career in life is drawing on to its close and I know not... 19 August 1861Monday 19thWarwickWe left Matlock Bath quiet early. Under other circumstances I think I should enjoy its profound repo... 20 August 1861Tuesday 20thWarwick—CambridgeWe have occasional showers, which do not however impede our expeditions, or detract from the fine we... 21 August 1861Wednesday 21stOxfordWe took our leave this morning of the pleasant neighborhood of Warwick, in the midst of the popular ... 22 August 1861Thursday 22d.LondonMy first business was to try at the post office for letters, but I got nothing but a short note. Our... 23 August 1861Friday 23d.LondonI confess I felt glad to get home. The town is now deserted by the fashion which only renders the qu... 24 August 1861Saturday 24thLondonA cloudy morning, but it cleared afterwards quite fine. I had a visit from Mr Schuyler who gave me a... 25 August 1861Sunday 25thLondonA gentleman by the name of Wilt has been civil enough to write me to attend service at the Queen’s C... 26 August 1861Monday 26thLondonWe had this morning the despatches from America which usually absorb a good deal of time. There is i... 27 August 1861Tuesday 27thLondonThe weather is absolutely perfect. Warm without being oppressive and clear. My morning spent in writ... 28 August 1861Wednesday 28thLondonAnother fine day. I began writing my letters for the despatch on Friday. Visits from several persons... 29 August 1861Thursday 29thLondonThis week has been the perfection of weather. I worked hard all the morning in writing letters which... 30 August 1861Friday 30thLondonBy taking the work in season I succeeded in accomplishing all my papers for the mail by three o’ clo... 31 August 1861Saturday 31stWaltonWarm and clear. My morning passed a little desultorily as sometimes happens after the labor of the p... September 1 September 1861Sunday. September 1stWarwickMr Sturgis when at Cambridge college was well known to me through my brother John whose classmate he... 2 September 1861Monday 2d.LondonIt was arranged between Mrs Adams and Mrs Sturgis to leave the two children for a few days in compan... 3 September 1861Tuesday 3.dLondonMy morning was continuously busy in preparing the papers proper to be sent to Lord Russell. They wer... 4 September 1861Wednesday 4thLondonMy labors seem to increase rather than diminish. I wrote other letters to consuls,and began the seri... 5 September 1861Thursday 5thLondonThe weather seems at last to give indications of a change. During the whole month of August it certa... 6 September 1861Friday 6thLondonCloudy and heavy showers, clearing toward night. An arrangement has been made to send the bag to Que... 7 September 1861Saturday 7thLondonCooler day. The season is changing. I was busy al the morning visiting. We got all the despatches re... 8 September 1861Sunday 8thLondonHazy and cloudy until night when there were heavy showers. Attended Divine service with my family at... 9 September 1861Monday 9thLondonA very fine day. We improved it by making a visit to see Windsor. We took the train at the Waterloo ... 10 September 1861Tuesday 10thLondonCooler temperature. The Autumn is making itself sensibly felt. I was much employed by visits.A gentl... 11 September 1861Wednesday 11thLondonMy day passed somewhat indolently. I wrote a number of letters to different people and took a pretty... 12 September 1861Thursday 12thLondonFine towards evening. Wrote letters all the morning. One to my son Charles. I had a visit too from M... 13 September 1861Friday 13thLondonEvery morning the sun rises brilliantly, but in a couple of hours the sky becomes overcast, and it r... 14 September 1861Saturday 14thLondonThis morning was devoted to the completion of all the customary matter in season for the Desptatch b... 15 September 1861Sunday 15thLondonOur host, Joshua Bates, is a shrewd, self-made American, who has raised himself by his own judgment ... 16 September 1861Monday 16thLondonAs our hosts seemed to desire the stay of some of our party for another day, Mrs Adams and Henry con... 17 September 1861Tuesday 17thLondonChilly. Morning much taken up with persons visiting me. Mr Blake from Boston came in, complaining of... 18 September 1861Wednesday 18thLondonChilly within doors. The time for fires is approaching. My morning was very largely taken up by visi... 19 September 1861Thursday 19thLondonThe morning was foggy, but the day proved fine. I devoted my time to the regular work of preparing m... 20 September 1861Friday 20thLondonSlight drizzle followed by a fine day. I finished up my private letter writing for the mail bag in v... 21 September 1861Saturday 21stLondonClear morning but it settled into heavy rain. I had not much to do excepting to study the law a litt... 22 September 1861Sunday 22dLondonFog and rain. Attended Divine service at St George’s Chapel. The sermon from the text “I thirst,” bu... 23 September 1861Monday 23d.AberdeenA morning of interruptions. I went out to make my final agreement about a carriage which has been ex... 24 September 1861Tuesday 24thAbergeldie CastleAt one time I waked to see great furnaces glowing all around me out of the midst of the darkness, th... 25 September 1861Wednesday 25thAbergeldie CastleI was placed in a large square chamber in what is called the tower of the castle, with narrow window... 26 September 1861Thursday 26thEdinburghShortly after breakfast I took my leave of the friendly family, and as the tower clock struck ten, t... 27 September 1861Friday 27thEdinburgh. LondonUp early this morning, in order to gain an hour before my departure to take a look at this noted cit... 28 September 1861Saturday 28thLondonOn my return I found more than the usual quantity of arrears to bring up, and my first duty was to f... 29 September 1861Sunday 29thLondonA fine day. I attended Divine Service at St George’s Chapel, Bloomsbury. Quite full. The sermon much... 30 September 1861Monday 30thLondonOn coming down to breakfast this morning, we found the letters from America, which usually give enou... October 1 October 1861Tuesday 1stLondonCloudy and warm. I had many visits. One from a gentleman who did not give his name but who sent in t... 2 October 1861Wednesday 2d.LondonFine day. A visit from Mr Alfred Brett, who came to talk about a steamer to be sold, which might be ... 3 October 1861Thursday 3dLondonThe weather is again very fine. I was hard at work again today in writing letters and receiving pers... 4 October 1861Friday 4thLondonEvery morning I find letters which add to the labours of the day. I was quite occupied in preparing ... 5 October 1861Saturday 5thLondonCloudy, with rain towards night. I continued my labour in finishing up the draughts of my dispatches... 6 October 1861Sunday 6thLondonCloudy and dull. I went to Church at the Unitarian chapel in Little Portland Street. About forty per... 7 October 1861Monday 7thLondonVery sultry with a heavy fog for much of the day. The mail bag did not come, but so many newspapers ... 8 October 1861Tuesday 8thLondonFine, clear day. The mail bag came this morning, but it brought no despatches of interest, and but a... 9 October 1861Wednesday 9thLondonFog, but it cleared by noon, which seems to be common here. My routine much as usual. Several person... 10 October 1861Thursday 10thLondonWet in the day but it did not rain. As the proposed arrangement for sending the despatches through Q... 11 October 1861Friday 11thLondonrainy morning with thunder and lightening, but it cleared fine at night. I was busy writing my priva... 12 October 1861Saturday 12thLondonFor a wonder this was quite a day of vacation to me, and I scarcely know whether I improved as I sho... 13 October 1861Sunday 13thLondonA clear, fine day throughout, a thing quite rare at this season. Mrs Adams and I took the opportunit... 14 October 1861Monday 14thLondonA summer’s day. Brooks returned to Twickenham. The bag from America came in this morning and absorbe... 15 October 1861Tuesday 15thLondonAnother day of summer temperature. I found myself with little to do again. This bids fair to last th... 16 October 1861Wednesday 16thLondonQuite a change of weather. Cloudy with a raw north east wind, I was again a good deal at leisure all... 17 October 1861Thursday 17thLondonCooler but still clear. This once more becomes my morning for the preparation of despatches, so that... 18 October 1861Friday 18thLondonI had expected that this would be quite an easy day, but matters accumulated upon me so fast that I ... 19 October 1861Saturday 19thLondonI had three letters of enquiry to answer today, two of which required a careful examination of the l... 20 October 1861Sunday 20thLondonA very foggy, dark day. I attended Divine service with my daughter Mary at St George’s Church. It wa... 21 October 1861Monday 21stLondonI had a restless, uncomfortable night, the consequence of a disordered stomach which made me dull an... 22 October 1861Tuesday 22d.LondonThe most painful private intelligence we have from America relates to Mrs Frothingham my Wife’s sist... 23 October 1861Wednesday 23dLondonA fine day and quite clear for this climate. I was much interrupted with visits Mr Putnam the consul... 24 October 1861Thursday 24thLondonA pleasant day and very mild. I walk out after sunset without an overcoat and feel warm, a thing not... 26 October 1861Friday 25thLondonMild and cloudy. I wrote letters very industriously for the steamer of tomorrow and did not get thro... 27 October 1861Saturday 26thLondonMore chilly. I fulfilled my appointment with Mr Kuntse, and he finished his work in about half an ho... 28 October 1861Sunday 27thLondonA cool but fine day. Attended Divine service with Mrs Adams. Mr Martineau officiated and the attenda... 29 October 1861Monday 28thLondonClear and chilly. I am all the time engaged in writing answers to the enquiries of the Consuls. This... 30 October 1861Tuesday 29thLondonClear, fine day. I have been anxious today about getting off a youth by the name of Clarke who came ... 30 October 1861Wednesday 30thLondonFine. This was one of those day of incessant hustle and interruption which happens from time to time... 31 October 1861Thursday 31stLondonFine day. The usual occupation of this day is the preparation of despatches for the post-bag tomorro... November 1 November 1861Friday, 1st.LondonCool and clear. This day was spent in writing my private letters home and some public ones. It kept ... 2 November 1861Saturday 2d.LondonOn rising this morning, the first thing I saw out of the window were very large flakes of snow which... 3 November 1861Sunday 3d.LondonA cloudless, cool day much resembling one of our New England days with the wind at the northwest. I ... 4 November 1861Monday 4thLondonWe got news from America this morning of a rather better tenor. Without being decisive the military ... 5 November 1861Tuesday 5thLondonI think the pressure of visits and of letters increases daily. I had Mr Hadfield again who came to t... 6 November 1861Wednesday 6thLondonA mild, showery day. The morning was completely broken up with visits and with the departure of our ... 7 November 1861Thursday 7thLondonA fine day. The American newspapers came with the details of the reverse at Harrison’s island near W... 8 November 1861Friday 8thLondonI was busily employed all my morning in writing letters to my two sons at home. So many thoughts occ... 9 November 1861Saturday 9thLondonThis is the day of the Lord Mayor of London. He enters on his annual term of Office with much of the... 10 November 1861Sunday 10thLondonI resumed my work on the report of my speech immediately after breakfast, and tried to finish it by ... 11 November 1861Monday 11thLondonA very clear, fine day. I had a poor night but the sunlight made me feel a little better. My first a... 12 November 1861Tuesday 12thLondonA thick fog and rain so that we breakfasted by lamplight, and did not extinguish it until near noon.... 13 November 1861Wednesday 13thLondonA day of heavy rain I was at home all the morning making up the Diary of yesterday and despatching s... 14 November 1861Thursday 14.thLondonCloudy with light rain towards night. My time almost all of it devoted to the preparations of despat... 15 November 1861Friday 15thLondonThe whole of this morning was taken up in writing to my sons John and Charles. Such has been my anxi... 16 November 1861Saturday 16thOssingtonA clear, sunny morning with a bright hoar frost spangling all the ground and the tops of houses. I h... 14 November 1861Sunday 17thOssingtonOssington seems to be a landed Estate of about twenty two hundred acres. The house is in the centre ... 18 November 1861Monday 18thOssingtonThe cold has been quite sharp for two days, the thermometer falling to eighteen degrees, which is as... 19 November 1861Tuesday 19thOssingtonOur pleasant party broke up this morning. The Bishop was off early with our host to take part in the... 20 November 1861Wednesday 20thOssingtonAfter the boisterous night, the sight of the sun and the green grass again was cheering. Mr Denison ... 21 November 1861Thursday 21stLondonMild and fine. My day was spent in preparing the draught of a note to Lord Russell The instruction I... 22 November 1861Friday 22dLondonHeavy rain all day so that I did not stir out of the house. Busy writing numerous despatches of a se... 23 November 1861Saturday 23dLondonThe day was mild and clear. I was busy in completing the draught of my note to Lord Russell which wa... 24 November 1861Sunday 24thLondonA clear sharp day. The observer this morning had a telegram purporting to give the news that the exp... 25 November 1861Monday 25thFryston HallFor the first time since I have been in England the Depatch bag brought both public and private acco... 26 November 1861Tuesday 26thFryston HallThis house is much like Mr Denison’s, large and somewhat ancient, but no effort has been made to mod... 27 November 1861Wednesday 27thFryston HallVariable weather with showers, but clearing at night. We have not been lucky in the matter of outdoo... 28 November 1861Thursday 28thLondonA very fine day. I was up early to see Mr Forster off. He and Mr Ledyard left soon after nine o’cloc... 29 November 1861Friday 29thLondonWed, foggy day. Very much occupied in preparing despatches. I had several to write on different subj... 30 November 1861Saturday. 30th.LondonThe law Offices of the crown have modified their opinion as I supposed, and now the dogs are all let... December 1 December 1861Sunday Decr 1.stLondonClear and blustering. I attended Divine service with the two children at St George’s church. Afterwa... 2 December 1861Monday 2d.LondonThere was again a failure in the arrival of the despatch bag, so that I remained in ignorance of the... 3 December 1861Tuesday 3dLondonThe bag arrived this morning, and contained not a line from the Department on the subject that most ... 4 December 1861Wednesday 4thLondonI am much engaged now in writing letters in answer to anxious enquiries from far and near. The visit... 5 December 1861Thursday 5thLondonThe days are now growing very short. The sun rises after eight o’clock and sets before four, so that... 6 December 1861Friday 6thLondonrain and fog. My time absorbed in preparing despatches, especially a rejoinder to the last note of L... 7 December 1861Saturday. 7.thLondonClear and mild. My morning engaged by enquiries addressed to me from consuls. The new men who came i... 8 December 1861Sunday 8thLondonA clear, fine mild day. By arrangement with Mr Ralston we went to the City and attended Divine servi... 9 December 1861Monday 9thLondonThe anxiety about the war increases, stocks fall and a general restlessness shows the sense of futur... 10 December 1861Tuesday 10thLondonThe letters and visits and interruptions are so numerous now as to fatigue my attention and wear my ... 11 December 1861Wednesday 11thLondonThe weather continues very mild and springlike. I was engaged as usual until near two o’clock when H... 12 December 1861Tuesday 12thLondonMy despatches are declining in volume as the crisis approaches. I had only two short ones for this d... 13 December 1861Friday 13thLondonWarm with drizzle and rain. My day much consumed in writing to my children and other friends in Amer... 14 December 1861Sunday 14thLondonrather a clear fine day, though they are now so short as to make no very great difference in the smo... 15 December 1861Monday 15thLondonOn coming down to breakfast the newspaper disclosed to us the fact that the Prince died last night a... 16 December 1861Tuesday 16thLondonWe were up rather earlier than usual in order to take the train at a few minutes after nine o’clock,... 17 December 1861Wednesday 17thLondonThe weather continues cloudy and mild. Soon after breakfast I went with my son Henry to the British ... 18 December 1861Thursday 18thLondonOn reflection I determined to ask a conference of Lord Russell in order to sound him on the prospect... 19 December 1861Thursday 19thLondonI began my usual line of despatches, but they are becoming more and more brief. The newspapers are m... 20 December 1861Friday 20thLondonI found myself after all under a necessity of preparing a great many more papers than I expected, an... 21 December 1861Saturday 21stLondonThis day of the week is to me much like the holiday of boyhood. I do nothing. Some visits— Mr Weed c... 22 December 1861Sunday 22d.LondonChilly with clouds. I attended with Mrs Adams and Mary at St George’s Church, Harrow Square. The usu... 23 December 1861Monday 23dLondonCloudy. The American mail arrived this morning, and kept us all occupied. I had no Despatcahes of in... 24 December 1861Tuesday 24thWaltonFine, clear day. Busy in writing answer to letters and notes of all kinds. Not many persons to see m... 25 December 1861Wednesday 25thWaltonA most beautiful day. The ground covered with white frost in the morning, but the atmosphere as clea... 26 December 1861Thursday 26thLondonUp early to take an early train home. Mr and Mrs Sturgis urge me to stay but many reason impel me to... 27 December 1861Friday 27thLondonCold day. I found enough to do in my correspondence which grows more and more voluminous. I kept har... 28 December 1861Saturday 28thLondonCommonly this is my day of vacation, but for some reason or other I found my business hours all abso... 29 December 1861Sunday 29thLondonQuite a sharp day. I was alone the greater part of it. Walked into the city to Church, and dropped i... 30 December 1861Monday 30thLondonI was awake early in the night from some unknown cause which left me rather fatigued all day. The de... 31 December 1861Tuesday 31stLondonRather a quiet day. I busied myself bring up my accounts to the close of the year. Mrs Adams called ...