Wet and damp. Morning spent in franking— At the Capitol. Governor Seward sent in for me to go to the Senate and I went. He told me that he regarded the new from Virginia of the complete defeat of the secession party as decisive of the question of our safety here, I might telegraph that no troops would be wanted, which I did soon afterwards. He also said that a movement had been started last night to break ground in opposition to our policy which might lead to a division of the party. This ought to be avoided, and to that end he begged me to try to persuade Mr Corwin to put off a decision as long as he could. He whispered something more but so imperfectly that I could not quite catch the sense. The substance seemed to be that he had heard from Mr Lincoln, who approved his course, but was badgered at Springfield that he felt65 compelled to keep uncommitted on it at present. I then walked up to Sumner and talked a few minutes with him and Wilson about the Virgina news, after which I returned to the House. The main topic was the new bill to discontinue the postal service in the rebelling States. Mr Sickles made rather a significant speech in which he described the decline in the sympathy of the democrats of the Free States as the rebellion had proceeded. In the first month, it had been defence— In the second it had sunk to apology. In the third—it was disapprobation. He is a man of some ability, and is trying hard to brush off the old stain. At four I returned home to dress, and go to Mr Douglas’s to dinner. A large company, consisting of General Scott, Judge Mc Lean, Mr Foot of Vermont, Mr Crittenden of Kentucky, Mr Vinton, Colonel Keyes, Mr Blendel, Mr Osten Sacken, and Mr R Cults, besides the family and Mr Everett. The inner was very handsome, and as usual long. I had a little conversation with Judge Douglas on the Virginia result, as also on the struggle in Tennessee which is now at its height. He is still doubtful of the result. The only present gain guiding.From here I went to the speaker’s where was quite an assemblage of ladies and gentlemen.— After supper returned home quite tired with this dissipated life. A large package of nearly fifty letters was waiting for one, mainly drawn out by my speech, which is making a great fortune.