Cold morning with white frost over the whole surface of the country. To town where was mist and smoke. Finished up my private letters and tried to draw up my Quarterly account for the government, but found myself so soon immersed in doubts that I was compelled to lay it over until next week. Mr Evans came in to see me. He seemed uneasy about the rumor of my departure as well as the stories he gets from the other side. He likewise seems uneasy at the scheme proposed of trying another meeting in London, friendly to us. I endeavoured to reassure him, as I have done many times before. Men living under the line of shadow from the aristocracy and monied classes become more or less alarmed at all exceptional appearances. Received from Dr Beyland at Paris the sad news of the death of Mr Dayton, by apoplexy last evening. Although this is no cause for surprise, yet the announcement was startling. He has been long in political life, always creditably, and in this last position very acceptably. He was six months my senior in age. The loss will be serious to the country and very painful to his family. It may precipitate action on the whole question of places, at Washington. Home as usual.158