Morning spent in finishing the new draught of my report, which satisfied me much better than either of its predecessors, and I took it with me to the House. It appeared a little strange to me to be back in my seat, free from any more of the toil of the Committee room. And were it not for the critical state of the country, and the pressure of my new duty of a speech, I should feel very easy. Bu things are beginning to look better. The tide of treason looks as if it has reached its height, and in Maryland it was slowly receding. The speeches were now in the full face in the House. Mr Reagan made a violent, illtempered attack and was promptly and handsomely answered by Mr Stanton. The latter is an excellent offhand debater, but he wants method and breadth in his philosophy. More speakers followed who were not listened to. This process is to go on for several days, on the army bill, being the last of the regular appropriation bills. Adjourned at half past four. At dinner, Governor Seward was with us. He seemed in my high spirits. He expressed himself very much amused at the various opinion expressed of his speech. At first the extreme right of the party manifested the greatest disappointment and subdued indignation, but now they were coming to him to say that he did not seem to promise much after all. Yet the fact really is that he does promise something if the other side will ask for it in good faith, but not without. We afterwards went to the President’s reception. It was not very large, but attended by an unusual53 number of republicans. By degrees Mr Buchanan has expurgated his cabinet until now he has none of the secession school left. And his policy has so far changed as to welcome the free sentiment of the country once more to the Presidential mansion. In fact Mr Seward is even now the guiding hand at the helm. I saw not many acquaintances and was glad to come away at ten.