Left page [Nothing to transcribe] Page contains printed "Almanack" information for first half of 1874. Right page Top margin notes: "Vol. 13" and "[200 c. page]" [Nothing else to transcribe] Page contains printed "Almanack" information for second half of 1984. COMMERCIAL STAMPS. Agreement for a Lease or Tack, for a term not exceeding seven years: and Agreement or Minute containing the Terms and Conditions on which any Lands, Tenements, &c., are let, held, or occupied, for any such Term. (The same Duty as on a Lease for a similar Term, Rent, and Conditions). £ s. d. Agreement, adhesived or impressed, for letting a furnished house for a less period than a year ; and for rent exceeding £25... 0 2 6 Agreement, in England or Ireland, under hand only, or in Scotland without any Clause of Registration, where the matter is of the value of £5, or upwards, whether only evidence of a Contract, or obligatory upon the parties from its being a written Instrument and under 30 folios... 0 0 6 Agreement for letting a House or Tenement, or part, only, for less than a year, at a rent payable weekly or monthly, not exceeding the rate of 3s. 6d. per week... 0 0 1 The duties of 6d. and 1d. may be denoted by an adhesive stamp, every party requiring the agreement also cancelling the stamp by signing his name across with the date. Signing, dating, and cancelling is for all adhesive stamps. Appraisement- The stamp must be on the sheet containing the aggregate amount of valuation. Persons delivering an Appraisement written on unstamped paper are liable to a penalty of £50. Apprenticeship, Indenture of.-To learn a Profession, Trade, or Employment (except Articles of Clerkship to an Attorney or Solicitor)... Where no Premium is paid... 0 2 6 For every £ and fractional part... 0 5 0 Articles of Clerkship to an Attorney or Solicitor, in order to admission in the Courts at Westminster or in Ireland...80 0 0 Articles of Clerkship to an Attorney or Solicitor, in Courts of the Counties Palatine, or inferior Court of Record in England... 60 0 0 Articles of Association... 1 15 0 Bank Note- For money not exceeding £1... Bill of Exchange payable on demand... 0 0 1 Bill of Exchange of any other kind whatsoever (except a Bank Note) and PROMISSORY NOTE of any kind whatsoever (except a Bank Note)-drawn or expressed to be payable or actually paid or indorsed, or in any manner negotiated in the United Kingdom, where the amount or value of the money for which the bill or note drawn or made does not exceed £5... 0 0 1 Bill of Lading... £ s. d. 0 0 6 Bill of Sale (Absolute same duty as a Conveyance. Bill of Sale (as Security) same duty as a Mortgage. Bond, in England or Ireland, and personal Bond in Scotland, for payment of any definite and certain sum of money- Charter Party... 0 0 6 Contract note... 0 0 1 Conveyance of whatever kind, on the sale of lands, or other property. On the principal or only instrument- Dock Warrant... 0 0 3 Legacy of the value of £20 or upwards, and also any share of clear residue of the value of £20 or upwards, arising under Will or Intestacy of persons dying after 5th of April, 1805, which shall respectively be paid after 31st August, 1815, in Great Britain, or after 9th October, 1842, in Ireland- To a child, descendant of a child of the deceased, or father or mother, of any lineal ancestor of deceased... 1 per ct. To a brother or sister, or their descendants... 3 ,, To an uncle or aunt, or their descendants... 3 ,, To a great uncle or aunt, or their descendants... 6 ,, To any other relation, or to a stranger in blood... 10 ,, Lease at a yearly rent, with or without premium, the following duties on the rent. The premium (if any) is also chargeable with (ad. val.) duty- And Progressive Duty-Where ad. val. does not exceed 10s.-same as ad. val. If 10s. or upwards... 0 10 0 *These three duties are not chargeable where a premium is paid, but duty is charged on the premium only, as on a conveyance for similar consideration. Letter or Power of Attorney- £ s. d. For the receipt of Dividends or Interest of any Government Stock or Funds, or of the Stock or Funds of the Secretary of State for India, or on Shares of any Joint Stock Company- Where for the receipt of one payment only... 0 1 0 For continuous receipt or more than one payment... 0 5 0 By a Petty Officer, Seaman, or Marine, or their executors or administrators, to receive prize money... 0 1 0 By ditto, to receive wages... 0 1 0 For sale, transfer, or acceptance of Government or Parliamentary Stocks not exceeding in value £20; or for any receipt for any sum of money, or cheque, note or draft, not exceeding £20; or dividends or interest or such stocks; or any other periodical payments, not exceeding £10 per annum... 0 5 0 For sale, transfer, acceptance, or receipt of dividends of Government or Parliamentary Stocks exceeding the above value... 1 0 0 For the sole purpose of nominating a proxy to vote at any one meeting specified therein... 0 0 6 Mortgage- Policy of Insurance (Sea) - For every Policy of Sea Insurance for or upon any voyage-In respect of every full sum of £100 or fractional part of £100 thereby insured... 0 0 3 For every Policy of Sea Insurance for Time-In respect for every full sum of £100 or fractional part of £100 thereby insured-Where the Insurance shall be made for any time not exceeding six months... 0 0 3 Where the Insurance shall be made for any time exceeding six months, and not exceeding twelve months... 0 0 6 But if the separate and distinct interests of two or more persons shall be insured by one Policy for a voyage or for time, then the duty of 3d. or 6., as the case may require, shall be charged thereon in respect of every full sum of £100 and every fractional part of £100 thereby insured upon any separate or distinct interest. Probate and Letters of Administration in England or Ireland; and confirmation or inventory in Scotland- Receipt or Discharge, amounting to £2 or upwards... 0 0 1 Scrip Certificate... 0 0 1 Voting Papers... 0 0 1 SPOILED STAMPS. The hours of attendance for the Allowance of Spoiled Stamps at Somerset House are from 12 till 2 o'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 till 12 o'clock on Saturdays; and at Nos. 1 and 2, Great Winchester Street Buildings, London Wall, for allowance of Sea Policy and General Spoiled Stamps, every day except Saturday, from 11 till 2. Affidavits sworn in the country can only be received at Somerset House, and not during the above hours. James A. Garfield SCRIBBLING FOLIO DIARY AND DAILY REGISTER FOR 187.4, TWO DAYS ON EACH PAGE, WITH AN ALMANACK, &c., &c. INTERLEAVED BLOTTING. PRICE THREE SHILLINGS. London: PUBLISHED BY T. J . & J. SMITH, QUEEN STREET, CHEAPSIDE. And may be had of all Stationers and Booksellers in the United Kingdom. MEMORANDA FROM 1873. JANUARY, 1874. 1st Week. I am not a little surprised at myself, that I have been able to continue uninterrupted a journal, during the last three years. I presume I should not have done this but for the help of Mr. Rose. A man keeps a promise to another better than to himself, and I have in some sort felt under obligation to Rose to keep up with this journal, otherwise I think it would have fallen like my former attempts. I shall try to continue it during the New Year. THURSDAY 1 [1-364] I am not well this morning and the year comes in blank and damp. I continued work on the Daniels papers until eleven o'clock when I dressed and joined my college classmate, Hill, Assistant Atty General of the U.S., in making New Years calls. We called on the President and witnessed the usual pageant of New Years morning at the White House. After that we spent the remainder of the day until six in the evening, in making about sixty calls. Mrs. Monroe assisted Crete in receiving her calls which amounted to about sixty during the day and in the evening. Made a few calls on my neighbors in the evening and spent an hour or two at A. G. Riddles, talking of his new book "The Portrait" which I think is a very successful. Thus ended the first lesson of 1874. JANUARY, 1874. - 1st Week. FRIDAY 2 [2-363] Even one day away from my desk brings overwork as the penalty. Spent the forenoon until eleven o'clock bringing up work, and at eleven took my morning gallop, and during it, visited Smith, the House Reporter. Made arrangements for getting the report of our Boston examination out. Continued work on correspondence; also, commenced an article for the newspapers, on Riddle's new book "The Portrait". At five o'clock, went to the office of Mr. Daniels and, consulted with him and Mr. Payne, in regard to Daniels' case in the Supreme Court of the District. At eight o'clock, the Sub Committee on Appropriation Judge Hale, Loughridge and myself, met here and considered the Boston Post office question. Agreed on the general plan of the Report, which I am to prepare. Sub committee adjourned at eleven o'clock. I continued to read my mail until midnight. SATURDAY 3 [3-362] Worked on correspondence until 11 o'clock, when I took my horse-back ride bringing up at the Capitol at a meeting of the Committee on Appropriations at 12 o'clock. Had a nearly full Committee, took up the Army Bill and worked on it very satisfactorily for few hours. We shall be able to succeed in making a large reduction perhaps three millions. Went to the old library and obtained some authorities in reference to the Daniels Case. In the evening dictated to the House Reporter portion of the Report of the Sub Committee on the Boston Post Office SUNDAY 4. [4-361] Sunday. Took my Galop, going to Washington Heights overlooking Rock Creek. Then at Church listened to an able sermon from B. R. Smith, of Ohio. John Q. Smith called on me in the forenoon, and took dinner with us. Had a pleasant visit. Several others called in the evening. I called on Speaker Blaine at nine o'clock in reference to legislative work of tomorrow morning. JANUARY, 1874.-2nd Week. MONDAY 5 [5-360] Worked on correspondence and on the Boston Post Office Report until one-quarter before ten. Horseback riding until half-past ten, when Committee on Appropriations met, taking up the Clabal Appropriation, for a short time, until Mr. Wheeler arrived; then proceed with and finished the Army Appropriation bill and ordered it reported to the House. The total appropriation is twenty-eight and one half millions, being about four-millions less than the estimates, and three millions less than the bill of last year. Mr. Wheeler introduced it into the House. After the morning hour the Civil Rights Bill came up and its discussion occupied the remainder of the day. Mr Stevens read a speech of more than an hour. The galleries were thronged to hear him, mainly out of curiosity to hear the little old Vice President of the late confederacy. He is a man of great power, but has outlived his usefulness. [Separate paper placed over the second entry] The parade that is made over him is not creditable to those who make it. In the evening worked on correspondence and Boston P.O. Report. Mr Bangs called and spent an hour in discussing with me the propriety of putting on an exclusive train for mails between New York and Chicago; consolidating the various mail cars in one train and running it from thirty five to forty miles an hour, making the entire distance between those two cities, in twenty four hours. Intelligence should travel faster than merchandize. I like the plan. [Tuesday's entry partially covered by separate entry above] [?] [6-359] [?] finished report on the Boston [?] send saddle horse, so I had no [?] Court on Appropriations at half- [?]any present. We worked on the [?]ary hours. Finished it about [?]timates about three millions, [?]lions. Later in the day, I called [?]ton Post Office together and read [?] pages of manuscript which [?]lliott of South Carolina, a closed [?] speech in reply to Stevens and [?] the Civil Rights Bill. Near [?] in the Naval Bill and set its [?] The friends of large expenditures [?] prevent the early discussion [?] I presented the report of our [?]d it printed and recommitted [?] Daniels law case. c Tuesday 6 [6-359] Worked on correspondence and finished report on the Boston Post Office. Mr Olcott did not send saddle horse, so I had no galop this morning. Met the Comt on Appropriations at half past ten, the Secretary of the Navy present. We worked on the Naval Appropriation Bill for four hours. Finished it about half-past two. Cut down the estimates about three millions, making the total sixteen millions. Later in the day I called the Sub-committee on the Boston Post Office together and read them my report of over thirty pages of manuscript which they approved and signed. Elliott of South Carolina, a colored member, made a very effective speech in reply to Stevens and the other members opposed to the Civil Rights Bill. Near the close of the session Hale got in the Naval Bill and set its hearing for next Thursday. The friends of large expenditures at the Navy Yards combined to prevent the early discussion of the bill; But we beat them. I presented the report of our Boston sub committee and had it printed and recommitted Worked in the evening on the Daniels law case. January, 1974.-2nd Week. Wednesday 7 [7-358] Worked on correspondence until one quarter past ten o'clock, when I took a short horse-back ride, and at half-past ten, went to the office of General Payne, on Louisiana Avenue, and held a consultation preparatory to going into Court at eleven on the Daniel's Case. Found that Judge Wylie was sick and the case had to go over. I then went to the Capitol and worked about an hour on the appropriations for my Legislative Appropriation Bill. The House recommitted the Civil Service Bill, after a long speech from Butler, and not much else was accomplished. In the evening read several of the latest British Magazines, and wrote a long letter to Burke in regard to John Stuart Mill. Mr and Mis Riddle called and spent an hour and a half. Thursday 8 [8-357] Worked on correspondence until ten o'clock, when I went shopping with Crete a little while. Reached the Committee Room at half-past ten, when we took up Fortification bill and heard Gene Humphries and Colonel Casey on the various items and particularly on the discussion relating to the use of torpedoes for defence of our harbor. Committee continued it consideration of the bill until near one o'clock when we completed it, having reduced the appropriations down to $994,000 about half the corresponding appropriation for last year and a reduction of nearly three millions on the estimates. After the morning hour we met in Committee of the whole on the Naval appropriation Bill and continued the discussion until five in the afternoon, when the Committee rose, and the House adjourned. Several gentlemen called in the evening. I assisted Miss May a little in putting the boys through their lessons, then worked on correspondence and the Journal and on appropriation estimates for the rest of the evening. During the day I saw Dr Baxster and consulted him in regard to my stomach trouble. obtained medicine from him JANUARY, 1874. - 2nd Week. FRIDAY 9 [9-356] Fire Insurance expires. After correspondence went to the Post Office Department and worked an hour on cases that have accumulated. Then went to my committee and had a meeting for quite an hour. In the House we did not get to work on the Naval Appropriation Bill. There seems to be an avertion to pushing the appropriation bills. Obituary speeches were made on notices of the death of James Brooks of New York and Mr. Foster of Michigan. At 7 p.m. dined with Mr Rothery at his rooms on Fifteenth Street. There were present Mrs. Rothery, Miss Charlton, Sir Edward Thornton and two of his legation, Senator Summer, Judge Hoar, Speaker Blaine and myself. We had a long talk over the nomination of Caleb Cushing and the representatives present urged upon Summer the impropriety of pushing the appointment. He is fully seventy years old, has been a bitter opponent of republican ideas and is doubtless appointed as a mere "locum tenens" I hear that Sargent objected in Executive Session and thus prevented his confirmation today. I am proud of him for it. Attend Fish's reception SATURDAY 10 [10-355] Worked on correspondence until ten o'clock when I went to the Interior Department with Mr. Woodworth of the Mahoming District to aid him in securing the appointment of a young man to a position in the Patent Office. Then went to the Treasury Department with Senator Allison to aid Capt Russell of Des Moines Iowa in holding his position as a Treasury Detective. Took my galop and went to the Speaker's Room at the Capitol to attend a meeting of the Committee of Rules. Set for nearly two hours to act on some proposed change in the Rules. Called on the Postmaster General on my return and transacted some business. Worked on correspondence and appropriation questions in the evening until half past seven when Crete and I went to the Opera, and heard Fra Diabolo. Sunday 11 - [11-354] Attended church and listened to a sermon from B. R. Smith. At one took my galop across the Anacostia bridge and went two miles into the country to Rays' and saw the Carrolls. Returned at half past three after a ride of eight miles. In the evening translated into blank verse the third ode of the first book of Horace. JANUARY, 1874.-3rd Week. MONDAY 12 [12-353] Worked on correspondence until nearly ten o'clock when I took my morning galop. Went to the Come (committee) Room on Appropriations at about half past ten. Committee did not get through until about eleven. Distributed a large amount of business that had accumulated on the docket. Reported back a number of bills and memorials improperly referred to the home appropriations, and agreed to hold a session tomorrow morning to determine what we would do with the Postal Telegraph Question. In the House after the morning hour Kelley's resolution for making up the deficit in the Treasury by a loan, came up and failed by a few votes of securing a two-thirds majority. Then came a resolution in favor of retrenchment rather than taxation. Then another expressing the sentiment of Congress against increasing the Public Debt and also against inflating the currency. Then went into Committee of the whole of the Naval Bill. Spent an hour or two in general debate. I spoke about twenty minutes in response to an attack Beck made on the Appropriation Committee. TUESDAY Correspondance until half past to means sure that it will. I’m eleven. I met the Committee hoduce a [?]le from the board on ceedings in regard to the Poi Rules, which was adopted requir vauoin State Delegation a wig that all bills, appropriations favor of taking the subject money or other property, to be the results to the bans an House after the morning referred to the [?] of the Whole. Appropriation Bill. The bil Ar six oclock dimed with Gardner reading by section comme Rubband in company withe Sena. oclock when the Committie consider the Senate ammend to Mamill, oderman and Mr Bill. The previous question Dawes. Discussed the finances Year and tray and by an ov earned in it an ammendm [?]alanis to the valis the As of Mar 3rd 1873 except [?] of the President and Judges of the [?] bomb. I hope the noise on this subject will at last subside though I am by no JANUARY, 1874. - 3rd Week. Monday 12 [12-353] Worked on correspondence until nearly ten o'clock, when I took my morning galop. Went to the Come Room on Appropriations at half past ten. Committee did not get through until about eleven. Distributed a large amount of business that had accumu back a number of bills and ferred to the Come on Approp a session tomorrow morning do with the Postal Telegrap the morning hour Kelley's the deficit in the Treasu by a few votes of securing came a resolution in favor taxation. Then another gress against increasing inflating the currency. Whole on the Naval Bill debate. I spoke about two attack Beck made on the Tuesday Correspondence until half past ten. Went shopping with Crete until eleven. I met the Committee and we discussed our order of proceedings in regard to the Postal Telegraph. Agreed to consult our various State Delegations and find out whether they were in favor of taking the subject up at all. In one week we report the results to the Come and determine our course. In the House after the morning hour proceeded with the Naval Appropriation Bill. The bill was read the first time and the reading by sections commenced. Debate continued until three oclock when the Committee rose. The House proceeded to consider the Senate amendment to the Congressional Salary Bill. The previous question was ordered. I demanded the Yeas and Nays and by an overwhelming vote the House concurred in that amendment, which restores all the salaries to the rates they were fixed at before the Act of Mar 3d 1873, except those of the President and Judges of the Supreme Court. I hope the noise on this subject will at last subside though I am by no JANUARY, 1874. - 3rd Week. WEDNESDAY 14 [14-351] Correspondence, house back Committee on appropriation, in the usual order. Made further progress on the Naval Appn Bill. Got [?Comm?] of Conference on the bill for paying the Congressional Reporters. The nomination of Cushing for Chief Justice deserves to be noted. his confirmation by the Senate was prevented last week by one brave man Sargent of California. Yesterday morning Sargent discussed him fully exhibiting his copperhead record, then procured an adjournment of the caucus until Evening and during the day following the trial got in an anonymous letter suceeeded in discovering what will hereafter be the famous Cushing letter to Jeff Davis of March 20th 1861. It was among the Rebel Archives and had just been in the Presidents hands Sargent sent to the Cabinet demanding it. Then having procured a copy he launched it into the caucus last Evening and it exploded carrying away Cushing and his supporters. Both Binney and Sargent of Philadelphia, when they were but little more than sixty years of age declined the seal of Chief Justice, on account of their age Cushing sought it at seventy-three. Worked in the evening on correspondence and appropriations. THURSDAY 15 [15-350] Correspondence, horseback riding and committee work brought me to the meeting of the House. The Committee made some amendments to the Army and Naval Bill and considered a general bill relating to the method of preparing estimates for Congress. In the House after the morning hour, we took up the Navy Appropriation bill. The Committee continued its discussion until after four o'clock, when the Committee rose and reported the bill to the House and it was passed without the change of a cent from the amount reported by the Committee. In the evening Crete and I called on Mr and Mrs Sheldon, at Willard's. JANUARY, 1874. -3rd Week. Friday 16 [16-349] Another wave of cold has struck us sweepping down in brought columns from the Rocky Mountains. Worked on correspondence but omitted the galop this morning. Went to the Treasury Department to work up materials for the Legislative Bill. I am convinced that the permanent appropriation for the expense of the National Loan is a bad thing and it should be changed from annual appropriation. In the evening dined at Welckers with a number of Senators and Representatives and with Orton and Prescott of the Western Union Telegraph Company. On my return finished the translation of Horace's Ode of the First Book. I believe I have made a better metrical version than Bulwers. I understand the Senator Sherman made an able speech in the Senate today, in favor of specie payments. I am glad he has reached that position. At least, I remember in 1867- 1868 he was on the other side, and I stood almost alone in the Ohio Delegation. SATURDAY 17 [17-348] Worked on correspondence until eleven o'clock when I went to the Court room of the District Court to argue against General Butler's motion in the Daniels Case. The Judge was ill and did not appear. After waiting two hours came home and worked at my desk until two oclock when I went with mother and [?rete] to hear Janousheck in a play dramatised from Dickens' Bleak House. Her personation of Lady Deadlock was very powerful and effective. In the evening worked on correspondence and made several calls. Very large mail came this evening which occupied me till a late hour. I am beginning to get some glimpses of the methods of cutting down the Legislative Appropriation bill and reforming some of the abuses in connection with the permanent appropriations. Sunday 18. [18-347] At church heard a sermon by the Rev Mr. Culter of Va. Called on Judge Swain in the evening. Chief Justice [?]. General Mr. Dowell called on me and remained until nearly midnight. JANUARY, 1874.--4th Week. Monday 19 [19-346] Worked on correspondence a little while when Harrington came to see me in regard to appropriations. Went to the Committee at half past ten and discussed the question of covering back into the Treasury some of the appropriations of last session for public buildings. This will be a very difficult work for I shall encounter so many private interests. But I think that's the only way to give the real relic sought for. This was general wash day in the House and but little was accomplished, after the adjournment the Committee on Rules met and agreed to report some new rules. Home at a late hour and went at half-past to argue a case before Judge Wylie. It is very hard to keep up any law practice in connection with my work in Congress. It seems as though I am even more driven this winter than ever before. Tuesday 20 [20--345] Went with Woodworth to the Atty Generals office and secured young [ressle??] a position as Telegraph Operator, Committee met and heard Mr. Mullett for two or three hours on the advisability of stopping work on as many of the public buildings as possible. In the House the Committee on Rules brought in an amendment to the rules in reference to a suspension of the rules by a two things vote, to the effect that such motion for suspension must've seconded as in the previous question before the vote on suspension is taken. This occasioned a stormy debate kept on the whole day. Mr. Dawes and I antagonized on the subject, he damning that it was an interference with the privileges of the and I insisting that it was an arrangement necessary to prevent the foolish practice of [luncomb?] legislation on Mondays. At five oclock the Rule was carried in the evening we had Mr and Mrs Black, Col Piatt and Banning at dinner. After dinner Colonel and Mrs. Sheldon, came to see us. JANUARY, 1874.--4th Week. WEDNESDAY 21 [21---344] Correspondence in the morning. Met the Committee at half-past ten. Further discussed public buildings. I fear that the Committee are weakening on the propositions to turn back into the Treasury part of the appropriations for last year. The pressure from the districts against retrenchment within their own limits in very strong. The pressure for retrenchment everywhere else is very great. I laid before the Committee the discovery I had made in regard to the expenses of the National Loan and found them willing to follow me in that. We summoned the Secretary of the Treasury to meet us tomorrow morning. After the morning hour the [?] took up the West Va Election Case At 3 o'clock I went to the Court of the District of Columbia and argued a motion in the Daniel's Case, against General Butler. I am somewhat in doubt as to the result, although I think I made some impression on the Court. Gilfillan and wife called after I returned. Thursday 22 [22--343] Committee met at half-past ten and hear Secretary Richardson, a Treasury Clerk, in regard to the expenses of the National Loan. The Secretary made a poor show of intellectual force, in answer to the various questions propounded by the Committee. The fact is that the method of appropriating an indefinate and prominent sum to sustain the expenses of the national loans is wholly indefensable. In the House the day was spent on the Virginia Election case. In the Evening Crete and I called on Mrs. Grant and on Mrs. Pope who was temporarily their guest. Also called on Mr. and Mrs. Thursman. JANUARY, 1874.-4th Week. FRIDAY 23 [23-342] Committee met at half past ten and considered General Estimates Bill went through its sections and agreed to report it to the House went the Committee is called. West Virginia consumed another day. At half past six in the evening Creta and I dined at Secretary Delano's with a large party of Ohio people. At ten o'clock we attended the reception at Major Dennis on Capital Hill. There was a very large party present, including the President Genls Sherman and Sheridan. I am distressed at the increasing redress of Sheridan's face. I regret that I have not more time to devote the better social life of Washington. While is much in the formal life of this city that is uncomfortable and meaningless, there is nevertheless stratum of really valuable society that I would love to cultivate, but I am worked beyond all reason and have but little time to enjoy these pleasures. SATURDAY 24 [24-341] My morning was wholly taken up with calls except ten or fifteen minutes devoted to answering correspondence. At eleven o'clock I went with a portion of the Committee on Appropriations to inspect the work of the Board of Public Works in this District. We rode about fifteen miles and called at Genl Chipman's at three o'clock and took lunch thence came home and worked on correspondence until evening when I went with Creta and Harry Whear Southern in his character of Lord Dundreary. It is difficult to see why this play is so popular. As originally produced there were three characters in it struggling for the prominence viz: "The Yankee Buddington and "The Lord". By degrees Southern amplified the character of the Lord until it has become the leading character of the play at least so far as acting is concerned. "My Lord" is as nearly an idiot as if is possible for a sane man to be and his very folly is made exceedingly funny. Sunday 25. [25. 346] Attended church. There was no preaching. Parsons of Cleveland and his son Mr. Chase dined with us at two o'clock and spent the afternoon. Professor David called in the evening. JANUARY, 1874.--5th Week. Monday 26 [26-339] Correspondence in the morning. Went to the Treasury Department and consulted with Mr. Mullett in regard to the situation of public buildings. Met the Committee at half-past ten and heard Mr. Allison, Register of the Treasury in regard to the expenses of national loans. Prepared a resolution for introduction into the House making it in order to insert a clause in the Legislative Appropriation Bill to repeal all laws making permanent appropriations for expenses of the loans. After the morning hour introduced it into the House and carried it. Also, a resolution instructing the Come on Ways and Means to report on the feasibility of making a similar arrangement, for the expenses of collecting customs duties. If I can succeed in these two measures it will be a great help in reducing expenses for the coming year. In the evening finished my review of Riddle's new book "The Portrait" which I intend to offer to the Editor of the Chronicle for publication. Tuesday 27 [27--338] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half-past and discussed the Telegraph Bill and listened further to Mr. Mullett. I drafted a bill to reduce expenditures for the coming fiscal year, which the Committee authorized me to introduce and ask a recommittal to them. In the morning hour Committee on appropriations was called when I introduced and passed a telegraph bill providing for lines between the Capitol and the Department. About three oclock left the Capitol to see Mr. McCarter and spent most of the evening with him in looking over the accounts of his Bureau of Printing and Engraving in the Treasury Department. I am every day more and more impressed with the impropriety of allowing indefinate and permanent appropriations to be made for carrying on any department of the Government. born in poverty. The first was the son of a freedman and afterward, an clerk in the Imperial Treasury at Rome. He adapted the stiff form of the language of Rome to the Lyre and was really the creator of lyric poetry. Beranger lifted the barbarous dialect of [?????] [??] into immortal song. Burns in some respects greater than the other two, saved the scotch dialect from decay and gave voice to the sentiments and of [????] of all men every where January, 1874 - 5th Week. Wednesday 28 [28-337] Correspondency in the morning. [??] committee met at half past ten. Heard MM McCantee very fully in regard to the expenses of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Forward among other things that the Treasury were paying scandalous large prices to express companies for carrying half printed bonds notes, etc. In the morning hour I introduced for recommittal a bill to cut down expenses for public buildings. All the interest averse to this retrenchment combined and succeeded in carrying the bill to the [???] on Public Buildings and Grounds. The action of the House on this subject will cost the Government at least a million dollars. I was a good deal disheartened by this successful resistance to retrenchment. After the morning hour the Army Appropriation Bill was taken up and our effort at cutting down the army was denounced in a speech by Mr. Allbright of PA! I followed him making I think an effective speech in favor of retrenchment. My classmate Knox dined with us and [????] another classmate called in the evening. Worked from my desk until near midnight. THURSDAY 29 [29-336] Corresponded in the morning. Committee met at halfpast ten. Heard Asst. Secy. Sawyer, also, a Mr. Baker a clerk of the Loan Division of the Treasury concerning in the expenses of the Syndicate and of persons travelling on that business. The amounts paid are exorbitant and wholly unjustifiable and although they are paid by the syndicate, yet the syndicate had to be paid out of the Treasury. The Committee agreed to take up the Legislative Appropriation Bill and I took some part but not much. In the evening at eight o'clock Crete and I attended the Burn's Festival where I made an address on Burns and his poetry. The audience was very large and the occasion a pleasant one. I drew a parallel between the three great song writers of the world Horace, Beranger and Burns. All three were JANUARY, 1874. 5th Week. Friday 30 [30-335] At half past ten Committee met and commenced Legislative Appropriation Bill. We spent the morning in revising the estimates for the legislative expenses of the House and the various offices under it. The management of this bill is to be more than usually difficult and I fear the Comt is not as hard working a body of men as the Comt of last Congress. After dinner a carriage was sent for us from the Insane Asylum and Grete and I in company with Mr and Mrs Hamlin of Maine went to the Asylum to witness a dramatic performance gotten up for the amusement of the inmates of the Home, about 450 souls. After a pleasant visit with the guests among whom were Miss Dix and elegant collation was served and we returned to the city, reaching home at quarter before eleven. Saturday 31 [31-334] Hilary Law Term ends. Spent the forenoon on correspondence and in writing out the substance of my address at the Burns Festival. At one oclock went to the Post Office Department, transacted some business and had a long conversation with the Postmaster General. Questioned him as to the causes of the great increase in the expenditures of his department. These are closely allied with the growth of railroads. Went to the Capitol, did some work in the Committee Room, came home bringing back a large mail and working further on correspondence. At half past six dined at at Governor Shepherd's with a large company of Senators and Members. Nesmith of Oregon is one of the the wittiest men I ever knew. He told a story about being invited to Joe Holt's dinner a day too soon. February 1874. - 6th Week. Sunday 1 [32-333] Attended church and heard a fine sermon from the Rev Mr Hopkins of Indiana Monday 2 [33-332] Worked two hours in home on the Legislation Bill. Discovered that the appropriations for horses and carriages are mainly expended on horses for the private use of the officers of the [??], concluded to cut off all of these except the mail horses. It is exceedingly difficult to adjust the expenditure of money to a business basis. In the House but little was done beyond ordering an investigation of District Affairs. At seven o'clock P. M. dined at [????]. with Admiral Polo, [the Spanish Minister] Caleb Cushing, [????], Bancroft Davis, General Butler, Ben Perley Poore, [???] Ward. Tuesday 3 [34-331] Committee met at ten o'clock. Heard Bancroft Davies Asst Secy of State, in regard to the appropriations for that [????], also, Congressional Printer, also, the officers in charge of the Police Force. Put in two hours of effective work on the Legislative Bill, finished two or three pages of the estimates. In the House, after the morning hour got into [????[ of the whole on the Army Bill, closed general debate and carried the paragraphs relating to the reduction of the army to 25,000 men. As Hale said yesterday in debate "The way of the Economiser is indeed hard. But we shall do the best we can to carry our measure of reduction. In the evening worked on correspondence to a late hour, and still later studied the estimates working until midnight. I am nearly sick with a cold and a return of my stomack troubles. FEBRUARY, 1874.--6th Week. Wednesday 4 [35-330] Committee met at ten o'clock and worked for nearly three hours on the Legislative Appropriation bill. We heard officers from the Treasury and several of the Departments in regard to the Appropriation, and made considerable progress with the bill, though it is slow work. In the House after the morning hour we got into Committee of the whole on the Army Appin Bill, on which we made good progress before the day was over although the debate on collateral subjects, railroads and others occupied much time. My appropriation bills are very far behind and it seems almost impossible to bring the House to their consideration. Emerson E. White of Columbus dined with us and in the evening several people called. I worked until a late hour on the appropriation Bills and went to bed near midnight tired and half sick. Whether I shall be able to stand the strain of this Winter remains to be seen. Thursday 5 [36-329] Committee met at ten o'clock and heard Mr. Sanford and other representatives of the Adams Express Company. Also, Mr. Leipold of the Treasury in regard to the Express contract for carrying money and other securities. We were surprised to find that the Government transported over seven hundred millions of dollars by express last year besides more than three hundred millions of unfinished bonds [?]. In the House we made good progress on the Army Appropriation bill, and finished all the appropriations in it. The sections relating to War Claims being left unfinished. In the evening dined with Mr. Phelps of N. J. There were present Gorllsin of the New York Nation Senator Sherman and Allison, Speaker Blaine, Dawes, Hooper, Roberts, Mr. Rutson, of England and myself. The discussion was social and financial, but very pleasant. FEBRUARY, 1874. - 6th Week. Friday 6 [37-328] Called on Dr Baxster for more medicine as I am still unwell; then, on the [Corn?] Doctor; then at the Treasury. Committee met at ten and heard the Commissioner of Customs and the Sixth Auditor and agreed upon a reduction of over a hundred clerks in the Treasury. In the House the day was consumed on private bills. The Cincinnati Delegation called on me in regard to the new public building in that city. In the evening Mr and Mrs Fryer, Mr and Mrs Robinson and Mr Foster, at six oclock dined with us and spent the evening. The evening was passed very pleasantly and all the more so because it was an enjoyable informal gathering and small enough to allow the personality of each guest to be brought into full play in the conversation. I have learned to love Mr Frye very much. Saturday 7 [38-327] Correspondence until half past ten oclock. Then went to the Engineers Department to get an increase of the Estimates for Ashtabula Harbor, then to the Presidents in reference to Ben Wade's son; then to the Attorney Generals in regard to the estimates for his department; then to the Comt where I sat from one o'clock until half past five, where we heard the Comt of Internal Revenue, the Chief Clerk of the Treasurer's Office and a clerk from the Treasury in regard to the Independent Treasuries in various parts of the country. Finished about five pages of the book of estimates on the legislative bill. Attended correspondence until half-past seven when Grete and I went to Willard's and spend the evening with Mr Sheldon and wife. There were present Senators Hamlin Mr and Mrs Schofield. We had a pleasant even FEBRUARY, 1874.--7th Week. Sunday 8 [39.326]. Attended church in the forenoon worked on the estimates and Mr Gillfillan dined with us. Read three chapters of "The Ancient City by Decoulanges." MONDAY 9 [40-325] Committee met at ten o clock, worked until half passed twelve on the Legislative Appropriation Bill. In the House we had the usual wash day performance for Monday. The remainder of bills has now gone above two thous. and. This is a singular development in the habits of the House. Certainly three times as many bills are now introduced in a month as were when I first came here. I think it indicates a ferment of opinions in the public mind. In the evening worked on correspondence and appropriations until a late hour. I am still suffering from this neuralgic dyspepsia as Dr Baxter calls it. I think it will hardly be possible for me wholly to recover while I am so hard-worked. Tuesday 10 [41--324] Worked on correspondence and and finished writing out my address on Agassiz delivered in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Committee met at ten and finished several chapters of the Legislative Bill. In the House after the morning hour resumed the consideration of the Army bill and carried the last three sections successfully. They embraced a radical reform in the method paying claims growing out of the late war. All such claims are to be taken from the Commissary's and Quartermaster's Departments and placed in the hands of the Southern Claims Commission. The Claim Agents and their friends have fought us hard all day but were beaten. FEBRUARY, 1874.-7th Week. Committee met at WEDNESDAY 11 [48-323] ten o'clock and heard the Sec'y of the Interior and the Commissioners of Patents, Indian Affairs, Education, Public Lands and Pensions. We continued work until half-past twelve and substantially finished the Department of the Interior. In the House after the morning hour, we finished the Army bill in Committee of the Whole, reported it to the House and passed it. The Committee carried every thing that was reported and we were able to reduce the amount over two hundred thousand dollars from the first draft of the bill. In the evening Cre[a]te and I attended the Philharmonic Concert at the Congregational Church and heard an oratorio of the Messiah. I am not able to understand the complications of musical composers. The repetitions to me are so frequent as to be meaningless. Correspondence THURSDAY 12 [43-322] until half-past nine o'clock. Mr. Riddle drove me to the Capitol. Committee met at ten. Went over the War Dept Estimates. Settled several other points in the Legislative Appropriation Bill working until half past twelve. In the House after the morning hour resumed consideration of the Fortification Bill which was finished cutting down forty thousand in the amount and then passed the bill. The House then went into Come on the Tax bill and Mr. Dawes made a speech of two hours and a half. He has a singular habit of making sensational speeches and saying things injurious to the party. He made a blunder of twenty-nine millions in the amount appropriated for the current year, to which I made a response at the close of his speech. The correction very seriously interfered with a large portion of his speech. FEBRUARY, 1874.--7th Week. FRIDAY 13 [44-321] Committee met at ten. Heard the Attorney General on his estimates for the Department of Justice. Also, the Commissioner of Agriculture on expenses for his Department. The Postmaster General came before the Committee and asked their advice in regard to putting on a fast mail between N.Y. and Chicago to make the trip in twenty four hours. He thinks the plan is feasible and will cost no more than the present arrangement After the morning the House went into Com'e of the whole House on the Private Calendar and among other bill presented was one by the Indian Com'e to lay the foundation for paying the ravages committed by the Modoc Indians in the late war. The bill was nearly finished when I entered the Hall. I made a brief speech against it which I believe killed it; at any rate, on my motion the Enacting clause was stricken out. In the evening Crete and I went with Mrs Dalgren to the receptions of Sec'y Fish and Senator Dorsey. SATURDAY 14 [45-320] After correspondence in the morning studied for about two hours on the legislation and history of the expenses of the National Loan. At ten o'clock went to the Treasury and Examined several points in the accounts of the expenditures. Met Mr Dawes who went over the ground with me and admitted that he was in error in the debate of Thursday concerning the Sinking Fund. Called on Comptroller Taylor in regard to questions connected with the National Loan. Committee met at half past one and sat until half past four. Completed the section in relation to the National Loan and also several other items in the bill. I am very tired this evening. The Marquis De Champbrun and Mrs Dalgren united in requesting me to write a preface to Champbrun's book which Mrs Dalgren has just translated. Sunday 15 [46-319] Attended church. Drove to the Capitol with the children, worked on the Legislative Appropriation Bill. In the evening went to dine with Mr Hooker, Henry Adams and wife Senator Anthony and Genl Butler. February, 1874.- 8th Week. MONDAY 16 [47-318] Went to the Treasury Appoint Department at 1/2 past nine and to the Committee Room at ten. Committee worked three hours on the Legislative Appropriation Bill, finished it and ordered it reported to the House. Also, a lot of documents consisting of testimony taken before the Committee and tabular statements relating to the bill. At the close of the day introduced a bill and report, but the House refused to make the bill a special order, desiring to bring on the financial debate on the taxation of the currency before any further work on Appropriation bills. In the evening worked up correspondence, and then went with Crete and the children to the Children's Ball at Marini's Hall. The reaction of overwork is upon me this evening and I fell very tired. I have received a letter from Col Whittlesey, say that they are publishing my Chardon in pamphlet from as one of the documents of the Western Reserve Historical Society. TUESDAY 17 [48-317] Correspondence in the morning and worked on statistics of expenditures. Went to the Treasury Depart on business and reached the Committee at half past ten where we revised some of the estimates for the Legislative Bill and took up the Indian Bill. Made considerable progress and completed two pages of the book of estimates. During the morning in the House I took part in the discussion on the Military Prison Bill opposing it as unwise both on its own account and on account of its expense. FEBRUARY, 1874.-8th Week. WEDNESDAY 18 [49-316] Ash Wednesday. Called on General Babcock and at the Treasury Dept. in the morning. Went to the Committee at half past ten oclock; made some corrections in the Legislative Bill and continued the consideration of the Indian Bill. In the House after the morning hour, the free delivery of public documents was discussed until the close of the day. In the evening dined out at Welker's with Messrs Beck, Ward of Chicago. Dr. McDonald and his brother, a Mr. Smith of N.Y. and Mr. Ward. Returned from dinner at one quarter before eight and worked until a late hour on the preparation of my speech on expenditures. THURSDAY 19 [50-315] Committee met at half past ten and made good progress on the Indian Bill. In the House after the morning hour, the discussion of making public documents free of postage was resumed and continued during the day. In the course of the debate I spoke for about ten minutes against the revival of the frank, but in favor of making exchanges of county papers free within their districts. I think it is time we should antagonise the country press and the metropolitan press. The former are the best exponents of public sentiment, the latter of city and commercial sentiment. By repealing the frank we have seriously crippled the country press. FEBRUARY, 1874.-8th Week. FRIDAY 20 [51-314] Worked on statistics and correspondence until half past ten, when the Come met and resumed the consideration of the Indian Bill. We substantially finished the bill so far as the Book of Estimated is concerned, but we have a number of additional propositions to add to it in view of the changed condition of the Indian Service. After the morning hour the House took up the discussion of private and the District of Columbia business which finished the day. At six o'clock George Steele and wife of Painesville, Mr. Scofield wife and daughter and my colleague Smith dined with us and spent the evening. Had a very pleasant time. SATURDAY 21 [52-313] Worked on correspondence and statistics of expenditures until 12, when the House met and consumed most of the day in the discussion of private bills. I made some further study in the Congressional Library on the subject of former deficits such as that of 1841 and again in 1858. Mr. Dawes is not correct historically when he says the Government never has levied any increased taxes in time of peace. In the evening, Crete and I took the children around to Mr. Frye's to witness private theatricals of little children there. Came home very very tired. SUNDAY 22 [53-312] Attended church and listened to a sermon from Prof. Pickering. In the afternoon read Mrs. Dahlgren's translation of the Marquis De Chambruns book on the Executive Power. At seven o'clock Crete and I took tea at Mr. Blaines with quite a large number of people. Among them were Parke Goodwin and his two daughters - Mr. George Hoar and his wife and Mr. Blakeley of the Chicago Post. February, 1874. - 9th Week Monday, 23 [54-311] Worked on correspondence and statistics until half past ten when Secretary Delano called on me and showed me the difficulties he had encountered in regard to the Indian Peace Commission. I then went with him to the State Department to examine the terms of an act recently passed which I think robs the Flatheads of their payment for lands in the Bitter Root. On my return found Mr. Daniels awaiting me and spend an hour with him in reference to his law suit. Then went with Crete to the Insane Asylum spent an hour in visiting the new building called the Garfield building which corresponds with the Dawes building, erected two years ago. Several people called in the evening. I have done but little work today and ought to feel better for the rest. But my dyspepsia haunts me like a ghost and I feel apprehensive of a breakdown in my health. Several people called in the evening. Tuesday 24 [55-310] Committee met and put in another two hours on the Indian Appropriation Bill. I am more and more troubled with our Indian problem. The passage from barbarism to civilization is difficult. The savage is cheaper than the semi-civilized man. In the House after the morning hour, the discussion on the restoration of the frank was resumed. Everything indicates a long dragging session. I should be glad now to compromise in the middle of June as the day of our adjournment. We perhaps shall do more effective work when the House begins to be distressed at its own delay. FEBRUARY, 1874. - 9th Week. WEDNESDAY 25 [56-309] Committee met at halfpast ten o'clock. The Sec'y of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs was before us and we had quite a full hearing in reference to the Indian Problem and the relations between the Interior Department and the Board of Peace Commissioners. I begin to doubt the efficiency of that Board to accomplish much. They lack business habits. I fear they are an expensive luxury. After the morning hour the debate continued on the Franking Privilege which looks as though the frank would be restored. I will vote for no part of the bill, except that which makes the country newspapers free within their counties. Even that is not absolutely the best thing to be done. There should be a discriminating rate of postage having respect to weight and distance. Calvin Gilbert and wife of Solon Ohio, came to day from Chattanooga and are stopping with us. THURSDAY 26 [57-308] Committee met at halfpast ten. Finished the Indian Bill after considerable discussion, and ordered it reported to the House. Another day was consumed in the discussion and vote on the franking privilege. On the naked question of restoring the frank there were but 49 affirmative notes. When the vote was taken on Packers bill to make the circulation of public documents and newspapers within their counties free, it was found that the vote was very close. We succeeded in beating it by about two votes. Ayes 129 - noes 131. The Grangers have made some show in this debate, in a blatant blatherskite sort of way not creditable to the representatives. In the evening work till a late hour on correspondence and appropriation. FEBRUARY, 1874.- 9th Week. FRIDAY 27 [58-307] Spent the morning in correspondence and attending to the Daniels suit. Committee did not meet. In the House the day was consumed on Private bills. About three o'clock I went to the Treasury and worked an hour or two on the estimated relating to appropriations for the next year. At seven in the evening went to the Continental Hotel to meet will J.F. Driggs, Mr. Driggs of N.Y., Mrs. Miller and son of Baltimore, Messrs Murray and Daniels to tru to effect a compromise of the Daniels Driggs and Miller suits. Did not proceed. Correspondence and finance till a late hour. SATURDAY 28 [59-306] Spent the morning on correspondence and the people who called. Judge Black was among the number. Went to the House at twelve and staid until four. The day was spent in private bills and general debate. In the course of the day had a conference with General Murray and Mr. Miller in regard to the pending law suit. It seems as though the proposition for compromise had broken down. In the evening worked on correspondence and at eight o'clock went to Senator Chandlers to meet the Chief Justice. Sunday 29 [60-305] I did not attend church but went to the Capitol to examine some statistics relating to my speech on the appropriation. Worked until a late hour in the evening. March, 1874.- 10th Week. Monday 2 [62-304] Committee met at half past ten oclock. Considered some miscellaneous matters and revised a number of points in the Indian Appropriation bill. In the House the day was spent in the manner usual to Mondays. I left a little after four oclock and spent the afternoon and evening in throwing materials into shape for a speech. I satisfied myself better with the part of the work done during the evening than anything I have accomplished in this direction for a long time. But I worked too hard and too closely and paid for it by restlessness and sleeplessness during much of the night. TUESDAY 3 [62-303] Worked on my speech until nearly eleven oclock and reached Coun'l a good ways behind time- a bad thing for me to do- We had three Asst P.M. Generals before us and the Public Printer to consider the deficiency in the amount appropriated for printing for the Post Office Department. The exhibition for the Public Printer was very bad- the charges being very much too high. In the House after some preliminary business the Transportation bill was taken up and Mr. McCrary of Iowa made a long and able speech on the power and duty of Congress to regulate railroad transportation. I see in the movement this power of the [[?]]. I fear it may be communism in disguise; and yet there is much in their views of the railroad issues with which I sympathize. In the evening worked on my speech. MARCH, 1874.---10th Week. Wednesday 4 [63--302] Committee met at 1/2 past ten o'clock. I took up the docket and distributed a large amount of business. At twelve oclock went to the Supreme Court Room and saw Mr Waite sworn in as Chief Justice. The associate justices in new gowns took their seats leaving the central seat vacant. Mr Waite sat down in the Clerk's chair. After court was opened Mr Middleton the clerk read the commission of Mr Waite and administered the oath. The other judges in the meanwhile sitting when the new Chief Justice approached the vacant chair. The others arose and bowed to him and were seated. [The jus] And Judge Field next read an opinion. The simplicity of this performance impressed me very much The Court room was crowded. There were present two college classmates of the Chief Justice Messrs Evarts and Pierrepont. Finding that I could not get the House into Come of the whole on the App'n Bill I came home at an early hour and worked on my speech. Dined in the evening with Messrs Hubbard Allison, Morrill, Hamlin, Hale and Wells. Thursday 5 [64-301] Come on Appns heard the First Asst P.M. Genl. and Public Printer in regard to the Controversy about votes for printing. Also heard Judge Pierrepont and Mr Scott one of the Directors of the Pacific Mail. In the House there was a struggle for three hours to revive the frank but after a series of votes it was defeated. Soon after three oclock I got the floor and went into Come of the whole on the Legislative Appropriation Bill I spoke about an hour and three quarters. So far as I went I satisfied myself very well but the hour was so late that I abridged the latter portion of the speech more than I thought to have done. At ten o'clock the reporter's notes came to me and I sat up until two hours past midnight revising. At 2 o'clock in the morning sent the last pages to the printer MARCH, 1874. - 10th Week. FRIDAY 6 [65-300] After four hours of sleep I arose very tired and jaded for I did twenty hours of work yesterday, two of them on the floor speaking. Went to the Committee at ten oclock and we considered and finished Senate amend'ts to the Naval Appropriation Bill. In the House Private bills occupied the day. At four oclock went down to the Printers on Pennsylvania Avenue making an arrangement for getting out an edition of my speech of yesterday which covers fifteen columns of the Congressional Record. Home in the evening tired. SATURDAY 7 [66-299] Worked on correspondence and revised my speech for pamphlet edition. After twelve oclock went to the House where an attack was made upon me by Fernando Wood and Beck. Did not get there in time to hear Wood but answered Beck. The way these men have with figures reminds me of what a son of Dr. Bacon of Yale College is reported to have said, that he knew nothing that lied [[strikethrough]]like[[strikethrough]] figures except facts. Harmon Austin and Judge Kinsman came today. They took dinner with us and will spend some days. Mr. Thorpe the Artist called in the Evening as did several others. MARCH, 1874.- 11th Week. SUNDAY 8 [67-298] Mr. Austin went with Crete to our church and I went with Judge Kinsman to hear Dr. Mitchell MONDAY 9 [68-297] At half past ten I took up the Docket and passed on a number of subjects relating to the deficiency and Miscellaneous Bill. In the House after the morning hour the death of Ex President Fillmore was announced as having occurred this morning. Resolutions of respect were passed and a Comel of Five appointed to attend the funeral on Thursday next at Buffalo whereupon the House adjourned. I went to the Printing Office and read proofs of my speech. We had O.L. Wolcott and wife and Austin and Kinsman at dinner with us. Several people called afterward. At seven oclock I dined with Mr. Rothery and wife, Chas Kingsley and his daughters, two members of the Legation and Miss Frelinghuysen. Kingsley is very bright and the evening was passed delightfully. He did not like Gladstone yet is a liberal. Says Herbert Spencer has no touch of imagination in him. That Bain is utterly stupid. He likes Golwin [Goldwin] Smith but says he is hypochondriacal. TUESDAY 10, [69-296] In the morning called on Judge Curtis at the Ebbitt House in reference to our case in the Supreme Court. Committee met at half past ten and worked on the Military Academy bill. At half past one went to the Supreme Court to make the motion to advance our Insurance case. Curtis was there and made the motion. In the House after the morning hour went into C.W. on the Legislative Appropriation bill. Beck made his promised assault which was an unusually weak, rambling and malignant performance. The House drifted into a general and heated debate on the Sanborn contract and at half-past four I got the floor and for about three quarters of an hour handled him more severely than I have ever handled am opponent in debate. I am satisfied that he is wicked as well as weak. Beck made his promised assault which was an unusually weak rambling and malignant performance. The House drifted into a general and heated debate on the Sanborn contract and at half-past four I got the floor and for about three-quarters of an hour handled him more severely, than I have ever handled an opponent in debate. I am satisfied that he is wicked as well as weak. MARCH, 1874.--11th Week. Wednesday 11 (70-295) Correspondence in the morning. At ten oclock heard of the serious illness of Senator Summer and called at his House. His physicians pronounced his case hopeless. He is dying. Went to the Capitol and attended a Committee meeting. Worked on miscellaneous subjects. In the House after the morning hour got into Committee of the Whole on the Legislative Ap- propriation bill and finished general debate, when the news came at three oclock that Mr. Summer was dead. Committee immediately arose and the House adjourned. Mr. Summer was the most scholarly man in public life, the most conspicuous figure in either House of Congress and a man whose service in the Senate dates back to the day when Clay left it. Sumner was my friend though I have never been blind to his follies yet I have believed in him as an honest and faithful man. Thursday 12 (71-294) In Committee finished the Military Academy Bill and ordered it reported to the House. The House met and adjourned so soon as the message was received from the Senate in regard to the arrangements for Mr. Summers funeral. I went to the Supreme Court Room and spent four hours in listening to the argumentive case No 228, the case with which my case No. 716 is to be argued. I came home at the end of the days work exceedingly tired. In the evening with Messrs Harmon Austin, (?), (>) I called on the President and Mrs. Grant and spent an hour pleasantly. Found General McDowell and Pope there. McDowell came home with me and told me I was on the verge of a breakdown from overwork and impressed the same thing on Crete. MARCH, 1974.--11th Week. Friday 13 (72-203) Worked on my argument for the Supreme board until near noon, when I went to the House and from thence attended the funeral of Charles Sumner in the Senate. He drew a great crowd as he has done many times before. The whole ceremony was very impressive, but the prayer of Mr. Sunderland was far too much of a stump speech. The remains were escorted to the railroad and the great assemblage broke up. In the evening we had a large party of Ohio friends at dinner. Company staid until a late hour. I was more rested by it than by anything that has happened for a long time. Saturday 14 (73-292) Worked on correspondence until ten oclock when Mr. Ritezel came and I went with him to the Interior Department and arranged for his making a trip to the Californian Coast to do some work for the Land Office. Then went to the Post Office Department to transact some business for the District then went to the House and listened lo to a speech or two, and then went to the Library and prepared my argument for the Supreme Court. Home in the evening tired but worked until a late hour on the argument. MARCH 1874 - 12th Week SUNDAY 15 [74-289] Attended church in the forenoon In the evening called on General Schenck at Webkers and had a long visit MONDAY 16 [75-290] Worked on Insurance case until 11 o'clock when we went to the Supreme Court where I spent the day. Court consumed an hour and a quarter in reading opinions Then extended the time of Mr Sanford so that he and Tremain occupied the remainder of the day Curtis was not able to be in the Court but hopes to be there tomorrow Our case comes on the first thing when the Court assembled In the evening Knox and Mrs Rudolph -Hill Crete and myself went to hear Southern We had a hearty laugh It is remarkable how genius can add interest to so absurdly a stupid character. TUESDAY 17 [76-289] Come met at half past ten and commenced the preparation of the Deficiency bill At twelve o'clock went to Court and listened for nearly two hours to the arguments of Mr Phillip Phillips and then I occupied an hour and was followed for another hour by Judge R B Curtis of Boston The first portion of my argument was not satisfactory to me, but in the latter half I think I made a forcible argument and during the whole I had the close and careful attention of the Court On the whole I was not ashamed to be associated with so eminent a lawyer as Judge Curtis although there is a judicial calmness and equipoise in his manner of handling his mind that I admire At the conclusion of the Judge's remarks went into the House and assumed charge of the Legislative Appropriation bill which Starkweather had been managing for some time MARCH, 1874.- 12th Week. WEDNESDAY 18 [77-288] Committee met as usual. Made very good progress on Deficiency bill. In the House after the morning hour took up the Legislative appropriation bill and held to work until five oclock. I have never know the House in so disagreeable a temper in regard to appropriations. All the small men jump upon all the small items and go into a spasm of small economy which suggests "Economy is often an iron vice, which pinches even the guts of little mice." Came home very tired. General McDowell and the Judge Advocate of the Howard Court Martial called in the evening. THURSDAY 19 [78-287] Only one member of the Committee Judge Parker met with me, the rest were gone partly to the summer Funeral and partly to attend the launch of one of the Pacific Mail Companies steamship from the dockyards at Chester. However, I went over considerable of the Deficiency Bill and got it ready for the Committee when they should come. In the House the day was devoted to devoted to debate on the McCray Transportation Bill. I spent most of the day in reviewing the shorthand of my argument on the Insurance Case and came home in the evening very much tired out. MARCH, 1874.-12th Week. FRIDAY 20 [79-286] Pounding away as usual in the Committee. The Deficiency Bill is an exceedingly difficult one this year in consequence of the spasm of economy. Finished the revision of the shorthand report of my argument in the Supreme Court and put it in the hands of the printer. The House [consumed?] the day on private bills and on an Election case. In the evening took Creta, Libby, Mollie and Judge Block to hear Southern in Garrick and we enjoyed a real intellectual feast. I feel the need of being more familiar with Boswell's Life of Johnson and if I can find any time after the Session, I hope to read the work carefully. The Library of Congress SATURDAY 21 [80-285] Read proof sheets of my argument in the Insurance case and worked up a number of Department matters that had been neglected for some time. The day in the House was spent mainly in finishing some bills brought over from yesterday in regard to the Dist of Columbia and also had an election case. SUNDAY 22 [81-284] Attended church and heard a sermon from Mr. Lamar of Ga, a cousin of J.L.C. Lamar of the House. After dinner went with Mother, Libbie, Mollie and Irvin to the Reform School near Bladensburgh. Two members of the [Comb?] Packer and Loughridge were also there. March, 1874. - 13th Week Monday 23 [82-283] Committee met and worked on the Deficiency Bill In the House after the morning hour Dawes brought up the bill to limit the circulation of greenbacks and after several calls of the ayes and noes, the House determined on inflation increasing the amount of currency to 400 millions. We were able to summon less than eighty votes in opposition. Inflation has triumphed and the House by this backward step has lost nearly all we gained in the direction of specie payments in the last seven years. I am greatly discouraged over the result General Rope and several friends called in the evening. Tuesday 24 [83-282] Spent the morning in settling the Indian Deficiencies which were among the most difficult of all the questions we have for discussion in the House. After the morning liner McCrary's Transportation bill came up for final debate and action. After a series of votes we were brought to a third reading of the bill and on that adjourned. Final vote to be taken on its passage tomorrow. Worked up correspondence in the evening and had a number of calls in regard to the Rock Creek Post office fight now going on. March, 1874. - 13th week Wednesday 25 [84-281] Lady Day. The ordinary routine of correspondence in the morning. Come meeting at half past ten. Appropriations until twelve and the work of the House. I think I have mistaken the time in the entry for yesterday. It was today that McCrary's bill was brought to its third reading, instead of yesterday. Would that I were in robust health and had a weeks time at my command, I believe I could make an effective speech on the currency, although I could not head off the wretched policy of inflation that is now likely to succeed. Thursday 26 [85-280] Committee met and made further progress on [???] In the evening Crete gave a dinner party to several friends, Ellis H. Roberts and wife and sister-Welsh People- Mr. and Mrs Monroe Foster of Ohio- Hale and Gardiner Hubbard of Mass, made of the party which was a very pleasant one and we had some excellent music from Mrs Monroe and Libbie their shore no man yet sees. MARCH. 1874.--13th Week. Wednesday 25 [84--281] Lady Day. The ordinary routine of correspondence in the morning. Leave meeting at half past ten--Appropriations until twelve and the work of the House. I think I have mistaken the time in the entry for yesterday. It was today that McCrary's bill was brought to its third reading, instead of yesterday. Would that I were in robust health and had a weeks time at my command, I believe I could make an effective speech on the Currency, although I could not head off the wretched policy of inflation that is now likely to succeed. Thursday 26 [85--280] Committee met and made further progress on the Deficiency Bill and heard Mr. Hayden on the Geological Survey, Mr. Mullet on Expenditures for Public Buildings and heard several other parties on matters of appropriations. In the House we finished the transportation bill. I voted for it with some reluctance and still was anxious to raise a question as to its legislative form. I do not think the bill is quite what it ought to be, but it is better than nothing. It passed by a small majority. There then followed a struggle for the floor between myself and Mr. Maynard, he for the Banking and Currency Bill and I for appropriations. I was beaten as I expected to be, but I felt it my duty to make a test. The House then extended upon a dreary sea of talk whose further shore no man yet sees. MARCH, 1874. - 13th Week Friday 27 [86-279] Committee met again as usual. We heard Prof Hayden on his Geological Survey and Mr. Mullet on some of the deficiencies on public buildings. There were some other officers before the Committee. In the House, the Currency debate dragged its slow length along. What hope have we of a sound financial policy when the Chairman of the Come on Banking and Currency, after studying for four months, announces it as his conclusion that money is whatever the government declares to be money? Really the prospect of reaching solid ground is dreary enough. At half past four o'clock Mr. Gaulladet sent his carriage, and Mother Libbie, Crete and I went to the ‘Deaf Mute College and took dinner and spent the evening at Mr. Gauladet’s. We had a very pleasant time and enjoyed some very pleasant performances by the students of the college. The pantomime of Mr. Jones was exceedingly fine. It rested me not a little. Home at 9 o'clock. Saturday 28 [87-278] Worked on correspondence until eleven o'clock. Then went to the Capitol and spent some time in the Library making some preparations for a speech on the Currency. I have formed the design of arraying the authorities [in relation] against inflation by quoting a number of extracts in chronological order giving the opinions of leading statesmen of the last hundred years. It will probably do but little good but it will be a protest against the folly Congress is committing. Sunday 29 - [88-277] Went to church and heard Mr. Lamor preach. Spent a portion of the day in studying the Currency question. At four o'clock called on the President and had a long conversation with him in regard to the currency. He has written two messages which he has not yet delivered and which I urged him to send in. The result of my conversation gave me some hope that he will veto the inflation bill. It will be difficult to do so in the face of the extra issue of Treasury notes. MARCH, 1874. - 14th Week. Monday 30 (89-276) Committee met at half past ten. Put in another days work on the Deficiency Appropriation Bill. In the House the day was consumed in the discussion of the Louisville and Portland Canals. I begin to doubt whether one can pass the bill as it came from the Senate without involving the Government in law suits and other controversys growing out of the rights which Kentucky may claim in the work. At half-past six dined at Donn Piatt's with Governor Cummings of South Carolina, Congressman Lamar of Mississippi and Banning of Ohio. We had a pleasant evening. Lamar is a very cultivated gentleman has read widely and thinks profoundly. He called my attention to a letter of Agassiz published at Neufchatal Switzerland in 1839 in which Agassiz certified to mesmerism as a positive and effective force. The letter is published both in French and English in the work entitled "Facts about mesmerism, 1840. TUESDAY 31 [90-275] Correspondence in the morning and reading up some authorities on the currency, preparing if need be to make a protest against the wild scheme of inflation now pending. In the House, - after the vote had been taken on the Louisville and Portland Canal in which Wheeler's amend't passed. I voting for it for the reason that I think it is due to the U.S. that we should have a clear title before we pay out any for a piece of property-debate on the Currency continued during the day in the dreariest possible way. Spent the evening until a late hour in working on the currency. It is amazing how perfectly we are repeating the experiences of other generations. I am preparing a series of extracts from the writings of Washington , Jefferson, Madison and other worthy and find how completely the best thinkers are in accord on the question. APRIL 1874 -14th Week WEDNESDAY 1 [91-274] Continued work in the currency and on correspondence until ten o'clock Went to the Committee room and we worked one hour and a have longer on the Deficiency Bill At one oclock went to the Senate and listened with dismay and sorrow to the debate there progressing. That body has at last been swept away by the doctrines of inflation In the House we had two good and effective speeches against it one from Phelps of N.J. and the other from Hawley of Conn. But argument has not made much headway on the subject and I fear that argument will not undo the mischief In the evening we had at dinner Horace Steele and wife Loughridge of Iowa Smith of Mr and Mrs Smalley and Mr and Mrs Sumner They spent the evening and we had a pleasant time THURSDAY 2 [92-273] Worked on correspondence and currency until ten o'clock when Governor Cooke called and I went with him to his office and examined the accounts of the Reform School of which he was Treasurer He then went with me to the Com/e room and we heard the statements of the trustees of that institution It has lost eighteen thousand dollars by the failure of Cooke and Co. Additional deficiencies are coming in daily The War Department sent in a deficiency of nearly one and a quarter millions of dollars In the House the debate was [consider] continued on the currency a good speech on the right side being made by Niles of Miss After dinner Genl Mc Dowell called an spent the evening The House met to night but I did not feel well enough to attend Retired at an early hour APRIL, 1874.--14TH Week. Friday 3 [93--272] Good Friday. Did not sleep after six o'clock but dressed and read a disquisition of James Madison on Money, in which he undertakes to prove that paper money is not depreciated by an increase of its quantity, except from the fact that an increase of its quantity throws doubts upon its prompt redemption. this would doubtless constitute a reason for its depreciation but I think Madison refines his discussion over much and misses the application of the principle of demand supply. Took Jimmy with me and walked to the Capitol, where the House met as usual at half past ten and made further progress on the deficiency bill. The Speaker to have the control of the front seat in the members gallery. Some members had complained to the Doorkeeper, that it was undemocratic to give the Speaker a special right to any one seat. The House sustained the Speaker's right by an almost unanimous vote. I approve of the custom on its merits and because it is old. We ought to maintain it for the same reason that we keep the stationary snuff box, filled with snuff on the Clerk's Desks. Walked home with Crete at four oclock. Got tickets for Neilson's[?] Huguenot at four dollars a chair. Saturday [94--271] Correspondence and currency study in the morning. At ten oclock, I went with Crete, mother and Libbie to visit the Executive Mansion and Corcoran Art Gallery, and had a very pleasant time. In the House the day was given to private bills until Judge Kelley got the floor and delivered another of his remarkable screeds on paper money, followed by a still more reckless statement by Butler. I think I must answer some of the absurdities of these speeches and will try to get the floor during the next day's debate. SUNDAY 5 [95--270] Went with Libbie to Saint Aloyisius Church to hear the singing and watch the Easter Festivities in the evening called on Parsons and Mr Allison. Read on the currency a little while and retired early. APRIL, 1874.-15th Week. MONDAY 6 [90-269] Worked on correspondence and the currency until ten. When the Committee met and continued its work on the Deficiency Bill. It seems an almost endless job to get through the multitude of items that go to make up that. Several times we have supposed ourselves nearly through, but ever day brings new grist [[?]] mill. Monday was spent in the usual miscellaneous way in the House. One Judge having been absent during the argument of our insurance cases, the eight judges were equally divided and so we got no opinion from the Court on the subject. In the evening took Crete and Libbie to Fords Opera House to hear Charlotte Cushman in Meg Merrilles. Her acting was superb. I have never seen her before and this is probably among her last engagements. TUESDAY 7 [97-268] The ordinary story repeated. The debate went drearily on as usual no vote being reached and none in immediate prospect. In the evening I dined with General Francis Walker, Prof Sumner of Yale College ; and Asst Acting General Hill. We discussed financial and political questions and had a very pleasant evening. Prof Sumner is writing a history of American Currency and I ran over the proof sheets. The work is a good deal of value but I could see in it as well as in the conversation of the Prof a lack of that knowledge of the world which public life brings to a man and yet that knowledge has some drawbacks. I studied Sumner from the standpoint I myself occupied twelve or fourteen years ago and wondered what the rough and tumble of a decade in Congress would do to him. APRIL, 1874--15th Week. Wednesday 8 [98--267] Committee put in another mornings work on the Deficiency Bill and brought it to a point where we will be able to finish it tomorrow morning. The Currency was debate day and evening and will I think be closed soon. I have for several days tried to get the floor, but it has been farmed out in advance. In the evening went with Crete and Libbie to the Opera to hear Willson in the Huguenots. There was a great deal of high art no doubt in the performance, but I have never yet been able to get much meaning out of the music of an opera. Some strains I can translate in meaning and these give great satisfaction. But mere volume of scope and sound though it may be pleasant, is not satisfactory until one has the key to it. The National was crowded to its utmost capacity. THURSDAY 9 [99--266] Fire Insurance expires Committee substantially finished Deficiency Bill. After hearing from the Post Master General and two of his assistants concerning claims for carrying the mail in the Southern States before the war. The subject is difficult. After the morning hour debate on the currency bill was resumed in fifteen minute(s) speeches, the last fifteen minutes coming to me. I spoke with some effectiveness I believe protesting against inflation. Lamar of Mississippi gave me a higher compliment as a thinker and speaker than I have received in a long time. At half-past three the voting began and the inflationists found their victory not so easily won as they supposed. After several votes the House adjourned without concluding. I think we have made some impression on their ranks. At seven in the evening dined with Clarkson N. Potter and there were present Chas Kingsley and daughter Nm and[?] Mrs. Rothery; Mrs Potter, stepmother of Clarkson; Mrs Goddard, Grandaughter of General Cass and Messo's Daves, Hoar and myself--a very pleasant party. Home at half past nine. Revised speech and got to bed an hour after midnight. APRIL 1874 -15th Week FRIDAY 10 [100-265] We had no Committee meeting this morning. I was very much worn out with the day and nights work of yesterday. Correspondence and miscellaneous work. Went to the House at twelve where we continued voting on the various propositions of inflation until six o'clock. No conclusion was reached but it is evident that the House is bent on inflation. My speech of yesterday has been favorable commented upon by some of the best minds in the House. But I have no doubt it will do me injury in the district. I could not however let the occasion pass without protesting against inflation. In the evening In the evening Mr and Mrs Roberts and Mr Sutton called and visited us until half past ten. A number of other people called during the evening. I am very , very weary SATURDAY 11 [101-264] Correspondence in the morning. Then went to the Post Office Department on several items of business, among others to introduce Mr Hendry of Ashtabula with a [f] view to getting him restored to his route agency in the Railroad. Got to the House at twelve o'clock where the day was spent in voting on the various currency amend'ts until half past five o'clock when the House adjourned without results. In the evening dined with my classmate Hill. There were present Senator Ingalls and Archy Hopkins, both Williams Students, Prof Sumner of Yale College and Mr Cleveland of NY. The table talk was mainly on currency and financial legislation. We had a good dinner and pleasant company. At nine oclock left the party and called on Judge Black at the Ebbitt House. Heard the report on the Chorpenning Claim to devise some method of harmonizing opinion in reference to the Currency in order to get some bill through. All shades of opinion were represented, from [Butler?] to [Hoar?]. I was called upon among others to express my views and stated I believed the Senate bill could pass the House though I would not vote for it and if passed it would close the currency struggle for the session and perhaps for this Congress. I, also, stated that I would vote for Free Banking with if coupled a corresponding withdrawal of greenbacks. Came home at eleven. APRIL, 1874.--16th Week. SUNDAY 12 [102-263] Attended church in the forenoon. Read Boswell's Life of Johnson in the afternoon Among other things went to see Sergeant at Arms on some matters relating to his office and personally interesting to him. MONDAY 13 [103-262] Worked on correspondence till half past nine when I made some calls. Went to the Treasury Department to help my colleague Danforth to obtain a messenger ship for Dr. Ashfield. Then went to the Committee Room where I took up the Post Office appropriation bill and heard the P.M. General and his assistants on the subject of the expenses of the departments. In the House the day was spent in the usual Monday way. Nothing was done of much value. To day I have suffered a new pain - a sharpe pain and burning sensation in the cervical cord and in the back side of my head A pain the quarter is al[l]arming and bids me pause. In the evening at eight oclock went to Speaker Blaine's, where there were 30 leading members of Congress called by the Speaker TUESDAY 14 [104-261] This morning brought up correspondence and finished my remarks on Chief Justice Chase to accompany those concerning Prof Agassiz, made at the meeting of the Board of Regents. Committee met at half past ten and resumed the consideration of the appropriations for the Postal Service. Made considerable progress and adjourned at twelve. In the House after the morning hours, the Currency bill was resumed and after voting most of the day the House bill was passed. The Senate bill was taken from the table and after a parliamentary struggle of an hour, it was also passed. This launched us on the sea of inflation. I think the Senate bill has more contraction in it, than the friends of it suppose. I have voted steadily against the schemes of inflation and have at least keep my record clear of all complicity with that unwise measure. APRIL, 1874.--16th Week. In the morning Wednesday 15 [105--260] footed up my accounts, from July Easter Law Term begins last to the 1st of April. At half-past nine went with Mr Daniels to the Atty Generals to consult on advancing some causes on the Docket of the Supreme Court. Committee met at ten and continued the consideration of the appropriations for the Postal Service. At half-past one got into C. W. on the Legislative Appropriation bill and worked until five. Made slow progress, having completed, but three pages of the bill! Came home very tired and nearly sick. Hardly able to sit up. Called on Colonel Parsons. The [Come?] investigating the Dist of Col are attempting drag in his name and mine because Parsons was the Atty in the DeGolyer patent and because I assisted him by acting in his absence from the city. It is time that we ascertain whether a member of Congress has any rights. THURSDAY 16 [106--259] Committee met at ten o'clock and continued work on the Post Office Appropriation Bill. House met at 12 and I moved to take up the Legislative Appropriation Bill, immediately after the reading of the Journal, which was done. We gave five hours of solid work to it and made about six pages of progress. It is amazing what an amount of small talk is wasted over this bill. I have never seen such slow work in the House. The most of the time has been spent over the least important matters. But little change was made in the bill, except such as was moved by the [Come?] itself. In the evening worked up correspondence played backgammon and tried to rest. These days work are [letting?] on me and I must husband my strength as much as possible. April, 1874. --16th Week. Correspondence Friday 17 [107-258] in the morning. Homer Mills of [Chelson?] called on me. Walked with him to the Capitol. Committee met at ten and authorized me to report the Deficiency Appropriation Bill. Spent the rest of the morning on amendments to the Legislative Bill. In the House after the morning hour, Dist of Columbia business occupied the time until three o'clock, when I got into committee and worked two hours making progress of only one page on the bill. Work is very slow. Frank Hutchins of Warren and his son Frank took dinner with us at at half past five Greta, Lizzie and I called at Mr. Riddles in the evening. Recurrence of pains in my bones and muscles. It seems to be periodic, something like chills. Saturday 18 [108-257] Committee did not meet this morning. Worked on correspondence and read portion of my letter to J.W. Shuckers, containing reminescences of my Stay with Salmon R. Chase during the Winter of 1862-3 when I was his guest. Went to the Dr's in reference to my state of health and got some medicine. Went to the House and at one o'clock got into [Come?] of the Whole on the Appropriation Bills. After an hour and a half of debate we passed the section relating to the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury. Continued work until half past four and completed about two pages of the bill. Greta and Libbie and I visited the Summers and Smalleys and we spent a very pleasant evening there with Mr and Mrs White. I find in the Star the following by George Alfred Townsend: To James A. Garfield Thou who [?s't] ride on Chickamang[?]'s day, All solitary down the fiery line, And saw the ranks of battle rusty shine, Where grand old Thomas held them from dis may, Regret not now, while meaner pageants play Their brief campaigns against the best of men! For those spent balls of scandal pass their way, And thou shalt see the victory again. Modest and faithful, though these broken lines Of party reel and thine own honor bleeds. That mole is blind which Garfield undermines, That dart fails short which hired malice speeds, That man will stay whose place the state assigns. And whole high mind a mighty people needs. APRIL, 1874.--17th Week. SUNDAY 19 [109-254] Did not attend church It was raining, dreary and I kept to the House and rested MONDAY 20 [110-255] Correspondence in the morning until half past ten. Committee continued work on the Deficiency Bill and finished it. In the House after the morning hour got into Com of the Whole and made progress with the Legislative Bill to the extent of four pages and a half which is better than our last days work. In the evening went with Crete and Libbie to hear Clara Louise Kellogg in the Bohemian Girl. Some of the airs are very fine. The tenor had really the best voice of any of the troop, as it seemed to me. Mrs. Sequin sang the part of the Gipsey Queen. TUESDAY 21 [111-254] Committee invited the Com on Commerce to sit with us and hear a discussion of the Pacific Mail subsidy by Mr. John Roach of Chester Pa, to determine whether we will grant it. In the House after the morning hour went into Com of the Whole and spent more than three hours in getting through two pages of the bill. Governor Woodford the Chairman of the Com of the Whole is not at all an efficient presiding officer. His tones of voice are an irritation to the Committee. This circumstance makes the progress of the bill still slower than it would be In the evening worked on correspondence and prepared a letter for J. W. Shuckers in regard to the [?} to be published as a part of the Life of the late Chief Justice which he is writing. accepts that place. Returned to the House at two o'clock and resumed consideration of the appropriation bill. Worked until halfpast four making fair progress. House took a recess until half past seven, when we resumed consideration of the bill and worked until ten. Reached the forty-eighth page. Crete and Libbie went with me to the House, and staid throughout the meeting. APRIL, 1874.--17th Week. WEDNESDAY 22 [112-253] In the morning worked on correspondence and finished Shuckers letter. Committee met at half past ten and finished the Post office Appropriation Bill. We have concluded to leave the Pacific Mail Subsidy until consultation is held between three committees-Post office, Commerce and Appropriations. After the morning our, resumed consideration of the Legislative Bill and made 15 pages of progress up to the time of adjournment. The President has vetoed the Currency bill and in his message has taken ground squarely against a further depreciation of our money standard. This illustrate anew the fact that General Grant is one of the luckiest of men. For twenty years no President has had so fine an opportunity to stay the [???ink] of popular delusion and mischief. He has done it manfully and against the remonstrances of many gents who are especially near to him. The vetoe will make much angry feeling in the west but the more thoughtful men of all sections will rejoice In the evening visited my colleague Horter in company with Scofield and Frye. THURSDAY 23 [113-252] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at ten o'clock and heard Mr. Hubbard until 12 o'clock on the Postal Telegraph. Immediately after the meeting of the House, I went to the Executive Mansion and called on the President to thank him for his noble veto message. I had a long and pleasant talk in regard to it. He said he supposed a few of his friends who had committed themselves very strongly to the Currency bill would be permanently embittered by his veto, yet he could not help it. He had tried hard to find grounds for signing it and at one time thought he could. But the more he studied it, the more he became confinced of the dangerous character of the bill. I also talked with him in reference to appointing Scofield to the vacancy on the Court of [bl??s]. this will be done unless the Secry of the Treasury resigns and [Printed:] "APRIL, 1874. --17th Week." [Printed:] "Friday 24 [114--251]" After working on correspondence, called at Colonel Piatt's; then to the Committee where the Secretary of State and the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and we finished the Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation bills and ordered it reported to the House. Went to the Supreme Court [?move] for the admission of Judge Johnson of Canfield. Before the court same in word was sent to me that the Journal had been read in the House and I got Asst. Atty Genl Hill to introduce Johnson. I went to the House and got into [Come] of the whole and worked on until five o'clock. We finished the War Dept which was admitted yesterday and reached the foot of the 62 page of the bill, when the [Come] rose and the House adjourned. In the evening took the family [here the text continues onto space for Saturday] to Fords Theater to hear the [?Volkes]. Performance was one of the most brilliant of its kind I have seen. Full of art and grotesque witt which kept the great audience in roars of laughter. We found Brother Joe at the House on our return. [Printed date:] "Saturday 25 [115--250]" Correspondence and the departments in the morning. At 15 minutes after 12 I got the House into Committee of the Whole on the Legislative bill and worked steadily until half past-five, when we completed the bill and reported it to the House, where I got the p.[q.?] on the bill and amend'ts seconded, and the main question ordered and the vote by which it was ordered reconsidered and laid on the table so as to complete the action with out further amend't in the House on Monday, or whenever it comes up next. Though the bill has been debated a long time, we have on the whole got it through in fair shape. In the evening went to [Wetchers?] and visited Wells. Returned ab- nine o'clock and found Mr. and Mrs. Smalley and Mr. and Mrs. Summer at my house and they spent the evening until a late hour. Libbie sand and played and we had a pleasant time. [Handwritten date:} Sunday 26 [116-249] Attended church and heard a sermon by Prof. Loos who came home with us, took dinner and spent the day. Retired early. the colored member spoke well. Mr Dawes made an important point on suggestions that Benton made to Senator Sumner soon after the latter entered the Senate saying to him that he came into public life too late; that the great issues had been decided namely national banking, tariff, and nullification. We may learn from this that each age will have its great issues and we cannot say that the greatest has past. Potter spoke briefly and well. I left when Kelley commenced. His speaking is very unpleasant to me. April, 1874--18th Week. Monday 27 [117-248] Correspondence in the morning and committee at half-past ten. The committee considered the Amendment that have been made in the Legislature appropriation bill in Come of the Whole and agreed open what ever we would insist on and __what___ we would resist. Set tomorrow morning for hearing of the Pension bill. As seen as the morning hour was auded in the House a message came hour the Senate, in reference to the death of Mr Simmer. Judge Hour of Mass made the first address his speech was able and beautiful, but he has a bad voice - a falsetto- full of the Yankee twang. Here and there, there was a touch of extravagance in him delineation of Mr Summer but on the whole it was good. Much of the most plunging speech at the day was that of Mr Lamar of Mississippi, in which he studied Mr. Sumner from the Southern Standpoint. Of this_Eulogy was measured and commonplace. Rainy Tuesday 28 [118-247] Correspondence in the morning. Went to the dray Department on business. Come met at half past ten considered and concluded the Persian appropriation bill. Also heard a Bishop of the Episcopal Church on the southern Sioux Indians. In the House shortly after the journal was read took of the legislative appropriation bill and speak the day in voting off it. A quarter past five concluded the votes and the bill passed. It has been the longest struggle I have ever had on any appropriation bill I have had charge of. I made a speech of twenty minutes, before the voting began in which I set forth the effects of the bill and the reform that were entranced in it. Home in the evening. My sprained ankle in grieving me a good deal of trouble. Mr and Mrs Horry came tonight at ten o clock. APRIL, 1874.--18th Week. Wednesday 29 [119--246] Worked on correspondence in the morning. Come met at 11 oclock and considered amendments to the Indian Appropriation Bill. After an hour spent on the bill (and) of the Foreign Affairs Committee in relation to the citizenship we got into Come of the whole on the Indian Appropriation Bill and Loughridge and Parker Each made able and valuable speeches. None in the evening. THURSDAY 30 [120-245] Committee met at 11 oclock this morning and considered amend'ts to the Indian Appropriation Bill. In the House after an hour spent on the Naturalization bill, the Louisville and Portland Canal bill was taken up and I made a short speech advocating an amend't. In the evening dined at Welcker's with General Schenck and Senators Allison, Anthony and Stockton, Representatives Dawes and Orth, Lord Fortescue and Mr Arrington--Mr Santonvus who is about to marry Nellie Grant--Mr Rotheny-- Mr Nurlbust of the N.Y. World and Ben Perky Prove. It was an elegant dinner and a very pleasant company. Reached home at ten oclock and after a visit with our guests retired at eleven. MAY, 1874.-18th Week. Saturday 2 [122-243] [[strikethrough]]FRIDAY 1 [121-244][[strikethrough]] Coun'l did not meet. I went to the House at quarter past eleven and spent half an hour in the Library looking over the monthly box of books that comes from England. I get but little time to pay my devotions to the new books and the Library; but half an hour does something to tranquilize one mind to making up for the loss of being in public life. In the House the day was spent on private bills. I left at four oclock and went to see the Doctor in regard to my sprained ankle. John Gould of Aurora took dinner with us and spent a portion of the evening. Very tired. Friday 1 [121-244] [[strikethrough]] SATURDAY 2 [122-248] [[strikethrough]] MAY, 1874.--19th Week. SUNDAY 3 [123-242] Attended church and heard a sermon from Prof Loos, who came home with us to dinner After dinner took a drive of three hours and had a pleasant MONDAY 4 [124-241] Correspondence in the morning Committee met at 10 o'clock, took up the Appris for the Surveys of the Public Lands and completed them. In the House nothing was done in the appropriations; the whole day was spent in motions to suspend the rules. I regret to say that having a Speaker in the Chair who is a candidate for the Presidency makes it more difficult to get on with the public business; for the reason that he is anxious to oblige so many people that he gives the floor to all sorts of subjects rather than appropriation bills. Thus this day has been mainly wasted. I sent to the Library for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, because my classmate Hill who was here last night told me that nine distinguished Englishmen being together agreed to write down on a piece of paper, the name of the best novel they ever read. Six of them wrote "Mansfield Park" and one of the six was Lord McCauley. For that reason I determined to read the book as I have never read any work of Mrs. Austens. TUESDAY 5 [125-240] Drove with Mrs. Barnard to the Navy Department to aid her husband who is Asst Naval Constructor at Pensacola. Took Crete and the ladies to the Executive Mansion on my way. Then went to the Com. We heard some pension agents in regard to their rates of pay. Then took up the lighthouse estimates and acted on most of them. In the House the day was spent on the proposed appropriation for the Centennial. I have been some troubled about this question, but on the whole think we ought not to incur the expense. On my motion the House took a recess until half past seven to go on with the Indian appropriation bill. No quorum being present, a call of the House was held. A few of the absentees were brought before the House and being very angry they resisted all efforts to do business and wasted the time of the House until ten o'clock without doing anything. MAY, 1874.--19th Week. WEDNESDAY 6 [126-239] Correspondence in the morning. Come met at ten o'clock and continued work on the Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill. The whole day was consumed in a discussion of the Centennial. Left the House at an early hour and went to doctor's to consult concerning my foot. Spent the evening at home. Several people called in the evening and I looked over some points in reference to the Centennial Appropriation. Prepared to make a short speech tomorrow. I am satisfied that the international feature is a great mistake and will result in disaster and failure. If they change that feature of it and make it a national celebration, I shall be glad to see it go forward. TUESDAY 7 [127-238] Committee met at ten o'clock and heard Professor Baird on the Fish Commission and on the Smithsonian. The Come acted on those two items. The House met at eleven oclock and soon entered upon the discussion of the Centennial. I spoke twenty minutes taking the ground indicated in the Journal of yesterday. Mr. Dawes spoke and at two o'clock the bill was reported to the House, Hawley of Conn. making the final speech. The vote was taken and the bill defeated by over forty majority. Sympathy for the defeated led a good many members to vote for reconsidering with a view to letting them down easily, or giving them another chance. Voted on the reconsideration until five o'clock, when a motion was made to lay the bill on the table and the House adjourned. Capt Rudolph and his wife left us this evening for Ohio Reviewed the notes of my speech and read "Mansfield Park MAY, 1874.--19th Week. FRIDAY 8 [128-237] Easter Law Term ends. Committee 10 oclock and heard several gents on estimates for the Sundry Civil Bill. [Ill] In the House the Centennial Bill was allowed to be recommitted and the rest of the day was spent on the Private Calendar. We, however, introduced a bill so to modify the rule as to give Saturday's to the public business rather then to private. In the evening Crete and I visited Sheldon's at Willard's and spent a pleasant evening. SATURDAY 9 [129-236] Committee met at 10 o'clock and heard parties in relation to estimates on the Sundry Civil Bill In the House the day was spent on miscellaneous business and the Indian Appr Bill- after a long and tedious debate the House adjourned. In the evening worked on correspondence and read Jane Austen works - Bill. Early in the morning we had passed the River and Harbor Bill under a suspension of the rules, in order to prevent the increase of appropriations by different interests in the House. At half past five, I took the special train with Generals Sherman, and McDowell the Secy of War and several other gents for Harrisburgh where we arrived at eleven o'clock in the evening. Spent the evening with Senator Cameron. TUESDAY. In the morning drove with Senator Cameron to his farm of seven hundred acres on the banks of the Susquehanna. It is a beautiful and well cultivated farm. At ten o'clock attended the Meeting of the Army of the Potomac and was called up to make a short speech. Spent the afternoon at Senator [?Camesons]. In the evening attended a reception of Governor Hartranft. At ten o'clock in the evening attended a banquet of the Army of the Potomac and responded to the toast "To The President." This was a noble gathering of the ablest soldiers of the Army of the Potomac. The antagonisms [here text spills across the page into the area for Tuesday 12 (May)] and rivalries of this army are in painful contrast with the harmony and comradeship of the Army of the Cumberland. Retired at a late hour. May, 1874 -- 20th Week. "Sunday 10 -[130-235]" Attended church and heard sermon from Mr. Lochengier. In the afternoon went with Professor Baird to the rooms of Professor Powel and looked at his maps and photographs taken in the Colorado Country. Spent the evening in reading "Mansfield Park." Monday 11 [131-231] Correspondence in the morning and at ten o'clock the Committee resumed work on the Miscellaneous appropriation bill. At eleven o'clock the House met and continued the ordinary Monday work until halfpast two when I became satisfied that the speaker was assuming too much control over legislation on Monday. I therefore interrupted the business by making the privileged motion to adjourn. This the Speaker resented angrily and some unpleasant words passed between us, but when the vote on my motion was taken it showed that the House was with me. We passed the Military Academy bill and got through 11 pages of the Deficiency May, 1874.--20th Week. Wednesday 13 [133--232] A little after five took the train for Washington. Finished the second volume of Miss Austen's "Pride and Prejudice, reached home at eleven and got to the House at a quarter before twelve. Governor Swan failed to get up his Diplomatic Bill yesterday and the Steamboat Inspection bill was under discussion. At 3 o'clock got into Come on the Deficiency Bill and got through 18 pages. Came home in the evening very tired and read and answered a large mail. Thursday 14 [134-261] Worked on my large mail that had accumulated all during my absence at Harrisburgh. At half past ten Mr Gaulaudet drove me to the House. The Committee took up the Choctaw Claim and discussed it until half- past eleven o'clock. Did not conclude the consideration of it. After the morning hour went into Come of the Whole on the Deficiency Bill, and after some sharp debate ran through the 13 remaining pages and ordered the bill reported to the House. Then took up the Consular and Diplomatic Bill and Gov Swann spoke on it for an hour when the Come rose and passed the Deficiency Bill. We have made exceedingly good progress during this week. [Printed date:] May, 1874--20th Week. Friday 15 [135-230] Correspondence in the morning. Come. met at ten and heard several persons on appropriations. In the House the day was spent in private bills. One of them for the rent of the Clara Dolsen Steamer was reported by my Come. It passed after a long debate. In the evening took Crete and mother and the children to [?Marini's] Hall to attend the exhibition of the Kindergarten School. I think the little ones are doing very well. The school now numbers nearly seventy. I am troubled to no what to do with the children next in regard to their education. They do not seem to have that hunger and thirst for knowledge that I always felt when I was a child. [Printed date:] "Saturday 16 [136-229]" Worked on Correspondence. Committee did not meet this morning. House met at eleven o'clock and after a struggle with the Come. on Ways and Means for the possession of the floor, we succeeded in getting into Come. of the Whole on the Consular and Diplomatic bill. And after four hours debate directed particularly to Mr. [Ortis?] amend't reorganizing the consular service, the bill was finished. I then moved to take up the Post Office Appropriate bill, which was accordingly done. The bill was read the first time, and then several paragraphs were read for final action. The Come. then [?ose] passed the Consular bill and the House adjourned. Thus we have completed the Indian bill and passed five other bills this week which is the best weeks work of the session. [This sentence struck out: At house in the evening very much tired out with the weeks work.] Dined this evening with Senator George Brown of the Canadian Dominion and a large party. MAY, 1874.--- 21st Week. SUNDAY 17 [137-228] MONDAY 18 [138-227] Attended Church and to avoid listening Correspondence in the morning. The Come to a very stupid sermon, translated met at ten o'clock, though I was half an hour late the Fifth Ode, Book First of Horace in consequence of stopping at the tailors. Continued After dinner rode for an hour or the consideration of the Choctaw Net Proceeds two with Judge Black and spent Claim, which was very troublesome. I am the evening with him. in doubts what we ought to do in regard to it. In the House the usual Monday work until 2 o'clock, when the new rule went into operation for the first time and gave the remainder of the day to the District of Columbia. Got some books from the Library relating to Jane Austen, and in the evening read her life, written by her nephew J. E. Austin Leigh, Vicar of Bray Berks. It is astonishing how little is known of her life. In this respect, as in some others, she seems to resemble Shakespeare. Her fames seems to have been mostly posthumous. Her novels are model pictures of quiet life, and not disfigured by the scenes of most of our novels. TUESDAY 19 [139--226] Correspondence in the morning. Come. met at half past nine oclock and after a long discussion concluded by one majority to postpone the Choctaw Claim until next session. In the House the day was spent in discussing the Moiety bill. Mr Howells came during the day and took dinner with us and spent the night. May, 1874. 21st Week Wednesday 20 [140-225] Correspondence in the morning: went to the War Dept on business connected with the Appropriations Come. Come met at half-past nine and continued work on the Sundry Civil Bill and heard several parties before the Committee. After the reading of the Journal in the House we got into Come of the Whole after a contest with the Come on Ways and Means for the floor in which we were successful, and proceeded with the discussion of the Post Office Appropriation bill with occupied the day. Finished most of the bill and adjourned at five o'clock. My colleague Smith dined with us in the evening and at eight o clock went out with Mr Frye. Thursday 21 [141-224] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half past nine o'clock. We took up a number of matters from the docket relating to the Sundry Civil Bill and acted upon them. In the House after the reading of the Journal proceeded with the Post Office App. Bill and passed it. A separate note was taken on making reports on Agriculture free, but we were beaten by the flatterers of farmers. We then took up the Pension Bill and passed it. The Speaker was absent for the first two hours of the day attending the wedding at the Presidents. I think the girl makes a great mistake in marrying an Englishman. Foster made his speech on the Sanborn contracts, which was very clear and manly. The bill for the admission of Mexico was then talked up and passed in the evening worked on correspondence and called on the Asst Secretary of State. MAY, 1874. -- 21st Week. FRIDAY 22 [142--223] Trinity Law Term begins. Committee met at half past nine, and finished the consideration of the Senate amend'ts to the Legislative Appropriation Bill. The Sec'y of State and Mr [?Orth bhn?] of the Come. on Foreign Affairs were before us and were heard in regard to the reorganization of the State Department as proposed by the Senate. Committee agreed to the arrangement and finished the consideration of the bill and prepared a report for printing and delivery to the House. In the House the day was consumed on private bills. During the day went to the Post-Office Department on business. At six o'clock had Mr. Robinson my colleague to dinner. In the evening went with Foster to visit Sheldon. SATURDAY 23 [143--222] Correspondence in the morning. Come did not meet. House met at eleven o'clock and immediately after the reading of the Journal, I called up the Come report on the Senate amend'ts to the [Sundry Civil bill] Legislative Bill and after a struggle with the Come. on War claims, worked a little over an hour on the amend'ts. The rest of the day was given up to the Come. On Military affairs. Mr. Munro took dinner with us and spent a little time in the evening. MAY, 1874. - 22nd Week. Sunday 24-[144-221] MONDAY 25 [145-220] Whit Monday. - Bank Holiday Did not attend church today, but took more rest than on any day since the session began. After dinner rode with Mr. Howells and Isaac Williams to Arlington. Went over by the way of Georgetown and the Aqueduct Bridge and returned by way of Long Bridge A very pleasant drive. #See next page for Monday Correspondence in the morning. Mr. Gallaudet President of the Deaf Mute College called and drove me to the Capital. It is a lovely day and I long for the time to look at it and think of the bright world clothing itself in the beautiful garments of Spring. I hardly have time to look up to the skies or down at the earth. Committee heard the Secretary of the Navy and settled the appropriations for the Navy Yard. We concluded to concentrate our chief expenditures upon four League Island, Norfolk, Pensacola, and [Mane? Island?] agreed to appropriate half a million TUESDAY 26 [146-219] for general repairs of all the Arsenals. In the House the [Come or Committee?] on Ways and Means took the day. I am surprised to find what a change two years of occupation has wrought in the topics which interest me. Three years ago I was alive to all questions of taxation and earned but little for appropriations. Now I hear a tariff bill discussed with but little interest but am wide awake to any question of appropriation at four o'clock the House closed its business and the funeral of Mr. Mellish took place in the Hall A committee was appointed to accompany the remains to New England the place of his birth. MAY, 1874.--22nd Week. # Monday 25 [WEDNESDAY 27 [147-218]] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at nine o'clock. Considered several propositions connected with the Miscellaneous Appropriation Bill. Also disposed of the proposition of making an appropriation to pay mail contracts in the Southern States prior to the War. The proposition was voted down in the Committee by my casting vote. In the House the day was spent in the usual manner of Mondays, and at three o'clock the death of poor Mr. Mellish was noticed He died Saturday in the Insane Asylum. At half past three o'clock, the House adjourned. He devoted himself almost exclusively to the study of the currency, became fully entangled with the theories of the subject and became [to] insane. His public life was a terrible strain upon his nervous system. Howell left us this evening after passing a successful examination for the Consulate at Quebec - for which I seconded his appointment. THURSDAY 28 [148--217] Correspondence in the morning. [Come] met at nine o'clock heard General Babcock on the Public Buildings and grounds and then heard Mr. Mullett on the buildings under the supervision of the Treasury Dept. Had a long and workful session. In the House the day was spent on the Army bill with but little profit. Genl Coburn does not seem to be a happy organizer and his bill is a striking example of his method of disjointed and inharmonious work. During the day I had some leizure and went to the Library and got the last volume of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" which I read and shortly after my return home in the evening finished the work. I shall notice more fully in some other place the impressions which Jane Austen's works make on me. George Alfred Townsend. Walked in the park with Crete and remained home very tired. Crete nearly sick. WEDNESDAY 27--[147-218] Correspondence in the morning. At half past nine o'clock Committee met an argument by Mr. Lowry a New York lawyer, on the Postal Telegraph Bill; it was not completed. He advanced the idea that the original purpose of the Post Office, as provided for in the Constitution was to send parcels and packages and not to send intelligence and asserted that the telegraph was not an incident [to the?] power of establishing: post offices and post roads. In the House we acted on the Currency Bill. The amend't proposed by the Come on Banking and Currency, which was a compromise between the two extremes, failed to be adopted by five or six votes. The Senate amend'ts were rejected and a come of Conference called for. Th House met on the Tariff bill and we had a weary and profitless session. through the biographical portion relating to his antislavery life. His experience in the office and family of Williams Unit, in 1828-1830 must have been very valuable in laying the foundation of his knowledge of society and in acquiring the cultivation of such society produces. In that respect his early advantages were greatly beyond [my] mine. I was almost alarmed for him when I read that he do plied to his Uncle Senator Chase of Ut for a [?] kship, but delighted to find that that [stua?] [?] man answered "Samuel I will give you [?ty] cents to buy a spade with, but I would [ha] be [?ything] [to do with gettin] get you a clerkship with poverty, as I did, yet he had powerful friends to take the guide of his education and give him culture at an earlier age than I had any. Before he was sixteen he was delivering a Greek Oration at Worthington, Ohio, in the presence of his uncle, the Bishop. At sixteen I had never seen a Greek book. I think I can see the good effect of writing the early Western influence to the influence of his Eastern life. But oh what a bio- grapher. Sunday 31 -- [151-214] I am not well. Read too late last night and the fierce heat of today has kept me indoors. Read til a late hour going over several Hundred pages of Warden's bulky book. The interest deepens as I go Chase thought this harsh at the time, but I have no doubt that he afterwards blessed the memory of his uncle for it thousands of times. I think I discovered the reason why he chose Warden as his biographer for the event of his life most criticized was his election at the senator ship in 1848. Warden was the Champion of the Pew Pierce Party in the legal proceedings which led to that result, and I can see why He was desirous of having a biographer who would do justice to that transaction. May, 1874 - 22nd Week. Friday 29 (149 - 216) Crete us quite ill and I fear is threatened with chills and fever. Went for the Dr. who came just as I was leaving for the Capitol. Committee listened two hours and a half to Mr. Lowry on the Postal Telegraph. In the House at two o'clock I antagonized the private bills and succeeded in getting the House to work on the Senate amendments to the Legislative Bill. We completed them at half-past five, after much debate and many votes. Find that Crete has been in bed all day. The Doctor says she has chills and a kind of [dumb?] ague. Am reading an advanced copy of Warden's Life of Chase. The absurdist piece of egotism and biographic indecency I have ever met. The reading of that book leads me to doubt the propriety of any man's keeping a diary. But [ah?] what fools may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause. Warden is what Jane Austin would call a "strong, natural, sterling" ass. Saturday 30 (150-215) Correspondence in the morning. At ten o'clock went with Mrs. Riddle and Sheldon to see the President and to recommend the appointment of General Thomas (a native of Ohio but now a resident of New Orleans) to a south American Mission. Thomas is a queer specimen of an adventurer having been filibustering with Walker and in connecting with kindred operations since. He is a man, however, of fine ability and a good deal of culture. The Sec'y of War was present at the interview. On coming out from the President's room,, I met Mr. Bristow, who is soon of the Secretary of the Treasury. In the evening, read Warden's Life of Chase and became deeply interested in that part that is biographical. Read until after midnight. There is much in the early life of Chase that I deeply sympathize with. His mother's letters are very touching looked at from this distance. Although Chase had to make the fight June, 1874. - 23rd Week. Monday 1 (152-213) Come [Committee] met at half past nine and finished the estimates for public buildings and reduced the aggregate including repairs [?] to $6,800,000. The Choctaw Claim was noted on the bill by one majority against my wishes. Ordered a bill introduced to give half a million to the sufferers by the Mississippi overflow. I fear this precedent will trouble us. Still it seems to be necessary. Come [Committee] sat two or three hours into the day and paid but little attention to legislation in the House. We have brought the great miscellaneous bill near to completion and will be able I think to introduce it on Wednesday. In the evening, attended the exhibition of the Kindergarten School and Jimmy and Mollie and Harry did very well in their pieces. There advantages are far greater than mine were at their time of life. Tuesday 2 (153-212) Had a long session of the Committee on the Miscellaneous bill. Session extended into the time of the session of the House several. Committee accomplished a large amount of work which left me but little time for paying attention to the business of the House. At seven o'clock dined at Bancroft Davis Asst Secy [Assistant Secretary] of State. The dinner was given to Mr Bunson son of the great author. Besides him there were present, Senator Anthony Judge Hoar, Genl Parks and myself. We had a very pleasant evening Bunson speaks English with but little accent. His conversation about his father who was for a time Secretary to [Chicbuhn?] was very interesting. Mr Davis showed us a mask taken from the face of Oliver Cromwell after his death. The historic wart over the right eye is there and the strong nose tipped to one side are very sharp, and I apprehend trouble in reaching a satisfactory conclusion. I am invited to go to Norfolk tomorrow with the Sec'y of the Navy in his yacht but do not think it will be possible to get away. Mr. Howell was confirmed as consul to Quebec few days ago. JUNE, 1874.- 23rd Week. WEDNESDAY 3 [154-211] The Committee first had it Sundry Civil Bill. In the House the day was spent on a bill for the improvement of the mouth of the Mississippi. I have at last finished Wardens bulky octavo of the life of Mr. Chase. Notwithstanding my disgust at the authors method of treating the subject, yet so much of the volume is autobiographical that I have deeply interested in its perusal. My old love and admiration for Mr. Chase is on many accounts strengthened and renewed by the reading of this book. His early life indeed his life up to 1860 is very dear to me and much of it after that time. I think the Presidential passion was the great mistake of his life and from it resulted almost all the blunders of his life, Conference Come on the Legislature appropriation bill met in the room of the Senate Come on appropriations and worked two hours House confereres were Kellogg of Conn Randall of Pa and myself. Senate Confereres Merrill of the Sargent and Dawes. THURSDAY 4 [155-210] Gallaudet of the Asylum called and drove me to the Capitol before ten o'clock. Committee acted on 44 amendts of the Senate to the Deficiency Bill and I had a report of the results prepared for the House. Later in the day we also acted on the Senate amend'ts to the Consular and Diplomatic bill. At one clock Conference again met on the Legislative bill and worked until four o'clock. We settled a large number of differences but some where passed over on which [was] we could not agree. At half past four o'clock reported the Sundry Civil bill to the House to print. Also during the day got concurrence in the Senate amend'ts to the West Point bill which now goes to the President. Conference committee again met about two o'clock and spent about three hours on the Legislative Appn bill. Some of the differences between the House and the Senate. June, 1874.-23rd Week. FRIDAY 5 [156-209] Committee acted on the amend'ts [amendments] to the Indian Bill. There were over a hundred amend'ts [amendments]. Spent much of the day in reading proof and perfecting the text of the Sundry Civil Bill. The House devoted the first half of the day to bills for opening the Mouth of the Mississippi for navigation. I offered a substitute for the two pending bills which looked to postponement until next Winter but was beaten by a small vote. The Saint Philip Canal then beat the Jetties and passed by a strong majority. A day or two since two bills were passed which had been passed in the early part of the session which fact has been severely commented upon by the newspaper press. There were reported from the Come [Committee] on SATURDAY 6 [157-208] Correspondence in the morning. After the reading of the Journal in the House. I [reported] brought up the Senate amend'ts [amendments] to the Deficiency Bill and spent two hours in acting upon them. Carried all my points but one. Had a sharp debate with Holman, in regard to the general question of expenditures SUNDAY 7 [158-207]. Did not attend church suffered intensively from the weather. Called on Mr. Willard of Vt. and made arrangements for mother to go with his family on Thursday next as far as to the corner of New Hampshire. She goes with Harry to visit her birthplace. In the evening dined at Wormley's with Messers Hooper Wells and Allison. After dinner Judge Black went with us - Crete, Miss Ransom and myself to Senator Jones where we visited. JUNE, 1874.--24th Week. Monday 8 [159-206] Committee met at ten o'clock and heard a delegation of printers from the Government Printing Office, who protested against any reduction of their pay. Our questions drew out from them the facts concerning the tyrannical spirit of that organization which restricts the number of apprentices that may learn the trade and then arrogates to each chapter of the organization the right to fix the rates in its own city. This puts employers absolutely at their mercy. In the House the day was spent in the usual manner of Monday. After two o'clock we held another session of the Conference committee on the Legislature app'n Bill. The Louisiana case came up for consideration in the House and was contin- ued until seven o'clock. Got my dinner at the Restau- rant and waited until eight o'clock for the Joint Caucus of the Republicans of both Houses which was held in the Hall. Judge Kelley opposed the reformation of the com'e but it was done nearly unanimously. Tuesday 9 [160-205] Com'e met at 10 and heard a continuation of yesterdays discussion from the Printer's Union and also heard the Binder's Union. Their organization is quite like that of the Printer's. In the House the day was mainly devoted to the Geneva Award had another session of two hours and finally com- pleted the Conference report on the Legislative bill. This has been the most uncomfortable day I have ever known in Washington. At half past four o'clock the thermometer ranged 101 in the shade and the signal reports show that there was but one place in the Union, Norfolk, where it was higher. It was nearly impossible to sleep. Crete and I took a mattress down in the parlor and laid under the open window. During the day was called to the U. S. Dist. Court to try the case of Driggs vs Daniels. I succeeded in effecting a settlement satisfactory to both parties. June, 1874. - 24th Week Wednesday 10 [161-204] Called at the Treasury Dept and saw the new Secretary Bristow; thence to the Post Office Dept on business for my district; thence to the House where the day was spent in discussing the Geneva award. Went to the Senate and perfected the details of our conference on the Legislature appn bill. Home in the evening working up correspondence and preparing a brief speech on my Sundry Civil bill which I hope to get up tomorrow. The political pot is again boiling in my district. The Cleveland Leader has published some articles in my favor and my old enemies are raging over it. The little digs and little assaults of little men who attribute low motives to whatever is beyond their reach forms one of the chief features of this class of assaults. I tire of such a warfare, but I think I will test my strength with them once more. Thursday 11 [1672-203] Called at the Treasury Department on business; thence to the Come where we settled some additional matters that had come before us. In the House at half past twelve got the Sundry Civil Bill up for consideration. Had a struggle over the wages of the Printers and binders in which the Committee was defeated. Got through with eleven pages of the bill and adjourned at half past five. At half-past eight took mother and Harry to the depot and got them on the train for NY. They go to New Hampshire to visit mother's early home. When I was ten years of age I had never travelled fifteen miles from home. Such a trip as Hal is now taking would have been a great thing to me. Sunday 14- [165-200] Attended church and after dinner sent the children and the girls to Arlington. Read Shakespeare's Pericles of Tyre for the first time. I do not believe that Shakespeare wrote the whole of the play. I can see his hand in it, but it is too artificial to be his creation. In it, however, he strikes a blow at the finished utterances of dramatic unity. At 6 road with Sherman, Foster, and Smith to Rock creek Brightwood and home. Crete and I called on Donn Piatt in the evening. June, 1874. - 24th Week. Friday 12 [163-202] Trinity Law Term ends. Called at the Treasury in the morning on business; then went to the Capitol. At 11 oclock the House met. Soon afterwards got into Come of the Whole on the Sundry Civil bill and kept up the work until half past 5. Made 32 pages of progress. There is something peculiar in the temper of the House. A clear strong statement of a case, if made too soon or too late fails. If well made at the right time it is effective. It is a nice point to study the right time. I sometimes strike it and sometimes fail. I failed yesterday in striking it on the Printing House question. I hit it today on several amend'ts to the bill especially on Coburn's amend't to appropriate $10,000 for testing Mr Lees' gun. I said let us have fair play and treat all inventors alike. Congress should not advertize one man to the exclusion of others. I could see the consent of the House as I spoke. Home in the evening. Saturday 13 [164-201] Called at the Engineer Department in the morning and also, at the Post Office Dept on business for my District. Soon after House met, the conference report on the currency was made and the vote taken. With much reluctance I voted for the report but it was beaten by a large majority. I cast my vote mainly for the sake of harmony in our delegation but not until I was certain that the bill could not pass. At twelve o'clock got into Come on the Sundry Civil Bill and nearly finished the first section. Adjourned at half past five in a jangle over the civil service clause. The House is determined that no further effort shall be made to reform our civil service. Came home very tired and got what rest I could in the evening. JUNE, 1874.-25th Week. MONDAY 15 [166-199] Committee met at ten, and settled some straggling matters that have come in since our last meeting. I resolved upon a defeat of the [Chortaw?] Claim if possible, and soon after the House got into Come opened the fight which lasted for an hour and a half. Considering the fact that that six out of the [11] eleven members of the Come on Appns were in favor of it, and that the House had by a two thirds vote suspended the rules to make it in order, the case looked hopeless. But I believe I have never conducted a contest more successfully, and we beat them by ten or twelve majority on a square vote on the merits and at half past five oclock passed the bill.[ Servis?] came during the day and is looking better than I have ever seen him. The air of Montana is doing him good. The House met at half TUESDAY 16 [167-198] Committee met at half past ten and heard Mr. Brisbane a short time on his pneumatic tube. Immediately after the meeting of the House goy up the Indian Appropriation Bill and acted on the 134 Senate amend'ts. The rest of the day was spent in miscellaneous legislation. We took care however to allow as little done as possible. My Committee has so far finished its business that it is not at all crowded. [Servis?] took dinner with us. The House met in the evening on pension bills. I staid but a little while and being very tired returned home at ten o'clock. I do not believe appropriation bills were ever so well worked up, as they have been this session. past seven in the evening to consider bills from the Come on Public Buildings and Grounds. The most outrageous measure I have seen for many years was up when I reached the House. A combination of public buildings and sites for buildings for some twenty-five cities were thrown together in one bill with a purpose of combining enough force to pass it. After three hours struggle this bill also was killed and the House adjourned. Reached have at half-past eleven. Revised my speech of today upon the general results of the Sundry Civil Bill. Retired at 1/2 past 12. JUNE, 1874. - 25th Week. WEDNESDAY 17 [168-197] Called with Servis at Senator Sherman's, and the Attorney Generals. At ten oclock went to the Senate side and met the Conference Committee on the Deficiency Bill. Sat until two oclock and seltted most of our points of difference. The Indian Appriation for Arizona however still divides us Later in the day finished and signed the Conference on the Legislative Bill. In the House the Conference in the Pension Bill was agreed to and I reported the Legislative Conference after it had been adopted in the Senate. House also passed bill of the Investigating Committee on the Dist Affairs. It abolished the Legislature and Board of Public Works and provides for a reorganization of the District. At home in the evening; was very tired and did not do much THURSDAY 18 [169-196] In the morning completed the Conference report on the Legislative bill and before the day was over introduced it into the House and carried it after considerable debate. I am each day sending back to the Senate everything in the way of appropriations they send to us. In other words I manage to clear our decks each day The House is ahead of the Senate in its business, and my committee has never had its work so well up and so thoroughly in hand as now. House met this evening and I remained for about an hour then came home and got a little rest. There seems to be a mania for increasing the number of public buildings and I fear before the session ends we shall have to pay considerable in the line of new buildings. No one has yet gone through with my consent and indeed none has yet become a law. JUNE 1874.-25th week FRIDAY 19 [170-195] Correspondence in the morning. Come met at ten and took up and completed the consideration of the Senate Amend's to the Post Office Department bill. Many of them are important in that they establish the rates of the newspaper postage and enlarge the express feature of the Post Office Department. In the House we took up the bill and continued its conderation until half-past five o'clock completed it and asked for a Come of Conference. I made a speech of fifteen or twenty minutes on the original objects of the Post Office Dept, which I think was of some value. When I got through my colleague (Smith) sent me a note saying it was [now] one of the most clear and comprehensive arguments he had ever heard delivered in the House. SATURDAY 20 [171-194] Finished conference on the Deficiency Bill, after a long struggle, reported it to the House and carried it. The Conference on the Indian Bill was defeated in consequence of the appropriation for the Appaches. House sat until twenty minutes before midnight before finishing its work. Got the Senate to order the printing of the Sundry Civil Bill with the Senate amend'ts. Also, the River and Harbor bill which they did not get completed until near three o'clock in the morning. I reach home at half-past twelve too tired to sleep SUNDAY 21 [173-194] Committee met at Eleven oclock and worked four hours on the 124 Senate amend'ts to the Sundry Civil Bill. At three o'clock the Com. on Rules met in the Speakers parlor on the rules. Coles of the Cleveland Leader called on me in the afternoon. In the morning Crete and I called at Riddles. We defeated the Senate proposition to increase newspaper postage but the Ho voted the Express feature, increasing the amount to four pounds allowed to be sent by mail. This I believe will prove disastrous to the postal business being a very great increase in the bulk of our mails. Session in the when Butter made one of his characteristics speeches defending himself and attacking his enemies generally. He was sharply overhauled by Foster, Roberts, over and others Home at eleven o clock. Wallace who was out when we got in did not come home till very late, when he reached the house we did not hear him ring and so he stopped at the Hotel. JUNE, 1874.-26th Week. MONDAY 22 [173-192] House met at half past ten and I immediately called up the Sundry Civil Bill in order to act on the Senate amend'ts. Nearly the whole day was spent in debate, and I had a many sharp passages, especially on the proposition to make an appropriation to the Little Sisters of the Poor. I opposed it on the ground that the Govt should have nothing to do with any sect, creede, or denomination as such. Some four hours was spent on the bill when I move to now concur on all the remaining amend'ts and send the bill to a come of conference. House resumed its sitting and at half past eight Conference Come met. Merrill of Maine and Sargent and Stevenson of the Senate and Hale and Nilbach and myself worked until two' oclock in the morning and settled all points save three, when Hale and Sargent flared up and the conference ended for the night. Walked with Sargent and before he reached his residence he concluded to concede to our views and sign the report got to bed at half past two in the morning - JUNE, 1874.- 26th Week. Tuesday [WEDNESDAY 24 [175-190]] Midsummer Day. Conference Come met at half past nine, and settled the remaining differences and signed the report. Before eleven o'clock both Houses had agreed to it. The Conference Come cut down the amount of the appropriation about one million dollars, but still the amount of the bill is considerably increased over the bill as it passed the House. Got through both reports. Post Office Appr bill and River and Harbor bill. The time of adjournment was extended to six oclock in order to give the enrolling clerks time to finish their work. All legislative action was substantially completed when the last of my appropriation bills got through. I made a speech for half an hour stating what had been done by the appropriation bills during the session. Wednesday and THURSDAY 25 [176-189] Finished up correspondence went to the various departments and to the Capitol and spent the day in working as hard as I could to get ready for leaving town. Also completed notes of my speech on the cheap transportation problem. At nine o'clock in the evening took the train for N.Y. too tired to travel and almost too tired to sleep. Thursday Reached New York at seven in the morning, stopped at the Saint Nicholas and spent the day in giving an examination to the proposition of the Philips Bros to sell oil lands in Europe. They offer to pay my expenses and in case of success a handsome commission, say 10 percent. If I can possibly get away from the District I shall accept their proposition. Lunched with David A. Wells at half-past one o'clock. He has just been tendered the degree of D.C.L. by Oxford University of England. Call on Ex Governor Morgan. At 9 oclock took the train for Washington. Hot uncomfortable night. They show a reduction of $27,000,000 over the corresponding bills of last year Dawes followed with a very handsome notice of what the Appropriation Come had accomplished. At six oclock the House adjourned and left me very, very, tired. Thomas Phillips who came this morning took dinner with us and spent the night. Did not retire until midnight. WEDNESDAY - 24 - [175-190] least 22 years old. But with all the rudeness and crudeness of those times, I was very dead in earnest and was working by the best light I had. In looking over it now I am not ashamed of the most of it. 82 JUNE, 1874.- 26th Week. FRIDAY 26 [177-188] Reached home from N.Y. at 7 A.M. and commenced a hard days work to get ready to start for Hiram with the family. Besides bringing up correspondence. I closed up my work in the case of Driggs vs Daniels and got my fee $500. Paid various bills; Read the proofs of my speech on Transportation and Railroad, and revised the stenographic report of my speech on the appropriations of the late session. I have been able to show a reduction of more than $25,000,000 below the laws of last year. Failing to get time to see (the Hon Eugene Hale) my next in rank, on the Appropriation Come, I wrote him a note congratulating him on his appointment as Postmaster General, but expressing my doubt of the wisdom of accepting it. The place is less independent than his place in Congress- will be more involved in the antagonisms and intrigues of the next presidential campaign and may compromise his friendship for Blaine. Still I think he will accept. A place in the Cabinet to a man of thirty seven and comparatively new to politics, is not often offered nor declined. At 8:45 took BandO R.R. for Pittsburgh and Cumberland and Connellsville and spent a pleasant evening luna plena imminente- SATURDAY 27 [178-187] I did not sleep well. The old discomfort of the stomach returned and tossed me about most of the night. Reached Pittsburgh before 9 A.M., where I met Ford who comes from the Phillips Bros, with an urgent request that I go with them to Europe. Before 10 A.M. we were on H. F. & W. and C.R.R. and a little after noon reached Leetonia, where we took dinner and waited until 3:20 P.M., when we took the train for Garrettsville. Emma Redfield left us at Niles. At Warren, Austin, and Morgan came on board and rode with us to Windham giving views of the political situation of the District. Reached Garrettsville at Six. Drove home, a baggage wagon following, and rested sweetly under the maples, taking my first full nights rest for eight days. SUNDAY 28 [179-186] No meeting to day. Wrote letters, lay on the grass, sweltering under a sun that seems to have been brought from Washington, and the Evening got at my journals of 1851- 4 and read till after midnight. I am amazed at the gush and slush of those days. I was a very pulpy boy till I was at JUNE, 1874. - 27th Week. MONDAY 29 [180-185] Every bone and muscle of my body is tired and my mind is equally jaded. I have done all the resting I could, but am to tired to rest. I have mitigated the estimation by reading Lucretius De natura Revum. It opens with a noble and beautiful protest against the crushing tyranny of religion as he knew it. He points out the crushing effect of religion upon intellectual freedom. He says this terrorism must be dispelled by the aspect and law of nature - and to effect this he has "watched the clear nights through" in scannng the hidden things of nature. In the afternoon Burke came, and we talked and communed with each other many hours. TUESDAY 30 [181-184] Arose at half past four and went with Burke and Prof Hill to Garrettsville, and thence to Cleveland. Spent the day in business purchasing furniture etc. for Cottage, at Little Mountain. Took dinner at Dr. Robison's. Saw several friends from Ashtabula County. Went to the City Library and looked at the history of the Regiments that are to hold reunion, at Painesville on the Fourth. Took the 355 train for Solon, and went to Sister Mary's. Two hours after I arrived Crete and Mollie came, and we visited in the evening. Sister Kitty came down. JULY, 1874.-27th Week. WEDNESDAY 1 [182-183] Crete and I took the morning train for Garrettsville. Spent an hour at Dr. Lee's playing croquet, and then came home by hack. Letters and papers till three p.m., when Crete and I went to Mr. Stanhope's and staid to tea with a party of neighbors and friends Ford came and spent the night with us. He is very anxious that I go to Europe and help the Philips Bros in their business I am still to tired to do much work on any subject. THURSDAY 2 [183-182] Arose early to see Ford off. After breakfast felt unfit for works and slept two hours. My mind is like a be calhued schooner, - it does not draw nor feel the rudder of the will. Isaac Williams came home from Edinburgh and took dinner with me. When he left I tried to work on my Painesville Speech, but my mind has no grip since the session has ended. It must have rest. Wrote letters, Read a little, and afterwards set up the croquet set and played a few games. Several friends called in the evening. Later I made some notes for my Painesville address. Got, three ideas in line - viz: The object of the War of Independence; and the Spirit of the Late War; and their relation to each other. But my mind scratches over them like a comb full to the point of the teeth. Retired early. JULY, 1874.-27th Week. FRIDAY 3 [184-181] Crete and I took the 520 am train for Cleveland, where we spent some time shopping and, at 11 A.M. took the Lake Shore train for Mentor, and went thence to Little Mountain. Visited our new cottage and made some arrangements for fitting it up. Went by 6 oclock P.M. train to Painesville and stopped with Horace Steele, where a party of friends met us at tea. In the evening went with the Steeles to General Casement's where was a large party of soldiers and citizens. Returned to Steele's a little before midnight. SATURDAY 4 [185-180] Slept until a late hour. Have made only the slightest preparation for a speech. Shall use some old material for part of it. Immense concourse of citizens in procession. At 11 am. I spoke for 40 minutes, and did better than I expected to. After speech saw a large number of citizens. State of feeling towards me seems good. Dined at Horace Steeles. At 4:15, we took train to Benton, and after tea at hotel Hoadly took us (Ford, Crete and me) to Hiram where we arrived at 9 P.M., with the comet blazing [?] brightly at our backs. Oh! how utterly exhausted I am. SUNDAY 5 [186-189] After a good night rest, I feel a little more alive, but the tire has struck deep into my fiber. Went to church and heard the usual story of poverty in reference to employing a pastor. Spoke ten minutes on the importance of this church keeping itself in active working order. In the afternoon Hon Genrl. Ford and wife of Burton, came to see us - Had a pleasant visit. In the morning Alvah Udall came and had a long visit. Have concluded to take Jimmie [wit?] me to New Hampshire, partly for his own pleasure [an?] partly to relieve his mother of the heavy care of so many. I find my self more and more averse to [leavin?] home JULY, 1874. - 28th Week MONDAY 6 [187-178] Went with Ford and Jimmie to Garrettsville and thence to New Castle ,Pa., Dinner at Ford's. In the afternoon Isaac, John and Charles Phillips called and talked over their project. I regretfully declined their offer to pay my expenses to Europe and back, and a large contingent fee for aiding Thomas to sell oil property. I need the trip and the money - But my friends in the District are timid and think I ought not to be absent during the anti-convention campaign. In the evening took tea and played croquet at Isaac Phillips. Spent the night at Fords. Jimmie has a bad cold. TUESDAY 7 [188-177] After breakfast went to the Bank and spent a few hours with the Phillips Bros in reference to their European business. At noon Isaac Philips went with us to Pittsburgh. Stopped at the Monongahela House until evening, when Jimmie and I took the train for N.Y. I declined to go to Europe but did it very reluctantly. I have lost a fine opportunity to rest and perhaps to make some money. JULY 1874 28th Week WEDNESDAY [189-176] We took breakfast in West Philadelphia, and at ten o'clock were in the Breevoorts House N.Y. Mr Ward was there and took charge of Jimmie, by sending him to see Barnum's Hippodrome. I went to see several business men in reference to the Phillips business and made arrangements with Mr Smythe, Prest of the N.Y. State Loan and Trust Company to write to Thomas and help him. At six dined with Ward and Hurlbut. During the day saw several leading editors and talked over the political situation. At "Breevoort" over night TUESDAY 9 [180-175] Fire Insurance expires. At ten Jimmie and I took the N.Y. and N.H. R.R. for Springfield and went thence North to South Vernon , Vt. and thence on the Keene R.R. to Winchester N.Y. There took carriage to Richmond and found Harry at Mr Bardon's and mother at Mr Newell's. Harry cried with joy to see me. We spent the night at Mr Newell's. This is the place where we stopped first when I was in Richmond in 1872. JULY 1874 28th Week FRIDAY 10 [191-174] Mr Bardon, Mrs Newell , Mother, Harry and I went to Royalston, Mass, to see Russell Whipple, and visited several houses. Stopped at a house built by Russell Ballou, - mother's uncle-. On the farm North, Silas Ballou, the poet, lived and died. He was buried there in 1837. On the same road, and a mile north of the Russell Ballou place, now occupied by Silas Whipple, is "Ballou Hill" where the family originally settled and where mother was born. We went there and found the cellar, the well, and a few stones that formed the basement of the house. It is on the road that runs north and South, parallel to the Richmond Centre Road, and about one mile east of it. The site of the house is on the south slope of the hill, and about one mile North of the Mass line, on the farm now owned by a Mr Harkness. After supper at Mr Barden's we took stage to Keene, and at nine p.m. took train for the West. SATURDAY 11 [192-173] After two hours delay at Bellows Falls, and a change of cars at Rutland, we reached Troy at 5 a.m.; waited an hour, and then took train to Schenectady, where we breakfasted, and at 9 a.m., got train for Buffalo. It was a slow train and a dull day. Read part of Bristed's "Five Years at an English University": But I was sleepy and dull, and the day dragged wearily. Supper at Buffalo, and took the boys down to the dock to see the shipping. We waited until an hour past midnight, when we took the sleeping car, on the Lake Shore Road, for the West SUNDAY 12 [193-172] Reached Cleveland in time to catch the Mahoning train, and went to Garrettsville Thence took carriage to Hiram. Planted in Joe's yard the maple bough from mothers birthplace JULY, 1874.-29th Week. MONDAY 13 [194-171] Capt Henry and his wife, who came before I returned, remained most of the day. We visited, played croquet, and read a large accumulation of mail. I have not yet had a good and full nights rest, since the session closed. I have been too tired to rest. In the afternoon our guests left; and in the evening I retired early. TUESDAY 14 [195-170] Spent the day in writing letters. Correspondence has become the great drudgery of my life. There seems to be no end to it. An average of twenty letters to be answered, is not a pleasant prospect when it stretches away indefinitely into the future. In the evening Durke came, and spent several hours. Also, many friends dropped in during the afternoon and evening; again retired early to take in a part of the rest of which the session has defrauded me. July, 1874.-29th Week. WEDNESDAY [196-169] Worked on correspondence until noon. Mrs. Sewis of Canfield came to visit us. At one, I took carriage for Raienna. Visited Halsey, Hall and other friends and talked over the political situation of the District. Paid my county and state taxes; made several calls; got copy of the New Constitution from Horton, our member of the Convention; took the six oclock p.m. train to Cleveland; and went to Dr. Robison's. Ed Cowles called in the evening. Had him contradict the Private Secretary story started in the papers against me. Staid at Robinsons over night. THURSDAY 16 [197-168] Took the early train to Columbus. On the way found Judge Griswold, Senator Sherman, Foster Sherwood and John Hopley. After dinner at the Neil House went as per invitation to meet the Republican Central Committee. Eight or ten of us spoke on the political prospects. I was very pleasantly received by those assembled. This was in striking contrast with their bearing towards me last year. After the meeting, took the five oclock train for Cleveland. Foster went with me as far as Shelby. He is a good friend. Reached Cleveland at ten and a half p.m., and spent the night at the Weddell House. 2A JULY, 1874.-29th Week. FRIDAY 17 [198-167] Took the morning train to Warren, in answer to a request from Harmon Austin. Jones had sent to the Chronicle an attack on me, on some points of which my friends wanted my help to answer. I went to Judge Kinsman's, where I staid to dinner. Austin and Morgan called and the latter read his re= ply to Jones' attack. They are feeling hopeful and full of fight. Austin took me to the Depot and I went to Garrettsville by the two p.m. train and thence to Hiram. Wrote letters and got affairs in readiness to take the family to Little Mountain Loaded Stocking's wagon with goods and baggage for an early start. SATURDAY 18 [199-166] Mr. Stocking, and the two oldest boys, started at 4 p.m., and the rest of us followed in a carriage at seven across the country to Little Mountain. The day was pleasant and the ride agreeable. We reached the Mountain at half past twelve and found the cottage and furniture in a tumble. The afternoon put all to rights and the evening was pleasant in our sum= mer home. Since last season I have bought a share in the Little Mountain Club, and have built a little cot= tage of Crete's planning. Share cottage and all cost $965. To this I have added about $150 of furniture purchased and some more brought from Hiram and Washington SUNDAY 19 [200-165] Awoke after a full ten hours sleep. More rest than I have had for many months. Several Cleveland gents *called and I* spent the forenoon in conversation. Rested and read in the afternoon and evening JULY, 1874.-30th Week. MONDAY 20 [201-164] Spent the day in little odds and ends of work in and around the cottage. Harry and I made a crib for Abram, and arranged for a little grading before the cottage door. In the afternoon the usual fate of letter writing. The mails find me here, with fatal facility. But still the change is restful and it relieves Crete from the presume of household cares. Read Dr. Clarke's "Sex in Education". It is a masterful paper and strikes a powerful [p] blow at the folly of the Woman's Movement TUESDAY 21 [202-168] Crete and I drove to Painesville and stopped at Les Steeles. After dinner we did some shopping in the village, and I held a consultation with several political friends, Jones of Warren and his skirmishers are in the field, busy with new forms of scandal against me. He was in Painesville to day/morrow and is in Chardon today. Crete called at Horace Steele's, and after I had finished my consultations, we went to George Steeles for supper and thence to the mountain. Many new members of the Club arrived this evening. JULY, 1874.-8oth Week. WEDNESDAY 22 [203-162] To day has been devoted to visitors. How Good. Ford and wife; Neil Ford, and wife, of Burton; and How Mr. Gorvey of Campaign, Co., (guest of the Fords), came early in the forenoon and stand till evening. We had a pleasant ramble among the rooks and a fine visit. During the day, also, came Thomas Clapp, of Mentor, and President Pendleton, of Bethany College, Va.; also two carriages full of friends, who are attending Sunday School convention, at Mentor. What with children and visitors, and household cares, Crete was nearly tired out. THURSDAY 23 [204-161] Took early hack for Mentor; stopped at Thomas Clapps; and, at 9 a.m. attended the Sunday School Convention. Made an address of twenty minutes, which was I think rather sucessful. Went home with Henry Clapp and took lunch and then took train for Cleveland; whence to Solon by four p.m. train and went to Larabee's. Found mother and Mollie well, but Sister Mary is not well and has gone to Wellington to see Hattie and to rest. Went to see Sister Hittie. How hard and relentless is the struggle for bread. If the contest gets too hard for one, he pays the forfeit by a life of hard struggle. Staid at Larabee's one night. JULY, 1874.-30th Week. FRIDAY 24 [205-160] Took mother and Mollie to Cleveland by morning train. Went to Dr. Boynton's and spent most of the day visiting his family and Aunt Alpha Boynton. Mother is on her way to Wellington to see Sister Mary. Mollie and I took the 5 P.M. train for Little Mountain, which was reached in time for tea. Family reunited at last. Congressional Counl of the 19th Dist met in Cleveland to-day, and fixed August 13th as date for Convention. The Beecher-Tilton Scandal the theme of all tongues I believe in Beecher. SATURDAY 25 [206-159] The day brought with it a great mass of letters to be answered and papers to be read. I have read the mass of horrible stuff in reference to the Beecher-Tilton Scandal, which is so agitating the country. I can understand how terribly Beecher is suffering under the savage assault of private malice and public opinion. Through the attack of Tilton is formidable, and adroitly put, yet it has not shaken my confidence in Beecher. Especially in view of the enormous amount of apparently cheerful work Beecher has done with the thunderbolt impending. Beecher may be a bad man, but I don't yet believe it. I have had no confidence in Tilton since I saw him in Washington six years. He seemed to be over full of himself. SUNDAY 26 [207-158] Walked and rested and read. In the afternoon Started to go to the Lake View House; but it began to rain and we abandoned the visit. Several Cleveland gentleman sat and talked with me a long time de numbus et singular. Much discussion of the Beecher scandal. July, 1874. - 31st Week. Monday 27 [208-157] Took Harry with me and drove to Chardon. Called on D. W. Canfield and visited with a number of gentlemen who were at his office. Among others with Judge who thinks I am wrong on my views of the currency. I hit upon a new method of presenting the case by showing that a national man should not become the special advocate of the Creditor class as against the Debtor class, nor vice versa. But that we should try to reach a solid basis of specie; so that it shall not be in the power of Congress to injure any class by tampering with the currency. Took dinner and tea with D. W. Canfield. After dinner O. S. Farr told me that Canfield is a candidate for Congress. D. W. C. tried to explain his position into friendliness to me but he has not been frank. He is making a mistake and I am almost compelled to distrust him. Harry and I reached to cottage at 8 p.m. Tuesday 28 [209-156] Drove to Painesville and made some purchases for the cottage there. Found that George Payne and Probate Judge Tuttle were making a raid upon me in regard to my services in the Chicago Pavement Case. Invited friends to meet me at the parlor of the Stockwell House where I stated the facts in the case and any questions they chose to ask. A raid is evidently to be made on me to prevent my nomination. Took the two o'clock train for Geneva where I was met by a large number of friends. Stopped at the Fuller House for tea. In the evening attended the Garfield Club (an organization of my friends lately formed) and responded for a short time to a complimentary address. Answered questions in reference to the salary act and apparently satisfied the inquiries I spent the night at (?) the artist. JULY, 1874.-31st Week. WEDNESDAY 29 [210-155] Went to Ashtabula by the morning train and arrived at the depot meeting Captain Henry, who [invited] informed me that D.W. Canfield's name is announced as a candidate for Congress. This tends to confirm the suspicions noted in this journal for Monday last. Took dinner at the Fisk House and then went with a company of gentlemen and visited Ashtabula Harbor. Took a trip, of an hour on the lake in a yacht. Tea at the Fisk House in the evening after which I was seranaded by the band and made a short address, not political. Spent the night at Henry Hubbard's. The enthusiasm and cordiality of my friends is some - yes, a great compensation for the rascality and injustice of the assaults made upon me - [Judge Krusman?] Henry Hubbard and [his sons has] nephew - E.H. Filch have been heroic & faithful friends in all this row - THURSDAY 30 [211-154] Went to Warren by the A.Y. and P. Railroad reaching there about noon. Stopped at Austin's in the afternoon and wrote letters. In the evening held a consultation with several active friends in regard to the campaign. The young men who specially impressed me with their vigor and ability were Messrs Kennedy and Brierly. The opposition against me in this place is very bitter and very determined, but the best men in the town are my friends. The enemy has so long been at work against me, that their influence has [sunk] soaked down through the laboring class and created much prejudice against me. Spent the night at Austin's, who, for the past five years has carried me about in his heart as few men ever carried a friend. I doubt if he has given any deeper thought to his family and business than he has to me - JULY-AUGUST, 1874.--31st Week. Friday 31 [212-153] Took the morning train to Garrettsville and drove hence to Hiram where I spent three hours. Took dinner at Father Rudolph's transacted some business; (read) wrote some letters and returned(g) to Garrettsville, took the three o'clock train for Cleveland. I then took the five o'clock train to Little Mountain, reaching the cottage in the evening Found a great mail awaiting me. How unlike my dreams this summer has been! I had hoped to spend a few months in Europe reviving my soul, and reawakening my love of art and classic history--but after serving the country with all my strength -- almost with my life, and achieving an honorable renown for the 19ht Deal -- I return to be nibbled and kicked at by a little souled[?] set of men who would besmurch one whom they cannot hope to overthrow -- I make this last fight against them. AUGUST.--Saturday 1 [213--152] Spent most of the day in answering letters. I have determined to make no personal effort to secure the nomination, beyond answering suggestions from my friends. In the evening J. H. Rhodes and family came to visit us. We spent a pleasant evening in visiting. SUNDAY 2. [214-151] A beautiful; day spent in the cool woods with old friends. J. N. Austin --Disciple -- preached at the Lake View House. He married a niece of Alexander Campbell. They visited us after the service. He is bitten with episcopacy and will probably leave our church. In the evening O. S. Farr came from Chandon with indubitable proof that Canfield has turned against me and will run as a candidate. This is a strange commentary on my visit with him last Monday. AUGUST, 1874-32nd Week. Monday 3 [215-150] Bank Holiday. Rhodes and family left us this morning. The opposition against me in Painesville has culminated in a public meeting to be held [in a or two] tonight and to be address by Tuttle and Paine who will assail me in reference to the Pavement Contract Credit Mobelier and Salary. I arranged with George and Horace Steele to attend the meeting and if they think the assault formidable to give notice that I will reply tomorrow evening, but if the meeting is a fizzle to give notice they will answer by nominating me for Congress. I see the evidences of a concerted attack upon me by various ambitious candidates throughout the district and I think there are parties outside of the District - who are egging on the attack - I suspect the [?lers] Union of Washington, and some discharged clerks - are sore at the Economy I tried to Enforce last winter - Tuesday 4 [216-149] Word was brought me to day of the nature of the Painesville meeting. The speeches of Paine and Tuttle were very rambling and very bitter. They have overdone the business and have weakened their influence by their foolishness. I am satisfied that there is some force behind them. Men do not start out in a crusade of that sort without some motive beneath the surface My friends concluded their effort was too much a failure to require notice from me and so we let them wriggle still they will poison some minds. Telegram came from Kirtland to let me know of Canfield's and Stevenson's opposition there against me. They say these efforts will be thwarted in that town. I think Canfield began as my friend; but becoming impressed with the belief that there was likely to be a successful raid upon me, he thought best to place himself in a position where he could catch his share of the splinters - He has shown himself not the highest type of friend - & has hurt himself. AUGUST, 1874. - 32nd Week. WEDNESDAY 5 [217-148] Took the early train for Cleveland. Hearing that Judge Glidden was to be brought out as a candidate, telegraphed to Austin that I was coming to Ravenna and desired to know the facts. Remained two hours in Cleveland wrote several letters answering inquiries concerning the movements of the campaign and took the 11 o'clock train for Ravenna. Hall met me at the Depot. After dinner we drove to the Atlantic Depot and met Austin and spent some two hours in consultation of the situation of the campaign. Portage is standing up to me with great unanimity. Austin says we shall have 21 of the 38 delegates in Trumbull. Glidden want to run but dare not. He answered the Painesville bolters evasively so as to get the advantage of running without having to bear any of its responsibility. Austin returned to Warren in the evening. I spent the night at Hall's. THURSDAY 6 [218-147] Returned to the Mountain by way of Cleveland At Cleveland wrote a number of letters in the office of J. H. Rhodes. The District is very thoroughly aroused and we shall have large primary meetings. My Enemies are bitter and noisy -- my friends more active than ever before, and full of fight. My Lake County opposition will try to run Glidden, but it is too late for him. His timidity has lost him all the chance he had. To bring out so many candidates is a confession of weakness by the opposition -- particularly of their leaders. They are puzzled at my silence -- and annoyed that I am not alarmed at their noise -- Probate Judge Tuttle appears to be acting for somebody who does not appear on the scene - and who that somebody is I do not yet know - For himself, he does not amount to much - George Paine and he are working together August, 1874. 32nd Week Friday 7 (219-146) Answered letters and reading Dr Clarkes "Sexes in Education". By 11 o'clock J.B. Whitney, of Montville, called on me having driven twelve miles to see for himself what the situation is. He has been hostile to me on the salary matter but is satisfied with me now. We had a long and confidential talk concerning the character and conduct of D. W. Banfield in reference to this and other campaigns. Whitney took dinner with us and left about the middle of the afternoon. He thinks Montville will send a delegate in my favor. A large mail came this evening with reports from various parts of the District. Whitney is a man who has long been a teacher and school examiner- and keeps himself above the ordinary level of intelligence by study and thoughtfulness. The old teaching [?] is still strong with me and I find myself in ready sympathy with one of that line of life. Saturday 8 (220-145) My mail is daily increasing in size but it relates mainly to the canvass. The primary meetings are held this evening in all the townships of the District. At half past nine o'clock I went to the telegraph office at the Lake View House, where I was until midnight receiving dispatches. Fifteen telegrams came from different points showing that the primaries were very large and enthusiastic and that a very large majority of all the delegates elected are for me. Warren gave three to Jones and three to me. Lake county solid. Geauga, all but Chardon- Portage, solid. Ashtabula and Trumbull gave me a majority. Sunday 9 (221-144) Rested and reading, no preaching on the mountain today. At night more reports came which confirmed those of last evening. AUGUST, 1874. - 33rd Week. Monday 10 [222-143] A large mail and many telegrams giving still further accounts of the primary meetings. All concur that the primaries were much more largely attended than ever before in this district. Hodges came from Concord and gave me a full account of Judge Tuttle's attempt to get himself elected a delegate hostile to me. He made a speech and assailed me with great bitterness, but he lost it by six majority. The opposition in Mentor completely broke him - and did not attempt to run a candidate for delegate, when they [sa?] the strength of my friends. There were 108 votes for me and none thrown against me In Painesville where Tuttle and Paine had made so much noise, there were 464 votes polled- (only 5 less than Noyes whole vote) and all but 62 were for me. Grants Story of the Frasier wolves is applicable to this case. TUESDAY 11 [223-142] A large number of visitors called on me today and bring further news from the primary meetings. The Assaults upon me have developed an unusual amount of enthusiasm. The newspapers speak of the primaries as matters of national importance. The members of the Little Mountain Club though mostly democrats, congratulate me cordially on the result. Even H.B. Payne, the President of the Club, a lifelong democrat, says, if I will move to Cleveland, they will elect me without distinction of party. My friends are very jubilant over the result of the primary meetings - and say it is without doubt the greatest political victory of my life - But there will be an ugly opposition at the polls. The foolish clamor against me in reference to the Salary vote of March 3, 1873 made a deep impression on the popular mind - and will not easily be erased - enthusiastic and composed of as good men as ever met in a district convention here. Many friends went back with me to the Mountain, among them Hinsdale, Rhodes, Harmon Austin, Capt Henry, Isaac Williams and the same party that came down in the morning. Twenty one guests took tea with us and spent the night. opposing elements threw blank notes, so that I received the notes of 100 delegates and 34 voted blank. I waited in the Stockton House for the result and when I got before the convention I was prepared for peace or war according as the opposition behaved. Winship of Purepont moved to make the nomination unanimous and this carried with the exception of a few malignants from Trumbull Co. A committee called on me at the Stockwell House and I went to the convention and made a short address which I think was fairly successfull. The convention was very AUGUST, 1874. – 33rd Week. WEDNESDAY 12 [224–141] R. W. Hall and wife; W. H. Beebe and wife; J. C. Beatty and wife and children, and Mrs Mason all of Ravenna came this evening to visit us. [Our friend] Our friends of the Club very kindly placed at our disposal the Perkins and Rhodes cottages, so that our guests were all provided for, and we spent a pleasant evening in the moonlight under the trees visiting. The news from Portage County is especially gratifying. Scarcely an opposing vote appeared at any of the primary meetings. In many instances strong resolutions were passed in my favor. The blank 34 votes at the Painesville Convention probably represent the sourness, and envy - together with the salary indignation of the District - There is a touch of Yankee narrowness in the people of their Dist - which I do not at all admire - and which seems inconsistent with the general intelligence - I shall not do anything to flatter or recognize it - THURSDAY 13 [225-140] At nine o'clock the gentlemen of our party took the Little Mountain hack, which had been placed at our disposal and drove down the Mountain and along the Mentor road to Painesville which we reached a little before eleven. A large assembly of gentlemen and ladies were awaiting us at the Stockwell House. They came from various parts of the District. Nearly all of the opposing candidates broke down before the convention assembled. Jones of Trumbull had seventeen delegates from his own county but eight of them were obtained by the aid of democratic votes and could have been contested had it been necessary. Northway had considerable strength from Ashtabula, but not nearly a majority of his own county and none elsewhere. Portage and Lake were solid for me and I had all the delegates from Geauga except the two Chardon delegates. At the convention all these AUGUST, 1874.-33rd Week. Friday 14 [226-139] Awoke with a severe cold caught last night while visiting under the trees. A portion of our friends left on the morning train, but most of them staid until the noon train. Burke staid over night. In the evening I read aloud to Burke and Dr Streaton and wife, Beecher's Defence which is a most masterly production of his kingly intellect and confirms me in my inception of the truth in the case and of his character. It shows some weakness in his judgement of men and it amazes me that he should have trusted himself to such a man as Moulton, but no one is great all around. I have been made deeply indignant at the low sneers and insinuation (of men, who ought to be above such baseness) against Beecher. "Puris omnia pura sunt, sed defilatis Etc" - Perhaps the unjust attacks from which I have recently suffered have given me a bias in favor of one accused – SATURDAY 15 [227-138] Burke and I took a long walk among the rocks and took a long stroll in the woods talking over our life's experiences in the old intimate way. Among other things he gave me a full account of the struggle through which his father had been passing in reference to surrendering the management of his affairs. How shall we in advance learn the lesson to grow old [sweetly] and accept the inevitable as it comes. Burke leaves in the evening to go to Painesville, where he speaks tomorrow. Dr. Robison and his wife came by the evening train and with them Streaton and wife. We had a long visit after supper. SUNDAY 16 [228-137] Intended to make up a party and attend the Church at Mentor but we did not go. In the afternoon the Universalists held an annual meeting at August, 1874 - 33rd Week. Friday 14 [226-139] Awoke with a severe cold caught last night while visiting under the trees. A portion of our friends left on the morning train, but most of them staid until the noon train. Burke staid over night. In the evening I read, aloud, to Burke and Dr Streaton and wife, Beecher's Defence which is a most masterly production of his kingly intellect and confirms me in my inception of the truth in the case and of his character. It shows some weakness in his judgement of men and it amazes me that he should have trusted himself to such a man as Moulton, but no one is great all around. I have been made deeply indignant at the low sneers and insinuation (of men, who ought to be above such baseness) against Beecher. "Puris omnia pura sunt, sed defilatis etc" - Perhaps the unjust attacks from which I have recently suffered [text obscured] in me a bias in favor if one accused - The western foot of the Mountain in the grove and Dr Robison, Streator, and myself attended. O. S. Farr and Judge Smith of Chardon called to see me and explain how it was that he Smith voted blank. He would have voted for me but that Canfield claimed that he could control Smith and should now have it thrown for me and that he was not a candidate. Smith was not willing to be a party to this dissimilation on the part of Canfield. Today has been excessively hot, but the evening was pleasant. Church at Mentor but we did not go. In the afternoon the Universalists held an annual meeting at AUGUST, 1874. – 34th Week. MONDAY 17 [229-136] Dr. Robison and wife left us on the early train. After working on my correspondence for a few hours I took the 11 o'clock train to Cleveland in company with several members of the club and went thence by the afternoon train to Hiram where I spent the night. Heard many interesting details of the primary meetings in this part of the District. In Hiram they had the largest primary meeting within my knowledge and no vote was thrown against me. Tomorrow is the election to determine the vote on the New Constitution. I am persuaded that there is much that is valuable in the [?], but no adequate effort seems to have been made to lay it before the people and it is not likely to be adopted. It requires some effort to retain ones respect for the people. I frequently think of Liebero Chapter in his Civil Liberty - on "Vox populi Vox Dei-" TUESDAY 18 [230-135] Cast my vote, -visited a few minutes with Burke, and, about 10 o'clock, Took the carriage that had just brought him,-drove to Chardon where I am to deliver a lecture this evening before the Institution. Took tea at O. S. Farris, whose wife was a Miss Nash, of an old student of mind; after which played croquet until the time for the lecture. The Court room was crowded to its utmost capacity with an intelligent audience. I spoke half an hour on the personal influence of a teacher over his pupils and the necessity of studying character as a means of succeeding in the management of school. Although I found it no easy task, I found it much easier to draw on my old stores gathered in my teaching days and I believe I succeeded very well. By official invitation of Mr Canfield spent the night at his house. It requires some self control to behave well in his company just now. AUGUST, 1874. - 34th Week. WEDNESDAY 19 [231-134] After breakfast Mr Canfield drove me to Chardon. I felt not a little embarrassed at accepting his hospitality in view of his recent conduct toward me. But he has been for many years my friend and I was willing to hear his statement of the case. He insists strongly that he has not been treacherous to me, but that he was putting himself into a position where he could best head off the efforts of Jones. I half think he deceives himself as to his motives and that from an effort to defeat Jones he drifted into an effort to defeat him for his (Garfields) own sake. I think I can never feel towards him as I formerly did. A friend that turns in the hour of battle is not my type of friend. Worked on letters until evening. I perhaps ought to have added that it is easier to be magnanimous, now that I have been successful over my assailants. THURSDAY 20 [232-133] Rested and read and wrote and played billiards and passed an uneventful day. In the evening Birdie Hall and her brother came,- he as her escort - She was to visit us someday. She is a pretty child of fifteen and we were glad to receive her for her parents sake, as well as our own. AUGUST, 1874. -34th Week. FRIDAY 21 [233-132] Left the Mountain, by the 11 o'clock train, for Cleveland. Went to Ryder's and had photographs taken to answer the request of Mr. Everts the Historian of Portage [and parties] who desires my portrait in his Historical Atlas. Took the 4 o clock train for Warren. Large concourse of people met me at the depot and Judge Rinsman took me to his house. After supper a committee of young gent called on me and escorted me to the hall where I had agreed to address the Teachers Institute of that county. A large audience was in waiting and I delivered I think a more effective lecture than I made at Chandon three days ago, though in the main I followed the same line. After the lecture, was serenaded at Judge Rinsmans, a large concourse of citizens called on me and I made a brief speech in answer to the serenade. Spent the night at Judge Rinsmans. SATURDAY 22 [234-131] Judge Rinsman had planned to take me to Holland Springs, but the weather was threatening and we spent the forenoon in town. At two o clock he invited a large party of gentlemen to dinner. The party was composed of both the friends and those who had been hostile to me in the primary meetings, and several gentlemen who had been opposed to me gave in their adhesion in a cordial way. Yet Warren is still the headquarters of the opposition against. Judge Glidden was there but did not seem cheerful. E. B. Taylor had more the appearance of cordiality than any of the leading oponents. Mr Camp, the Flaxmill man, was very cordial and spent about an hour with me after the other guests had left. Senator Jones who was invited, but did not come, sulked on his porch across the street. In the evening a large party of citizens called on me with a band and gave me a serenade They called on me for a speech and I made a short address AUGUST, 1874.-34th Week. FRIDAY 21 [233-132] Left the Mountain, by the 11 o'clock train, for Cleveland. Went to Ryder's and had photographs taken to answer the request of Mr. Everts the Historian [and parties] of Portage who desires my portrait in his Historical Atlas. Took the 4 oclock train for Warren. Large concourse of people met me at the depot and Judge Kinsman took me to his house. After supper a committee of young gent called on me and escorted me to the hall where I had agreed to address the Teachers Institute of that county. A large audience was in waiting and I delivered I think a more effective lecture than I made at Chardon three days ago, though in the main I followed the same line. After the lecture, was serenaded at Judge Kinsmans, a large concourse of citizens called on me and I made a brief speech in answer to the serenade. Spent the night at Judge Kinsmans. SATURDAY 22 [234-131] to them, after which a large number of ladies and gentlemen visited me on the porch of Judge Kinsman's house. Burke Hinsdale and Harmon Austin came and spent some time after the crowd had gone. Spent the night at Judge Kinsman's Saturday 22-Aug Sunday 23 [235-130] Attended the Disciple Church and heard a good sermon from Burke. Kinsman and I took dinner at Austin's. In the afternoon called on Colonel Taylor for the first time in two years. In the evening took a drive on the banks of Mahoning and along Lovers Lane - AUGUST, 1874. -35th Week. MONDAY 24 [236-129] Took the morning train to Garrettsville and went to Hiram. In the afternoon went to Cleveland and took the 5 o'clock train for Little Mountain. In the evening there was a large party and an amateur club from Cleveland performed "Les Voyageurs. It was very cleverly done. Mollie Paiyne, the daughter of Henry B. Paine was one of the performers and is very bright. Young Chesholm is a genius in the way of the comic singing and acting. On Saturday evening this party performed a German play which was said to have been very well done. They are members of the German Club in Cleveland and have cultivated themselves in that language. TUESDAY 25 [237-128] Grete and I went to Painesville about noon and spent some hours at George W. Steele's. Took the afternoon train for Cleveland and thence by the Mahoning train Newburgh. Took Mollie with us. We stopped at Uncle Thomases over night preparatory to the Reunion of the Forty Second here tomorrow. Fuller report from the primary meetings are still coming in with additional evidences of the good state of feeling among my friends in the district. AUGUST, 1874 - 35th Week. WEDNESDAY 26 [238-127] At an early hour members of the 42d began to arrive and at ten oclock the meeting was called to order in the Town Hall, where in the midst of a ball 13 years ago I made a speech and called for recruits and began the raising of company G. of the 42d Regt. Captain Gillett was the [lat] first to enlist. At One o'clock, the members of the regiment took dinner at the Cataract House. The dinner was managed by my cousin Capt George Garfield. At two the Regiment re-assembled and Captain Mason read two chapters of the forthcoming history of the Regiment. The Society greeted me as their President, and the former Colonel of the 42d, with all the enthusiasm I could have desired. The attendance was large all the field officers being present. Dined late in the afternoon. The General Sheridan Party and myself with some others attended the Regimental Ball for a short time and spent the night together at the Cataract House. THURSDAY 27 [239-126] Mother and Harry, Sister Mary and Mollie, came from Solon. Harry sprained his ankle seriously at Henry Boynton's a few days ago and is still lame. Crete Mother and I went to Cleveland in company with Sheldon and Purdy and met their wives at the Fourth [State] City House. We spent the day in visiting, and discussing the affairs of the South which look very threatening. Sheldon is not renominated and thinks the experiment of negro government a dangerous one. Crete, Mollie and I went to Little Mountain on the five o'clock train and found all well at home. AUGUST, 1874–35th Week. Friday 28 [240–125] Correspondence during the day. In the afternoon Father Rudolph and wife came to visit us. In the evening G. H. Kent and wife accompanied by some citizens of South Kirtland came to see me in regard to the Post Office difficulty there. The smaller the Post Office, the bigger the row it makes. I have been led to recommend a change in the Post Office there and am now satisfied that the movement was made by a minority of the people to gratify some revenges growing out of a neighborhood quarrel. I shall have the matter investigated which will probably reverse my action. I have long been inclined to the opinion that the office of local post master ought to be an elective one - I know there are different ties in the way, but I think it would remove from the field of politics one of the chief causes of heart-burning among the people – SATURDAY 29 [241–124] Father and Mother Rudolph; Crete, Mary and I went to Mentor to visit Thomas Clapp and his family. We spent a pleasant afternoon. We have been intimately acquainted with his family for many years. Their eldest son was first a student and then a soldier under me. After a while he became Adjutant [Genl] of the Regiment. I afterwards had him put in the Regular Army and he is now on duty at Nashville. His Sister Eliza, who was a bright student at Hiram, married another Hiram student Harry Glasier who has labored in the ministry for a number of years. Took Father and Mother Rudolph to James Clapp's and they spent the night. Crete and I returned in the evening. Sunday Hot, sultry, day. Read - Rested - Rambled in the woods. AUGUST--SEPTEMBER, 1874. --- 36th Week. MONDAY 31 [243--122] Prof R. W. Everett, late President of the Eureka College, but now Professor in the Kentucky University, visited us today, with his wife and children, He and I were students at Chester twenty-five years ago. He was afterwards my associate in the school at Hiram. His wife, also, was a Hiram student. Professor Arnzi Atwater and wife (nee Mason) and Eliza Clapp came at the same time. They were all from Hiram [antd] and it was a pleasant reunion. Everetts boys are older than mine. We visited the caves and rocks with them. It is delightful to see their young enthusiasm. Now curiously Everetts life and mine have drifted on in different channels still with many things in common. Birdie Hall left us today. Father and mother Rudolph also went home. SEPTEMBER.--TUESDAY 1 [244--121] Left the mountain at 11 oclock in company with J. H. Devereaux and his wife and several other mountaineers. Took the afternoon train to Columbus in company with several friends. I had been appointed a delegate from Portage County. Kalsey Hall and wife joined me on the Columbus train. My reception here this year is in marked contrast with that of last year, when the control of affairs was in the hands of Governor Noyes and his satellites who were determined to run the campaign in their own way and for their own objects. Met the Congressional Delegation in Senator Sherman's room and had a long conversation over the situation September, 1874.--36th Week. Wednesday 2 [245--120] Delegates from the 19th Dist met at the Controller's Room in the State House and made our arrangements for committees for the convention. I was unanimously chosen as a member of the Committee on Resolutions. The Convention organized at 11; committees were announced and on the adjournment, the Committee on Resolutions met at the Treasurers office in the State House. As the result of four hours work, the platform was agreed to. I wrote the financial resolutions, which were received unanimously. This was no small triumph for me, who have for so many years stood alone against repudiation, inflation, and such like. The report was received with enthusiasm Noyes was not made permanent Chairman of the Convention!! After the adoption of the resolutions I was called out and made a short speech on some new issues which seemed to me imminent. Thursday 3 [246--119] I was invited to speak on the State House steps in the evening but declined. Sherman and Noyes had been informed in advance and had their speeches in writing. This has been done to me once or twice before and I declined to accept the invitation. Took the 5 o'clock train for Cleveland in company with Foster of Boston Spent the night at the Weddell House. Took the morning train for Rainesville and found George Steele and O.L. Wollcott in the cars. Stopped at Steele's where I found Greta awaiting me. Spent the day there visiting. In the evening went to the Hall to hear some speeches by members of the Dress Reform Convention. Heard Mrs Bibbert, Parker Pillsberry and others and listened to about as much radical nonsense as I have heard before in one evening. There is sense to some of the Dress Reform, but the draft of all their work is an assault on the marriage contract only another branch of the free love army whose doctrines I detest. Spent the night at George W. Steeles / September, 1874.–36th Week. Friday 4 [247–118] Spent most of the day visiting Painesville. We took dinner at Harry Steele's where we had a very pleasant party. From the top of this house saw the Baloon "Buffalo", sweep Northeastward over the Lake. This is one of the most striking events in ballooning and goes far to illustrate the doctrin[g] of the cyclone. At 3 o'clock young Ferris who [laf] lives at the foot of the mountain to us in his carriage to the mountain where we found that the Club had adjourned and the mountain was deserted. Got tea at the Fairview House and prepared to leave in the morning. About nine o'clock at night Stocking came with his wagon and took our goods. Saturday 5 [248–117] Finished loading Stocking's wagon and he left us at six. About half past six after taking breakfast at the Lake View House, we shut our cottage and bid good bye to the mountains for this season at least. Went to Cleveland and stopped at James Mason's, where we spent the day and night very pleasantly. I am strongly impressed with the purpose to make Cleveland my future home. Talked with Mason about the price of lots and real estate. He has a pleasant family and has the joy of being with them in his own home. He is a cousin to Crete's mother and stands very high here at the bar. Sunday 6 - Attended the Congregational church with Mason and his wife. Crete remained with the children. Crete and I took dinner at J. H. Rhoades on Gates Avenue. SEPTEMBER, 1874. - 37th Week. Monday 7 [250-115] Did shopping and miscellaneous work during the forenoon. Called at Dr. Boyntons and took dinner and arranged with him to come and join us tomorrow on a visit to Warren. In the afternoon Mason drove us to several points in the city to look at lots and discuss the future. Spent a pleasant evening with Mason in visiting and playing whist. Tuesday 8 [251-114] Took the early train to Dolon, where I was joined by Dr. Boynton and his wife and baby Amos. At Dolon engaged carriage to drive us to [Warren] Orange. Called at sister Mary's and took mother in with us and made arrangements for Mary to follow. Drove to Orange over the old familiar ground. Found the friends and spent some of the pleasantest days of the year in rambling over the old fields and showing the children the spot where the old house stood in which I was born. In the evening sang some old favorite songs and hymns. The day has renewed my health and helped to restore my faith in life. Spent the night at Cousin Henry's. SEPTEMBER, 1874. 37th Week. WEDNESDAY 9 [252--113] In the morning went to the Pioneer picnic at Dolan (North). There was an assemblage of several thousand people in honor of the Pioneers. A meeting was held in Burdis Grove, adjoining the field where I once worked a month or two for Stephen Mapes when I was a boy and across the way was a field where I helped Harry Donewill log clear over several acres. Spoke for thirty minutes at the request of my neighbors and friends and we had a pleasant dinner in the grove. Rode to Chagrin Falls with Sheldon Wilkinson an old schoolmate and had a pleasant time. Harry and Jimmy and I drove to Buston fourteen miles away and spent the night with George H. Ford. THURSDAY 10 [253--112] This is the day of the Reunion of the Soldiers of the late war who resided in Geauga County. They held a general muster and made last night and today hideous with skirmishes and sham battles. I have no taste for sham war. Let it be peace or war in earnest. At one oclock I spoke for an hour to over a thousand people in the Fair Grounds. I was then driven to Buston Station on the narrow gage roads and took the train to Warren where I arrived in the evening. Stopped at Harmon Austins where several friends met me. The democratic district convention which met here today nominated Dr. Woods of Canfield. He was my first opponent in 1862. An anti Garfield Convention also met here and made an attempt to coalesce with the democrats and failing in that met and nominated Reb H R Hurlburt of Erie, the Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church in this District. Judge Tuttle of Painesville made a bitter speech against me at the Court House this evening SEPTEMBER, 1874.-37th Week. FRIDAY 11 [254-111] Left on the morning train for Hiram where our family has at last assembled. Spent the day in putting affairs in order and getting ready for a months campaign. The weather is beautiful and I ought to have an opportunity to enjoy a clear month in the country. It will be a month of battle and discomfort to me. Perhaps I need the discipline of this kind of assault upon me, still I have had a long seige of it for the last two years. SATURDAY 12 [255-110] Continued the work of cleaning up my desk and room and putting the household in order. Also, prepared a speech for the evening. At 4 o'clock took Harry with me in the buggy and drove to Norton Falls stopping at Dr Applegate's. The Town Hall was crowded with citizens and I made a speech of an hour and a half on the general topics of the year and then for three quarters of an hour discussed the personal features of this campaign I talked severely and without disguise of those who have assaulted and attempted to injure me with the people. I felt something of the spirit of battle in me and found that the response from my friends was ardent and enthusiastic. Then had a consultation at the hotel with a large number of friends and went to A.B. Merrill and spent the night. Sunday 13th After an early breakfast at Merrill's Harry and I drove to Hiram stopping at Garrettsville Station and taking Brother Joe home with us to Hiram SEPTEMBER, 1874.--38th Week. MONDAY 14 [257--108] Worked during the day on correspondence and preparing for the campaign. Took the evening train for Warren where I had requested the Congressional Committee of the five counties of the 19th District to meet me tomorrow. The local committee of Trumbull County, having refused to appoint meetings for me, I made this call to circumvent their purposes. Spent the evening in visiting and consultation with friends. TUESDAY 15 [258--107] Committee met me at the Thompson House and we had a full discussion of the affairs of the District and they agreed to appoint meetings for me in the several counties. I had received a letter from Thompson and a letter from Taylor of Painesville challenging me to debate. I do not propose to allow these fellows to get up meetings and take up half the time throwing mud at me. I therefore stated that all my enemies are at liberty to ask questions at any of my meetings, but that I should discuss national questions in my own way. Further arranged the meetings of the Committee and I took the one oclock train for Akron and at Freedom met Crete and her mother and Mollie who went with me to Akron where we stopped at Rockwell's [at Rockville] and visited Sister Nellie who was leaving for her new home in Saint Louis. Spent the night at Rockwell's 2F SEPTEMBER, 1874. - 38th Week Wednesday 16 [259-106] Took the 6 o'clock express for Gallion, where I caught the express from Cleveland to Columbus. Found a number of acquaintances on the train. Was there for the first time introduced to Governor Wm Allen. He is a genial old gentleman and seemed to take to me very kindly. Stopped at the Neal House and met a crowd of delegates and old acquaintances. There is a prospect of a large majority in this town. At the Columbus Depot we were met by a delegation of soldiers of the army of the Cumberland which escorted us to the Neal House where we dined. Immediately after attended the Army of the Cumberland Reunion at the Opera House. A great number of the leading soldiers were present. Sherman, Sheridan and many of my old comrades were there. I was called on for a speech and addressed the assemblage for a short time. In the evening attended Sherman's reception at Mr. Miller's at the mansion formerly belonging to Judge Swaine. The last time I was there I visited J.D. Cox while he was Governor of the state. Capt Henry and I spent the night at Capt Gardner's of the 42. Thursday 17 [20-105] Served as Chairman on a Committee for the nomination of officers for the ensuing year. Reported Phil Sheridan as President. In the afternoon we were driven to the various public institutions, and, among other things witnessed a very pleasant exhibition at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. General McDowell came in the afternoon and I had a long visit with him. Banquet in the evening at the City Hall which continued until after midnight. I was called upon to respond to the toast to General Thomas; which I did with more than usual satisfaction to myself. The chief point of my address was that General Thomas' life was a striking example of the value of culture and discipline. Took the two o'clock train for Cleveland, where I soon met Judge Pardee and in company with Carson and Capt Henry visited the Northern Ohio Fair. Dined on the Fair Grounds with Dr Robison. Visit some of the more prominent shows about the air and took the evening train for Hiram. SEPTEMBER, 1874.-38th Week. FRIDAY 18 [261-104] SATURDAY 19 [262-103] Made careful preparations for a speech at Warren, where, to night, I shall discuss exclusively the present issues of this campaign. Have arranged for a short hand reporter to get my speech in full to the press. Stopped at the Thompson House where several friends met me. The enemy have attempted to divert me from my path by challenging me for debate, probably with the braggart Fultte. Let my enemies draw their own crowds. I draw mine. A terrible rain fall just towards evening and the audience was small though it filled the Court House. I spoke for two hours pausing at each point for my enemies to put their questions. But few were asked and those few were answered promptly and conclusively. I let these gentlemen know that during this campaign it was to be blow for blow and those who struck must expect a blow in return. It was a painful kind of speech for me to make but I did it thoroughly to the satisfaction of my friends. Spent the night at the Thompson House. SEPTEMBER, 1874. 38th Week. FRIDAY 18 [261-104] SATURDAY 19 [262-108] Sunday Sept 20th 1874 Spent the day revising the reporter's notes of my speech. Took dinner at Austin's. Took the evening train for Cleveland and spent the night at the Forrest City House. SEPTEMBER, 1874.--39th Week. Monday 21 [264-101] Returned to Hiram on the morning train. Spent the day in answering letters and completing the revision of my Warren speech. Took the evening train for Niles where I was met by Josiah Robbins and went with him to his house for supper. After supper went to the hall where a large audience was awaiting me. A number of persons had driven down from Warren and I discussed national topics for an hour and a half by explaining my votes on the currency and tariff which had been shamefully misrepresented here in Niles. I showed the people that I was opposed as much to a prohibitory tariff on the one hand as to free trade on the other. I then spent three-quarters of an hour in discussing personal issues and referred them to my Warren speech which will soon be in print. On the whole I think the meeting was a successful one. There has been much bitterness and misrepresentation in Niles and the people have been made to believe that the financial panic which swept this town last fall was largely due to me for my opinions on the tariff and currency. Was introduced to Fydvill Davis, a Welshman, who has written several articles in the Welsh papers in my defence. Spent the night a Josiah Robbins' Tuesday 22 [265-100] Took the morning train for Astabula which I reached at 12 oclock. Was met at the depot by Henry Hubbard, who took me to his house where a large and select company of gentlemen met me and dined with me. After dinner we drove to the Harbor and spent several hours in examination of its situation and prospects. Major Henry Hubbard is a striking illustration of what faith and persistent work will do. Eight years ago he and I visited this desolate place. I became satisfied that he was right in his views of its future. Since that time we have worked together and secured government aid in perfecting the harbor and now we have the satisfaction of seeing two railroads discharge their coal and receive their iron here from the numerous schooners and propellers that lay at their docks. Returned in the afternoon and in the evening made a speech of an hour and three-quarters at the Opera House at which I felt myself in full sympathy with the audience. I believe this town will give me a good vote in the coming election. Spent the night at Major Hubbard's SEPTEMBER, 1874.--39th Week. WEDNESDAY 23 [266--99] After visiting Mr. Fassett and other friends and writing a number of letters, I took the train for Madison where I was met by a committee who took me to the hotel. A large number of friends called to see me and after dinner Mr. Ervine Ensign and two other friends drove me among the beautiful farms in the neighborhood. Made a pleasant call at Ensign's house and returned to the hotel in the evening. Played croquet a little while at a house next to that of a leading merchant of the town, who name I regret to say I have forgotten. There is a good deal of bitterness against me here caused by the active efforts of a few disappointed spirits. In the evening their large hall was crowded to repletion and I spoke for two hours more successfully than I have yet done any where else. I think I carried conviction to nearly all my hearers. A large delegation from Geneva attended and I was told that more than one hundred people were obliged to leave for want of room. Spent the night at the hotel. THURSDAY 24 [267--98] Took the six o'clock train for Painesville. Took breakfast at the Stockwell House in Painesville and at 8:30 took the Narrow Gage for Middlefield. J. F. Scofield Editor of the Telegraph accompanied me. He informs me that Thorpe has challenged Tuttle for debate at Painesville and thinks it a bad thing. At Middlefield, C. A. Brigdon met me and took me to his house at Messopotamia where I dined. At two o'clock addressed a large audience in the Congregational Church. Squire Udell came from Hiram and drove me across the country, sixteen miles, [strikethrough] from[ end of strikethrough] home, where I found a large mail awaiting me. SEPTEMBER, 1874. -- 39th Week. Friday 25 [268--97] Spent the forenoon writing letters took the six o'clock train at Garrettsville for Solon then rode with Mr Williams to Chagrin Falls. Stopped at Sister Mary's on the way. Dined at Mr Douglass' where a Disciple Mite Society was in session. A large number of neighbors and friends called on me. Among others Moses Lowe whom I have not seen since we were boys of fifteen. In the evening the audience was to large for any hall in town and I spoke from the steps of Champion Hall. I had not been [strikethrough] among the [end of strikethrough] in the building since 1858 when I debated with Denton. Spoke nearly two hours to a large and attentive audience. Rode home to Pond Station with Captain Henry and his brother Samuel. On the road called a moment to Chancey Liece, who was my teacher when I was eight year old. Spent the night at Capt Henry's. Saturday 26 [269--96] Took the morning train for Garrettsville, where I engaged Goff's black ponies and drove twenty miles to Deerfield stopping at N. L. Urams. At two oclock addressed several acres of people on the Fair Grounds, discussing transportation and its relations to agriculture. Went to Wamis and after two games of croquet drove back to Garrettsville making the distance in little more than two hours. Then Goff drove me to Hiram where I arrived very weary. Sunday 27 Read a large mail and heard a good solid sermon from Burke. SEPTEMBER, 1874.--40th Week. Monday 28 [271--94] Spent the day in answering letters and visiting with Burke and making out the deed for my Iowa land, which I have sold. In the afternoon went to Garrettsville in the hack and played two games of croquet. Took tea at Dr Lee's. Just before going in, I received a copy of the N.Y. Sun Extra headed "The Record of James A. Garfield" and containing twenty eight columns. Made I think an effective speech to a large audience and after the conclusion of the general discussion, reviewed the character of the assaults upon me and exposed the character of the N.Y. Sun. Right there near at home there is a set of men bitterly opposed to me; for what reason I do not know. Halsey Hall and wife and John Beatty came from Ravenna to see me. Father Rudolph and Jimmy came down and took me home after the meeting. Tuesday 29 [272--93] Took the morning train for Warren where I stopped over one train and called on Henry B. Perkins for a short time. Took the nine o'clock train for Baconsburgh, where Squire Barnes of Gustavus met me and drove me home to his house. It was a raw Autumn day and I really suffered with the cold. Squire Barnes' son R.B. Barnes who has been lukewarm and hostile to me seemed inclined to be cordial. His wife is an intelligent, matronly lady and his daughter Phoebe is a very pleasant person At two oclock we proceeded to the place of meeting, where a large audience was in waiting whom I addressed for two hours. Spent the night at Barnes' I think the impression made on this town is very good and I shall be disappointed if the defection here is not small in consequence of my visit 21 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1874- 40th Week. WEDNESDAY 30 [273-92] Barnes drove me to Kinsman, where we stopped and took dinner at Thomas Kinsmans and then drove on to Andover in the midst of a heavy rain. Reached Andover half an hour late. Found Northway awaiting me. Also, found parties distributing large quantities of the N.Y. Sun. There were only enough people to fill the Hall. Northway spoke about thirty minutes, when I followed speaking an hour and a half in replying to some of the [charges] questions which were put by the enemy continued my speech for about three quarters of an hour longer. It was about as dreary and cheerless a days meeting as I have ever had. At the conclusion Mr. Morey drove us (Northway and my- self) to Jefferson sixteen miles- a cold dreary ride. After getting tea at the Thompson House went to the Court House which was filled with an audience presided over over by Senator Wade. I spoke for two hours. For the first time in my life I felt a chill come up to me from a Jefferson audience although Wade appears cordial and denies emphatically the story in the Sun that he is hostile to me. Thorp came and reported the results of his Painesville debate which seems to have been rather disastrous. Spent the night at the Thompson House. OCTOBER. Thursday 1 [274-91] Took the morning train for Ashtabula, where I spent an hour and a half. Dined with James Reid. Found that not only Wade and Kellogg but also Sherman and Hall have denied the truth of the Sun's statements about their feelings towards me. Took the one o'clock train for Conneaut. Stopped at the Hotel. Mr. Smith drove me to the Harbor where I spent some two hours in looking over the landmarks and reflecting that there was the beginning of the settlement of the Western Reserve. Also considered the construction of the Harbor and am satisfied that there has been much folly and waste on the part of the engineers for want of a uniform policy in the management of the harbor construction. Returning to Conneaut, I called at the Reporter office and also, at my former friends Haywood's. He has grown hostile but received me cordially and I think showed some symptoms of regret for his attitude. Dined at Smith's and had a pleasant visit with his family. Addressed a large audience for nearly two hours and succeeded fairly well. Left the Hall in the midst of a drenching rain and went home with Mr. Principal of the Geneva schools. He is a staunch friend. Went to bed and rested what little time I could before taking the train. OCTOBER, 1874.---40th Week FRIDAY 2 [275--90] Was awakened a little before two oclock and took the express train for the west and awoke about eight oclock as we neared Norwalk. Mr. Gardner met me at the station and drove me to his house, a very pleasant residence surrounded by large and beautiful trees. After breakfast he drove me to the Fair Grounds and on our returning to dinner Hon. Charles Foster met us. We had a pleasant visit. Thirty years ago he was a student in this town and boarded in this House. At one oclock we were escorted to the Fair Grounds by the band and at two I delivered an address of about one hour on the future of agricultural life in this country. I succeeded better than I have ever before done on that subject. After wearily watching the races and the sights about the Fair Grounds returned to Gardiner's where we had a pleasant tea with a large number of gentlemen. In the evening Foster and I addressed an audience of about three thousand people. Foster's speech was the first I have listened to this campaign. He is fighting a hard battle but I think will win it. Spent the night at Gardners SATURDAY 3 [276--89] Took the 9 o'clock train for Cleveland and found Crete and Jimmy awaiting me at the Forrest City House. They brought a large mail which I hurriedly read and after assisting them a little in their shopping and sending a few telegrams I took the two oclock train for Ravenna. Kalsey Hall met me at the station and took me to his house. I am very weary and feel certain that I am speaking once too much if I speak again today. After supper Kall and his wife and invalid child went with me to Conneaut. A very large audience has filled the Hall to overflowing and I spoke effectively for nearly two hours, but I felt during it all that I was using up about the last supply of power I had. When I concluded the vocal chords seemed to relax and I grew very hoarse. Went to the hotel and spent the night with General Pardee and two or three others and sat up till near midnight, when I retired so OCTOBER, 1874.--40th Week. Friday 2 [275-90] Was awakened a little before two oclock and took the express train for the west and awoke about eight oclock as we neared Norwalk. Mr. Garner met me at the station and drove me to his house, a very pleasant residence surrounded by large and beautiful trees. After breakfast he drove me to the Fair Grounds and on our returning to dinner Hon Charles Foster met us. We had a pleasant visit. Thirty years ago he was a student in this town and boarded in this House. At one oclock we were escorted to the Fair Grounds by the band and at two I delivered an address of about one hour on the future of agricultural life in this country. I succeeded better than I have ever before done on that subject. After wearily watching the races and the sights about the Fair Grounds returned to Gardiner's where we had a pleasant tea with a large number of gentlemen. In the evening Foster and I addressed an audience of about three thousand people. Foster's speech was the first I have listened to this campaign. He is fighting a hard battle but I think will win it. Spent the night at Gardners hoarse that I could scarcely speak above a whisper. I have rarely been so tired as I am to night. Sunday 4th - 1874 Rose at six oclock and Reuben Cannon took Captain Henry and myself to Aurora I reached the station just in time for the morning train which had been telegraphed and stopped for me. Went thence to Garrettsville where Brother Joseph met me and we went home. I lay during the day like a log scarcely able to feel. and two or three others and sat up till near midnight, when I retired, so OCTOBER, 1874.- 41st Week. MONDAY 5 [278-87] Wrote letters and Doctored my throat until two o'clock in the afternoon. At two o'clock I went to the College in pursuance of an old engagement to address the Teacher's Institute For about an hour my voice served me better than I expected. My lecture was the elaboration of two ideas. First; The value and the necessity of culture. Second: The power of personal influence in teaching. On the first I drew my illustrations from John Stuart Mills Autobiography and the Life of John Adams. At four oclock Brother Joe drove me to Troy where the Town Hall was crowded to overflowing. I spoke two hours by taking a lower key than usual. My voice stood it very well. Then rode with George and Nellie Ford to Burton and spent the night at George's house. I fell very anxious that my voice shall hold out for tomorrow which is to be a field day. TUESDAY 6 [279-86] Took the morning train, by the Narrowgage for Painesville, where I was met by the band and a large concourse of citizens who escorted me to the Stockwell House. After dinner a large number of citizens called on me. At two o'clock went to the Opera House which was densely packed. Mr. Perkins, a venerable gentleman, presided, and I spoke for an hour and a half on public questions, more satisfactorily than I have yet spoken during the campaign. I then turned to the personal issues that have been made upon me and discussed them thoroughly for three quarters of an hour. I felt that I had the audience in my hands. I then challenged my enemies to propound questions. [George Tul] Judge Tuttle rose, backed and seconded by J.B. Burrows and propounded a series of questions. I answered him promptly and each answer brought forth a storm of applause. He persisted in repeating the same questions and I finally opened up on him with a furious attack which everybody seemed to feel was crushing him. The meeting lasted three hours and broke up with tremendous cheers. I believe I have broken the back of the opposition in Painesville and that Judge Tuttle's career is substantially ended. By the kindness of Mr Crane Supt of the Narrow Gage Road, a special train took me to Chardon, where W.S. Fury is to speak. At the conclusion of his speech in the Court House I was called upon and spoke an hour. Spent the night at the Chardon House. OCTOBER, 1874 - 41st Week. Wednesday 7 [280-85] In company with O.S. Farr, Judge Smith and D.W. Canfield, drove to Canfield where the "World's Fair" is in progress. After sauntering about the Fair Grounds for an hour or two found that Judge Tuttle and Rev Mr. Hurlburt were on the grounds. The former mounted a wagon and commenced an assault upon me I decline to be present or condescend to notice a man so indecent as to use an agricultural fair grounds for the purpose of a political speech Towards evening we drove to Canfield stopping at Whitney's Hotel. After tea went to church where a large audience awaited me. Spoke for nearly two hours and was followed a short time by O.S. Farr. Two strenuous efforts have been made in this town to make capital against me, but I think this meeting has done much to counteract these efforts. Mr Hurlburt has been visiting his Methodist brethren to awaken ecclesiastical prejudice in his favor I am informed that several converts to my honesty were made at this meeting spent the night at Seth Whitney's Thursday 8 [281-84] I.F. Whitney, the man who visited me at Little Mountain in August drove me to Chardon We had a long visit and I am satisfied his friendship for me is confirmed. Reached Chardon before ten o'clock and took the morning train to Painesville. Dined at Harry Steele's and spent the afternoon in visiting. The effects of my Painesville were even more than I had anticipated. My friends were greatly elated and my enemies furious In has drawn the lines very sharply and a fight is made on well defined grounds. Took tea at George W. Steele's, after which he drove me in his carriage to Willoughby twelve miles away. It rained heavily on the way and I feared it would spoil our meeting. But, on arriving I found the town full of people and thoroughly arroused. The Methodist College building was illuminated from basement to cupula with a candle at each pane of glass. As this was the home of Mr. Hurlburt OCTOBER, 1874 -- 41st Week. Wednesday 7 [280-85] In company with O.S. Farr, Judge Smith and D.W. Canfield, drove to Canfield where the "World's Fair" is in progress. After sauntering about the Fair Grounds for an hour or two found that Judge Tuttle and Rev Mr Hurlburt were on the grounds. The former mounted a wagon and commenced an assault upon me I decline to be present or condescend to notice a man so indecent as to use an agricultural fair grounds for the purpose of a political speech Towards evening we drove to Canfield stopping at Whitney's Hotel. After tea went to church where a large audience awaited me. Spoke for nearly two hours and was followed a short time by O.S. Farr. Two strenuous efforts have been made in this town to make capital against me, but I think this meeting has done much to counteract these efforts. Mr Hurlburt has been visiting his Methodist bretheren to awaken ecclesiastical predjudice in his favor I am informed that several converts to my honesty were made at this meeting Spent the night at Seth Whitney's Thursday 8 [281-84] The demonstration was a pleasant surprise. A Mr Clements, a leading methodist of the Hurlburt Church presided and the great Hall was filled to overflowing. There must have been 3000 persons present. There had been loud threats of questions and interruptions, but if the enemy were on hand none of them ventured to put any questions. I spoke two hours At the conclusion Mr Steel and I took tea at the hotel and then drove back to his house in Painesville reaching there a little after midnight. The night was very dark and stormy. OCTOBER, 1874. - 41st Week. Friday 9 [282-83] Fire Insurance expires. Took the 8.30 train on the Narrow Gage for [Warren?], which we reached nearly an hour behind time. Judge Kinsman and Hon T.J. McLain were waiting with a carriage and we drove thirteen miles to Brookfield, where I addressed a mass meeting for an hour and a half and was followed for about three-quarters of an hour by McLain. We took tea at Mr Hamilton's - a sturdy friend of mine and then drove to Brookfield were a crowded audience were awaiting me. I spoke two hours and was followed for half an hour by McLain. [Kurlburt?] had been here peddling "the N.Y. Sun" and here for the first time during the campaign I made allusion to him by expressing the hope that it was not possible that he could be lending himself to so base a proceeding. We spend the night at the hotel in a miserable room and more miserable bed. Saturday 10 [283-83] Took the morning train for Warren. Went home with Judge Kinsman where we had breakfast about nine oclock. Toward noon heavy showers came on which promises bad for our meeting. Senator Sherman came from Mansfield by the early train and we dined together at the Thompson House. At half-past one oclock Sherman spoke to a large audience in the Opera House and made very handsome mention of my personal character and public services. At the close of his speech I spoke about three-quarters of an hour devoting about two-thirds of the time to general topics and the last third to a condensed and scornful notice of those republican enemies who were peddling the N.Y Sun. I think I have never struck a more effective blow at the enemy than the last fifteen minutes of this speech. At five o'clock Senator Sherman and I took the Atlantic train - he for Mansfield and I for Ravenna. Halsey Hall met me at the Ravenna Depot and took me to his house. After tea went to the and addressed the largest in doors meeting I have ever seen in Ravenna. This is my tenth speech for the week and I was jaded almost to the point of falling down. I did not satisfy myself in this Evenings speech for my stability seemed almost gone. Still the audience appeared to be reasonably well pleased. Spend the night at Halsey Hall's over OCTOBER, 1874. - 41st Week. Friday 9 [282-83] Fire Insurance expires. Took the 8.30 train on the Narrow Gage for [Warren?], which we reached nearly an hour behind time. Judge Kinsman and Hon T.J. McLain were waiting with a carriage and we drove thirteen miles to Brookfield, where I addressed a mass meeting for an hour and a half and was followed for about three-quarters of an hour by McLain. We took tea at Mr Hamilton's - a sturdy friend of mine and then drove to Brookfield were a crowded audience were awaiting me. I spoke two hours and was followed for half an hour by McLain. [Kurlburt?] had been here peddling "the N.Y. Sun" and here for the first time during the campaign I made allusion to him by expressing the hope that it was not possible that he could be lending himself to so base a proceeding. We spend the night at the hotel in a miserable room and more miserable bed. Sunday 11th 1874 Isaac Williams drove me home to Hiram. I am greatly exhausted though I feel better than I did a week ago today. October, 1874.—42nd Week. Monday 12 [285—80] At home resting and reading Goethe's Autobiography. It is a great relief to turn from the turbulence of this campaign into the quiet of the beautiful German life in Frankfort and the serenity that filled the childhood of Goethe! As I read his life I compare it with the singular Autobiography of John Stewart Mill. It is a dreary rainy afternoon, but as I have agreed to speak at Nelson to night I go in spite of the weather. Went to Garrettsville on the hack. Took tea at Mr Foot's after which he drove me in the dark and alone to Nelson. Notwithstanding the storm the Hall was pretty well filled and I spoke nearly two hours. In a familiar conversational way answered many questions and I think satisfied those who heard me. But the township has been pretty thoroughly poisoned by the active efforts of two or three enemies. Mr Foot drove me back to Hiram which I reached about eleven o'clock. I have spoken 28 times since the 17th of September. TUESDAY 13 [286-79] Read Goethe's Autobiography with keen enjoyment. It is a good foil to my campaign work. The election passed off quietly here as it always does on the Western Reserve. A large vote was polled. I estimate that Hurlburt will receive about two thousand republican votes. Some democrats may vote for him, in which case his vote will be larger. I tell my friends today that I shall be satisfied with six thousand majority over the Democratic ticket. Took the evening train for Cleveland and stopped at the Forrest House. Spent the evening at the Leader Office until midnight when the returns indicated a general defeat of the Republican Party in Ohio and Indiana. Paine carried the Cleveland District. It is not yet possible to say what my majority will be OCTOBER, 1874. - 42nd Week. Monday 12 [285-80] At home resting and reading Goethe's Autobiography. It is a great relief to turn from the turbulence of this campaign into the quiet of the beautiful German life in Frankfurt and the serenity that filled the childhood of Goethe! As I read his life I compare it with the singular Autobiography of John Stewart Mill. It is a dreary rainy afternoon, but as I have agreed to speak at [Chelson?] to night I go in spite of the weather. Went to Garrettsville on the back. Took tea at Mr Foot's after which he drove me in the dark and alone to Chelson. Notwithstanding the storm the Hall was pretty well filled and I spoke nearly two hours. In a familiar conversational way answered many questions and I think satisfied those who heard me. But the township has been pretty thoroughly poisoned by the active efforts of two of three enemies. Mr Foot drove me back to Hiram which I reached about eleven oclock. I have spoken 28 times since the 17th of September Tuesday 13 [286-79] and I think have done much to turn back the tide of opposition which industrious enemies have started. Still the old anger about my salary vote will reduce the vote more than all other things combined. Monday 12 (concluded) October, 1874.—42nd Week. Wednesday 14 [287—78] Spent the forenoon with J. H. Rhodes looking at some lots on Euclid Avenue with a view to a future home. I am in doubt about the wisdom of buying such expensive lots as those we looked at—still it may be best in the long run. Returns from the state come in worse and worse. The chief causes that have worked against us are the Temperance Crusade, the hard times resulting from the panic and the indiscriminate attacks upon the party made by the newspapers within the last two years. Took the afternoon train to Solon. Went to Sister Mary's and purchased one quarter of an acre of land from her to widen the front of the land I bought last year. For her sake I paid a big price. Took the evening train to Garrettsville and reached home at ten o'clock. Thursday 15 [288—77] Read Goethe and answered correspondence. Returns slowly coming in from the district. Hurlburt received nearly a thousand democratic votes which gives him an aggregate of about three thousand and four hundred - a little more than I expected he would receive. My vote reaches about twelve-thousand six hundred. I am twenty-eight hundred behind the State ticket. This marks the extent of the bolt. I have between six and seven thousand majority over the democrats and some three-thousand over both. I took supper with Burke and attended his lecture at the College on "The relation of College Students to the Faculty." I spoke ten minutes at the close of his lecture. October, 1874.—42nd Week Friday 16 [289-76] Read Goethe with great pleasure. The unfolding of his poetic nature is as beautiful as the growth of a rose. Commenced collecting up my accumulation of documents and letters. Took tea with Burke and then listened to the reading of a long chapter in his forthcoming "The Doctrine of Evolution Applied to Theology." The chapter he read was on "Jesuit Christianity, and is a very able presentation of the growth of the christian idea in the Jesuit mind, and the effect upon it of Jesuit thought. It is the ablest summary of the leading points in the Book of Acts I have every seen. I made a number of suggestions and criticisms, most of which he adopted. Burke has grown steadily and solidly during the last ten years. He has a high degree of intellectual honesty and faith in the investigation of any subject. SATURDAY 17 [290-75] The day was passed with Goethe and correspondence and clearing the docket of the year, preparatory for leaving to go to Washington. In the evening, Dr. Robison and wife and Harmon Austin and wife came to visit us. We spent a long evening in conversation, discussing political and religious questions, and reviewing the old memories of our early acquaintances. Twenty years ago Dr. Robison was here at the Commencement, and took a walk with me which was really [at] the commencement of our college and which threw me (wh) with him. From that day forward he has believed in me and stood by me with an enthusiastic and unwavering friendship. I became intimately acquainted with Austin a few years later. October, 1874.—43rd Week. Sunday 18th This was one of the most perfect days I have ever seen. The woods are in their full Autumn splendor and color, and a delicate haze of blue vails the Indian Summer and was spread over the landscape. With our visitors attended church. Burke delivered a powerful sermon on He and his wife took dinner with us. Dr. Robinson and wife left on the evening train. Monday 19 [292—73] Austin and wife left us. I wrote letters settled up my dues in the neighborhood with the various tradespeople. Spent several hours in overhauling and arranging my books. The growth of my library is one of the pleasant things of my life. At no period have I bought a large number of books and I have rarely bought any book except to meet some immediate intellectual want. My library is therefore typical of my intellectual growth and I can trace the different eras of development by the dates on the books purchased. Sent two boxes of goods for Garrettsville for shipment to Washington. Tuesday 20 [293-72] Purchased our Winter's supply of butter and potatoes. Settled with Brother Joseph for board with family in Hiram and took the evening train with Harry and Jimmy for Cleveland. A few days ago I made out a deed to Hinsdale for my home in Hiram. This almost completely severs my business connection with Hiram. I shall probably never return here except as a visitor. We were delayed an hour and reached Dr. Robison's where I had been invited to supper with his friends and brother directors of the Second National Bank. The party had been waiting for us over an hour. Had a very pleasant supper. Met Henry B. Paine and had a long and pleasant conversation with him. After supper played Euchre with Paine, Wade and Ely until nearly midnight. I came [home] to Hiram as a student twenty-two years ago and it has been my home ever since. October, 1874.—43rd Week. Wednesday 21 [291-71] Telegraphed to Crete to stop with the family at Newburgh where I would meet them. Took the boys in a carriage and drove to Newburgh. Met Crete and the family at the Mahoning Station. Took them to Uncle Thomas' where we staid one half an hour and then took the train for Pittsburgh. Reached Pittsburgh at 6 o'clock. Found no room in the Monongahela House. Stopped at the Saint Charles where we were badly accommodated but spent the night. I always feel a sense of suffocation and of gloom in this City of the Cyclops. J.W. Phillips + W.J. Ford met me and we had a conversation in regard to the affairs of the Phillipses - They are greatly embarrassed, and I am likely to lose the amount I have invested with them which will be to me a very considerable loss. I am not a little surprised that Ford had not known of the situation sooner - THURSDAY 22 [295-70] Took the morning train on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Road and passed a dreary sultry day on the cars. Crete thought it would be better to spend the night at Pittsburgh and take two days on the cars, rather than a day and a night. This day satisfied her of her mistake. Children very restless and the day far more uncomfortable than the night would have been. We got dinner at Cumberland and passed through Harpers Ferry and the Point of Rocks before night. Told the children the story of John Brown as we stood on the bridge overlooking the old arsenal and engine house. Reached our home in Washington about seven oclock where we found that Daniel and Mary had prepared us a good supper. After dinner bathed the children and washed off many ounces of dust from the family. Then went to rest as weary as travellers often are. October, 1874. - 43rd Week. FRIDAY 23 [296-69] Continued the work of putting the house in order. Commenced a thorough system of cleaning and overhauling the bills and books and documents that have long encumbered my library. Dictated a portion of my long-neglected journal. Several friends called in the afternoon and evening. The weather is a sultry as it was in September. SATURDAY 24 [297-68] It is amazing how much dirt will accumulate in a house during a few months of solitude. The forces which tear down are silent but remorseless in their operations. Crete and I went shopping and purchased a carpet for the library and another for the upper stairs. I engaged the men to put down both the new and the old carpets on Monday next. I found that my friends here were greatly elated at my success in the election. They had been led to suppose I was in serious danger of defeat. My old classmate Rockwell called on me in the evening and we had a delightful meeting after seven years of separation. He has been doing seven years of faithful service as Capt A.Z.M in the Regular Army. He has been on duty at Fort Sill, Fort Gibson and Fort Yuma and has really been living out of the great world. He comes back to serve in Washington and I promise myself great pleasure in his society during the winter Sunday, Oct 25th, 1878 Mother and I attended our church and heard a sermon from young Bela H. Hayden, a graduate of Bethany and former student of Hiram. OCTOBER, 1874.—44th Week. Monday 26 [299-66] Crete and I started out early to settle Harry and Jimmy in school. We have determined to keep Mollie at home this winter and teach her a little of housekeeping and something of books. Harry and Jimmy need the hand of a master at school and after much discussion of the subject we concluded to send them to Mr Youngs young private school on the west side of Franklin Square - Terms twenty dollars each for ten weeks. Completed the cleaning out of my library and sent off a large package of pamphlets to the Congressional Library. Went to the Capital and got some books from the Library and attended to a few little matters of business. In the evening commenced the reading of Auerbach's "Waldfried" Tuesday 27 [300-65] Dictated additional entries for the Journal Answered some letters and in the afternoon directed the putting down of the carpets. Also, had the plumbers overhaul the gas and water works through the house and the glazier repair some broken windows. In the afternoon went to see Daniel our colored-servant who is seriously sick with the pneumonia or as he calls it the pneumonium. Called on the President and had a pleasant conversation. Went to the Treasury Department and spent an hour and a half in looking over the receipts and expenditures of the year thus far and the estimates of appropriations for the next year. Read further in "Waldfried"_ answered some letters and continued the work of putting things to rights. OCTOBER, 1874. - 44th Week. Wednesday 28 [301-64] Finished "Waldfried". It is an interesting story of the late wars of Prussia against Austria and France and full of the sweet German home life. It is of the Pre-Raphaelite style of writing, but it lacks in condensation and compactness of plan. He dwells too much on little things and do not make the plot stand out so vividly as he ought to. Still on the whole, the book delights me and has been a great rest. Went shopping with Crete and made some necessary purchases for the Winter. In the evening Capt Rockwell called and spent two hours in reviewing our intellectual growth since we separated seven years ago. I feel a return of my stomach troubles of last Winter. It hurts me to lie on my left side to since the appearance there of the stomach troubles which leads me to fear neuralgic dyspepsia. Thursday 29 [302-63] Had men to work on the carpets and we still continued the business of cleaning up and putting the house in order. Went to the Treasury Dept during the day and had some further conversation with the Asst Secretary in regard to the estimates of appropriations and to general Dept business. Also, went to the Capitol and spent some time in the Congressional Library. In the evening dined at [Welckens?] with my old classmate Capt Rockwell of the Army and had a delightful reunion after seven years of separation The Capt presented me with a beautiful matchbox of Gold - gold quartz and moss agate with the inscription "From an old fellow to another" At the conclusion of our dinner we played several games of billiards. OCTOBER, 1874.--44th Week. Friday 30 [303-62] Finished the carpets and at last got the house in pretty fair order for Winter. There are some things a man cannot afford to be ignorant of. I have all my life been coming across references to the Cid and have had only the vaguest notions of what it was. Yesterday I got Southey's translation of the Cronicle of "The Cid" from the Library and made myself acquainted with the leading points in [hi?] history. I have resolved to remove at least this one block of ignorance out of my way; so to day I have spent sometime on this Spanish romance. Some history but much legend. The usual crowd of clerks hunting for office is upon me day and evening Saturday 31 [304-61] After an early breakfast, took the eight oclock train in company with Senator Sargent for Cumberland Maryland. We had a pleasant visit comparing our ideas and opinions on literary and religious subjects and reached Cumberland at one where a Committee of gentlemen met us and took us to the hotel After dinner, we were driven to the narrows, a mountain gorge through which "Will's Creek" flows Through this gorge runs a natural road. Through here, also, Washington w[h]ent on his way to Fort Pitt, to the scene of Braddock's defeat. In the evening a crowded audience and we were compelled to have two meetings. I spoke for a short time to the crowd out of doors. I then returned into the hall a spoke for an hour. This is the home of Lloyd Lowndes Jr, who is the Republican Candidate for Congress in this district. The prospect seems fair for his re-election. At two o'clock we took the train for Washington. 2M OCTOBER, 1874.--44th Week. Friday 30 [303-62] Finished the carpets and at last got the house in pretty fair order for Winter. There are some things a man cannot afford to be ignorant of. I have all my life been coming across references to the Cid and have had only the vaguest notions of what it was. Yesterday I got Southey's translation of the Cronicle of "The Cid" from the Library and made myself acquainted with the leading points in [hi?] history. I have resolved to remove at least this one block of ignorance out of my way; so to day I have spent sometime on this Spanish romance. Some history but much legend. The usual crowd of clerks hunting for office is upon me day and evening Saturday 31 [304-61] Sunday November -1- 1874 Reached home at seven oclock, a good deal jaded and with a bad cold. Attended Church and heard a sermon from my old friend Dr Beldon whom I have not seen for many years. He and Bela Hayden came home with us to dinner. Mr Riddle called in the evening and we had a long visit. November, 1874.-45 Week. Monday 2 [306-59] Michaelmas Law Term begins. Worked on correspondence in the forenoon and read Emanuel Deutches discussion of the Talmud as published in the London Quarterly Review for October 1867. It is a powerful piece of writing and the subject is one that I have long desired to understand. It throws a good deal of light on the Jewish character. Towards noon went shopping with Crete and made permanent arrangements for our Winter supplies. In the evening Crete and and I called on Colonel Rockwell and wife and upon Genl McKibben and wife who were stopping at Rockwell's. We had a pleasant visit with these friends. The Colonel has kept up his culture during his frontier life and I mention it to his credit that he has since he joined the Army owned four parlor organs. He even took one to Fort Sill in the Indian Territory. While we were there General Pelonze came and we played a rubber of whist. Tuesday 3 [307-58] Worked on correspondence-Read "The Talmud", and worked up miscellaneous business. In the evening attended church with mother. Heard a sermon from Dr. Beldon. Over two hundred members of Congress are to be elected today. I have no doubt we are to suffer a general defeat. Only two days ago, "The National Republican" which professes to be the organ of the Administration assaulted me, as having been so niggardly in the appropriations that, if the elections were lost, it would be because I refused to make large appropriations to give the people work. It is just this infatuation and folly of our public journals that has brought on the reaction. Called on the Secretary in the evening who expressed his indignation at the course taken by the "Republican". He told me that the President disapproved of it, but he feared that there were some people near the President who were hostile to me. I supposed probably he meant Shepperd and Babcock who were of that way of thinking and probably inspired the article. November, 1874.—45th Week. Wednesday 4 [308-57] Usual work during the day. Went shopping with Crete to make arrangements for our winters supplies. A number of gentlemen called during the day. The returns from the election show that the defeat was more sweeping than even the first account. This election is very much like that of 1862, when I received a smaller majority than this year. If the South had then been represented in Congress, the House would have been heavily democratic. In the evening dined with my classmate Hill at Wormley's. His party consisted of Judges Miller and Davis of the Supreme Court and Philip Phillips with young Mr. Winthrop of Boston. Brother of Theodore Winthrop, the Author - and another Boston man, who name I forget. We had a long talk over the defeat and its causes. It is my opinion that the Republicans will carry the Presidential Election more certainly because of this defeat. There is a fickleness in the public mind that loves to express itself in changes. But I think the oscillation of public sentiment will bring us back to Republican ideas again. In fact I do not think this has been a revolution of ideas but rather an expression of discontent at the present situation. The city is filled with Democratic rejoicing—bonfires and speeches. Thursday 5 [309—56] Worked on correspondence in the forenoon,—then went to the Post Office Dept and settled a number of pending question and answered letters relating to the same. In the afternoon went to the Capitol and spent two hours in the Crypt of the Library, looking over the duplicates stored there. I am impressed with ephemeral character of the vast mass of literary work. The cords of forgotten books packed away in the subterranean vaults of this library made me feel as though I were in a neglected graveyard. In the evening Scofield of Pennsylvania called and spent several hours. It is pleasant to me to listen to his half cynical philosophizing on men and events. NOVEMBER 1874.-45th Week. WEDNESDAY 4 [308-57] Usual work during the day. Went shopping with Crete to make arrangements for our winters supplies. A number of gentlemen called during the day. The returns from the election show that the defeat was more sweeping that even the first accounts. The election is very much like that of 1862, when I received a smaller majority than this year. If the South had then been represented in Congress, the House would have been heavily democratic. In the evening dined with my classmate Hill at Wormley's. His party consisted of Judges Miller and Davis of the Supreme Court and Philip Phillips with young Mr. Winthrop of Boston. Brother of Theodore Winthrop, the author-and another Boston man, who name I forget. We had a long talk over the defeat and its causes. It is my opinion that the Republicans will carry the Presidential election more certainly because of this defeat. There is a fickleness in the public mind that loves to express itself in changes. but I think the oscillation of public sentiment will bring us back to Republican ideas again. In fact I do not think this has been a revolution of ideas but rather an expression of discontent at the present situation. The city is filled with Democratic rejoicing-bonfires and speeches. THURSDAY 5 [309-56] Worked on correspondence in the forenoon, - then went to the Post Office Dept and settled a number of pending questions and answered letters relating to the same. In the afternoon went to the Capitol and spent two hours in the Crypt of the Library, looking over the duplicates stored there. I am impressed with ephemial character of the vast mass of literary work. The cords of forgotten books packed away in the subteranean vaults of this library made me feel as though I were in a neglected graveyard. In the evening Scofield of Pennsylvania called and spent several hours. It is pleasant to me to listen to his half cynical philosophizing on men and events. NOVEMBER, 1874. - 43 Week. Friday 6 [310-55] Wrote letters in the morning. Received a letter from Knox of N.Y. retaining me in two cases for the N.Y. Mutual Life Insurance Company. I went to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and entered my name in the two cases and spent most of the day in ascertaining the situation of the hostile motion about to be made by the counsel on the other side. Met Senator Morrill, of Vt, at the Capitol and spent some time with him talking over the political situation and looking over the improvements being made [on] at the East front of the Capitol, in pursuance of the plans of Fred Law Olmstead. The tree known as The Washington Elm, is about to be removed if its removal is possible, which I doubt. In the evening read Dr. Clarke's book on "The Building of a Brain, which is in the line of his work on "Sex in Education." SATURDAY 7 [311-54] Spent the forenoon in correspondence and adjusting my accounts, and, also, in making some further examination of the two N.Y. Insurance cases. In the afternoon went shopping with Crete. She is adjusting her purchases for the family to cover the next two months. On our return I found Rockwell awaiting me and we went out and played a few games of billiards. Rockwell took dinner with me. Accepted the invitation of Senator Morrill of Vt. to spend the evening with him and Senator Edmunds Dr. Baxter and myself played Euchre until half past ten o'clock. I find my old stomach troubles return with a good deal of force This is surprising considering how well I have passed the summer Sunday November 8-1984 Attended church. Sermon by Bela Hayden. Spent the afternoon in reading Goethes Autobiography and in connection with it Lewes Biography of Goethe. The development of The Poet's mind is among the most wonderful things I have seen. I shall try to write a brief summary of the impressions this book has made upon me when I have finished it. Will called in the evening, and he and I spent two hours in a very pleasant conversation on books and authors. I know of few men of his age who have done so much through reading. NOVEMBER, 1874. 46th Week. Monday 9 [313--52] Correspondence as usual in the morning. J. Edmond Mallet, a Canadian Frenchman by birth - a clerk of the 6th Auditor's office, called on me with a Mr Blanchard, who is the famous 'Riel' of Manatoba notoriety, travelling under an assumed name. He desires to see the President. At ten oclock I went to the Law Library and worked on the Insurance lease No 463 for three hours, and there satisfied myself that it could not be dismissed because of informality in the record. Every case I have convinces me anew that I need a more thorough knowledge of the technical parts of the law and of lease law. Went to the Agricultural Department to get the statistics of the crops, with a view to ascertaining how our revenues are likely to come in. Called on the President on several matters of business. Told him of my interview with "Riel". The President agrees to have an interview with him tomorrow morning by the name he is now travelling under. In the Evening read until a late hour in Goethe. His Autobiography and Reave's Life of Goethe attract me powerfully. TUESDAY 10 [314-51] Awakened at daylight with a sharp distress in [?] In the Evening helped the boys with their lessons. They are doing better than ever before in their studies and I remark a much better effect in the tone of their minds. Read Goethe until a late hour. [N.Y. Avenue.] NOVEMBER, 1874.--46th Week. MONDAY 9 [313--52] Correspondence as usual in the morning. J. Edmond Mallet, a Canadian Frenchman by birth -- a clerk of the 6th Auditors office, called on me with a Mr Blanchard, who is the famous "Riel" of Manitoba notoriety, travelling under an assumed name. He desires to see the President. At ten oclock I went to the Law Library and worked on the Insurance lease No 463 for three hours, and there satisfied myself that it could not be dismissed because of informality in the records. Every case I have convinces me anew that I need a more thorough knowledge of the technical parts of the law and of Case law. Went to the Agricultural Department to get the statistics of the crops, with a view to ascertaining how our revenues are likely to come in. Called on the President on several matters of business. Told him of my interview with "Riel". The President agrees to have an interview with him tomorrow morning by the name he is now travelling under. In the evening read until a late hour in Goethe. His autobiography and Lewes' Life of Goethe attract me powerfully. Tuesday 10 [3214--51] Awakened at daylight with a sharp distress in my stomach. Rose and read Goethe for an hour. Wrote a long letter to W. J, Ford, forwarding my note against Phillips, of May 9th 1874, for $3706. due in six months, and payable, at the First National Bank, in New Castle. In accordance with previous appointment went to the Committee at 12 o'clock, where three members met me namely; Starkweather, O'Neil and Brown We perceived the general situation of our estimates and spent an hour in conference on our approaching winters work. Committee adjourned until 12 oclock tomorrow. Called at the Post Office Department and transacted some business. Then worked up correspondence at home until three, when Dr Thompson sent his horse around to me and for my stomachs sake I took a long ride, by the way of the New British Legation building, Meridian Hill, Soldier's Home, and N.Y. Avenue. NOVEMBER, 1874-46th Week. WEDNESDAY 11, [315-50] Worked on correspondence in the morning. Committee met again at 12 o'clock. Loughridge and Tyner arrived making a quorum. Spent an hour discussing the general features of our work and determined to take up the Legislative bill as our first work. I distributed portions of it to the several members present and we adjourned until Friday with a view to spending Thursday at the Departments preparing the several sections of the bill. At the close of our session went to the Appropriation Committee Room of the Senate and had a long conversation with Senators Morrill and Sargent in regard to some reforms which we think can be made in the public expenditures. I am very desirous of reforming the Customs Department so as to make the expenditures depend upon specific appropriations by Congress, rather than as more upon [perma?] to be disposed of at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury. At three o'clock took a horse back ride along the riverbank behind the Naval Observatory to Georgetown under the Aqueduct bridge and under the canal one quarter of a mile above. Back through Georgetown home I thus saw a portion of the city I had never before visited - old delapidated warehouses and shipping stores, where once there was thriving commerce. Home in the evening. Read Goethe. This is the 16th Anniversary of my marriage Crete and I reviewed the past years and their events and blessed epoch THURSDAY 12 [316-49] Correspondence until 11 o'clock when I went to the Treasury Department and worked on the estimates for appropriation for several hours. During my visit there Secretary Bristow invited me into his private room and read a considerable portion of his forth coming report. It is very clear and strong on the subject of specie payment for which I am grateful, but I fear the obduracy and madness of the people will prevent a return to specie payments. The Secretary gave some very confidential views of the internal condition of the party, as exhibited in the Ca[binet] I am satisfied that Grant made a great mis[take] in not reorganizing his Cabinet on his se[cond] election. He has done more than any other [Pres]ident to degrade the character of Cabinet offic[e] by choosing them on the model of the milita[ry] staff, because of their pleasant personal relation whim and not because of their national reputation and the public needs. In reference to the integrity of some of them, I have serious doubts, which at this time I do not choose to specify. At three oclock took my horseback ride, going from South Frontag[e] the President's down the river bank to the arsenal - thence by the way of the Capitol home. Read Goethe in the evening - NOVEMBER, 1874. - 46th Week Friday 13 [317-48] After the usual forenoon's work, went to the Capitol where the Committee met at 12 o'clock. Hale was there and for nearly three hours we worked on the Legislative Appropriation Bill. Took a horseback ride through the grounds of the Soldiers home. After dinner Rockwell came and visited for an hour. At seven o'clock went to Senator Shermans where were Senators Morrill of Maine and Sargent of California. We visited and played Euchre until 11 o'clock. A pleasant party. I am forcing myself to some form of recreation, to see if I cannot better the condition of my stomach. It would please me better to spend the evenings in study. And particularly this evening for this afternoon, I received from the Library of Congress 26 volumes of Goethe and his works. Saturday 14 [318-47] Soon after breakfast J.W. Robbins, late a Graduate of Hiram, but now of Columbus Mississippi, called to tell me that he was under arrest and likely to be indicted for conspiracy to defraud the revenue. I went with him to Commissioner Douglas and made an arrangement for the hearing of his case, after the papers should be examined. He came back at two o'clock saying that the Commissioner declined to interfere in his favor. I went again to the Dept and ascertained that he was badly involved with Collector McClure. I am afraid he will come to grief for what he has done. Worked on correspondence and read Goethe until evening. At half past seven in company with Hale and E.B. White visited Starkweather at Willards and spent a portion of the evening. NOVEMBER, 1874. - 46th Week. Friday 13 [317-48] After the usual forenoon's work, went to the Capitol where the Committee met at 12 o'clock. Hale was there and for nearly three hours we worked on the Legislative Appropriation Bill. Took a horseback ride through the grounds of the soldiers home. After dinner Rockwell came and visited for an hour. At seven o'clock went to Senator Shermans where were Senators Morrill of Maine and Sargent of California. We visited and played Euchre until 11 o'clock. A pleasant party. I am forcing myself to some form of recreation, to see if I cannot better the condition of my stomach. It would please me better to spend the evenings in study. And particularly this evening for this afternoon, I received from the Library of Congress 26 volumes of Goethe and his works. SATURDAY 14 [818-47] Sunday 15 [319-46] Attended church with Mother and heard a very stupid sermon from Bela Hayden. At half-past two o'clock, took a horseback ride and went to the Reform School some six miles away and made a short address to the boys. Goethe in the evening. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., __187 NOVEMBER, 1874.—47th Week. Monday 16 [320—45] Correspondence in the morning. The Committee met at 12 and continued work on the Legislative Bill until half past three o'clock. Horseback ride until dinner. In the morning went with Rockwell to hear James T. Field's lecture on Sidney Smith. It was scholarly and well considered, but it did not strike me as so masterful a presentation of Smiths career as could have been made. The lecturer undertook to make too many points. He should have heeded the exhortation Multum in multa After the lecture Rockwell and I played a few games of billiards. I have a sore throat tonight which brings a suggestion of diptheria. General Sherman called in the morning and we had a pleasant evening. I regret his departure to Saint Louis, for he is a delightful addition to the social life of Washington. Tuesday 17 [321-44] At nine oclock, by previous arrangement, the Committee went in carriages with General Babcock to visit the Water works and examine the various offices, reservoirs and culverts including the great Union Arch at Cabin John Bridge, and reached the Great Falls of the Potomac at 1/2 past 12 o'clock. Examined the dam and the site of its proposed extension. Also, the Falls. After a pleasant dinner at the Hotel drove back reaching home at six. Enjoyed many pleasant reminiscences of Washington life as given by Governor Swan during the journey. In 1830, he rode from the Hermitage to Washington with General Jackson and in default of a barber shaved the General. The Governor's father was Washington's lawyer and also, the lawyer of Lord Fairfax, and he has a great mass of interesting papers. NOVEMBER, 1874.---47th Week. Monday 16 [320-45] Correspondence in the morning. The Committee met at 12 and continued work on the Legislative Bill until half past three o'clock. Horseback ride until dinner. In the evening went with Rockwell to hear James T. Fields' Lecture on Sidney Smith. It was scholarly and well considered, but it did not strike me as so masterful a presentation of Smiths career as could have been made. The lecturer undertook to make too many points. He should have heeded the exhortation Multum in multa After the lecture Rockwell and I played a few games of billiards. I have a sore throat tonight which brings a suggestion of diptheria. General Sherman called in the evening and we had a pleasant evening. I regret his departure to Saint Louis for he is a delightful addition to the social life of Washington. [* Washington, D. C. , 187*] TUESDAY 17 [321-44] At nine oclock by previous arrangement, Swanns father was intimately acquainted with Washington and was with him as a fellow student of Wm Wirtz. He once entered his fathers room and found his father fiddling and Wirtz dancing. He remembers to have seen Jefferson, Madison and Monroe walking up arm in arm to the University of Va. when he was a student there. In the evening attended the Presidential Levee given in honor of his son Colonel Grant and bride, whom of interesting paper. NOVEMBER 1874-47th Week. MONDAY 18 [320-45] Correspondence in the morning. The Committee met at 12 and continued work on the Legislative Bill until half past three o'clock. Horseback ride until dinner. In the evening went with Rockwell to hear James T. Field's Lecture on Sidney Smith. It was scholarly and well considered, but it did not strike me as so masterful a presentation of Smiths career as could have been made. The lecturer undertook to make too many points. He should have heeded the exhortation Multum in multa After the lecture Rockwell and I played a few games of billiards. I have a sore throat to night which brings a suggestion of diptheria. General Sherman called in the evening and we had a pleasant evening. I regret his departure to Saint Louis for he is a delightful addition to the social life of Washington. TUESDAY 17 [321-44] At nine oclock by previous arrangement, I knew nine years ago as Miss Honore'. A large and elegant party were present and a collation was served in the State Dining Room about 11 o'clock. The East Room has been handsomely refitted by General Babcock and its hall-like appearance broken up by pillars into a more homelike looking place. General Sherman is here on business, but has removed to Saint Louis. [*House of Representative, Washington, D.C* , 187 ] NOVEMBER, 1874 - 47th Week. WEDNESDAY 18 [322-48] Finished Lewe's Goethe, and, also, the two volumes of autobiography. Commenced Eckermann's Conversations and am making points of Goethe's peculiarities that impress me most. The committee met at 12 and substantially finished the Legislative bill. Agreed to take up the Naval Bill tomorrow. Horseback ride by way of the Smithsonian agricultural grounds, and the new state Department. Worked on correspondence in the evening until eight o'clock, when I Colonel Rockwell and I attended Thomas' concert. Twenty violins and forty other instruments sounding in harmony make a great volume of melody. This is much in the concert that delighted me, but I do not sufficiently understand the language of music to be able to translate its meaning. Its riddles pique me and I sometimes doubt whether it adds any meaning at all. I wish I could converse with some great master of music and learn something of his mental processes. THURSDAY 19 [323-42] Dictated correspondence and notes on Goethe in the forenoon. Committee met at 12 and sat until a late hour. Completed the Naval Appropriation Bill and adjourned over till Monday. Today completes my 43d year. I have passed all the dates which superstition had fixed in my mind as the limit of my life. How far it now is to the other shore I make no guess. While my life has been a very busy one, I feel keenly that I have accomplished but little. So many fields of thought I have left untouched; so many plans of culture begun and unfinished. The fact is that nearly all my plans of culture are "asides" in which I attempt to do something outside of my regular work. Thankful for what the past has given me, yet remembering its storms, I must say with the mariner "cras ingens iterabimus aequor." NOVEMBER, 1874.—47th Week. Friday 20 [324—41] Spent the forenoon in bringing up correspondence and adjusting accounts. At noon went to the Interior and Post Office Departments on business and on my return dictated more letters. Rained in the afternoon and I did not ride. In the evening went around to Hill's and took him with me to hear James T. Field lecture on Tennyson. It was very enjoyable and valuable for some of the items of personal knowledge which Field gave concerning the poet. But he did not show that grasp of Tennyson poetry which I expected. He did not attempt to give us an analysis of Tennyson's characteristics, nor did he describe the field which Tennyson occupies in history. In his rendering of the Bugle Song, he missed the spiritual meaning of it altogether, namely; the contrast in the last stanza between the external beauty of the bugle notes which die and the higher beauty of the spiritual echoes which "Rolls from soul to soul and grow forever. Saturday 21 [325—40] Spent the forenoon in correspondence and in dictating notes of my readings of Goethe. I am making notes of the reading points which impress me in his life character, and work. I long for more leizure to follow up the bent of my mind in literature. Yet, if I had abundant leizure, I might fritter it away. Perhaps that study of literature is fullest which we steal from daily duties. In the afternoon went to the Treasury and had a long interview with the Secretary in regard to revenues and expenditures. Played billiards with Rockwell for a couple of hours before dinner. Spent the evening in reading Goethe. Sunday 22 [326—39] At home - not well - did not attend church. Read two of Carlyles Essays on Goethe. Read, also Goethe Iphigenia in Taurus. It is very powerful and strong enough to escape the destruction of translation. How much I regret I cannot readily read it in the original. NOVEMBER, 1874.--48th Week. MONDAY 23 [327--38] Worked on correspondence until noon. Committee met at 12,--heard the Commissioner of Patents, the Commissioner of the General Land Office, and received several communications from other officers in reference to the Legislative Appropriation bill, then took up the Fortification Bill. Came home in the evening and worked on correspondence and dictated some more notes on Goethe until time for the train, when I went to the Baltimore and Ohio Depot and took the train for Pittsburgh. A few minutes after I was seated in the car I opened my carpet bag to take out Wilhelm Merster which I had promised myself the enjoyment of on the journey but was greatly disgusted to find I had taken instead Mrs Holme's "Dora Dean" which I never before seen and out of spite mentally resolved never to read. TUESDAY 24 [328--37] Reached Pittsburgh at 8:45 and after breakfast, while waiting for the train to New Castle concluded to read Dora Dean, which I did. The work was pleasant until I reached the two chapters before the last, where I was infinitely disgusted and where I found the authoress planning a petty revenge on the erring Eugenie, by making the good people in her work meaner than Eugenie herself had been. Took the one oclock train for New Castle and after riding about thirty miles the conductor brought me a telegram requesting me to stop at the next station and come back with Ford who was coming down. This I did. At half past three Ford and I took the train up the Alleghany River for Butler which we reached a little before seven in the evening. Spent several hours with Phillips discussing the situation of his affairs, with the hope of saving him if possible from going into Bankruptcy. NOVEMBER 1874. -- 48th Week. WEDNESDAY 25 [329-36] Michaelmas Law Term ends. Spent the day in interviews with lawyers and others connected with Mr Phillips, and made some calls, among others one [in] on Judge McJunkin a member of Congress. Late in the evening I discovered a method of closing up Mr Phillips chief trouble, that in relation to the Starr Farm, which was to have him confess judgment in the suit for ejectment and thus deliver back the farm which carried with it the [farm] contract for purchase and the seventy-five thousand dollars of unpaid purchase money. THURSDAY 26 [330-35] Had the papers made out in reference to the confession of judgment, and arranged for filing them tomorrow morning. This being a holiday it was not deemed safe to make the transaction of this day. Took the train at half past two to Pittsburg, Ford and Phillips accompanied me as far as Freeport. On the way to Pittsburg I read the only remaining literature I had with me, the second story of Mrs Holmes in the volume I had taken with me. The story was entitled "Maggie or Old Hagar's Secret". It has not the glaring faults of Dora Deane, but both are perhaps popular among sentimental young people. The book shows marks of having been much read. Took tea at the Mononghahela House and at eight p.m. took the Connellsville train for Washington. There I met Thorp, the artist, of Geneva, who came through with me NOVEMBER, 1874--48th Week. FRIDAY 27 [331--34] Reached home at 7:45 in time for breakfast. Family all well. A large mail awaited me. Went to the Committee meeting at ten, but no quorum was present. Spent an hour in the Library and found out to my disgust that Mrs Holmes has written eleven novels and is still blazing away. Spofford tells me that her books are constantly called for. This verifies the soldier's maxim "aim low". Spent the rest of the day in answering letters, in reading Carlyle and having the headaches I find in Carlyle's speech of 1866, as Lord Rector at Edinburgh University, that he has stated quite fully his views of Goethe which exhibit his very high appreciation of the great German thinker. There is much in the Edinburgh address which agrees with my notions about books and work. The article has furnished me several passages for my Index Rerun. SATURDAY 28 [332--33] In the morning took Harry, Mother, and Jimmy, to the Dentist and had their teeth examined. Both Harry and Jimmy had some teeth filled. It is surprising that at their age they should need to have this work done. I have lost but one tooth and that a double tooth. I lost it when I was 16 years of age. My Sister, Mrs [?], came today to spend some time with us. Correspondence and Goethe in the forenoon. Called on Governor Dennison and the other members of the District Commission on business connected with my taxes. In the evening called on Rockwell. We read together awhile and then played billiards. 26 NOVEMBER, 1874. - 48th Week. Friday 27 [331-31] Reached home at 7:45 in time for breakfast. Family all well. A large mail awaited me. Went to the Committee meeting at ten, but no quorum was present. Spent an hour in the Library and found out to my disgust that Mrs Holmes has written eleven novels and is still blazing away. Spofford tells me that her books are constantly called for. This verifies the soldier's maxim "aim low". Spent the rest of the day in answering letters, in reading Carlyle and having the headache. I find in Carlyle's speech of 1866, as Lord Rector at Edinburgh University, that he has stated quite fully his views of Goethe which exhibit his very high appreciation of the great German thinker. There is much in the Edinburgh Address which agrees with my notions about books and work. The article has furnished me several passages for my Index Rerum. SATURDAY 28 [332-33] In the morning took Harry, Mother, and Jimmy, SUNDAY 29 - [333-32] Attended church and listened to a sermon from Mr Cutter of Va, a man who is evidently in the Sturm und Drang period - only in his case it is difficult to see against whom his crusade is. In the afternoon called on the Earl of Roseberry, who is spending a few days in Washington. In the evening told my children the story of "The Rape of Helen" and the Tragedy of Iphigenia in Aulis, which I have just read in Wodhull's translation of Euripides. I was pleased to see how strongly the story touched the hearts of the little ones. Jimmy left the room crying when he thought Iphigenia would be sacrificed. Several other members of the family were shedding tears before the story was completed. This suggests to me that it might be possible to work a large share of ancient and modern literature and history in the minds of these little people. 20 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 1874 49TH Week Monday 30 [334-31] Worked on correspondence and Goethe in the forenoon. The Committee met at twelve and after disposing of a large number of miscellaneous communications from the Executive Departments, took up the Army Appropriation bill and worked on it for three hours and nearly completed it. Arranged for a joint meeting with the Senate Committee on Appns tomorrow. Took my horseback ride of an hour in company with E. B. White of the Chicago Tribune. After dinner worked on correspondence and Goethe. Also, at the request of General Cist of Cincinnati, wrote out the speeches I delivered at the last Reunion of the Army at Columbus. It is somewhat difficult, six months after delivering speeches extemporaneously, to reproduce them, but I believe I am able to do it successfully in this case. After the boys had finished their lessons, the family came into the Library and I told them the story of Iphygenia in Tauris as I had read it from Euripides. I found the little ones very much interested in the story, but after the boys had gone to bed Harry came down crying saying he could not go to sleep for he was thinking of the dream of Iphygenia so I told him some other stories which toned him down and let him go to sleep. I took occasion to tell the boys that all these stories of Gods and goddesses which were believed in by the Ancients were untrue and that Jesus came to sweep away all the myths and goblins of ancient mythology and teach men the story of the true God and Beneficent Father, that now the shadows of night were not filled with horrors but with the sense of sweet peace. Jimmy said he was glad of this. He did not believe in the Gods that Orestes and Iphygenia talked of but he did believe in Jesus. But after stopping a moment he said, but how do we know that the story of Jesus is true. I gave him some of the plainer evidences which seemed to satisfy him. DECEMBER, TUESDAY 1 [335-30] Worked on correspondence until ten o'clock, when at the request of Secretary Bristow, I called on him at the Treasury and consulted with him in regard to some portions of his Annual Report which is just now finished. At 12 oclock the Come. on Appropriations of the Senate [and] met our Committee and consulted on some matters of reform in the public service. The result was the appointment of two joint committees one to consider the cost of collecting the revenues for customs and the other to consider the expenses of the Post Office Department. After the conference ended the Committee considered some miscellaneous matter before it, and adjourned at two oclock. Took my usual ride at four. Mr and Mrs Rockwell called in the evening. After they were gone, read the "Electra" of Sophocles DECEMBER, 1874.-49th Week. WEDNESDAY 2 {336-29} Worked on correspondence and miscellaneous business until ten, and then went to the Treasury Department. Had a long interview with the Supervising Architect Mullett who has resigned. Mullett tells me the authority that he cares most for in architecture is Iunigo Jones. He does not believe in classic, or gothic styles, but in the spirit of the renaissance adapted to American ideas. Committee met at 12 and considered the condition of the Land Office and also revised the Legislative bill. Took my horseback ride to the Soldier's Home. THURSDAY 3 {337-28} In the evening read the "Electra" of Sophocles. These plays exhibit the difference between Greek morals and the morals of Christians. It is hard for us to understand how lying of the most outrageous sort can be put into the mouth of a hero in a great work of art and not be considered a blemish. In the forenoon worked on correspondence and finished my notes of readings on Goethe which make between fifty and sixty pages of manuscript. At eleven o'clock started on a round of business at the Departments which kept me until three. The for two hours took a horseback ride with Colonel Piatt across Rock Creek to Brightwood and home. Had long talk on political and literary questions. Piatt expressed the opinion that women do not as a general rule marry for love-that men mary for love more than women. Miss Ransom-the Cleveland artist, came this evening and will visit us sometime . [23] DECEMBER, 1874.-- 49th Week FRIDAY 4 [338--27] After finishing correspondence went to the Interior and Post Office Departments on business and thence to the Capitol. The Committee met at twelve and made a careful examination of the appropriation for the Mints and Assay Offices. Heard Dr. Lindemann very fully, and finished many details of the bill. At half past three o'clock joined Colonel Riatt on horseback and rode until half past five. E. B. White of the Chicago Tribune joined us on the way. At half past seven went to a party at Senator Morrells. There were present Chief Justice Waite, Justice [Morell] Miller, Senator Morrill of Maine, Edmund Sargent, Bristow and Jewell-Hale, of the House, and myself. Spent a pleasant evening. Bristow tells me that the President had in his message this morning a recommendation for large expenditures on public works, with a view to employing the laborers. Bristow succeed in getting a portion of it out. This would be a fatal policy. SATURDAY 5 [339-26] After morning correspondence called at the several Departments on business. Committee met at ten and worked on bills until about two o'clock. Washington is rapidly filling up by members of Congress and others arriving for the Winter. At three o'clock took my usual ride and worked on correspondence in the evening. Had many callers. Among others my old friend Smalley called and spent an hour in conversation on the general aspects of public affairs. He has drifted a good ways off from his old Republican feelings, and yet shrinks from becoming a Democrat. I doubt if he can ever satisfy himself with being of that party. Sunday 6 [340--25] Did not attend church. Went to the Capital with Miss Ranson and helped her put up her picture of General Thomas in the Rotunda. Took my horseback ride as usual. In the evening Crete and I read Tennyson till a late hour DECEMBER, 1874.—50th Week. Monday 7 [341-24] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at 11 o'clock and revised our bills and made them ready for introduction. The House met at 12. Eleven Years ago this morning, and it was then Monday, I took my seat as a member of Congress. After the reading of the Presidents Message, I introduced the Legislative Bill, other members then followed with the [Legislative] Naval, Army, Indian, and the Fortification bills, and Mr Tyner put through a small appropriation for scales for the Post Office Department, after which the House adjourned. Happily the President was induced to keep out of his message his scheme for employing the laborers of the country by large appropriations. I rejoice that he holds firmly in favor of specie payments. At half past six dined with Clarkson Potter, S. B. Chittenden and Professor Bonamy Price. Had a long Tuesday 8 [342—23] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at eleven, spent an hour in arranging business for future meetings. In the House on the call of Committee a debate sprang up on Kelley's currency bill and he and Butler exhibited their inflation doctrines in full blast. I replied for fifteen minutes, apparently with good effect. My speech seemed to be well received. Did not take my horseback ride today. At six oclock dined with Donn Piatt, General Benet and another officer of the Ordnance Corps, whose name I have forgotten. Spent two hours in discussing the military armament of our fortifications. Returned home at half-past eight and worked on correspondence till a late hour. Sheldon from Lousiana called and brought me a box of oranges picked from his orange trees two days ago. [*20*] Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. , 187 . DECEMBER, 1874.--50th Week. and delightful visit with the Professor. He is of Norman extraction born on the Island of Guernsey - is vivacious and chatty, brilliant and opinionated. He was personally acquainted with Wordsworth and thinks the Poem on Immortality the greatest English poem since Milton. Gave several reminiscences of Wordsworth - one showing the author's meaning of that passage in "Immortality" which thanks God for the "fallings off and [f]vanishings" saying that Wordsworth illustrated them by stepping to the gate and grasp[p]ing a bar - then saying that at one period of his life he frequently was compelled to seize hold of something to assume [?] in favor of specie payments. At half past six dined with Clarkson Potter, S.B. Chittenden and Professor Bonamy Price. Had a long Tuesday 8 [342-23] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at eleven, spent an hour in arranging business for future meetings. In the House on the call of Committee a debate sprang up on Kelley's currency bill and he and Butler exhibited their inflation doctrines in the full blast. I replied for fifteen minutes, apparently with good effect. My speech seemed to be well received. Did not take my horseback ride today. At six oclock dined with Donn Piatt, General Benet and another officer of the Ordinance Corps, whose name I have forgotten. Spent two hours in discussing the military armament of our fortifications. Returned home at half past eight and worked on correspondence till a late hour. Sheldon from Lousiana called and brought me a box of oranges picked from his orange trees two days ago. [*2Q*] DECEMBER, 1874.--50th Week. himself stated that matter existed. Thus he thanked God for his power of ideality which could make matter vanish. past six dined with Clarkson Potter, S. B. Clirttenden and Professor Bonanny Price. Had a long TUESDAY 8 [342--23] Correspondence in the morning Committee met at eleven, spent an hour in arranging business for future meetings. In the House on the call of Committees a debate sprang up on Kelley's currency bill and he and Butler exhibited their inflation doctrines in full blast. I replied for fifteen minutes, apparently with good effect. My speech seemed to be well received. Did not take my horseback ride today. At six oclock dined with Dom Piatt, General Benet and another officer of the Ordinance Corps, whose name I have forgotten. Spent two hours in discussing the military armament of our fortifications. Returned home at half-past eight and worked on correspondence till a late hour. Sheldon from Lousiana called and brought me a box of oranges picked from his orange trees two days ago. 2Q DECEMBER, 1874.--50th Week. WEDNESDAY 9 [343--22] Correspondence as usual in the morning. Committee met at Eleven and heard the three Commissioners of the District of Columbia in regard to some necessary legislation for the District. But little was done in the House and we adjourned at an early hour. There is a general feeling of depression among the leading Republicans in consequence of the hopeless division on the great question of the currency. It was mortifying to me to notice that while Kelly and Butler were making their astonishing speeches yesterday they were listened to by the Right Honorable Mr. Forster, Member of the late British Ministry. I felt a sort of national shame at the exhibit they were making of themselves. At three oclock went with Col Rockwell and played billiards for two hours instead of taking my usual horseback ride. THURSDAY 10 [344--21] Correspondence in the morning. Called on the President in company with Sheldon and asked the appointment of Pardee to the vacant Judgeship in New Orleans. Committee met at eleven and finished the Consular and Diplomatic bill. In the House Mr Dawes continued his speech on the Kelley Bill. After him Phelps and Boardman Smith. I think the discussion is doing good. Ford took dinner with us and staid until half past 8 o'clock. Called on Chas Foster, then talked over the prospects of resuming specie payments. While Dawes was speaking in the House I had Bonanny Price sitting by me, and he passed me a slip of paper on which he had written the following. "No good can be done unless people are brought to understand that all currency only moves goods, wealth is a cart and not the things in it." with Mr. Orth and myself in regard to the proper attention to be paid to the King "Kalukana". Crete has read Goethe's "Hermann and Dorothea" today. Says it is a pleasant story but not very profound. DECEMBER, 1874. 50th Week. FRIDAY 11 (345-30) Correspondence in the morning. Called at the Post Office Department on business. Also, called on the Atty General in reference to the appointment of Don Pardee to the vacant judgeship in New Orleans. House met at twelve and consumed most of the day in the discussion of private bills. I called the attention of the House to the article in yesterday's Tribune, charging the Committee on Appropriations with having introduced and additional half million subsidy for the Pacific Mail in the Post Office Appropriation bill. Answered the charge by the statement that the bill had neither been introduced nor taken up by the Committee for consideration. It is a curious specimen of the recklessness of our journalism of today. The two Tribunes for the preceding days had stated in its Associated Press Report all the appropriation bills which had been introduced in the House, and the Post Office Appropriation bill was not one of them. In the evening dined at Gov. Swann's with the Appropriation Comm., together with Judge Niblack and Genl Latrobe of Baltimore. SATURDAY 12 [346-19] Worked on correspondence, and finished writing out my speeches delivered at the meeting of the Army of the Cumberland, at Columbus, in September last. Spent some time at the Department working up materials for the Appropriation bills. Had long interview with Secretary Bristow in reference to a bill for specie payments. Drove out with Crete shopping in the afternoon. Spent a portion of the evening with Sheldon and Foster. The King of the Sandwich Islands arrived in the City today and has been received as the guest of the Government. This is the first instance of a reigning king visiting the U.S. 2R DECEMBER, 1874. 50th Week. Friday 11 [345-20] Correspondence in the morning. Called at the Post Office Department on business. Also, called on the Atty General in reference to the appointment of Don Pardee to the vacant Judgeship in New Orleans. House met at twelve and consumed most of the day in the discussion of private bills. I called the attention of the House to the article in yesterday's Tribune, charging the Committee on Appropriations with having introduced and additional half million subsidy for the Pacific Mail in the Post Office Appropriation bill. Answered the charge by the statement that the bill had neither been introduced nor taken up by the Committee for consideration. It is a curious specimen of the recklessness of our journalism of today. The two Tribunes for the preceding days had stated in its Associated Press Report all the appropriation bills which had been introduced in the House, and the Post Office Appropriation bill was not one of them. In the evening dined at Gov. Swann's with the Appropriation Comm., together with Judge Niblack and Genl Latrobe of Baltimore Sunday - 13 [347-18] Church at eleven o'clock - Horseback ride at three. Several people called during the day. At six dined with Secretary Fish. There were present his wife daughter and son - Senators Anthony and Conkling - Mr. Stoughton of N.Y. Mr Orth of Indiana and myself. A pleasant party. Several criticisms were made on the manners of Prof Bonamy Price. He is an inveterate talker and seems to have offended the ladies by his volubilaty at the table. At a recent dinner he asked each of the guests to write down their idea of heaven. Secy Robeson responded that he thought of heaven as a place "without money and without price" It is said the English Professor did no appreciate the joke. At the close of the dinner the Secretary of State consulted [*over*] with Mr Orth and myself in regard to the proper attention to be paid to the King "Kalukaua." Crete has read Goethe's "Hermann and Dorothea" today. Says it is a pleasant story but not very profound. December, 1874. 50th Week. Friday 11 [345-20] Correspondence in the morning. Called at the Post Office Department on business. Also, called on the Atty General in reference to the appointment of Don[n] Pardee to the vacant Judgeship in New Orleans. House met at twelve and consumed most of the day in the discussion of private bills. I called the attention of the House to the article in yesterday's Tribune, charging the Committee on Appropriations with having introduced and additional half million subsidy for the Pacific Mail in the Post Office Appropriation bill. Answered the charge by the statement that the bill had neither been introduced nor taken up by the Committee for consideration. It is a curious specimen of the recklessness of our journalism of today. The two Tribunes for the preceding days had stated in its Associated Press Report all the appropriation bills which had been introduced in the House, and the Post Office Appropriation bill was not one of them. In the evening dined at Gov Swann's with the Appropriation Comt, together Niblack and Genl Latrobe of Baltimore. Saturday 12 [346-19] Worked on correspondence, and finished writing out my speeches delivered at the meeting of the Army of the Cumberland, at Columbus, in September last. Spent some time at the Departments working up materials for the Appropriation bills. Had long interview with Secretary Bristow in reference to a bill for specie payments. Drove out with Crete shopping in the afternoon. Spent a portion of the evening with Sheldon and Foster. The King of the Sandwich Islands arrived in the City today and has been received as the guest of the Government. This is the first instance of a reigning king visiting the U.S. [*2 R*] December, 1874 - 51st Week. Monday 14 [348-17] Committee met at eleven oclock and worked on several matters before them. The usual wash of resolutions and bills filled the day. Horseback ride in the afternoon. Correspondence again in the evening and then worked until eleven o'clock preparing the materials for a speech on the appropriation bill. I am not certain that I will deliver it until I reach the end of the bill. But it may be necessary and so I have prepared the materials for an extemporaneous speech of an hour, if necessary. I am pleased to find that the statement made in my speech of March 5th 74, that the total appropriations for the year ending June 30th 1875, would not if my recommendations were carried out, exceed 270 millions has proved strikingly true. The actual appropriations made were about 270 millions eight hundred thousand dollars. Tuesday 15 [349-16] After breakfast called at Welcker's and had a visit with Missrs Duncan and Nordhoff of N.Y. on the financial situation. Committee met at Eleven and made up the statement of the amounts recommended for the six bills already introduces, as compared with the estimates an appropriations of last year. In the House, Mr. Dawes tried to get through a resolution of adjournment for the Holidays. I thought it was premature to adjourn for so long a time, and, resisting it succeeded in beating his resolution by 8 voted. Then got into C.W. and took up the Legislature bill going through sixteen pages of it. I made no general speech but will wait until the bill is reported back from the C.W. to the House. Horseback ride and at five took dinner with Col Piatt - Neely Thompson of NY, General Banning of Cincinnati and Genl Lamar of Mississippi. Lamar is a very brilliant thinker. Correspondence in the evening. DECEMBER,1874. 51st Week. Monday 14 [348-17] Committee met at eleven oclock and Considering the large reduction of thirty odd millions below the estimates and over twenty millions below the appropriations of the year before, these figures are rather remarkable. TUESDAY 15 [349-16] After breakfast called at Welcker's and had a visit with Messrs. Duncan and Nordhoff of N.Y. on the financial situation. Committee met at eleven and made up the statements of the amounts recommended for the six bills already introduced, as compared with the estimates and appropriations of last year. In the House, Mr Dawes tried to get through a resolution of adjournment for the Holidays. I thought it was premature to adjourn for so long a time, and resisting it succeeded in beating his resolution by 8 votes. Then got into C.W. and took up the Legislative bill going through sixteen pages of it. I made no general speech but will wait till the bill is reported back from the C.W. to the House. Horseback ride and at five took dinner with Col. [?] Thompson of N.Y. General [?] of Cincinnati and Genl Lamar of Mississippi. Lamar is a very brilliant thinker. Correspondence in the evening. DECEMBER, 1874 - 51st Week. Wednesday 16 [350-15] Captain Renny came to the city yesterday and took dinner with us. Went with him to the Post Office Department and at eleven o-clock went to the Comm. meeting. Soon after the reading of the Journal in the House, got into C.W. and spent four hours on the Legislative Bill. Got through with twenty seven pages, leaving off at the bottom of the 43rd page. This was an extraordinary good days work. Capt. Henry took dinner with us. We have succeeded in getting Colonel Pardee appointed U.S. Judge of La. This evening I wrote a letter to Judge Edmunds, Chair of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, in favor of his confirmation. It is very gratifying to be able to help my noble old friend and comrade to this honorable position which he will probably hold during the remainder of his life. Had some interesting reflections on the change from factal life to the life that we now live. It is certainly as great as the change from this life to the next. THURSDAY 17 [351-24] Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at eleven o'clock and worked on miscellaneous matters until (12) twelve. Got into Committee of the Whole immediately after the reading of the Journal and put in four hours effective work on the Legislative appropriation bill. Dined with Hill and three other classmates at six. They were Capt. Rockwell, Reverend G. B. Newcomb of New Haven, and Gilfillan of the Treasury. We had a delightful reunion. Of forty two graduates in our class in 1856, more than half were in the Army, and yet up to the present time only four were dead. Lamberton died of consumption only a few months after graduation. Robbins was drowned two years after graduation and Baxter was killed in battle. Bronson died two years ago. On the whole the class have done remarkably well as a body and are a noble set of fellows. December, 1874. 51st Week. Friday 18 [352-13] Correspondence in the morning. Went shopping with Crete for an hour. Had a committee meeting of fifteen minutes, before twelve, on a few items in the Legislative bill. Long before the hour of meeting the galleries were crowded to overflowing and all the approaches to the hall were packed with people desirous of catching a glimpse of the King of Hawaiian Islands. At one quarter past 12, the Senate headed by the Vice President entered the house and soon, after the Committee on Introduction headed by Senator Cameron and Mr. Orth brought in His Magesty, who was introduced by Senator Cameron and welcomed by the Speaker in a speech. The King replied through his Lord Chancellor in writing. The King himself was so hoarse that he could not speak. He is a large well built tawney [African] complexioned man and very much resembles Mr Cook the colored collector of this District. After the visitors withdrew the House went into C.W. and finished the Legislative bill. During the day Speers of Pa made a series of snappish attacks upon the Republican Party and replied to him with more vehemence than I have usually done. I was warmly congratulated by a large number of members at the close of the speech. At four oclock the Comm. rose and reported the bill to the House and at one quarter before five the bill passed. This I believe is the first time in the history of the Government that the great appropriation bill has passed before the holiday vacation. At six o'clock dined with William Orton in company with Hale, Tyner, and Loughride. At half past nine attended the Presidents Reception given to King Kalakanta. A large company were present among others the Japaneze Minister and his wife. This is the first time I have seen a Japaneze lady in a public assemblage. Saturday 19 [353-12] Correspondence until half past ten o'clock, when I went [went] with Crete and spent three hours among the Holiday goods to find Christmas gifts for the family. At one o'clock went to the Departments and had a long conversation with the Secretary of the Treasury, who informed me of the intrigues of Delano Shepherd and Babcock against him. It is not impossible that a crisis will soon recur which will drive either him or Delano from the Cabinet. I trust Bristow will not be the victim. Called at the Pension Office and secured a place for Ferry and for King of Bloomfield at the Land Office. [and a place for Ferry also]. At three o'clock went with Col Rockwell and played billiards until five pm. I am very much wearied with the work of the week. Sunday-20 [354-11] A rainy dreary day outside. Did not attend church but wrote and read until six o'clock when I dined with David A. Wells, Senator Bayard and William Orton. December, 1874. 52nd Week. Monday 21 [355-10] Committee met at eleven o'clock and worked on miscellaneous matters. In the House, the day was spent with the usual Monday work except that Richard B. Irwin was ordered to be brought before the House for refusing to answer a question put to him by the Ways and Means Committee in reference to the Pacific Mail subsidy. In the course of this discussion an interesting question was raised by Alexander Stephens, who insisted that the House had no power to punish a recusant witness. It could turn him over to the Courts of the District of Columbia, in accordance with the Statute of 1857, to be tried and punished. I am inclined to think Stephens is right, at least, to the extent, that the House may hold a witness in custody until he answers even if that be to the end of the Congress, but cannot punish him other than by detention. Still I am in doubt whether it may not have a power to punish for contempt, as a court may. TUESDAY 22 [356-9] Took Mother, Sister Mary and Crete in the carriage and drove to the War Department, and thence to the Interior Department, where, after transacting some business, I went to the Capitol. Committee met at eleven, as usual, went over the Military Academy Bill and reported it to the House. In the House, at one oclock, got into Committee of the Whole on the Naval Appropriation bill, which after some sharp debate, was passed with but one amend't and that I affixed. It seems impossible to keep the members here to do any work very near the Holidays. Thirty or forty obtained leave of absence before we adjourned. Two leading appropriation bills before the Holidays is good work. I tried to pass an appropriation for paying the expenses of the King of the Hawaiian Islands, but Hereford of West VA objected. Home in the evening. Call on Mr Parsons of Cleveland in the evening. DECEMBER, 1874--52nd Week. Wednesday 23 [357-8] Called on the Attorney General in reference to his appropriations. Stopped a moment at the Institute of Mr. Young to attend his exhibition before the recess. I think Harry and Jimmie are doing well in the school. Committee met for half an hour before the meeting of the House and distributed work for the Recess. In the House there was a slim attendance—not more than a quorum. The Finance Bill came from the Senate and we tried to get it up for action. The Democrats resisted and we were compelled to adjourn without action. The bill makes steps in the direction of specie payments, and though the measure is not a very decisive one, yet it does something and I shall probably favor it, as it promises something that approaches to a union in the Party. Spent the afternoon and evening at home. A number of people called. I worked for a while on Ease No 124 in the Supreme Court which is to be argued on the eighth of January. THURSDAY 24 [358-7] Correspondence in the morning. At eleven oclock rode on horseback. Stopped on the way to purchase some Holiday Gifts. Went to the Capitol and transacted some business there. At one o'clock went with Rockwell and played billiards for three or four hours. Early in the evening worked on correspondence and later read several Christmas poems, among others Milton's Hymn of "The Nativity". It is a poem of wonderful grasp and full of grand music. For many years, on Christmas Eve, I have read passages from Tennyson's "In Memoriam" and they come back to me each year with singular power and sweetness. Among other things this evening, read Mrs. Browning's poem of "Mary to the Child". The children went to bed early, flushed with the expectations of Christmas morning. House of Representatives Washington, D. C. , 187 church at eleven and listened to a very rambling and sophomoric sermon. On my return read three odes of Horace. Took a long walk in the afternoon. In the evening Pratt and several other friends called. I read to the children from Charles Lamb's Shakespeare [Plays] Tales, the story of the Midsummer's Nights Dream. The children understood it and were delighted with it. I believe in this way I can give them a hint of what is contained in Shakespeare and create a taste for the great dramatist. Crete got through the day quite comfortable. DECEMBER, 1874.--52nd Week. Friday 25 [359-6] Christmas Day. At an early hour, we listened to the exclamations of delight from the children, at the presents which had been distributed during the night. I am glad to notice that Harry and Jimmy have this Winter awaked to the love of reading. Their desire for the street, and the crowd of boys that throng it, has happily decreased, and they spend the most of their evenings in reading. I am trying to direct them into the better class of stories, "Robison [R] Crusoe," Cooper's "Leather Stocking Tales &c. Rockwell spent two hours with me before dinner. In the evening called with Carrie, at Mr Riddle's. Also, read again the story of Cupid and PSyche and Mrs Browning's paraphrase of "Apuleius." The story of Cupid and PSyche is one of the most beautiful of the Ancient Legends and is to me very significant of the power and triumps of love. Read also, Homer's Hymn to Venus. The Greek conception of beauty is very Saturday 26 [360-5] Bank Holiday Worked on Correspondence in the morning. I was invited by Secretary Robeson to go with him on an excursion down the river, but the hourly expectation that Crete would be confined kept me from going. I remained at home and worked on Case No 124, which is to be argued in the Supreme Court on the 7th of January. Feeling depressed in spirits I determined to tone myself up by reading one of Shakespeares plays that I had never read and took up King John and read and admired its marvelous wealth of language and imagery. I read it aloud to Crete late this afternoon and while I was reading in Scene 2 Act 3, the following words: 'But on my liege; for very little pains Will bring this labor to a happy end" She said "let us hope so." and at that moment felt her first pain. The pain passed away and she DECEMBER, 1874. - 52nd Week Friday 25 [359-6] wonderful home. All forms seem to stand out clear and luminous in the bright air of Greece. I have such a longing to see that country, as Goethe [did] had to see Italy, when he wrote "Kennst Du Das Land?" Will the time ever come when I can gratify this passion and make it useful to those dependent upon me? Hymn to Venus. The Greek conception of beauty is very Saturday 26 [360-5] Bank Holiday. went down to dinner with us. It returned later in the evening. She went to bed at one quarter past eight. The Doctor came at half past eight, and at five minutes after nine a boy was born! She was assisted in this labor by taking chloroform for the first time. She only took enough to dull the pain a little. I think it was very efficacious. I am filled with a deep sense of thankful[l]ness for her safe deliverance from this danger. Sunday 27 - [361-4] as the children came down one by one, their curious and varied exclamations of delight and surprise at the arrival of the new boy were amusing. Mollie burst into tears, because he was not a girl. The [?] seemed satisfied that it was a boy. Attended over felt her first pain. The pain passed away and she wonderful to me. All forms seem to stand out clear and luminous in the bright air of Greece. I have such a longing to see that country as Goethe [did] had to see Italy, when he wrote "Kennst Du Das Landt?" Will the time ever come when I can gratify this passion and make it useful to those dependant upon me? Church at eleven and listened to a very rambling and sophomoric sermon. On my return read three odes of Horace. Took a long walk in the afternoon. In the evening Piatt and several other friends called. I read to the children from Charles Lamb's Shakespeare. [Plays] Tales, the Story of the Midsummer's Night's Dream. The children understood it and were delighted with it. I believe in this way I can give them a bit of what is contained in Shakespeare and create a taste for the great Dramatist. Crete got through the day quite comfortably. DECEMBER, 1874.— 52nd Week. Friday 25 [359-6] Christmas Day. At an early hour, we listened to the exclamations of delight from the children, at the presents, which had been distributed during the night. I am glad to notice that Harry and Jimmy have this Winter awaked to the love of reading. Their desire for the street and the crowd of boys that throng it has happily decreased, and they spend the most of their evenings in reading. I am trying to direct them into the better class of stories, "Robison [R]Crusoe," Cooper's "Leather Stocking" Tales &c. Rockwell spent two hours with me before dinner. In the evening called with Carrie, at Mr. Riddle's. Also, read again the story of Cupid & Psyche and Mrs. Browning's paraphrase of "Apuleius." The story of Cupid and Psyche is one of the most beautiful of the ancient Legends and is to me very significant of the power and triumps of love. Read also, Homer's Hymn to Venus. The Greek conception of beauty is very SATURDAY 26 [360-5] Bank Holiday. Worked on Correspondence in the morning. I was invited by Secretary Robeson to go with him on an excursion down the river, but the hourly expectation that Crete would be confined kept me from going. I remained at home and worked on Case No. 124, which is to be argued in the Supreme Court on the 7th of January. Feeling depressed in spirits I determined to tone myself up by reading one of Shakespeares plays that I had never read and took up King John and read and admired its marvelous wealth of language and imagery. I read it aloud to Crete late this afternoon and while I was reading in Scene 2, Act 3, the following words: "But on my liege; for very little pains Will bring this labor to a happy end" She said "Let us hope so," and at that moment felt her first pain. The pain passed away and she DECEMBER, 1874.--53rd Week. MONDAY 28 [362–3] Worked on correspondence until 10 o'clock. Then went to the Interior and Post Office Departments on business for nearly two hours. Met Blaine and Hale and went with them to Blaine's to lunch. At 3 o'clock settled up several bills, and made several purchases. In the evening worked on correspondence. Several people called. Among others Colonels Rockwell and Pelouze. Crete has been doing finely, but the day is warm and sultry and almost enough to suffocate one. Worked to a late hour on Case No 124 examining the authorities referred to in Mr. Burke's brief. TUESDAY 29 [363–2] Worked on correspondence in the forenoon, until ten oclock, then drove with Mr. Gauladet to the Deaf Mute Asylum to examine the necessity for further appropriations for buildings. Went from there to the Capitol and transacted some business at the Committee room. Spent an hour among the law books. Then I [wi] went to the Post Office Department on business. Home at four. Worked on correspondence until nine o'clock when I took the train for N.Y. Regret leaving Crete at this time, but cannot avoid it. DECEMBER, 1874. –53rd Week. WEDNESDAY 30 [364-1] Reached N.Y. this morning and drove to Neely Thompson's No 235 Madison Avenue. After breakfast Col Piatt and I went down town and I spent the most of the day in shopping. During the afternoon called on Dr Slade and witnessed some of his remarkable performances which he calls spiritual manifestations. In the evening attended the theatre and listened to the "Gilded Age", a piece whose stupidity is only equaled by the brilliant acting of Colonel Sellers. The play is full of malignant insinuations and would lead the hearer to believe that there is no virtue in the world, in public or in private life. Spent the night at Thompson's THURSDAY 31 [365] After breakfast went to General McDowell's Visited with him for an hour and then called on my classmate Knox and spent some hours with him in reference to our insurance case in the Supreme Court. We visited the N.Y. Life Insurance Co and had a long talk on the cases. Dined at 6 with General McDowell and sat up until midnight with him. Had a pleasant review of his public and private affairs and enjoyed his society exceedingly. I regard him as one of the noblest and truest of men. He gave me some good ideas in regard to family expenses and showed me his methods of keeping his account. This closes 1874. HER MAJESTY'S CHIEF OFFICERS OF STATE. THE CABINET. First Lord of Treasury... Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Carlton-house-terrace. Lord High Chancellor... Rt. Hon. Lord Selborne, 30, Portland-place. Lord President of the Council... Rt. Hon. Marq. of Ripon, K.G., Carlton-gardens. Lord Pricy Seal... Viscount Halifax, 10, Belgrave-square. Chancellor of the exchequer... Rt. Hon. Robert Lowe, Lowndes-square. Secretaries of State. {Home Department... Rt. Hon. Henry Austen Bruce, 1, Queen's-gate. Foreign Affairs... Rt. Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., 18, Carlton-house-ter. Colonies... Rt. Hon. Earl of Kimberley, 48, Bryanston-square. War... Rt. Hon. Edward Cardwell, 74, Eaton-square. India... Duke of Argyll, K.T., Campden-hill, Kensington. First Lord of the Admiralty... Rt. Hon. G.J. Goschen, 66, Mount-street. President, Board of Trade... Rt. Hon. Chichester S. Fortescue. Chief Secretary for Ireland... Rt. Hon. Marquis of Hartington, 78, Piccadilly. Vice-Pres. of Council on Education. Rt. Hon. W.E. Forster. President, Local Government Board Rt. Hon. James Stansfeld. Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster... Rt. Hon. Hugh C. E. Childers. Scotland. Lord High Constable--Earl of Errol Keeper of Great Seal--Earl of Selkirk Deputy--J. H. Mackenzie Esq. Lord Pricy Seal--Earl Dalhousie, K.T. Knight Marischal-- Master of Household--Duke of Argyll, K.T. Standard Bearer--Earl of Lauderdale Lord High Com.--Earl of Stair, K.T. Lord Justice Genrl.--Rt. Hn. John Inglis Lord Justice Clerk--Rt. Hn. Sir J. Moncreiff, Bart. Lord Advocate--Rt. Hon. G. Young Solicitr.-Genl.--A. Rutherford Clark,Esq. Lord Clerk Register--Rt. Hon. Sir W. Gibson Craig, Bt. Dep. Clerk Register--W. P. Dundas, Esq. Commnder of Forces--M.-Gen. R. Rumley Assist. [[?]]-Gen.--Hon. E. Colborne Ireland. Lord Lietenant--Earl Spencer, K.G. Chief Secretary & Keeper of Privy Seal--Rt. Hon. Marquis of Hartington. Under Secretary--T. H. Burke, Esq. Chief Clerk--R. N. Matheson, Esq. State Steward--Col. Hon. Luke White. PrivateSecretary--H. Y.Thompson,Esq.; Courtenay Boyle, Esq. Chamberlain--Hon. Henry Leeson Lord Chancellor--Rt.Hon. Lord O'Hagan Secretary--J. Upington, Esq. Master of the Rolls--Rt. H. J. sullivan Attorney-General--Rt. Hon. C. Palles. Solicitor-general--Hugh Law, Esq. Commander of the Forces--Lord Sand-hurt, G.C.[[?]]., G.C.S.I. Military Secretary--Colonel E. Fellowes HER MAJESTY'S HOUSEHOLD. LORD STEWARD'S DEPARTMENT. Lord Steward--Earl of Bessborough. Treasurer--Rt. Hon. Lord Poltimore comptroller--Rt. Hon. Lord Otho fitzgerald. Mas. Househ.--Sir Jno. c. Cowell, K.C.B. Sec. Bd. Gr. Cloth--E. M. Browell, Esq. Paym. of Househ.--W. Hampshire, Esq. LORD CHAMERLAIN'S DEPARTMENT. Lord Chamberlain--Viscount Sydney, Vice do.--Lord Richard Grosvenor. Comptroller--Hon. S.C.B. Ponsorby. Chief Clerk--T. C. March, Esq. Her Majesty's Private Sec.-- Col. H. F. Ponsonby. Keeper of H.M.'s Privy Purse--Maj.-Gen. Sir T. M. Biddulph, K.C.B. Secretary--H. T. Harrison, Esq. Librarians--J. M. Berry, Esq. R. R. Holmes, Esq. H. Sahl, Esq. Capt. Yeom. of Gd.--Duke of St. Albans, Capt. Gent.-at-Arms-- Mas. of Ceremonies--Gen. Hon. Sir E. Cust, G.C.B. Lord High Almoner--Dean of Windsor. Dean of Chapel Royal--Bp. of London. Sub-Dean--Rev. F. Garden. Clerk of the Closet--Bp. of Worcester. Res. Chaplain--Dean of Windsor. Mis. of Robes--Duchess of Sutherland. Groom--H. D. Erskine, Esq. Secretary--J. J. Kinloch, Esq. MASTER OF THE HORSE'S DEPARTMENT. Mas. of Horse--Mar. of Ailesbury, K.G. Clerk Marshal--Lord Alfred Paget. Crown Equerry & Sec.--Col. G. A. Maude, C.B. Mas of the Buckhounds--Earl of Cork. PRINCE OF WALES'S HOUSEHOLD. Comptroller & Treasurer--Gen. Sir W. Knollys, K.C.B. Groom of the Stole-- Private Sec.--Francis Knollys, Esq. CROWN LAW OFFICERS. Attorney-Gen.--Sir J. D. Coleridge. Solicitor-Gen.--Sir George Jessel. COURT OF LAW. Chancery. Ld. High Chanclr...Lord Selborne Chief Secretary...C. S. Bagot, Esq. Sec. Presntmnts...Hon. E. P. Thesiger Secy. Com. Peace...Hon. H. G. Campbell Regist.in Lunacy...C. N. Wilde, Esq. Lords Justices{Sir William M. James Secretary-Hon. E. Romilly Sir George Mellish Secretary.-H. Broke, Esq. Master of the Rolls... Chief Secretary...John Romilly, Esq. Under Secretary...A. Coz, Esq. Vice Chancellors. {Sir Richard Malin Secretary.-E. Borton, Esq. Sir James Bacon Secretary.-F. H. Bacon, Esq. Sir John Wickens Secretary.-H. Davey, Esq. Accountant-General--Wm. Russell, Esq. Queen's Bench. Ld. Chf. Justice... Sir A.J.E.Cockburn, Bt. Judges...Sir Colin Blackburn Sir John Mellor Sir Robert Lush Sir J. R. Quain Sir T. D. Archibald Associate to Chf. J.-Hon. H.G. Campbell Common Pleas. Ld. Chf. Justice... Sir William Bovill Judges... Sir H. S. Keating Sir W. Baliol Brett Sir W. R. Grove Hon. Sir G. Denman Sir G. O. Honyman, Bt. Associate to Chf. Justice.-T. W. Erle, Esq. Exchequer. Ld. Chf. Baron... Sir Fitzroy Kelly Baron... Sir Samuel Martin Sir Geo. W. Bramwell Sir Gillery Pigott Sir Anthony Cleasby Sir Chas. E. Pollock Associate to Chf. Baron.-H. Pollock, Esq. Queen's Remembrancer's Office. 58, CHANCERY LANE. Queen's Remember...W. H. Walton, Esq. Duchy of Lancaster. LANCASTER PLACE, STRAND. Chancellor...Rt. Hn. Hugh C. E. Childers Attorney-Generl...H. W. West, Esq. Receiver-Generl... Clerk of Council...J. H. Gooch, Esq. County Palatine of Lancaster. Chancellor...Rt. Hn. Hugh C. E. Childers Vice-Chancellor...George Little, Esq. Attorney-Generl...P. A. Pickering, Esq. Secretary... J. H. Gooch, Esq. County Palatine of Durham. Chancellor...J. Fleming, Esq. Attorney-Generl... J. B. Aspinall, Esq. Solicitor-Generl... Joseph Kay, Esq. Registrar... John Watson, Esq. Admiralty Court. GODLIMAN STREET. Judge... Sir. R. J. Phillimore, D.C.L. Admlty. Adv..J. P. Deane, Esq., D.C.L. Registrar... H. C. Rothery, Esq. Court of Probate. Judge Ordiny...Sir James Hannen Registrars...A. C. J. Middleton, Esq. E. F. Jenner, Esq. H. L. Strong, Esq. David H. Owen, Esq. Secretary...E. A. Wilde, Esq. Court of Divorce, &c. The Lord Chancellor The Judge of Court of Probate The Judges of Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer Court of Arches. 3, GODLIMAN STREET. Principal...Sir R. J. Phillimore, D.C.L. Registrar...J. Shepard, Esq. Consistory Court. Judge...T. H. Tristram, Esq, D.C.L. Registrars...J. Shepard, Esq. J. B. Lee, Esq. Vicar-General's Office. BELL YARD, DOCTOR'S COMMONS. Vicar-General...J. P. Deane, Esq., D.C.L. Registrar...F. H. Dyke, Esq. Faculty Office. 10, GREAT KNIGHTRIDER STREET. Master... Sir R. J. Phillimore, D.C.L. Registrar...Viscount Canterbury Bankruptcy Court. LINCOLN'S INN & BASINGHALL STREET. Chief Judge...Sir James Bacon Chief Registrar...W. Hazlitt, Esq. Registrars...H. P. Roche, Esq. J. R. Brougham, Esq. C. H. Keene, Esq. P. H. Pepys, Esq. Hon. W. C. Spring Rice ENGLISH WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. A TABLE OF INTEREST AT FOUR PER CENT. FOREIGN MONIES AND THEIR ENGLIH EQUIVALENTS. A TABLE OF INTEREST AT FIVE PER CENT. FIXED AND MOVEABLE FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES, ETC. ECLIPSES. PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF THE CALENDAR. UNIVERSITY TERMS, 1874. LAW TERMS, 1874. HOLIDAYS KEPT AT THE PUBLIC OFFICES THE WORKSHOP REGULATION ACT. This Act, which applies to all establishments (no matter how small) in the United Kingdom, directs,-- 1st. That no child under the age of 8 years shall be employed in any handicraft. 2nd. That no child (of 8 and under 13) shall be employed for more than 6 1/2 hours a day, between 6 in the morning and 8 at night. 3rd. That no young person (of 13 and under 18) or woman (of 18 and upwards) shall be employed for more than 12 hours in a day, between 5 in the morning and 9 at night, allowing 1 1/2 hours for meals. 4th. That no child, young person, or woman shall be employed on Sunday, or after 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, except in cases where not more than five persons are employed in making articles to be sold Retail on the Premises, or in repairing similar articles to those sold retail. The Penalties for infringing the Act are, not exceeding [[?]]3 to be levied on the occupier of the workshop, and not exceeding Twenty Shillings on the Parent or Guardian of the person employed. In all workshops where grinding or glazing, or dust of any kind is generated, a Fan must be provided, under a penalty of [[?]]3 to [[?]]10. The carrying out of the provisions of the Act is invested in the local authorities, and any person refusing admission to the Officer appointed by them to inspect a workshop, will incur a penalty not exceeding [[?]]20. Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors of Factories are also empowered to enter workshops, under a penalty not exceeding [[?]]20 for refusal. The penalties can be recovered summarily, and a portion applied to the compensation of the person giving the information. Every person employing a child above 8 and under 13 years, must see that he or she attends Schools at least 10 hours every week, or will be subjected to a penalty or not exceeding [[?]]3, and the Parent to a penalty not exceeding Twenty Shillings. There are some temporary exceptions and special references, for which the reader is referred to the Act itself. SIMPLE AND COMPOUND INTEREST. Any principal sum will be doubled at the following rates of interest per cent, per annum, in the various periods specified:-- THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE QUEEN, ALEXANDRINA VICTORIA, born May 21, 1819: married, Feb. 10, 1840, to Prince Albert Fras. Augs. Chas. Emanuel of Saxe Coburg and Gotha (born Aug. 26, 1819; died Dec. 14, 1861). Issue--Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa,Princess Royal, born Nov. 21, 1840; married, Jan. 25, 1858, Prince Fredk.William of Prussia. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, born Nov. 9, 1841; married, March 10, 1863, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, born Dec. 1, 1844, and has issue-- Albert Victor Christian Edward, born Jan. 8, 1864. George Frederick Ernest Albert, born June 3, 1865. Louisa Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, born Feb. 20, 1867. Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary, born July 6, 1868. Charlotte Mary Victoria, born Nov. 26, 1869. Alice Maud Mary, born April 25, 1843; married, July 1, 1862, Prince Louis of Hesse. Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, born August 6, 1844. Helena Augusta Victoria, born May 25, 1846; married, July 5, 1866, Prince Christian. Louisa Caroline Alberta, born MArch 18, 1848; married, March 21, 1871, the Marquis of Lorne. Arthur William Patrick Albert, born May 1, 1850. Leopold George Duncan Albert, born April 7, 1853. Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore, born April 14, 1857. BRITISH AND FOREIGN AMBASSADORS. CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LONDON. LORD MAYOR, ANDREW LUSK, ESQ., M.P. COMPARATIVE TABLE OF PRICES PER KILO IN FRANCS AGAINST PER LB. ENGLISH. In Shillings and Pence Sterling. METROPOLITAN POLICE COURTS AND BOUNDARIES. Series 1 Volume 14 1875 January to 1875 December Vol. 14 368p. 185 exp. Daily Journal FOR 1875. PUBLISHED ANNUALLY FOR THE Trade. Friday, January 1, 1875. The year just closed has been to me a continuation of the calumniation of its predecessor. Two years ago I crossed the storm line in politics, and the tempest has been howling about me almost all the time since. I think, however, it culminated at the last election, and I have some hope that I [am] may live[ing] under kindlier skies hereafter. I fear that these two years have taken away something from my cheerfulness and buoyancy of spirit. I shall try to resist the shaddows and court the sunshine. At five o'clock I took the train for Pittsburgh en route for New Castle to give testimony for Phillips Bros. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1875 Awoke on the Alleganies and read Carlyle's translation of Wilhelm Meister until I reached Pittsburgh, where I found a train just ready to start for New Castle. I proceeded immediately without breakfast and reached New Castle at ten. Took dinner at Fords. Gave my testimony in the afternoon. Took supper at Thomas Phillips. Then he and I went to Ford's and discussed some settlement of the Company's debts to Ford and me, and we made a partial arrangement. Took the nine o'clock train for Pittsburgh which I reached at eleven. SUNDAY JANUARY 3, 1875 Took the two o'clock a.m. train and arrived at Harrisburgh at noon. Went to the Lochiel House for dinner and read Wilhelm Meister until four. Then I took the [?] Central Train for Washington and reached home at half past 9- p.m. Found Crete mending steadily and the family well. My journey has been a very hard one, but I have done the Phillips Bros a service which could not have been done by another. MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1875. Spent the entire forenoon in reading my mail. In the afternoon, spent four hours at the Departments and in settling shop bills. In the evening dictated correspondence until half past nine o clock. Worked off a large number of letters. Although I am a good deal jaded, my health is better than it has been for some time. To day I weighed 206 lbs. This is within four or five pounds of my standard Winter weight. My stomach is still weak and I must treat it carefully. TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Comme met at 11 o'clock and heard the Secy of War in reference to some of the appropriations for the Academy, at West Point. Also, arranged for future meetings of the Committee. In the House after the morning hour went into C.W. on the Army Appropriation bill but as some of the Reports from the bureaus of the War Department have not yet come in the comme rose and the rest of the day was spent in a vain attempt to call up the Civil Rights Bill. I am shocked and distressed beyond measure at the use of U. S. Troops yesterday in Louisiana. It appears that a file of soldiers was marched into the Hall of the House of Representatives of Louisiana and military force used to expel certain members. This it seems to me is, according to present advices, wholly indefensible and will make no end of trouble for the Administration and the party. At home in the evening. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half-past ten and cleared up a large share of the docket. It was encumbered with much business. In the House after the morning hour went into Come of the Whole on the Fortification Bill which led to a good deal of debate on the Louisiana question. In the course of the discussion I made a point, which I think has never been made before, that the ignorance of military affairs among our people prior to the late war, had increased the cost of that war perhaps forty percent and that this showed the necessity of keeping alive a theoretical and practical knowledge of military affairs and of the methods of transacting business [and n occasions of] in connection with war. The bill was passed without amendt. The amount appropriated in it was $850,000. After the passage of the bill Richard B. Irwin the [?] in the Pacific Mail Investigation was brought to the bar of the House to purge himself of contempt. He declined to answer the main question put to him and was ordered to be kept in the county jail. I agree to the wisdom of the order except as to the place of imprisonment. I doubt if we have the right to do that except at the end of the trial. In the evening called on Mr. Scofield and with him went to Sec'y Delano where we discussed Louisiana affairs for some time. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1875 Correspondence in the morning. Committee at 10 1/2 and humdrum in the House. This is on the whole the darkest day for the Republican Party and its hopes I have ever seen since the war. The morning papers publish a dispatch from the Secy of War W. Sheridan, say that all the cabinet approve his Cause. If this be so, I must break from them & denounce the conduct of the Administration. This is easy compared with the difficulty that beset the Southern question itself. I do not go to the length of some of our friends. The Vice President told me alone that Grant is now more unpopular than Andrew Johnson was in his darkest days, that Grant's appointments had been getting worse & worse, that he is still struggling for a third term, in short that he is the millstone around the neck of our party that would sink if not [?]. I made [?] from the House with Blaine & found him not so extreme, but in nearly the same opinion of our prospects. That such a party should meet such a fate is lamentable. But far worse is the aspect of the cause for which the war was fought. The most extreme passions abound in the two parties & I cannot foresee the end. I met at Melcker's with Wm Rabeden & a large company of Senators & members. SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 1875. Had an intensely cold morning. I staid in the house all day. Carried Crete down to dinner and got her to the table once more. Read Wilhelm Meister nearly all day and evening. It is a remarkable book in every way. The first two-thirds of it seems to have been written with a view to make criticism on the theatre generally and on Hamlet particularly, and as such is exceedingly able and interesting. The plot of the story is very slight. The end of the theatrical part seems to complete the original plan of the book, the remaining chapters are written in quite a different spirit and for a different purpose. They were evidently written after the journey to Italy and are full of wise reflections on art and society. The character of Mignon is wonderful and exceedingly attractive. The book needs to be read over the second time by the light of the first reading in order to comprehend it. MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half past ten and worked until twelve on the Miscellaneous Appropriation bill. In the House after the morning hour Mr Abert was brought in as a contumacious witness in the Pacific Mail case and was ordered by the House to answer what he did with 106,000 of the Pacific Mail funds. He opened a broadside on Newspaper Row by giving the list of persons who received money from him, which shows that by far the largest portion of his money was paid to create outside sentiment in favor of the subsidy. "leuis custodiet custodes" The keepers of our honor who have assumed so much virtue to themselves, and assaulted public men for the want of it have at last appeared in their true colors. At half past one went into Come of the Whole on the Diplomatic Bill and spent the day. The bill was passed with but little amendt. In the Senate Schurz made an able speech on the Louisiana question. In the evening Judge and Mrs. Black called. TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1875 Correspondence in the morning. Committee met and worked on Mis' Bill. The day in the House was spent on reports from the Come on Public Lands. I took occasion to state briefly the grounds on which I voted for the resumption bill. In the Senate Louisiana affairs were again debated. Spent an hour in the Library looking over the arrival of new French Book. At nine o'clock took supper at Judge Jame's in company with his Father-in-law a Professor from New Haven, and also Judge Hoar, and several members of the Washington Bar. We had a long conversation on Louisiana Affairs. I am still greatly troubled about the use of military force in the State House. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1875 Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half-past ten and fixed the appropriations for public buildings, grounds and water-works about Washington. Took up, also, for discussion the Choctaw Claim. In the House, after the morning hour went into the C.W. on the Indian appropriation Bill, on which we spent the day. The Democrats demanded the first reading of the bill in full and have determined to delay legislation as much as possible. The President sent to the Senate his message on Louisiana Affairs. I did not hear it but it is praised as an able and in the main satisfactory document. I should be glad if it will prove so to me. In the evening on my return home, a piece of furniture which I bought in N.Y. was at the door, and I helped get it into the house. In doing so I made myself very lame and went to bed very early jaded and sore. Read a few chapters of Wilhelm Meister's Wanderings. THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. The Committee met at half-past ten. Made considerable advance on the Miscellaneous Appropriation Bill. In the House soon after the reading of the Journal got into Come on the Indian Appropriation Bill on which the whole day was spent. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1875 A long session of the Committee in the morning, made further progress on the Miscellaneous Bill. In the House the day was spent on private bills. I left at three o'clock to hold a consultation with Judge Black concerning the Phillips case in the Supreme Court of Pa. and at nine oclock on account of a telegram from Phillips, took the train for Philadelphia. Rode and slept in the Directors car. Had a long and interesting conversation with a number of gents who were on board the train. Learned that after I left the House there was an exciting discussion over the writ of habeas corpus in Irwin's case. and that the House finally concluded to direct the Sergeant at arms to produce Irwin's body in Judge McArthurs court. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1875. Reached Philadelphia at 2 o'clock in the morning and slept in the car until near eight. I then took a pleasant breakfast with Mr Scott in his car. From there went to the Saint Cloud Hotel where I found Isaac Phillips awaiting me. We went around to the office of W. S. Price Esq and consulted in regard to the Phillips case in the Supreme Court. Went to the Court at ten and got a postponement of one week. I then went back to Price's office and proposed that we file a petition for a bill of review in the case decided by the Court four years ago. Spent several hours in examining the authorities concerning [the] a bill of review and came to the conclusion that it was a proper proceeding for this case. It appears that there has been no such case in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, except on appeals from the Orphan's Court, but I see no reason why this proceeding may not be had on a case arising in the Supreme Court of Pa. Took the six oclock train for Washington and reached home about midnight. SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 1975. Attended church. Called on my classmate Rockwell. He has been very ill for two weeks. My classmate Knox of N.Y. dined with us at two o'clock. Then at four he and [Hill?] [Gilfallan?] and myself called on Rockwell and had a pleasant visit. In the evening read Wilhelm Meister's Travels. Retired early wearied with overwork and want [to] of rest. MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee at half past ten. Worked on the Sunday Civil Bill. In the House the day was spent in the usual Monday miscellany. I am growing more than usually dissatisfied with the way in which my months are spent. It is a treadmill round of burdensome duties that leave me but little hope for self-culture. The demands of the public upon my time are more numerous and imperative every year. Probably there is an average of thirty people who call on me for legislation or help and when the week is ended I am worn out with details great and small. In the evening called on Foster and spent some time in visiting. This is the first evening for a long time in which I have taken any rest. TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Business at the Treasury Department Committee, at half past ten. Heard several officers of the War Department on the Miscellaneous Appropriations. In the House about three hours were spent on question of privilege and personal explanations. Then got into Committee of the Whole on the Indian bill and the rest of the day was spent in discussing the Choctaw Claim. In the evening, at half past seven, dined with Secretary Robeson and the Committee on Appropriation. It was a pleasant party. Reached home at ten o'clock. Read my mail and retired at eleven. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half past ten. Heard the Commissioners of the District for nearly an hour. Then heard Lieutenant Wheeler on the Geological Surveys. There is an unusual pressure of demands upon the Committee for hearing parties, and the Sundry Civil bill moves very slowly. In the House after some more proceedings in reference to [contumacious?] witnesses, went into C.W. on the Indian Appropriation Bill. Spent an hour and a half in discussing the Choctaw Claim. My amendment to pay the amount due to that tribe in bonds was carried and the bill as amended passed by nearly 40 majority. The bill was reported back to the House and further amended. The vote on engrossing and reading a third time was lost. On the motion to reconsider, it was agreed to and the bill will be taken up tomorrow. The Democrat general changed their votes so as to defeat the bill. It is difficult to say precisely what this meant. I think they mean to force an extra session, but I doubt. Wetmore another recusant witness was brought before the bar and made a long and insulting reply to the Speakers question. He was committed to jail for contempt. Mess'rs House and Thompson of Trumbull took dinner with us and spent a portion of the evening. Worked on correspondence. A number of people called. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. I then went to the Ebbitt House and consulted with Judge Black, W. T. Price and I. T. Phillips of Newcastle in regard to their case, and appointed a consultation at my Committee Room, at half past twelve. Went to the Capitol, riding with Judge Burke, and consulted with him in regard to our case in the Supreme Court tomorrow. Committee heard Prof Hayden and Professor Powell in regard to their Geological surveys, settling [those?] questions. In the House the day was spent in another struggle over the Indian Appropriation bill. I have never known the House to vote so irregularly and so absurdly as it has on that bill. Six or eight votes showing this anomalous condition of affairs have been cast. The bill was beaten on its final passage, and then a motion to reconsider and refer it to the C.W. prevailed. What we will be able to do with it next I do not know. In the evening called at the Ebbitt House and held a conversation with Price and Black on our Phillips case. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half-past ten and continued work on the miscellaneous Appropriation bill. [Also, finished the Post office Appropriation bill and ordered it reported to the House. In the House an] At two oclock I went to the Supreme Court to make an argument on case No 124. Judge Burke spoke for a little more than an hour with clearness and force. While listening to him I felt how easily the work I have done during the last ten years would have placed me in a high position at the bar if I had devoted myself to that profession. It may not be too late even yet and I think I must break away from public life and take care of myself. Mr Kerr of Indiana followed Judge Burke and had not concluded his speech when the Court adjourned at four. I am to reply to him. At seven oclock dined with secretary Fish and the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations and had a very pleasant dinner. After that attended the Atty Generals Party and came home at half-past eleven and found myself unable to sleep but sat up and worked on the law Case until after three oclock in the morning. SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1875 Correspondence in the morning. Went to the Treasury Department and worked on the estimates of appropriations until 12. Then went to the Come. and we worked over three hours on the Post office Appropriation bill finished all its' items but the Pacific Mail Subsidy. That we have reserved for a full committee on Monday morning. I came home greatly exhausted. Went the Republican Caucus at seven o'clock and returning stopped for an hour at the room of Sobieski Rose and talked over public affairs. Returned at half past eleven. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 1875. A rainy sleepy day. The streets are sheeted with ice, and the crust was thickened by the steady fall of rain until near noon. At half past eleven I went to the Treasury Dept and spent two hours with Messrs Conant and Gilfillan in looking over the expenditures for public buildings for the last two years. After dinner read to the children one of Charles Lamb's Shakespeare's Tales. In the evening read William Meister's Travels and became deeply interested in the latter part of the story. Retired at eleven o'clock determined to get at least one good nights rest- MONDAY JANUARY 25, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at half past ten and worked on the Miscellaneous Appropriation bill. Also, finished the Post office Appropriation bill and ordered it reported to the House. In the House an attempt was made to suspend the rules, so as to forbid dilatory motions on public business reported from Committees. Before the vote was taken I was called to the Supreme Court. Kerr commenced his speech about one o'clock. He closed at one quarter before three. I spoke three-quarters of an hour in reply. Was not very well satisfied with my argument. I feel myself crippled in a lack of technical knowledge, and the questions propounded by the Court in the course of the argument, placed me I fear in an unfavorable light before them. In the evening, read Wilhelm Meister and also read Shank's report on the [?] claim. Retired at eleven. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Called on the President at ten o'clock with J. H. Paine of Painesville, and asked to have Paine appointed Secretary of Wyoming Territory. The President received him very kindly but said the place was promised. Then went to the Committee where we made further progress on the Miscellaneous Bill, and heard a committee of the Engineer Society of the U. S, who request an appropriation for testing iron and steel. Among them was General W. F. Smith, who I have not seen since we parted near Inka in 1862. He came to my camp very sick believing he had been poisoned by a rebel woman of whom he had got some milk. I nursed him and kept him in my tent through the night, and when he had recovered sufficiently to join his command I helped him to get to it. I believe I have never seen him since then. But the moment he entered the Come Room this morning I called out to him "Well, General, the last time I saw you, you had been poisoned. The first sight of his face recalled that peculiar look he had the first time I saw him. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Come. met as usual and made further progress om the miscellaneous Bill. I attended the Caucus and favored an attempt to call up the Civil Rights Bill, at first, under the rules, and, if that failed, then try to reach our point by amending the rules. Immediately after the reading of the Journal General Butler called up the motion to reconsider the vote by which the Civil Rights Bill had been committed to his Committee. Before any remarks could be made the Democrats commenced dilatory motions to adjourn and to fix the day to which the House would adjourn. There upon commenced a struggle which did not end for forty-eight hours. During the afternoon I recalled my committee to consider several matters of appropriations. We sat all night in the dreary business of motion to adjourn motions to fix the day for adjournment and motions for amending the latter. The only sleep I got during the night was an hour and a half nap which I got lying on Scofield's Committee Room table. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1875. At eight o clock I took a bath and got breakfast in the Restaurant. Continued the struggle during the day. At ten o clock I got another meeting of my committee and finished the consideration of the public buildings under the supervision of the Architect of the Treasury and made good progress on the bill. Continued the dead-lock in the House until nine o clock at night, when I paired off with Randall and went to Welcker's where I got dinner, then came home and slept until morning. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1875. The struggle continued until about ten o clock, when the House adjourned until Saturday morning. I call our Committee and we received a delega of the City Council of Baltimore, who invited the Committee on Appropriations to visit Baltimore. They have come up for a visit. Then finished some Department work. Am feeling very sleepy and weary. In the evening 1/4 past six o clock took Sister Mary to the train, where she left for home. I should have added, however, that at five o clock I went to the Speaker's to attend a meeting of the Committee on Rules. We there discussed the proposed new rule. Blaine Maynard and myself agreed to it. Cox and Randall, the Democrats, saying that while the rule was well enough they could not agree to it after the fight they have been making in the House I am determined to resist any such revolutionary change in the rules, as we will not ourselves approve of when we are in the minority. SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1875. The Committee met at ten o'clock, but there was not a quorum present. I worked up a large share of the Committee's Blue docket, and put the Department recommendations in readiness for action by the Committee. When the House met the Democrats insisted on reading the Journal [entire?] including the lists of Yeas and Nays and Absentees. That alone would consume five hours of the day. And still the long Journal of Wednesday was not a quarter finished. I think the Speaker was wrong in deciding that the Ayes and Noes should be read as a part of the Journal. They have already been read in the hearing of the House for the purpose of verification and the identical sheets thus verified are the Journal. SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 1875. The loss of sleep during the last week had left me nearly sick and I spent nearly all the day at home. It was raining and company did not come. Thus I enjoyed very much the reading of Greville's Memoirs, which give the inside history of Court and Parliamentary life during the reigns of George IV and William IV. In connection with this I read Mrs Martineaux's chapters in her History of England concerning the trial of the Queen (Caroline) [Broughlian's?] quotation from Milton; "What seemed its head The likeness of a kingly crown had on." This is one of the most striking uses of a quotation I have ever seen. He had asked a certain witness, whose agent he was; and this question had been [ruled?] out. [Bronghain?] wanted to intimate that the [agent] witness was an agent of the king and he applied this quotation to the shadowy personage behind the agent. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee met at ten and heard Secy [Mr] Robeson on the estimates for the Navy Yards. I am in favor of selling all these yards but three or four. I am in doubt about the propriety of spending any more money on the Pensacola Yard, The Secy of Navy has not used a dollar of the appropriation made for that yard at the last session. The Yellow Fever made it impossible to carry the work on last season. In the House on the call of States Mr Hale introduced our new Committee rule for reference. This the Democrats resisted for a long time. After the morning hour, the day was spent on the [part?] of Butler, [th] in attempts to suspend the rules so as to bring the new rule up for consideration, but failed of a two-thirds vote by three or four. Late in the afternoon I made a motion that the House take a recess until ten tomorrow morning, at which time we will try to bring out our strength and suspend the rules. It is necessary Tuesday, February 2, 1875 to change a set of rules that allows a minority to block legislation to the extent they have lately done. In the evening continued reading Greville's Memoirs. Got from the Congressional Library, "The Life and Trial of Queen Caroline" to read in connection with the memoirs. Correspondence in the morning. Went to the Treasury with the son of Mr Parks of Warren to secure him a place in the Marine Hospital Service. I help this man with reluctance for I think he was stoutly opposed to me last year. I ought perhaps to tell him so but I concluded to let it pass and help his boy as the father has not helped me. The House met at ten. A continuation of Monday's session. A motion to suspend the rules was tried but failed by three votes, several of our members being absent. McKee of Mississippi went after his colleague Barry who was at home drunk, but neither got back in time to vote. Found out that Butler was really intending some violent change of the rules, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1875. and I tried to suspend the rules and pass the new committee rule which was made last Friday. This Butler and his followers noted against, so that it did not get the requisite two thirds vote, and if I thereupon determined to take measure to prevent his proposed innovation of the rules and got Kasson of Iowa to introduce a motion to suspend the rules to enable the Committee on Rules to report. This was carried by one more than two thirds, whereupon I reported the rule. A large number of amendments were offered and defeated in the hours debate in which I gave the Democrats an equal chance. I called the previous question on the rule with the first and second amend'ts to which I had no objection. This prevailed and the rule was adopted by a large vote, Butler fighting against it and feeling very angry that he had been defeated in his purposes. Attended the Republican Caucus at the Hall of the House at seven in the evening, where I staid until ten o'clock. Thursday, February 4, 1875. Committee meeting in the morning. Butler called up the Civil Rights Bill and the discussion began. At seven oclock dined with Clarkson N. Potter and his two brothers, General Potter and the Supervising Architect, also, Vice President Wilson, Chief Justice Gray of Massachusetts and Judges Swayne and Bradley of the Supreme Court. We had a very pleasant party. In discussing the relative merits of public men in our time and in earlier time the Vice President alledged that there was a higher tone of public and private morals in public men now than at any former period, notwithstanding all the attempts of the Press to the contrary. Greville's Memmoirs were discussed quite fully, Wilson denying the moral right of any man to publish such a work. Committee at ten. Civil Rights Bill in the House. John Young Brown censured for disorderly conduct and prevarication to the Speaker. Dined at Welcker's with Senators Anthony and Stevenson, then went to Justin S. Morrill's to meet Fred Law Olmstead and a large number of Senators and Representatives. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1875. House met at ten o'clock, in accordance with my motion, when work was resumed on the Civil Rights Bill. The previous question was ordered about one o'clock. Butler yielded me fifteen minutes of his time. I made a speech answering the fears of some of our timid members that we are injuring the party by doing justice to the negro. I voted in favor of Sumner's Senate Bill as a substitute for our own but it failed by a large vote. The separate school clause was stricken out of the House bill and thus amended the bill passed. The [?] [?] of the Democratic Platform of 1862 being added as a preamble. After the passage of the bill I took up the Consular and Diplomatic bill and had the Senate amend'ts [concurred?] in. Then took up the Legislative Bill and spent about two hours in concluding action on the Senate amend't and sent the bill to a conference committee. George A Baker and wife dined with us at six and spent the evening. We had a pleasant visit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1875. Having got leave of absence from the House for my Come today, we took the special train for Baltimore as the guests of the Mayor and City Council. Visited Locust Point, the shipping and grain elevators and thence visited the P.O. Custom House, [and] the New City Hall, and the U. S. Court House. The Committee visited the Park, but I turned aside with Mr Delaney and went to see Miss [Neilson?] at the matinee and heard her in Romeo and Juliet. She is a very beautiful and accomplished artist. Mr Ford brought her into the box where I was and introduced her to us. At four o clock the whole committee sat down to dinner given our Come by the City Council at [Barmum's?]. Dinner and speeches continued until one quarter past seven. At eight o clock we took a special train for Washington reaching here a few minutes after nine SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1875. A very cold day. Snow storm raging most of the day. I read my large mail. Read also, in Greville's Memoirs. In the afternoon called on Hale on business of the appropriation Come. After tea read Chas and Mary Lamb's Story of King Lear to the children. Our baby was 42 days old last night. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1875. Correspondence in the morning. Committee meeting at ten oclock Putting in two hours hearing of the Bank note Companies on the question of printing public monies in the Treasury. The Secretary seems to have taken umbrage at our invitation that he should be present to represent the other side. There are two sides to the question. I do not see how he can [he] avoid being a party to the conflict. It is one of the most difficult practical questions that has been before my Committee this year. I think not more than one printing ought to be done away from the Treasury. The rest ought to be done in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In the House the day was spent with the usual Monday miscellany and very little legislation was done. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9. 1875. Committee met again and considered a number of questions relating the Miscellaneous Bill. I was outvoted by one vote in regard to the printing of the public securities in the Treasury, the majority of the Come agreeing to have the two printings done by the Bank Note Companies. This is a victory for the Companies and I think is a great mistake for our party. I gave notice to the Come that I should oppose their action in the House. It is very rare that I have been outvoted in any matter before that committee. In the House we got into Committee on the Indian Bill, and after a long and somewhat angry debate on the Choctaw and Chicasaw matters, the bill was reported by the Come of the whole late in the afternoon and passed. I then took up the Concular Bill and agreed to the Senate amendments. Also, took up the Legislative Bill and after a sharp debate of and hour finished its consideration and sent the difference to a Come of conference In the evening dined at Welcker's with Speaker Blaine and several other members of the House, with several senators. We had a brilliant dinner party. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1875. Committee met again and put in two hours work upon the Miscellaneous Bill, In the House took up the Post Office Appn Bill, the debate on which occupied that whole day. In the evening Crete, Miss Ransom and I dined at the Arlington with Geo A. Baker and wife. Had a pleasant visit Baker and wife are on their way to Florida to spent some months. They are good friends of mine. They were old Hiram students. Baker has made a fine business success in life. After dinner called at Foster's and spent some time with him and Sheldon. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1875. Committee met at ten and settled a large number of matters relating to the Miscellaneous bill. Heard several parties on the proposed appropriations. In the House took up the Post Office Appropriation bill and finished it. It passed without the addition of a dollar to the appropriations as recommended by the Come. When that bill was finished Mr Davies brought up his new tax bill and made a long speech on the falling off of the revenues and the necessity for additional taxes. His bill is a patchwork of compromise measures and is not defensible from any standpoint of sound political economy. Some more revenue must be had and some sort of bill must be passed. Spent the evening at home and worked on my correspondence and appropriations. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1875. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1875. Come met at ten oclock and had a long session on the Miscellaneous bill. Heard several parties, and settled several items. It has been a weary, dreary work to prepare this bill with its great array of items. The in coming of the Democratic House has brought to our doors a great many appropriations that members did not wish to lay over till next Winter and this has made an unusual pressure upon the Come for increased appropriations. In the House after two speeches on the Tariff bill, we went into C. W. and passed the Pension Bill and the Military Academy bill. Mr Marshall took charge of the latter bill and passed it through with only slight amendts. Come have about as thoroughly jaded as I have been any night this Winter. On the evening spent some time with Hale and Scofield at Ross' room. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1875. Did not go out of the House during the day. Worked several hours on the materials for a speech on the appropriations. My classmate Rockwell called and visited me for nearly two hours. After dinner read the story of "Macbeth" from Chas Lamb, very few people called in the afternoon and evening. Among others who called were Col Pratt and Mr Porter, the latter the President of one of the Bank Note Companies of N.Y. urging me to allow the printing of the public securities by the Bank Note Companies. Mr Hooper died at 9 o'clock this morning. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1875. Committee met at ten o'clock and finished the Miscellaneous bill. We put in $500,000 to enable the U. S. to exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition for 1876. Also, a million and sixty thousand dollars for the District of Columbia for the next year. Also settled a number of miscellaneous matters. Had a long contest over Miss Ranson's picture of General Thomas and Carpenter's Emancipation Proclamation Picture. The diversity of opinion as regards the merits of paintings is one of the mysteries of this life. It illustrates the truth of Horace's maxim "Ye disputandum de gustibus". In the House got a resolution for meeting here after at 11 oclock. We had the usual Monday miscellany. Forwards the close of the day, Mr Hoar announced Mr Hooper's death, and after making arrangements for the funeral tomorrow the House adjourned about five o'clock. Orlando Letcher, of Bryan Ohio, the son of cousin William Letcher took dinner with us and spent the night. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1875. Committee met at fifteen minutes before eleven. Corrected a few matters in the Miscellaneous Bill. Reported it to the House. Also passed a bill paying the crippled soldiers, folders and so forth that were under the Doorkeeper of the House. At twelve oclock I was one of the pallbearers to attend the funeral of Mr Hoopers at his late residence. It was very sad to think of his dying alone with no one of his family near him. His wife and daughter are in Europe and his large solid old house in which I have so often enjoyed his hospitality seemed very desolate. He is one of the eight men who were members of the 38th Congress twelve years ago, and who have continued in the House ever since. The eight were Hooper, Davies, Blaine, Kelley, Scofield, Randall, Eldredge and myself. His death leaves seven of us of whom four are elected to the next House. At twelve oclock the coffin was carried into the Hall of the House of Representatives, and after a final service we took him to Oak Hill Cemetary Georgetown WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1875. Committee met a few minutes before eleven o'clock to attend to a few matters of miscellany. In the House the day was mainly given to a taxbill. I took ground against the tax on whisky being increased to $1.00, for fear we could not collect that amount, but I moved to make it 85 and not to make the tax apply to stock on hand. But as it seemed to be the opinion of the House that it should be $1.00, and I accordingly modified my amendment to that figure. An evening session was held to enable to Judiciary Committee to report several bills. At nine oclock Crete and Miss Ransom called for me. I went with them to General Clipman's where there was a party given to the artists of the City and their friends. After staying half an hour I went back to the Capitol and remained until the House adjourned. Then returned to Chipman's and staid until quarter past eleven. The party was a pleasant one. This is the first time I have been out with Crete this Winter. The New York papers are attacking the Committee for proposing to appropriate $10000 for the Thomas picture, and twenty five thousand for the Carpenter picture. I think the Committee recommended too large a sum for the Carpenter picture. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1875 Committee met and sat but a little while. We made preparations for taking up the Deficiency Bill. The House went into Comm. on the Tax Bill and spent considerable time on it. It now looks as though the bill will pass. We struck out the section that repeals the tax on matches. It is a light tax but little felt by the people and produced two and a half millions of dollars. At two oclock the House took up the Mississippi Jetty bill and passed it. I voted against it doubting the wisdom of the jetty system. A little before three o'clock I went to the Interior Department with H. R. McCalmont to aid him to secure a position as Special Agent of the Pension Office. The appointment was promised. In the evening we had Rev Ingersoll and wife of Brooklyn to dinner, also my classmates [Rill?] and Gilfillan. After dinner Mrs. Gilfillan and three friends from Come came to visit us. We spent a pleasant evening. Ingersoll was of Class 55. Old anecdotes and college reminiscences FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1875. Committee met at ten and worked on Deficiency Bill until 11. In the House Mr Dawes attempted to go undo the Tax Bill but failed by two votes; and the House went into C. W. P. C. after two hours spent in that way, we moved to rise and go into C. Won the Army bill and spent the rest of the day in passing it. We had expected a long debate on Louisiana, but the Democrats for some reason have changes their tactics and made but little resistance to the bill. It passed about half past four o'clock. This leaves no but two of our bills enacted on by the House, namely; the Sunday build and Deficiency. One is reported and the other is about halfway. In the evening worked up my materials for a speech on appropriations for the session. Mrs Reed came here last evening and just before she reached the house she slipped on the ice and broke her arm. Seven or eight cases are reported of similar breaking of limbs, today, by falling on the ice. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1875. The Conference Committee on the Legislature Bill met and spent several hours at work on the differences between the two houses. We adjusted most of the differences satisfactorily, but some of them are difficult to arrange. The Senate will make I think a stout resistance ti our keeping up the increased pay office. Reading and Journal Clerks of the House, and in this I think they are right. Mr Cowles called in the evening and at half past seven we went to Secretary Delano's room, at Worthley's, to meet the Delegation, composed of several citizens of Ohio, to discuss the political salvation and the prospects of the coming campaign. There is some depression of feeling among our people and all the indications point to a close and doubtful campaign. The behavior of the public press renders the success of the party difficult and doubtful. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1875. Attended church with Crete and brought Frank Green home with us to dinner. Had a long visit with him. He was a student of mine years ago and has been doing well in the ministry. In the evening Knox called on me [and] to attend[ed] to some business for him in the courts. Several others called also. Spent about three hours in preparing my speech on the appropriation bills of the session. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1875. Committee on Conference met at 9 o'clock in the Senate appropriation Comm. Room and worked three hours on the differences in the Legislative Bill. Finished them all except the pay of the House and Senate clerks. This seems to stand in the way of final adjustment. A little after ten got in Comm. on Appns. on the Appn bills and made further progress on the Deficiency Bill. In the House the usual Monday work was done. Got the rules suspended on the legislative clause of our Sundry Civil Bill and am ready now to take the bill into the House. In the evening we had friends to dinner Mr and Mrs Cowle, Mr. Riddle and his daughter Mrs Knowlton, Mrs Emma James of Cleveland and James H. Payne of Painesville. A pleasant party but was compelled to leave at 8 for the Capitol, when the House fooled away two hours in the attempt to pass the District Tax bill. It was badly managed and the House adjourned at ten. Called on Foster at his room and discussed Louisiana affairs for an hour. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1875. Committee met and continued work on the Deficiency Bill. In the House Mr. Dawes took up the Tax Bill and continued it during the day. About 4 o'clock it had become so overloaded with amend'ts that he moved to strike out the enacting clause and thus report to the House, and was about to have it recommitted to his Come with instructions to report[ed] it back so amended, when I told him he would lose the bill. I said let them put on whatever amendments they choose report it to the House and move a substitute, which he did a little after five o'clock. At half past six dined with Mr Pierce of Mass and sixteen other gentlemen at Womley's. A very fine dinner and pleasant company. At nine oclock took Crete and Miss Ransom - also Crete Cousin Mrs Gene Mason to the Presidents Reception. The President's daughter Mrs. Sartoris was the together with Mrs Fred Grant and Mrs Sharpe the Presidents sister. I was a very pleasant reception not so crowded as usual and for that reason more pleasant. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1875. Worked on Committee until 11 o'clock, when the House met, and there was a struggle for the floor and after three, quarters of an hour's contest I got into Committee on the Sundry Civil Bill and made my speech. I spoke about twenty minutes and obtained leave to print the balance of my remarks. My additional matter would have made nearly a two hours speech. Got over about eight pages of the bill [and] and at six oclock in the evening [adjourned] took a recess until half past seven Mr Coburn, General Bulter and others resisted my going into Come on the appn bill and tried to bring up the Force bill. This the Democrats resisted and fillibustering commenced which lasted all night. I slept but a few hours the night before and I was greatly opposed to the unnecessary folly into which we are plunged by the rashness of a few members. We gained nothing whatever by the contest. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1875 Came home at eight oclock and got breakfast and slept an hour. [What] Went to a conference Committee on the Legislative Bill and then to the House. Struggle continued throughout the day and when the Republicans came in at eleven o'clock, we were enabled to bring the new rule into operation and Coburn's bill was brought up for action. Points of order occupied this day until half past four when the House adjourned. I cam home thoroughly used up and went to bed at nine o'clock. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1875. Committee met at ten oclock. Worked on Deficiency Bill. In the House the Democrats demanded the reading of the Journal in full which would have taken six hours, but they finally compromised and allowed the reading to be dispenses with and the Sundry Civil Appn Bill to be taken up. We made slow progress reaching only the 31st page. The Thomas and Carpenter pictures were stricken out of the bill on a point of order as being unauthorized by law. This remarkable and unexpected ruling greatly embarrassed me. Indeed it has left me no chance to discuss the merits of the picture. House took a recess at five oclock to meet again in the evening by agreement to discuss the Force bill. The discussion continued until about eleven o'clock. Two strong speeches were made, one by Willard of Michigan and another by Mawley of Connecticut against the bill. Saturday, February 27, 1875. Committee met at 12 o'clock and worked on Deficiency bill. House resumed consideration of the Force Bill and sat in continued session until five minutes after midnight. The Democrats resisting the bill by dilatory motions. I voted to strike out the Habeas corpus section. During the struggle I was a large part of the time in conference on the Legislative bill. We made one report of disagreement because the Senate would not allow the salaries of the Clerks at our desk to remain as they were. A New conference was ordered and we sat on that two hours. A little after 11 oclock the Democrats concluded to come to a vote on the Force Bill. The reading of the Journal was to be waived and thereupon the bill passed. About 20 Republicans voted against it myself among the number. Rode home with Sheldon and Foster reaching the House about one-quarter past twelve. Sunday February 28. 1875 Got a good sleep last night. At half past ten went to the Capitol. My Come met at eleven. Sat four hours on the Deficiency Bill. We worked off an immense amount of business. Nearly completing the bill. Dinner at home at four. At seven in the evening dined in a private parlor at the Arlington with Mr Sanford of N.Y. Governor English Senator Eaton Senator Gordon of Ga. Richard Schell Thomas Murphy Mr Jerome of N.Y. and Washington McLain of Cincinnati Inquirer whom I have never met before. Jeromes conversation was particularly brilliant Governor English mentioned the fact that he had recently seen an unpublished letter of Jared Ingersoll to Richard Rush in which the writer speaks of George Washington in not very complimentary terms Home at half past ten oclock. MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1875. Committee met at ten o'clock and finished the few remaining points on the Deficiency Bill. After an hour spent in im. com. in the House, - I introduced the Deficiency Bill and set it for today, when the Committee when on with the Sundry Civil Bill and continued until five oclock when we took a recess. At seven and a half in the evening took up the bill again. We worked on steadily until four oclock in the morning. At about 3 o'clock I got the previous question in the House. I succeeded in striking out Butter's $50,000 job, (as it was called) to procure evidence to defeat certain claims in the Courts. - This made the General very angry and he fought and fillibustered against the bill, but afte a series of sharp contests he was beaten and the bill passed at four o'clock. I reached home at half past four but did not get to sleep until nearly half- past five. The day and night have made me an unusual amount of severe hard work, but I have had as much success as could well have be obtained. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1875. The House met at eleven when the Louisiana Question came up, and after a series of fights, Hous's resolutions in regard to that state were carried by two thirds majority. This I think substantially settled the relations of the Federal Government to the recent troubles in that state. I wish I could also, believe that it settled the troubles themselves. I then got into Committee of the whole on the Deficiency bill and worked through to the end of the bill. After a long and hard struggle, with all sorts of objections and amend'ts, finding so many amendt's were offered as to make it almost impossible to get the bill out of Come I got the bill through by a coup d'etat. I moved in the House to discharge the Come from the further consideration of the bill, to bring it before the House with all the pending amend'ts and pass it. This was done under a suspension of the rules above note. The evening session continued until eleven o'clock and a large amount of business was done besides the appropriation bills. House adjourned until eleven oclock tomorrow and a little after twelve I got some sleep. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1875. During the day several of our appropriation bills came back from the Senate, were acted on and referred to Committees of Conference. The day was a continual strain upon me in taking charge of the bills in their various stages and to prevent extravagant legislation not only upon them but upon other things. The Post office appropriation bill was agreed to in Conference and the franking restored on the public documents. I opposed it but the number of members who are not elected is so great that they outvoted me and the bill now goes to the President for his signature. He will sign it because it on a general appropriation bill. The most harmless feature of the old frank was the right of members of Congress to send their correspondence free. This is not restored but the public Document feature will increase to a vast number the public documents printed and will in my judgment restore most of the abuses of the frank. After two hours rest until half past seven, the session continued all night. Late at night the Sundry Civil THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1875. Bill came back, with 124 Senate amend'ts Called my Committee together and acted upon them, reported it to the House and it through at half past five in the morning It was sent to a Conference Committee of which I was Chairman, on the part of the House. The Conference Committee sat from six to eight, but before its session was concluded, I was called to the House to take charge of the Deficiency Bill which had just come back with thirty-two amend'ts of the senate. I immediately got a quorum of my committee and acted on them. Then I reported the result to the House and asked the House to send the remaining differences to a new conference Committee. I then got a recess of the House for an hour and a half, and during that recess we took up and finished the Conference report on the Sundry Civil Bill. Mar 4th. I see I have run yesterdays journal into today, but only take up the story where it left off. At half past nine the Committee met. The Clerks having finished my conference report at one-quarter past ten I came in and [we] Randall refused to sign it because Butler's McGarrahan claim had been left out. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1875. Randall and Butler attacked the report I defended it. It was carried by a very large majority. At about eleven oclock the Conference on the Deficiency Bill came in and was adopted This was the last of my bills. It was still feared that there would not be time to enroll it, but the Clerks had been at work in advance and forty minutes before the end of the session, the unrolled bill was sent to the President. Twenty minutes before the end Ex Senator Johnson came to me and said he wished me to have passed Senate Bill for the removal of his political disabillities I went to the Speaker's table found the bill, called it up, and passed it. A few minutes later I got leave to print some remarks on the finances and also to make some additional reports from the Come on Appropriations. At twelve oclock Blaine made a very handsome address. His gavel fell and the shadow of power which had been flickering over the 43d Congress departed like a ghost and we were citizens again. The Speaker received a great SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1875. ovation from the galleries and House as he descended from the Chair. I gathered a few choice friends in my Committee Room, chatted a few minutes and said good bye. Then I hired a carriage and drove home and went to bed and slept until dinner time. In the evening read a few chapters from Riddle's new book "Alice Brand". (He has sent his first copy to "Mother".) Went to bed at ten o'clock. Tried to make up some loss of sleep. The last twenty eight hours of the session I did not leave the Capitol except long enough to get dinner on Wednesday evening. End of March 4- Friday March 5 - 1875 A dreary day and I was too tired to do much. Went to the Capitol at one oclock. The Senate had met in special session and some 12 or 14 new Senators were sworn in. Andrew received a great ovation from the people in the galleries and the congratulations of the Senate. His career has been an exceedingly strange one. After all its vicissitudes, it is possible for him to make the close of his official life beautiful and valuable. It has indicated his purpose SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1875 of keeping aloof, both from political parties and acting independent. It is becoming in a man who has been President of the United States to live above party if he can. It remains to be seen whether this is possible. I went early to bed. Saturday, March 6 - 1875 Commenced picking up the odds and ends of miscellaneous work which has accumulated to so large an extent during the last fortnight. In the evening dictated some forty letters which make a considerable reduction in the pile. I have been thronged with callers all day. Pardee and Captain Henry dined with us and spent part of the evening. Sunday, March 7, 1875. One of the dreariest days I have ever seen. I has rained continually and the ground is covered with about one inch of snow and sleet. The streets are full of slush he air is full of rain and fog. Went with Pardee to look after his judgeship. He has been bitterly assailed by the malcontents of Louisiana and his name was not acted on by the Senate. We hope to MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1875. have it sent in again. Read further in Alice Brandt. A telegram came during the day that James Buffinton, of Fall River Massachusetts, a member of the last House and a member elect of the next House died this morning and hour after he reached home. He has been in Congress twelve years. The mortality of the members of the last and next House has been unusual. Buffinton was a large hearted generous man. Monday March 9th 1875 At nine oclock went with Mr. James Dinsmore of N.Y. to the Patent Office and spent three hours in studying the Yost mowing machine patent in preparation for the argument I am to make on the interference between the "Climax" and :Acure" machines. Went then to the Capitol and transacted some business. Then went to Pardee's room at Willards to assist him in his case. Spent the evening with Pardee, Sheldon and Foster. Foster goes to N.Y. to meet with Wheeler to aid in settling the Louisiana Troubles, which have been referred to them as umpires. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1875. Worked on correspondence in the morning until ten o'clock then went to the Treasury Department on business where I spent over three hours with Secretary Bristow who called me into his private room and discussed the political situation. He has long been aware of the determined purpose of Babcock Delano and Shepherd to drive him from the Treasury. He says he has bee reluctantly compelled to come to the conclusion that the President is really mediating a third term. He gave me a sombre picture of the elements as represented in the surroundings of the White House. Called on C. S. [Bornton?] on 15th Street and had a long talk with him. He is one of those culturated elegant gentleman of leizure who seem to be in every bodies confidence and to know what movements are being made in all quarters of the Capitol. He also thinks that the third term is being contemplated. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1875. Went at half-past nine with Mr. [?] to the Patent Office and worked four hours on the morning machine patents. Then went to the Capitol and transacted some business and thence to Willard's where I took dinner with Sheldon. Judge Pardee's name has again been sent in to the Senate, and we are now in hopes it will be confirmed by that body. I know of no custom more vicious, or more damaging to the theory and practice of good government, than that which has sprung up of late years in the Senate by which the administration Senators of a State are allowed to be the sole judge of the proper appointments in their own state. This makes them the arbiters of appointments and substantially takes that high power out of the hands of the President. It is on this principle that Senator West a man of character, has bee able thus far to resis the confirmation of a most worthy officer. The President ought to make an open contest with the Senate on this subject. THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1875. Worked on correspondence in the morning and at half past ten oclock P H Watson, late President of the Erie R.R. called on me and spent nearly three hours in a very pleasant conversation. Talked to me about my project of settling in the law at Cleveland comparing the advantages of that place with this. Mr Watson is a man of great power and of clear and decisive views. He tendered any assistance he could give me. Friday went to the Interior and Post Office Departments at two o'clock and spent two hours in closing up arrears of business. B. L. Pope and wife of Troy dined with us and spent a portion of the evening with us. They are very pleasant people. Late in the evening Sheldon called and we had a long visit. FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1875. Went to the Interior and Post Office Departments at two oclock and spent two hours closing up arrears of business B.L. Pope and wife of Troy dined with us at at six and spent a portion of the evening I think they are very pleasant people late in the evening Sheldon called and we had a long visit Our people in New Hampshire have made a decided gain -- having won the Governorship and saved one out of the three congressional districts This is a good symptom but I doubt if it indicates a very decisive reaction in the public mood. SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1875. In the morning called at the Presidents with General and Mrs Pope and then drove with them to several points of interest in the City among them the Soldiers Home. I then returned home when Crete and I made some calls and I also did some work in the Departments. I called at the Capitol and looked after Pardee's affairs and spent some time with him and Sheldon in looking over the situation. A series of malignant attacks are being made upon Pardee by Senator West in the most unworthy manner and I shall do what I can to break down this miserable and unjust assault. Of all the rings supposed to be operating in Washington, I know of none more destructive to the party interests than that formed in the Senate by adopting the custom that each Senator shall be allowed to dictate the appointments of his own state, and that all administration Senators unite in rejecting every appointee that the Senator representing the state from which the appointee hails does not approve. This is really the whole trouble in the Pardee case Made a call with Crete on Senator Edmunds, in the evening and found that Pardee had been charged with contraband trading during the War. SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 1875 Called on Pardee immediately after breakfast and informed him of the new charges. Attended church with Mother at eleven. After church made further investigation into the attack on Pardee and think I gave him some essential aid. Called with him on Senator Conkling. In the evening finished Riddle's "Alice Brand". It is a powerfully written story, but I do not think it pleases me quite as well as "The Portrait". He is a noble fellow, full of heart and genius. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1875. Pardee went before the Committee on the Judiciary and I thin successfully answered the charges that have been made against him. Alexander Campbell dined with us in the evening. At eight o'clock went to Chief Justice Swayne, where a large party was assembled. The President was there. I had a long visit with him and also with Blaine. Learned some curious facts concerning the President's tastes, which throw some light upon his character. He tells me that he does not eat the kinds of food that most people do. That he never touches them. It is wholly a matter of prejudice that he don't. He says that he never eats duck or any dark-coloured game meat, never eats sweet potatoes, veal, etc. He says he never had a dog- dogs do not like him nor he dogs, but horses are his delight. We discussed the question as to whether animals became insane or could be insane. He thinks that Raney had an English horse who was insane; that all the colts got from that horse were of the same tempter. He says he has a valuable horse that is seriously sick from what he thinks a rush of blood to the head. That after driving him a few minutes he begins to stagger. He cannot get him far enough away to shoot him and don't want to unless it is necessary. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1875. Correspondence in the morning called on Secretary Bristons and had another long talk in which I urged him not to resign. Light is breaking on the Third Term business. Some of the strongest personal friends of the President, among them General Porter, came to the conclusion that a third term cannot be carried and they are beginning to intimate to Briston their desire that he should remain in the cabinet. I told Briston that while I was a strong friend of Blaine I thought it not unlikely that the geography of the case would turn the Presidential contest of 1876 in his direction. Either of these men would make a good president. The worst danger Blaine has to contend with is the fact that he is so widely known as an active candidate for the place. But few men in our history have ever obtained the Presidency by planning to obtain it; In most cases it is got as the result, partly of accident and partly of the popular sentiment and seizing hold of a man who had not done much about it himself. The struggle over Pardees nomination still continues. He was reported to the Senate but on West's request was recommitted to the Committee for further action. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1875. Correspondence as usual. Went to the Capitol and conversed with several Senators in regard to Pardee's nomination. He was again reported to the Senate for confirmation, but West still fought him and is doing all he can to prevent his nomination. The custom which has been adopted in the Senate within the last few years, of allowing an administration Senator to dictate the nomination of officers for his state, is, in my judgment one of the most corrupt and vicious practices of our times It virtually robs the President of his power of appointment and puts a dangerous power in the hands of the Senate. The remnants of the old Tenure of Office bill ought to be swept away. Spent the evening until a late hour in visiting leading senators and conversing in reference to Pardee's nomination. THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1875. Hawaiian Treaty consumed most of the day in the Senate and though Pardee's name was before the Senate its consideration did not get reached. Yesterday Crete received a telegram from home, stating that her mother was not expected to live which had come in answer to one I sent last night. She is requested to go to her mother immediately and I have spent the afternoon in working offsome business to enable us to start this evening. It is difficult for her to go away and leave the children, Especially the baby, but we have good help in the House and must go,. We took Mollie with us and left on the 7 o'clock evening Baltimore and Potomac Train. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1875. Reached Pittsburg at half-past eight o'clock. The Railroad War between the Baltimore and Ohio and Pennsylvania and New York Lines is raging just now and I bought our tickets from Washington to Pittsburg for five dollars each. I could have purchased from Washington to Chicago for eight dollars. Took Breakfast at Pittsburg and at 9:50 took the Fort Wayne train for Leetonia. Waited there until three. Found the snow lying heavy all over the country. At 3 o'clock too the train for Garrettsville via Niles. At the latter place Harmon Austin came on the train and rode with us to Warren. Several friends met me at the Warren Depot. At Leavittsburg we found the the train was to be delayed several hours by the non-arrival of the N. York train. Telegraphed to the Division Superintendent at Cleveland and got permission to go on a freight train to Garrettsville where we arrived at seven. Drove to Hiram in a furious snow storm. Reached there at half-past eight. Mother Rudolph still living but very low. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1875. In spite of the opinion of the Doctors, that Mother Rudolph cannot live, I feel some hope. I telegraphed to Dr Boynton of Cleveland to come on and consult with Dr Warren, her attending physician. Spent the day watching writing and visiting. Read a portion of Francis Gaulatin's new book on The Hereditary Qualities of the Scientific men of England. It is in the line of his former book on hereditary descent. It very interesting. Burke came in the evening and visited sometime. A heavy fall of snow during the day and good sleighing. I have seen no such coat of snow for many years. By the way I have not spent a Winter in Northern, Ohio, for 12+ years and this weather is strange tome. SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 1875. Dr Boynton came in the morning with Dr Warren and held a long consultation over Mother Rudolph's case. He thinks the chances decidedly against her but still she may live. Her disease is lung fever and it is doubtful whether her strength is sufficient to carry her through the fever. Attended church at eleven oclock and heard a long sermon from Burke. He is able but his sermons are too long. Saw Henry Boyntons two girls Alpha and Carrie, also Cousin Harriet Clark's son Willie a fine looking young man whom I have not seen for years. Was driven with Dr Boynton in a sleigh to Garretsville and took the evening train for the North. After two hours spent the night at Dr _____ on Rospect Street. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1875. Spent the day in visiting Mr Crules (Editor of the Leader), Dr Robison and several other friends. I find there is much popular indignation at the clause in the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, increasing the rate of Postage in Third Class matter. It was intended only to apply to merchandize. It doubles the old rates on newspapers, books, etc. The real fault is that legislation is hurried through too hastily in the closing hours of the session. Took dinner at Dr Robison's. Went out on the four o'clock Mahoning train. Gilbert Rudolph Jeddo with a sleigh and drove me home. Mother Rudolph is much worse today and thinks she cannot live through the night. The family are of the same opinion. She is very calm and hopeful and looks upon death as a happy release from trouble. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1875. Contrary to all our expectations mother passed the night somewhat more comfortably, and seems a little better. This morning I wrote a reply to the newspaper strictures made upon me in consequence of the increase of postage on Third Class Matter and addressed it to the Editor of the Ashtabula Telegraph Also, finished Gaulatins book on Men of Science. He is working in a rich vein of Philosophy which interests me very much. Went to the College in the afternoon and visited one of Hinsdale's classes in Moral Philosophy. I then took dinner with him at his house. I am suffering severely with a cold in my head which makes me nearly sick WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1875. Mother Rudolph continues about as she was yesterday perhaps is a little better. We begin to have hope that she may recover although the chances seem still heavily against her. Wrote a large number of letters and read the Atlantic Monthly [and]. I then made preparations to leave for Washington tomorrow. I find my argument in the Yost case must be made on Saturday. I must get some time to study it before the trial comes off. Bought a gallon of maple molasses and in the evening "sugared it off." It reminded me strongly of old times when I worked in the sugar camp. Burke came down in the evening and visited until 11 o'clock THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1875. Left Crete and mother to stay with Mother Rudolph until the crisis is over. I should have mentioned in the proper place that sister Nellie arrived from Saint Louis on Monday evening. Mother Rudolph's children are all with her to stay by her through this trying ordeal. Drove to Garrettsville and took the morning train for Cleveland, where at 11 o'clock I took the train for Pittsburg. Before I reached Wellsville, the snow had all disappeared and the hills were bare. Little scarfs of snow lay along the hills skirting the Ohio River; but the air almost Springlike! Dinner at Wellsville at eight o'clock got the train at Pittsburg for Washington. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1875. Reached Washington at a little after 10 o'clock and found the family well. I am glad to see them. Callers came pouring in on business and a large mail was awaiting me which I made a beginning on. Went to the P.O. Department on business and then to see Denismore and Yost to make ready the argument for tomorrow. Made several calls during the day. Worked with Rose on correspondence. In the evening brought up the back entries in my journal and on the whole made a day of it. I think it is good for the children to be left alone occasionally that they may feel a sense of responsibility and their own part and learn how valuable their parents are to them SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1875. Correspondence an hour in the morning, and then took up the Yost Case, and worked on it till eleven o'clock. Then called on Mr Stoughton and went over the main points as I propose to present them to the Commissioner. After some amendments of Densmore's brief, Stoughton signed it; and then we went to the Office and examined the drawings and exhibits anew. At half past twelve Stoughton opened the case in a brief statement of ten minutes, and I followed in an argument of an hour. I think I made a thorough and exhaustive statement of the case; and I believe I carried my points in the mind of the Commissioner. The counsel for the other side spoke and hour, and I replied in a speech of ten minutes. I shall be some what surprised if I do not get a favorable verdict for my client. Made several calls in the evening, and wrote some letters It is very lonesome here without Grete Hardly feel as though I can stay here without her. SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1875. Wrote several letters, and made preparations to leave for Connecticut, where I go next week to help the Republicans in their election. In the afternoon Mr Blaine sent for me and I went to his house and had a long visit. After spending sometime with Mrs Blaine and Miss Dodge ("Gail Hamilton") I went into private conference with J. G. B. and very fully examined the ground of the Presidential prospects. Blaine has fully committed his mind to the candidacy and is studying the forces and elements of the problem very carefully. As a shrewd observer of events, he has few equals in the country; as a judge of men, he is equally sagacious. There are many elements in his favor, but there are also some drawbacks. Among them are his location, which may be objectionable to the West; and I think there may be a feeling that he is too much inclined to management, perhaps to intrigue. I think to, it will be difficult to elect any man who has taken so active a part in politics. People love the unknown. Took the nine P.M. train for New York, via the Balt and Pot R.R. Monday, March 29, 1875. Reached New York at seven a.m. and stopped at the Brevoort House. After breakfast General McDowell called and asked me to dine with him on my return from Connecticut. At ten o'clock I took the train for New Haven and found General McDowell and Mr. Hale of Maine on board. We had a pleasant chat de omnibus et singulis. General Mc Dowell was en route for Mass to enquire after the health of his wife who is insane. Poor man, he has a hard task. Hale and I went to New Haven. Here we were met by Lynde Harrison, who took us to the New Haven House; where we took dinner and waited till two p.m., when we separated; he to speak at some point near New Haven. I to go, via Hartford to Windsor Locks. I reached the latter place in company with Mr. Crapsey of the N.Y. Times. I was met at the Depot by Mr. Converse, at whose house I spent the night. I spoke a little more than an hour to a fair audience and did reasonably well. But, as usual with my first speech, did not satisfy myself. After the meeting, several gents called among them a Mr. Hayden who had written a history of Windsor. Had a pleasant talk on the early history of Conn. Tuesday, March 30, 1875. Took the 7.30 a.m. train for Hartford, and met L.M. Clark late Superintendent of the Treasury Printing I have not seen him for several years. I gave his Bureau a thorough examination in 1854 and found him an able efficient and much abused man. He was, in fact, driven from the Treasury by the clamor of the Bank Note Companies which was raised against him for mercenary reasons. Reached Hartford at 8.30 and called on General Hawley. He took me to the Colt Arms Manufactory, where General Franklin spent two hours in showing us the works. Thence we went to the Club to an elegant dinner with a very pleasant company of gentlemen. At four p.m. went to New Britain with my old college friend Chamberlain At eight p.m. addressed a very large audience and succeeded better than last evening. At the hotel found a history of the church in New Britain which gave a pretty full genealogical exhibit of the members. Read this until nearly one oclock and made notes of the size of the first 100 families recorded and a similar number near the close of the book The first group extended from A.D. 1660 to about 1777. I noticed but one married pair in that list that had no children; and the average was nearly seven and a half The list covering the last seventy years showed many sterile families, and the average number of children was not above three This strikingly exhibits the tendency of our population WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1875. After breakfast, visited a rule and level manufactory Went to Hartford about ten o'clock. Wrote letters visited the Connecticut Historical Society, and the State House. At one dined with a large party of gentlemen, among them Dr. Wainwright, whose anecdotes were very bright, especially his story of Traverse and Jerome in the Broadway stage recognizing "M'Gerkin". At three took the train Eastward going on via Plainfield to Putnam, in Windham Co. There I spoke an hour and a half to a fine audience, and did well. At the hotel I found a history of Windham Co., and read it till a late hour. I was greatly struck with the story of the religious struggle which resulted in the "Saybrook Platform". Our ancestors were a grim folk and dead in earnest. For the first time I saw how Calvinism could be so great a power among men. It left the soul alone with God, and taught it to look for no help except from the Holy Spirit. This made it awe-struck, reverent, religious; and when the religious emotions were stirred it was deemed the very power of God; and was treated as a divine call. Suffering from a cold and a sore throat. THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1875. Took the 7-30 train for Hartford. Reached the State Capital about noon. Dined at the club with a large company. Hale of Maine among them. At 3-30 he and I took the train, he for Bridgeport, I for Stamford. I reached Stamford at 7-pm and found Frye of Maine awaiting me. We had a very large audience. I spoke an hour and Frye another. The meeting was called to order by Truman Smith, who was in the U.S. Senate when I was only eight years old. Ex Governor Minor of know-nothing fame, presided. After the meeting Mr. St John drove me to New Canaan, seven miles away, and I spent the night at his home. The day's work has been a hard one, and my throat is very rough. I have never before heard Frye on the stump. He has a very pleasing address, and soon gets a rigorous hold on the sympathies of his hearers. The indications are that the Republicans are awakening from the reaction of last year. Connecticut seems to be ashamed of the result which sent Eaton to the Senate in place of Buckingham. We shall gain on the popular vote but the odds are against us. Friday, April 2, 1875. Saint John drove me to Norwalk, where I took the train at 10-30 for Norwich. At New Haven Harrison met me with letters from Crete. There were on the train Vice President Wilson, Frye Burrows, Eames of R.I., Scudder of N.Y., Barnum of Conn., all members of the late Congress. I stopped about an hour at Hartford, and then took the train for Norwich, where Starkweather met, and took me to the Waukegan House. This is the ancestral home of Crete's family on her mother's side. As near as I can learn her grandfather, John Mason, was a descendant of Capt John Mason, renowned in the Pequot War, of the 17th Century. In the evening I had an immense meeting, and a most enthusiastic one. Hale telegraphed me that he was sick and could not be with me. I was sorry for I have never heard him on the stump, and I was also anxious to have less work at the meeting. I think I made the best speech of the series of my speeches thus far. After the meeting, I went to the residence of Mr James L. Greene. The Republican Candidate for Governor where he gave me a fine reception, and a table was spread for about twenty five guests. Spent the night at his house. Saturday, April 3, 1875. About noon called on David A. Wells. Had a long talk on politics and finance. He has made a serious mistake in connecting himself with the partisan politics of Connecticut. He ought to hold on to his career as a student and writer and not cripple his influence by partisanship. He assented to this and said he should withdraw from such strife hereafter. He was not well treated by Boutwell and the President, and that fact has worked up his mind and warped his judgment of men and parties, until he is hardly fit to treat fairly, any party question. Deliver me from "a man with a grievance". Dined at Greene's and at five P.M. went to New London. Republican Committee met me at the Depot. At the hotel read Beecher's testimony of yesterday until time for the meeting. Addressed a large audience for an hour and a half. Much enthusiasm and good feeling. The campaign has been a stirring one, and whatever may be the result, there is a much better state of feeling than last year. Many citizens called on me at the hotel, and stayed till eleven. SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1875. Took the train at 2 am for Norwalk where I arrived at 5 am. Mr. St. John met me and drove me to his house in New Canaan. Rebecca Selleck had come from Lewisboro expecting me to go back and spend Sunday; but it was tooo stormy and I was too much worn out with the weeks' work to make the trip. [Sp] Slept two hours before taking breakfast. Spent the day in visiting and reading. Read a large part of General Tracy's speech on opening the defense of Beecher. If they are able to sustain the Theory of the Defense, Beecher will be handsomely vindicated. I believe in Beecher's innocence; but I think he is a great sentimental big hearted booby, in his relations to and his judgment of the people around him. Perhaps the elements that make him so powerful a preacher, make him also the boy he is. It is manifest that he has fallen into the hands of a most unscrupulous set of rascals, and they have done their best to skin him for their own mercenary purposes, and then to ruin him for the purpose of covering their own tracks. I am anxious to see him on the witness [trust] stand, and thus more fully make up my own mind. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1875. Took the 7-30 train for N.Y., and reached the Brevoort house about ten o'clock. Went to Brooklyn and sent my card to Mr Fullerton, who came out and took me in to a seat at his table where I had a full view of the parties and the audience. It was a picture long to be remembered. Beecher was on the stand, and had been testifying about twenty minutes. At first I thought there was a haggard and a troubled look [but it was real], [I am passed away] but he stood up to his work, the perfect master of himself and his subject. It was clear to my mind that he was carrying his audience with him, and was making a very favorable impression on the court. It was a touching sight to see his wife with her white hair and pale face as she sat there looking intently and lovingly upon him, her eyes clear and bright, and her confidence in his innocence speaking from every line of her face. The case is being very ably handled on both sides. I was more than over impressed with the fact that Evarts verbosity is a source of weakness to him. He is probably a man of far greater ability than Fullerton, but is not so [tired?], terse and forcible in his method of expression in the work of examining a witness. Lunched with Evarts at the Brooklyn Club and returned to N.Y. at three pm. Went to General McDowell's at five and spent the evening and night with him. After going to Booth's [Henry II?] Tuesday, April 6, 1875. (Apr. 4th Took the train at 2 am for Norwalk, where I arrived [of] at five am. Mr St John met me, and drove me to his house in New Canaan. Re[b]becca Selleck had come from Lewisboro, expecting me to go back there and spend Sunday ; but it was)-- After breakfasting with General McDowell and his two daughters, he and I planned some visits, but before the time arrived, I was so jaded with my last weeks work that I fell asleep and they let me sleep until two o'clock. We then made some calls and drove to the Central Park. In the course of the drive I remarked that while in all the lower animals, the male is more beautiful than the female, the rule seems to be reversed in the human race. General McDowell surprised me by denying that man was an exception. I admitted that the pelvic enlargement in the female, is a departure from the recognized proportion of beauty, still I thought that above the waist and below the boundaries, woman is more beautiful than man. Even this the General denied, and he reinforced his opinion by referring to the three most celebrated male statues of antiquity - the Apollo Belvidere, the Farnese Hercules, and the Antinous. These he said were more majestic and beautiful than any three celebrated female figures. [WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1875.] He held that it was the sentiment with which has invested woman, that has led to the prevailing doctrine on this subject, and when old age removes that sentiment, in any case, the belief disappears. He insisted that even the face of woman gets its chief fascination from its relation to the sentiment alluded to. He cited the face of Laeda so often copied from Correggio's Laeda and the Swan and that the beautiful expression of her face is the result of the situation at the moment. I must think of this. At 7 p.m. dined at Hon C.N. Potter's in company with General McDowell, Senators Bayard and Stevenson, A.T. Stewart, Judge Brady and several members of the N.Y. Bar. A very pleasant dinner party. Wednesday, April 7th, 1875 Went to the new Post Office building and spent several hours in examining its plan and construction. Its cost and size are a happy contrast with the Tweed-built Court House nearby. The Post Office building is twice the size and cost but half the money. Mullett has often been called an expensive luxury, and this may be so, but he is a luxury nevertheless. He has built not for the present alone but for the future; and I think his work will stand the test of time. Spent some time in the bookstores looking at the recent publications. I have for sometime had a desire to make a translation of the letters of Pliny the Younger. There has been no translation of these letters into English for nearly seventy years; and those of Lords Orrery and Melmoth are not up to the standard of modern learning and criticism. I am surprised that these letters are not more read, for they are among the [p] most interesting of all the works of that period that have come down to us. They abound in sketches of the daily life of home and of the customs of literary and professional society. The description of Laurentum is unique, and invests with a peculiar charm, all our thoughts of Ostia and its vicinity. Last week I read in Hare's Walks in the Neighborhood of Rome, a discription of Castel Fusano, which occupies the supposed site of Laurentum and it made the story doubly interesting to think that there was the seaside home of the Great Advocate and Consul. At half- past six General McDowell and I dined at Mr Stoughtons on 5th Avenue in company with Senator Jones, Whitelaw Reid, Manton Marble, General Wilson (the captor of Jeff Davis) Horace Porter and several others. Took train for Washington [FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1875.] Thursday April 8th 1875 Reached home at 7 a.m. and found the family all well; but there was a sense of desolation in the House, because Crete, the light of it, was not there. The children were happy to see me, and it delighted me to find how anxious they had been to make a good record to show me on my return. Telegraphed to Crete and received answer that she was leaving Hiram this morning for home This will make our family circle complete. Left N.Y. sooner than I would have done, on account of a statement made to me by G. S. Jenkins, in reference to what he supposes to be an incorrect statement of the Public Debt. He says he has collected several hundred dollars of U.S. Bonds of 1848 and that the Debt Statement shows no decrease in the amount of the bonds since those payments went early to the Secretary of the Treasury, and laid the case before him. He caused an investigation to be made and came to the conclusion that Jenkins was in error The books of the Department show no such fact. I found a large mail awaiting me and spent a large part of the day in reading it. Made several calls and closed the day at a late hour tired and lonesome. Friday, April 9th, 1875. Dictated a large number of letters in the morning, and at 7.50 met Crete and Mollie at the Depot. Their arrival made the family as happy as any family ought to be. Crete thinks our visit to Hiram probably saved her mother's life and I presume it did. The family there had given up the hopes of her recovery and as we took a more encouraging view our arrival gave new life. Went to the Capitol and transacted some business that had accumulated in my absence. [SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1875.] Friday April 9th 1875 Spent some time in the library, and came home to dinner at five, with all our circle at the table, and happy that Crete is with us again. Saturday April 10th 1875 Spent a large part of the morning in answering letters., and preparing business for the Departments. At eleven o'clock Crete and I went to the Capitol, and spent some time in looking over the recent French volumes on the celebrated painters of the several schools; then went down to the Congressional Garden, and spent an hour among the flowers and shrubs. Smith, the Gardener, a canny Scotchman, made up a beautiful bouquet for Crete, and also, showed us a picture of Burns which is unlike any other I have ever seen. Is more of the plowman and less of the Poet than the standard portraits of "Rob." We then sauntered along the Avenue enjoying the sweet breath of Spring, stopped at "Harvey's" for a quiet lunch, and at "Gall's" to leave her watch to be regulated, and thence home. At six dined with McFarland of N.Y. and Sam Ward. Had a pleasant dinner, but the recent death of Welker threw its shad[d]ow over the party, and made us feel how sad it must be for the widow to take up the work so lately done by her husband. [SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 1875.] Saturday April 10th 1875 Home at an early hour to visit with Crete, the sunshine of whose coming still fills the house with light and fragrance. Sunday, April 11th 1875. This has been to me quite literally a day of rest. I have read the papers, my letters, and in the evening Crete and I called at Colonel Piatt's an spent an hour very pleasantly. In spite of all the unpleasant features of Piatt's journalism, he is a genial large-hearted man. Came home through Lafayette Park and enjoyed the pleasant breath of Spring. Monday, April 12th, 1875 Busy a large part of the day with letters and with work of the Departments. Yesterday I commenced and today I continued the reading of Scott's "Quentin Durward". I was anxious to know whether "The Wizard of the North" who so charmed my boyhood, would be able to hold me in his grasp now, after so many years of real life have laid their rough hands upon me. I have never read "Durward", and so better try it as an experiment. I have finished the preface which Scott wrote in 1831, near the close of his life when he was giving the last revising touches to his works. The prefaces Monday, April 12, 1875. seem to have given the key to the artist's purposes of his stories, and I have no doubt did much to direct the course of subsequent criticism. It would be a matter of interest to analyze the [state] standard estimate of some famous work, and find how far its fame depends upon the early criticisms of reviewers. I did something like it in reference to Jane Austen's novels. It appeared that her fame received a special impulse from the enthusiastic notice which Walter Scott made of her works; and that all subsequent critics followed in his track. Her novels seem latterly to have fallen into disuse; and though I think they have great and peculiar merit[s], yet I suspect that they are now left more to their own merits than in the time when the spell of Scott's Genius was glorifying them. I read them because of what Maccauley said of them in one of his reviews, and from the fact that he and eight other celebrated Englishmen, agreeing to write down the name of the best novel they ever read and six of them wrote "Mansfield Park". Tuesday, April 13, 1875 Correspondence bringing up back work I do not know how to be thankful enough for the sweet spirit of confidence and love which dwells in our home. I am fully determined to withdraw from public life, for a few years at least, and build me a home away from the noise and excitements of Washington. If I can make a business connection with some good firm in Cleveland I will do so soon. I have perhaps waited too long already, but I must act without much longer delay. I ought to have quit two years ago but it was necessary to vindicate my good name from the assaults of partisan malice. That I have pretty effectually done and now I think I can safely retire My fear is that I have delayed too long to get the place at the bar, which an earlier beginning would have given me. Still my experience has been valuable in some respects. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1875 Correspondence in the morning. Worked at the Department during the afternoon. Finished "Quentin Durward". It is a novel of rare power and people. [He] Scott has sketched of the character of Louis XI in a masterly manner. I have no doubt it has become the standard portrait of that adroit but reckless monarch Bad as his career was, it seems to have done a great deal towards consolidating France into nationality. The Independence of French nobles and Barons, especially of the Duke of Burgundy made the Nation weak until the King, joining with the Burghers broke down the power of the Nobles. In the evening dined with Senator Bayard at his house. A very pleasant visit. Shane pretty much concluded to go to California and start early next week. I do not know how to stand the expense, but I think I can go cheaper now than at any later period and with my present plans for the future I will not be likely to go in many years unless I go now. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1875. Continued my work of finishing up Department business and correspondence. Help Mussey to complete the brief in the Presbyterian Church case for the Supreme Court but the case will hardly be reached the term. at least the anti [?] [Ring? Wing?] of the Cabinet is a likely to be broken. The practices of the Secy of the Interior have at last culminated in a development which will put him out of the Cabinet before ten days have passed. He ought never to have been there and his presence has long been a obstacle in the way of real reform. In the evening dined at Judge Field's in company with Judge Bradley, Mr Bartlett of the Boston Bar, Hill, Mrs Dahl. [?] and daughter and several other ladies. A very pleasant party. Rode home with Hill The President has called for his resignation which has been tendered to take effect on the 15 May. This appears to have been done in consequence of Hill's activity in prosecuting the Safe Burglary Case. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1875. Dictated a large number of letters and nearly cleared up the docket. Visited the Board of Commissioners for the District to look after my taxes. Also, went to the Department. I have received an invitation to go to California. A special [can?] leaves New York Sunday night and I have concluded to leave tomorrow night for Chicago to meet Mr. Ralston's Party there. Worked until a late hour in the evening looking over my papers and getting ready for leaving. I did not intend to go so soon, but this party will be pleasant one and doubtless very considerably reduce expenses of the trip. Saturday, April 17, 1875. Dictated a large number of letters. Went to the Capitol and arranged for sending off a large number of public documents. Went to the D. [O.?] Treasury and War Departments and finished a number of errands and uncompleted matters. In the afternoon looked over my accounts since October last, and arranged for sending off documents ready for distribution in the Interior Department. In the evening Colonel Rockwell and Dr. [Lindermann?] called and talked of California. Left fully detailed arrangements for paying shop bills and for expenses of the family during my absence, and at 11 p.m. bade good by to the dear one's at home. At [11:10] took the Baltimore and Ohio train for the West and was soon in my berth grieving at the separation Sunday, April 18, 1875. Awoke near the summit of the Allegheny Mountains amid a snow storm. All eight to breakfast at Grafton. At twelve crossed the Ohio at Benwood. At three took dinner at Lanesville. Supper at Shelby at 7 p.m. At 9.30 reached Sandusky. At 9.55 took the train west. Reached Toledo at midnight and finding no sleeping berth, stopped over night at the Boody House. During the day I read Henry V and was greatly pleased with the power of the great dramatist. I regret that I have not with me a history of England covering the period of his reign. If I get time I will write the story of the play for the children to supplement Lamb's volume. Monday, April 19, 1875 This day I ought to have spent in Lexington Mass in celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the opening of the Revolution. I was to have responded to a toast to the Great West but the Pacific Coast called me away. After breakfast I read the papers and wrote a letter to Crete and the children. At noon took the train for Chicago. The day was cold and unpleasant. I slept some on the way and reread portions Henry V. Many of the current literary quotations find their origin in this play. On passing South Bend, I was reminded of the day when Colfax was so much of a power when I campaigned in this district and he was so beloved. It is sad to think how soon he has dropped down from his high place in the public esteem and how unjustly he has been treated. Reached Chicago at 9 pm and stopped at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Tuesday, April 20, 1875 Called on several friends and acquaintances among others Col G. S. Hubbard Jr. After lunching at Thompson we drove to see my lots on Armitage Street near Milwaukie Avenue. They lie about half a mile beyond the present termimus of the horse railroad, and near the city boundary. Their value is small at this time, and I don't think they can be very valuable for many years, but if I keep them till Jimmie is of age they may be worth $30,000, now they would not sell for more than $5000. In the evening called on Mrs. Ralston and her party with whom I am to make the journey to Frisco. They are Mrs R, a lady about 45 years of age, Mrs Petty, a lady of 55, Miss Leland, daughter of Warren Leland, Miss Stone and Miss of N. Y. Finally Governor Edw McCook, Henry Hart and I make up the party. Wrote letters and read Shakespeare until eleven. Wednesday, April 21, 1875 It is now nearly certain that we cannot leave before Saturday. It I had know this sooner I could have gone to Cleveland and to Hiram, but now I might sit still and wait it out. Read the first and second parts of Henry the VI, which (the first especially) are the least powerful and attractive of any of Shakespeare's works I have read. Had a long visit with Frank Palmer of the Inter Ocean and with Joe Medill of the Tribune. The latter gave me the particulars of a long conversation he had with E. B. Washburne in Paris about the Presidency and the reasons W gave why he would not run. Medill also gave me some curious gossip about the early like of Blaine, and its relation to his availability as a candidate for the Presidency. Casino and Shakespeare in the evening THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1875. Took a long ride with young McKeeler a student who crossed the ocean with me in 1867. He was then on his way to Berlin to study. He told me his history since that time. He drove me to his place in Hyde Park and introduced me to his wife. They are comfortably situated and have one child. He has been very successful in business as a builder and seller of houses. In the evening our party attended the Theatre and heard Maggie Mitchell in "Fanchon" The little woman as a strong hold on her auditors, though I think her voice is losing something of its old sweetness. Read the second part of Henry VI until a late hour. It is readable as a historical work, but it must have been a failure as a drama on the stage. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1875. Went shopping in the fore[after]noon with our party, who were making preparations for the journey. In the afternoon had a long visit with Senator who leaves for Washington tonight. Not thinking it prudent to write to Blaine the subject of Medill's conversation, I communicated it to Allison who has agreed to see Blaine in New York. I then wrote to Blaine telling him to see Allison without fail. It is one of the Satanic characteristics of our journalism that it leaves no part of private life sacred from its touch. Wrote many letters and prepared to leave for the West in the morning. Saw Governor Cadwallader Washburn of Wisconsin. Talked of the Delano Scandal as it appeared in the newspapers this morning. SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1875. Our party were seated in the Director's car of the U.P.R.R. at 10 a.m. and started by the Burlington and Quincy Road. The air of the prairie was chilly and skirts of snow lay along the fences and in the ditches by the road side. During the day I read Henry VII and played Casino. We took dinner at Mendota Illinois and had supper in the cars. At sun down we crossed the Mississippi at Burlington on the new iron bridge and entered Iowa as the shaddows were gathering over us. The Director's car has a kitchen in one end a sleeping berth adjourning and next to that a parlor or sitting room in which Governor McCook and I slept on bed lounges. At the rear end is a gentlemens toilet and smoking room. The party is a pleasant one with enough variety of character to make it possible for each to find novelty in the rest. At half past ten we were all asleep. SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1875. Rose at seven and at 8 o'clock we took breakfast in the Pullman Palace bar adjoining ours. At mine we came in sight of Council Bluffs where, 72 years ago Lewis and Clarke landed from their canoes and held a council with the Indians nations who then possessed this country. I think of their [expedition] explorations with pride and admiration and with a feeling of regret that there are no more such [expeditions] explorations to be made on the globe. We crossed the swollen Missouri to Omaha at 10 o'clock, where I touched the soil of Nebraska for the first time. Dispatched a long letter to Crete. At nine we had stocked our car with provisions and were away to the Westward leaving at Omaha 1500 [migrants?], bound for the Pacific, who are detained by a break in the road. We go in advance to make the first crossing. Spent the afternoon in reading and in looking at the country watered by the broad and shallow Platte. MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1875. Awoke on the broad waters of the Platte and near the line of Wyoming Territory. Our route is near the old overland trail, and, though it is still a wild and desolate country, here and there a cabin appears and the usual [seens?] scenes of a pioneer land. Towards noon we came in sight of the Rocky Mountains covered with snow. Soon Long's Peak and Pike's Peak appeared in the southwest and the sun lighted up with glory the snowy tops of many peaks. The soil is barren for want of water. No life appears except the Gophers a multitude of which sat on end near their holes to stare at us as we passed. About [ten] one in the afternoon we reached Cheyenne and stopped an hour. [Wh] Wrote a long letter to the children. Governor Thayer, late U.S. Senator, came on the train and talked a long time. Saw Lieut Hayden Delany of the Army, an Ohio boy from Ropedale, named after A.S. Hayden. Several old Army friends also called at the station. Major Wolcott rode with us for an hour and I had a long talk with [Tuesday, April 27, 1876] him in regard to John Delano's affairs here in the Territory, which are shameful enough and ought to make a change in the head of that Department. We stopped a few moments at Sherman 8200 feet above the sea -- the highest point on the road -- and then commenced to cross the Larabee Plains which are beginning to bloom into a green, [and] like a vast meadow. Before many years they will be covered with sheep and cattle enough to supply the markets of the East. Just as night was coming on we saw a small herd of antelope bounding gracefully across the slope. Tuesday, April 27, 1875. Awoke among the Alkali Plains. No vegetation except sage brush. At ten o'clock we reached Rock Springs. After waiting an hour our train [sl] moved slowly down to the one remaining break in the road. The snows of the mountains melting a few weeks ago and an unusual flood filled the channels of Green River and Bitter Creek and in many places covered the track to the depth of several feet, embarkments were washed away [WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1875] and bridges swept off. The great energy of the company had already restored the road to a passable condition except one bridge and that will be done so that we can pass over it tomorrow. Hundreds of wagons drawn by mules are transferring passengers and baggage around the break, a distance of 2 1/2 miles. After spending an hour or two at the bridge we ran back to Rock Springs where we spent the remainder of the day and night. Wrote [the] to Crete and read Richard III, which is a much more powerful play [and able] than either of the three parts of Henry VI, but Richard is such a despicable character that I wonder the piece could ever be popular on the stage. Wednesday, April 28, 1875. We lay at Rock Springs awaiting for orders until near noon. At one the train moved forward and in an hour we had passed slowly over the break and were on our way. The night closed in upon us as we entered the Weaver Canon and by [Thursday, April 29, 1878] starlight we saw the high cliffs and crags that looked down upon the train. A little after midnight we arrived at Ogden, where we where detained an hour transferring baggage and passengers to the Central Pacific Road. In this shallow mountain basin, a wierd strange nature exists -- and a strange people, the Mormons dwell, both affording interesting materials for thought. As I retired to rest near one o'clock we were passing [Cossine?] further to the west than I have ever been on this line. Thursday, April 29 - 1875. Awoke in the Great American Desert on the banks of the Humbolt River. It would be difficult to find a more desolate prospect than that which surrounds us on all sides. Alkali dust rolling in white choking eddies, stunted sage brush and burning sand in the foreground and the bold mountains in the distance. The little railroad towns along our route are the brave symbols of the struggle of man against savage nature. Late in the afternoon we passed Winnemucca [Friday, April 30, 1876] named after the late Chief of his tribe who lives in this region. Not far from here the Humbolt River sinks mysteriously into the sand and is lost. So, also, do several other rivers in this region. It is still uncertain whether they perish by evaporation or escape in a subterranean passage to the ocean. This day has been the most uncomfortable one of any day of the trip. At Elcho dispatched a letter to mother. Passed Humbolt Station as night was closing in upon us. Friday, April 30, 1875. Rose early and found we were ascending the slope of the Sierra Nevadas along the Truckee River. The hills and valleys are thickly wooded with pine and the clear stream flowing from Lake Tahoo rushes down with foam and roar past Truckee and through bright looking towns, whirling through miles of snow sheds catching glimpses of Lake Donner and [at] at 7 a.m. stopped a few moments at Summit Station, the highest point of the road of Sierras. The show lay deep on [Saturday, May 1, 1878] all sides, but the birds were singing in the bright sunshine and pure air; then we descended rapidly and by ten oclock were among the mines, where the waters from the great flumes were washing[ton] down the hills to enable the workmen [to] to catch the particles of gold. A little later passed Colfax and then Rockland, where are granite quarries and then we were among the roses and vines. Before noon we had passed through Sacramento and after a delay of half an[d] hour were streaming down the broad and beautiful valley of that river. The farmers were cutting their hay (they call oats and barley hay) and the country was in its harvest season. Passing to the south east of San Francisco we turned to the north west through a gap of the Coast Range and reached [the ocean] Oakland a little after dark. Crossed the ferry where our pleasant party broke up. Cook and I going alone to the Grand Hotel. Saturday, May 1 - 1875. Awoke after a long and sound sleep feeling well, except when I have indications of an attack of the piles probably resulting from the long railroad jaunt. Telegraphed to Crete of my safe arrival. Wrote [SUNDAY, MAY 2, 1875.] several letters and spent a portion of the day on the streets taking in the strange sights of this curious city. Received several calls, among others, among others an invitation from Mr Ralston to go with him and his family to Belmont which McCook and I accepted. At 4.40 p.m. met him at the South Pacific Railroad Station and in an hour we were at Belmont Station, where his great stages drawn by splendid horses whirled us a mile away by the beautiful ravine which led to his country residence, one of the loveliest suburban homes I have ever seen. Twenty-five guests accompanied him and after an elegant dinner the evening was spent in music, promenades and pleasant conversation. Retired at eleven and soon the bracing air brought sweet and refreshing sleep. Sunday, May 2, 1875. Rose at 1/4 before 7 and after taking a cup of coffee and two eggs joined Mr. Ralston and a party of ten on a splendid drive of twelve miles along the Bay passed Redwood and stopped at several fine country seats, among others that of Mr Selby and that of Mr Atherton, where I saw the glory of this semi-tropical climate, in their shrubery and flowers in their great Eucalyptus from Australia, [MONDAY, MAY 3, 1875.] almond trees from South America, oranges half ripe, lemons nearly ready for picking. English walnuts growing beside the Northern apple and peach and a wonderful luxuriance and variety of vegetation. Returned to Belmont at half past ten and at 11 sat down to a bountiful breakfast. At two o'clock we drove ten miles to the northward passing through the grounds. Stopped a short time at the residence of D. O. Mills. Then took the train at his station and reached San Francisco between 5 and 6. Found letter from Crete and wrote a long letter home. Monday, May 3rd, 1875. At eleven o'clock Senator Sargent called at the hotel and I went with him and Governor McCook to visit the U.S. Mint. Dr. Lindermann, the Director of the Mint, had given me a letter of [Intr[ introduction to General La Grange, the Superintendent and was desirous that I should examine the character of the building and the operations of the Mint. I spent several hours in a careful study of the processes by which parted bars are assayed and converted into coin. I think I fully comprehend all the steps in the process, [and that] The Trade Dollar which we are now coining, has proved to be a great success. They have met the [Tuesday, May 4, 1875] want of China and Japan, particularly the latter country who have heretofore used the Mexican dollars. This mint is producing six hundred thousand of them a month. I have promised to visit it again and discuss the wisdom of establishing a refinery in pursuance of an appropriation made last Winter. Spent some time in the afternoon at the bookstores and in receiving calls. A large number of U.S and state officials called. Friday, May 4 1875 At half past 9 o'clock, by a previous appointment Mr. Hart brought Mrs. Ralston and Miss Leland and took us with them to visit the steamer "City of Pekin" which is to sail for Yokahama on the 15th. We spent an hour on board her. She is the second largest steamer in the world, the Great Eastern exceeding her in tonnage. At half-past eleven went to the Cosmopolitan Hotel where I joined Senator Sargent for a visit to the Chinese Quarters. We procured the services of Captain Leese one of the city officials and a Chinese interpreter and spent several hours in going through their Josh houses, their manufactories, restaurants and private dwellings. The small space into which so many thousands [Wednesday, May 6, 1875] of human beings are crowded would insure pestilence but for the fact that the purifying breezes from the ocean which daily visit this city, have a decided sanitary effect. During four or five hours of the afternoon they [pl] blow steadily. I am not surprised at the two sharply contested opinions in regard to the Chinese, one in their favor, the other in their detestation. Their modes and thoughts of life are utterly unlike ours. I see no reason why they cannot drive us out of all the smaller forms of hand manufacture at any time they choose. Governor McCook and I took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Ralston at their rooms on California Street and in the evening we went with the ladies to the Theatre to hear Mrs. Bowers, in "Mary Queen of Scots." Wednesday May 5, 1875 In company with General [Burns?] of the Army, who lives at the Grand Hotel, I made the tour of the Bay in the Quartermaster's Boat. We stopped at Lyme Point, Alcatraz Island and at Angel Island. At the latter place took a lunch with Col. Nelson - a brother of General Nelson, who was killed by General J. C. Davis. We then climbed to the highest point in the vicinity of the Post, where I had a fine new [Thursday, May 6, 1875] of the Bay. On our way to and from Angel Island I obtained the first full view of the Golden Gate_the narrow strait which connects this beautiful bay with the main ocean. I rejoice in the magnificent future which certainly awaits this City and Bay. I am glad of the part I have taken in making liberal appropriations for the various public works in this country. Returned to the City suffering greatly from a renewed attack of the piles. Thursday, May 6, 1875. Remained in my room all day writing, reading and nursing my malady. It is very trying to me to have this affliction when I want to use every waking our in travel and observation. The marvelous rapidity with which this city has been built up; the rare energy of the people who by the law of natural selection are among the foremost from all our states, make this coast a study of the deepest interest to me. They tell me and I think it is true, that in this pure bracing air, a man can do more work than in the Eastern states. Friday, May 7, 1876. Today was in the main a repetition of yesterday except that I went with Jessie Healy, formerly of Newburgh, Ohio, to the office of his company and gave them some advice in regard to a threatened suit for interference with their rubber paint patent. Also saw, in the upper story, the process for making mirrors, which was very interesting. I should have mentioned also, that I went with General Burns to Army Head Quarters and called on several officers. In the office of General Robert[s] Allen, Quartermaster, I saw a series of remarkable portraits, alleged to be portraits of bible characters, such as Moses, Aaron, Mary and Christ. Whatever may be said of the pretense that they were taken through the hands of a house carpenter and his wife, who possessed no knowledge of art, the pictures themselves are very remarkable, some of them most impressive and in my judgment superior to those of the great masters. General Allen is himself now absent across the sea. His daughter is about to be married to an Asiatic Nobleman, at Beirut. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1875. I had supposed that I was out of the reach of politics and patronage, but this morning William Richards Jr. of Warren Ohio called with letters of introduction and asked me to assist him in procuring employment. I promised to do what I could for him for he is a bright, intelligent young man recently married. His father is broken up in the iron business. At 4.40 this afternoon went with Governor McCook to Belmont to visit my friends the Ralstons. They had a very large and interesting party; among them Junius Brutus Booth (brother of Edwin) who formerly spent some time in San Francisco and is now temporarily here on some business. He gave me a great many interesting reminiscences of his father and also anecdotes of his own career as an actor. Also discussed the fitness of the different historical plays of Shakespeare for the stage. John W. Young and wife of Salt Lake were also guests and I had a long conversation with her in regard to the institution of polygamy. Retired early still suffering from the piles. SUNDAY, MAY 9, 1875. I did not take the morning ride with Ralston down towards San Jose but rested and read and visited the beautiful grounds of Belmont. Among all the elegancies of their table, Mr and Mrs Ralston have not forgotten to serve a homely dish of generous buttermilk to all who like it. I was among the number. At two oclock we took a drive to Mr Mills' place and then back to San Mateo where we took the train for the city. At half-past seven in the evening General McCook and I dined with Ralston at his rooms on California Street. The ladies had not yet come up from Belmont. Mr Ralston gave me the most clear and satisfactory account I have ever had of the great business depreciation in California from 1867 to 1872. The causes may be summed up -- first -- a series of bad seasons, producing short crops, -- second -- the granger movement among the farmers inducing them to send their grain direct to Europe, without the aid of middle men, and their failure to get a good price for it, -- third -- and chief -- the Great Earthquake, which led to a general distrust of the physical stability of the state. Ralston's description MONDAY, MAY 10, 1875. of the earthquake and his efforts to overcome its financial effects at home and abroad, was most graphic and interesting. At nine oclock this morning Dr Ellinwood, Supt of the Marine Hospital, called by previous appointment and drove me through the city up its steep grades to the park and the heights westward and thence across the peninsular to the beach of the main ocean. We drove for nearly half a mile on the smooth white sand (the water gently whetting our wheels, and thence mounting by a steep way we reached the Cliff House, where we spent some time in studying the curious scene on the Seal Rocks, where hundreds and thousands of the sleek lazy sea-lions (cows and pups) were basking in the sun on the rocks and barking in full chorus. Returned by another route and visited the new Marine Hospital near the Presidio; thence drove into the city arriving about noon. Dr Ellinwood sent me some pile remedies before evening but everything I use seems to be only a palliative. TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1875. Wrote letters in the morning and about ten oclock visited the officers of the Central Pacific Railroad and was very kindly received, especially by General Colton. While there met with William Rhodes (Harry Rhodes brother) who was so homesick a few years ago when he was a student at Hiram. He is a relative of Mrs Crocker of Sacramento. In the evening dined at General Coltons. He has a very beautiful residence on the Heights of the town. Mr Crocker was also a guest. After dinner played a couple of games of billiards with Colton and then returned to the Hotel to make ready to start for the Yosemite tomorrow. Wednesday, May 12, 1875. In the [afternoon]forenoon [road] [I] wrote letters made and received calls and at half past three o'clock started by the Oakland Ferry on the [ ] Railway for Stockton on the road to the Yosemite Valley. Our party consisted of General Burns and wife and two daughters. Mr and Mrs George Wells, General Hardenburgh and wife, Mrs Burton and son, Edward McFarland of San Francisco, Mr Manning of Boston and myself. We dined at Stockton, then took the train to Mercede where we arrived at half past ten and spent the night. Wednesday, May 12, 1876. Though still suffering from the piles I can not forego the pleasure of seeing Yosemite. Thursday, May 13, 1875. After an early breakfast our party took the stage at half past six o'clock along the San Joaquin Valley, by the way of Hornitus and Marriposa. We dined at the later place, which was founded by Fremont, in 1847 or 8], in the expectation that it would be a great city and that his tract of land would make him one of the wealthiest of Americans. The spot was pointed out near our dining place, where he erected a little adobe office. The streets still bear the names of his Jessie and her father. The town is steadily decaying and is a mournful monument of great hopes never realized. Fremont was really a citizen of Marriposa when the young Republican Party made him its standard bearer in 1856. After dinner we continued our journey along the foothills. I suffered very greatly from piles during the latter half of the day and when we reach Clark's Ranch[e] in the dusk of the evening I could scarcely sit up so great was my pain. Thursday, May 13, 1876. Friday, May 14, 1875. Refreshed by sleep and a good breakfast of mountain trout, I was able to go with the party on horseback, and we left Clarkes at 8 [?] in the morning to visit the [bill] big trees in Marriposa Grove five and a half miles away. Miss Zada Palmer of Steubenville joined us, and the party ascended the mountain by a narrow zigzag trail and at 11 oclock we were among these marvelous Sequoias Giganteas. It is consoling to our American pride that the English Botanists did not succeed in affixing to this tree the name "Wellingtonian," but that it was named after the Indian who made himself a second "[Cadmus?]" by inventing an alphabet for the language of his tribe. The trees grow on me the longer I stay among them. Our 18 horses, standing nose to tail, complete the circle around the Grizzly Giant, as near as we can reach the roots! We had a pleasant lunch in the second grove (near the foot of the General Grant) and drank pure cold water that flowed from the roots of a neighboring "Sequoias" FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1875. To look upon a tree that antedates the Christian Era; that was in lusty vigor when Rome was founded; that is older than the Iliad--is a thing not to be passed over lightly. I came down from the mountain feeling as though I had communed with the monarchs of the classic days. We arrived at Clarkes at half past 4 pm, and after enjoying our dinner spent a pleasant evening and night. Saturday, 15, 1875. Breakfast at six and the stages ready to take our party at half past six onward to the Yosemite. But when we awoke the ground was covered with snow. During breakfast the storm increased and when the stage drew up at the door there was three inches of snow on the ground and the air was thick with the largest flakes I ever saw General Hardenburgh insisted that it was dangerous to attempt the journey; that we would probably be snowed in so that the stage could neither go forward nor return. Most of the party determined not to go, but an old Scotchman from near Glasgow SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1875. and Miss Palmer of Ohio, quietly took their seats in the stage. I followed and finally General Burns and family joined us, and at half past seven we started out against the warnings and protestations of the remainder of the party. We ascended the mountain slowly and the storm increased so that by half past ten oclock there was eight inches of snow and it seemed doubtful if we could make the journey. When we were ten miles out a horseman met us to order all stages back that [might] may have started, and our driver immediately turned his team to go back. We interposed and forbid him to go, telling him we would take the lines ourselves if he did not obey us. The horseman was ordered back to Yosemite to get saddle horses to meet us at the end of the stage journey and we started on. In a few moments more a Mrs Wells and Mr Manning of Boston, led by the Mexican Guide "Stephano" overtook us on horseback. They were soaked through with the melted snow which now began to fall in heavy masses from the trees. We gave seats in the stage to Mr Manning and Mrs Wells and Miss [SUNDAY, MAY 16, 1875.] Palmer and I took the horses and joining Manning and the guide rode forward. From the slopes of the mountains the scene was one of peculiar grandeur fine pine forests stretching away to the limit of vision white with its burden of beautiful snow, which under the heat was falling in immense masses upon our track. About three oclock we reached the end of the stage route and began to descend by the Mariposa trail. Just as we were reaching the bottom a heavy thunderstorm came on and a few splendid peals reechoed from the opposing cliffs of the Yosemite. After a sharp shower of ten minutes the sun burst forth in full splendor disclosing the wonderful beauty of Bridal Vail Fall and the grand doorway to the Yosemite formed by the El Capitan on the left and the Cathedral Rocks on the right. At four oclock we reached the first hotel which was full to overflowing. Went to Black's and after much difficulty secured rooms for our ladies. At 1/2 past five o'clock the remainder of our party who were in the stage arrived. I slept at night in a narrow bed put up in a bathroom across the road from Black's Hotel. [MONDAY, MAY 17, 1875.] Sunday, May 16th, 1875. At nine oclock, our party mounted our mustang horses and started up the valley. We entered the Central Canon, and climbed along a zigzag route, which led to the foot of the Nevada Fall, and we stopped for two hours, at Snow's, close beside the Cap of Liberty. The view at this point is wonderfully grand and beautiful. After taking dinner, at Snow's, we slowly returned, reaching our hotel at half past six. This evening and night I suffered dreadfully from the piles and was able to sleep but little during the night. Monday, May 17th, 1875. This morning visited Mirror Lake spending an hour around its shores, returning to Blacks to Lunch. At one oclock we started on the tour to the foot of the Upper Yosemite Valley, the distance by the trail being about 6 miles. This was a long journey, but the display of heighth and depth of the various points along the trail was very remarkable. Returned to the hotel at 6 o'clock. The effect of the moonlight as the nearly full moon arose over Signal Rock was very beautiful. I am suffering too much tonight from the piles to make Tuesday, May 18, 1875. any comments on today's journey. Uncomfortable as I was I could not forego the trip which our party was to make today; so at 7 o'clock we started by the trail towards Glacier Point. One can have no conception of the tremendous heights around this valley until he has passed over them and made the long climb necessary to ascend them. At Glacier Point we stopped for lunch beside a snow cold stream and then passed on to the top of the Sentinel Dome, tying our horses a quarter mile below the summit we crossed a bank of snow five or six feet deep and reached the bald top of Sentinel Dome, which commands the valley, with a full view of all the leading features, including all the waterfalls except Bridal Veil. In my letters home I have attempted to sketch the general features of this wonderful valley. But I find it impossible to convey to words its [wonderful beauty] its real grandeur. I will here refer to the letters of about this date giving a general outline of the scenery. In the evening a meeting of travelers was held at the hotel. I was called to preside. [Wednesday, May 19, 1875] Some resolutions were passed with reference to the ejectment of Mr Hutchins, which were perhaps unwise. I should not have drawn them in the shape they were when passed. Wednesday, May 19, 1875. Mr Hutchins, one of the oldest residents of the Valley, accompanied us on a trip to El Capitan in the neighborhood of the Bridal Veil. After all El Capitan is king of natural objects in the valley. -- a perpendicular rock half a mile wide, one mile long and 3300 feet high-- fills the primary conditions of grandeur. We returned to the hotel in the forenoon and having taken lunch rode down to the photograph gallery where a picture of our group on horseback was taken. Rested and wrote in the afternoon. I have formed many pleasant acquaintances during my stay here in the Valley. I would only say in conclusion, that it is one of the few things I have ever examined which has not been overpraised. All description fails adequately to exhibit its greatness. Its language addressed the Eye and the mind, more than the Ear. THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1875. After an early breakfast we took the stage at 1/2 past 6 am. and drove out of the valley crossing the Merced River before we reached El Capitan and following the stage route along the cliffs on the right bank of the river. Took dinner at a Station twenty miles out and stopped for the night at [?] within eight miles of Coulterville. The day was pleasant and the company had become so thoroughly well acquainted that a large common stock of experience furnished abundant materials for pleasant conversation. Have suffered less during the day than I expected. Mr Shoemaker and family of Cincinnati Ohio, spent the night with us. Friday, May 21- 1875. Started again at seven o'clock passing Coulterville at an early hour. Took dinner at [?] and rested an hour. During the afternoon crossed the Merced at Knights Valley were twenty years ago N. S. Grant was employed with his brother-in-law pushing over wagons and passengers. He had left the army, had broken down as the proprietor, FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1875. and keeper of a Billiard Saloon, and, also, as a drayman and came here to make another attempt at business. This is a remarkable comment on vicissitudes of American fortune. We reached Merced at Sunset and passed a pleasant evening at the Hotel. Saturday, May 22-1875. Took the train at 7 am for Stockton then [?] by the Central Pacific to San Francisco, where we arrived at one o'clock p.m. Found letter awaiting me from home. General McCook had gone East and left us information as to his programe. I was suffering too much from the pills to accept Mr Ralston's invitation to go to Belmont this afternoon and so I remained here to answer letters and to rest. Received cards of invitation inviting me to accept the courtesies of the three leading clubs of the City. Found Judge Clifford of the Supreme Court here and also Dr Woodworth and wife of Washington. In the evening several members of our Yosemite Party assembled at General Burn's room at the Grand Hotel and had a pleasant reunion. I was called for about 8 o'clock by Mr Gould a lawyer of this city whom I had met in Washington and New York SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1875. and went with him to hear Macbeth rendered by Mrs Bowers and John McCullough at the California Theatre. The play was very well performed especially by Mrs Bowers. McCullough played the part of Macbeth with effect. He had less of the stage rant than usual and rendered some portions of his part very effectively. I noticed that he used this reading "My May of life / is fallen into the pear, [and] the yellow leaf". The usual reading is "Way". Retired at half past eleven suffering considerably from the piles. Sunday, May 23, 1875. After breakfast went with General Hardenburgh to Woodwood's Garden and spent several hours in studying the interesting Exhibition. Besides the performance in the amphitheatre, the collection of wild animals was very full and the seals kept in a large resevoir exhibited themselves to good advantage. While there met with Governor Ogden of Kansas with whom I visited for sometime. Remained in my room during the evening still suffering much pain. I ought to lie by, for a week or two till I am wholly recovered; but I cannot consent to the time for it while I am on this coast [Sunday, May 23, 1875 Monday, May 24-, 1875, By previous arrangement with Dr Woodworth, I called at Dr Ellinwood's office on ["?"] St, who made a careful examination of my malady. He say that a portion of the intestine on one side of the rectum has come down in a fold of about two inches and is permanently displaced and that the only remedy will be to cut out about an inch and a half. I doubt the necessity of this coure and at any rate shall postpone action upon it until I reach home. I was to day to go to San Rafael to see General Rosecrans, whom I supposed was at home. But on arriving this morning I found his name recorded as a guest at the Occidental, sent to him at once and found he had gone. I telegraphed him and requested him to return and see me Found that he had gone Vallejo. I then telegraph him to Sacramento but the dispatch reached him so late that he answered me he could not return I was very anxious to see him, and let him know that I feel a deep and affectionate interest in his life and welfare. [Monday, May 24, 1875] Tuesday, May 25, 1875 Suffering two much pain to do much else than to lie on my bed and reflect on this strange California life. The leading men here are of a singularly bold and daring character. There enterprises are vast their methods are of the boldest sort. It is probably the result of that natural selection which called out to this wild country the best elements of the East. The effect of this country on our eastern men who arrived here in the early days is very peculiar. On Kearney Street in 1850 stood a little billiard saloon, kept at that time by Ulysses S Grant and his former Captain in the Army. Leading citizens here in the City have told me that they have often seen him marking the game for his customers and taking in the four bits charged when it was finished. After he broke down at that, he and his Captain bought a mule and dray each with the remainder of their investment and undertook draying on the streets. General Hallock then a merchant bluffed them away when they asked employment [Tuesday, May 25, 1875] telling them he would rather have Irishmen do his draying. Thence Grant went to the Valley of Merced (Knights Ferry) to help his brother-in-law. General Sherman was here for several years during the days of the Gold Discovery and later 53-6 was a banker. Old citizens tell me they have seen him dunning boarding house women for their rents and forcing little settlements for his bank. When the war broke out General Hooker had become an abject utter drunkard and General Negley: now of San Jose, gave Hooker money enough to take him to N.Y. to offer his services to the Government The citizens considered it the best way to get rid of the nuisance. Stoneman was in business here during the war and is now proprietor of a large orange grove at Santa Barbara. I mention these things as curious exhibitions of our civilization and of the peculiar influence of this coast upon character. In the evening went with General Burns and Edward Macfarlan to the Chinese Theater and witnessed the exhibition of the strange civilization the growth of good 6000. The music was [WEDNESDAY, MAY 26,1875.] of the vilest part. A three stringed-fiddle - sounding for the world like the old cornstalk fiddle that I used when a boy, - a cracked clarionet, cymbals, Chinese gongs, making together the most idiotic and brainless clatter, grated on our ears during the evening. The orchestra was seated at the rear of the stage. There was no drop curtain, no scene shifting. The managers and sup'es smoked drank tea and walked about barefooted in the midst of the players and musicians. An[d] interlude between the acts gave us a fine exhibition. The acrobatic performance [of] was really very fine. But the play itself was the dreariest piece of stupidity imaginable, at least it appeared so to us who could understand no word of it. These solemn steady-going, quiet, intelligent, stupid, cultivated barbarians are a great puzzle to me. After Theatre we went to the Chinese quarter and saw some of the lower life exhibited there. Wednesday May 26, 1875. In company with General Burns I took the boat at 8 o'clock for San Rafael for [THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1875.] the purpose of visiting the family of General Rosecrans. Arriving at the Landing, we reached San Rafael at sunset, found that Mrs. Rosecrans had that morning gone to San Francisco with one of the daughters and the remaining daughter was visiting somewhere. We sent out a servant to find her and when she returned we visited with her an hour. Rosecrans' eldest son, who was a mere lad when I saw him last at the close of the war is now a Catholic Priest, and has just been visiting this coast under the title of Father Rosecrans. The eldest daughter has entered a convent. Thus this family is being ensombred with the dark shaddows of a grim religion. Still they seem to be happy in that way of doing and I have no right to find fault with them. Reached the Hotel at five o'clock and telegraphed Crete to send my letters from now until the 30th to Salt Lake City. I have resolved to start eastward. Thursday, May 27th, 1875. Suffering constantly from the piles and did but little except go shopping to pick up a few trinkets for the family [Friday, May 28, 1875.] at home. In the afternoon however, Captain Hartshorn took me to the Club where we had a pleasant lunch. This is the most intelligent of the San Francisco Clubs and they have a performance each year which they call the High Jinks said to be very fine. I am invited to attend the Annual Banquet of the High Jinks on Saturday Evening next. Unfortunately I shall not be here. Friday, May 28, 1875. This morning Mr Tisdale of Painesville Ohio called for me. He is the Agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and has just returned from a tour in South America on business for his company. He invited me to take passage for New York, by way of Panama in the steamship that sails tomorrow afternoon. I rode down with him to visit the steamship. An elegant stateroom was tendered and I was very strongly inclined to accept the invitation, but for my illness and the long journey on the water. On reflection however, I thought I might be compromised by accepting anything on account of their late rebuff by the H. R. [SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1875.] In the evening, in company with Genl Burns and Messrs Mcfarlan and Wells went to the Amphitheatre to witness a wrestling match between two celebrated professors of that art, Baur and Miller. They were stripped to the waist, were not allowed to trip and both shoulders must be held to the ground two seconds in order to constitute a fall. The contest was very exciting and a large per cent of the 5000 spectators were betting on the result. At the end of the fourth fall the knowing ones discovered that the wrestlers were playing off on them, and a row resulted and the match closed. I witnessed the affair as a curious illustration of California life. [Saturday, May 29, 1875] Wrote letters in the forenoon. Made a number of parting calls on my friends, and at 4 o'clock took the boat for Vallejo. On arriving there found Commander Rodgers with his gig from Mare Island. He invited me to go over and spend the night with him at the Navy yard. I went and spent the afternoon in examining the public works at that yard. In the evening Commander Rodgers and several of his officers called on me and we had a pleasant visit. The Commander is very intelligent and impressed me favorably. Spent the night with him. [SUNDAY, MAY 30, 1875.] His mother and sister were visiting him from Kentucky. His mother is a daughter of the late Governor Crittenden of Kentucky and sister to General T. L. Crittenden. Sunday, May 30, 1875. After a good night's sleep the Commander drove me around the Southern end of the Island and showed me the ground where the Admiral proposes to construct a dam to secure water for the yard. After breakfast [blank space] took me in his yawl across to Vallejo. Where I took the 10 o'clock train for Sacramento arriving there at one. Called at Mrs Crocker's (Harry Rhodes' Aunt) and dines with her. After a pleasant visit to her picture gallery, at three oclock took the overland train to the East. This is the hottest day I have seen on this coast. From one oclock to half past four it was sultry and oppressive but soon we were climbing the Sierras and I was glad to put on my overcoat. Monday, May 31, 1875. Our sleeping car landed us at Carson City Nevada by half past five, where we changes to the day car and at seven oclock reached Virginia City. After [MONDAY, MAY 31, 1875.] breakfast called on A.J. Ralston and then went to the office of the Consolidated Virginia Mining Company, where in company with Messrs McKee and Fair, I spent several hours in visiting their mills and mines. Went down with Fair to the 1500 foot level and spent [several hours in visiting their mills and mines] an hour and three quarters in the Consolidated Virginia and California Mines which are side by side. The richness of these mines is something marvelous. The Financial Month of the Consolidated Virginia does not end until the 6th of June but their balance sheet of today has yielded nearly a million and a quarter of dollars. At four oclock I took the train for Carson City. Called at the Mint and found young Hoffer the Chief, a Washington boy who showed me through the building. I used to think that this Mint was established a compliment to [???] and without sufficient ground. I am not satisfied that its capacity should be enlarged Tuesday, June 1st, 1875. Took a pleasant breakfast with Haffer and his wife and at 1 o'clock he started with me in a carriage for Lake Tahoe. Drove through a wild canon beside a long water flume, by means of which lumber, timber, and fire wood are brought down to Carson City. This recent invention the result of necessity is very striking and interesting. To see a stick of timber 30 feet long shooting down the mountain side at the rate of 15 miles an hour supported only by a small stream of water in a triangular trough 20 inches deep is very curious. Arrived at the Glen Brook House at 2 o'clock, just in time to see Hank M[???]k starting out with his stage for Carson City. I suppose I have been told the story of his driving Greeley to Carson City, at least a hundred times. After a fine dinner of trout, Coffer took me in a skiff on little fishing excursion on the lake, but it was too late in the day and we caught nothing. In the evening wrote a long letter to Crete. Wednesday June 2-1875 I found that the proprietor of this hotel is an old resident of Painesville, Ohio. He was very courteous. Mr Rigsby Supt. of the great lumber and timber company together with his wife and daughter and two or three other friends, took me in his steamer around the Lake. We had a very pleasant trip coasting around the northern and western sides of the Lake and stopping at bay, where Ben Halladay Jr. has a beautiful cottage. I found there Halliday's wife and a daughter of Senator Cole who know me. This lake is nearly 7000 feet above the sea and 22 1/2 miles long by an average of twelve miles wide. Half a mile from the short its sides drop precipitately to the depth 16 to 18 hundred feet. It is really a Yosemite under water. The Indians have some superstition in regards to it and will never trust themselves upon it. It is a singular fact that the bodies of men and animals when they once sink will never rise again. And even timber and lumber after being in the water a short time will sink to the bottom. We landed at Tahoe City, on the California side of the lake at 2 o'clock. There met an old lady - Mrs - who was born in Bazetta Trumbull Co., Ohio, who said she knew Crete. At four o'clock I took the stage at Tahoe City and drove down the Truckee River to Truckee City and thence changing to another stage drove past Lake Donner to Summit Station - a wild and beautiful ride. In one place, our road had been cut through a snow drift six or eight feet deep. Reached Summit Station at eight and had a fine dinner. At midnight took the overland train for the East. Thursday, June 3, 1875 Awoke near Humboldt on the Alkali Plains, where we took breakfast. Found that General Rosecrans had left there three days before and gone two or three hundred miles south. Found Tisdal on the train. He brought me letters from the Grand Hotel. The day was hot and uncomfortable, but I found pleasant traveling companions and with Casino and conversation the day was passed very pleasantly. Among others saw a Mrs. Sherwood of New York City, who sings in one of the churches there and in the evening we had some pleasant singing. Friday, June 4, 1875 Arrived at Ogden at eight o'clock. I had before telegraphed to John W. Young that I should be there at that time Governor Axtell, J. I. Cannon, J. W. Young and the Mayor of the City and the City Council of Salt Lake met me with a special train and took me home with them as the guest of the City. After a bath change of clothes and breakfast at the Townsend House, I was visited by a number of prominent citizens and old friends and at two o'clock an excursion carrying about four hundred people took me by the new railroad to the Southern end of Salt Lake, where we took a pleasant excursion on the Lake on board the Little Steamer "City of Corinne. On our return to the dock the name of the steamer was changed to General Garfield in compliment to me. Returned to the City in time for a good dinner and in the evening attended Oratorio of the Messiah in the theatre. Governor Axtell and I occupied the box with Mr. Wells and his wife. While we were seated in the box a telegram to Governor Axtell arrived from Mr. Delano asking him if he would accept the Governorship of New Mexico. This evidently means that the Gentiles of Salt Lake have expressed dissatisfaction with the administration of Governor Axtell. Saturday, June 5, 1875 I should have mentioned the before going to I called on Brigham Young and had a pleasant interview of 3/4 of an hour. The old man has furled some since my visit here some three years ago, but he is still shrewd and affable and interesting SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1875. At half past seven went in company with Governor Axtell on the invitation of Bishop Sharpe by special train to the city of Provo, about 20 miles distant. The River Jordan connects Utah Lake with Salt Lake. The former is a beautiful sheet of fresh water. When I was here three years ago, Brigham Young told me that went Fremont made his exploration through this country in 1846 or 7 he passed westward along the northern end of Salt Lake and on his return East touched at the Southern end of Utah Lake. In his official report he called the attention of the Government to the remarkable fact that he discovered a very large lake the water in one end of which was exceedingly salt and the other end fresh. The Prophet said this to me with a humorous twinkle in his eye which indicated that he could and did enjoy fun. The city of Provo is a smart little village. [Of?] principal industry is woolen manufacture. The valley at this point is even more beautiful than at Salt Lake. We returned to Salt Lake about two o'clock and after dinner John W. Young's carriage was sent to Governor Axtell and he and I drove to Camp Douglas, where we had a pleasant visit with the officers of the garrison. I visited [SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1875.] the new barracks which are being very substantially built out of red sandstone found on the Reservation. Returned to the city in the evening and had several calls from territorial officers and others. Sunday, June 6, 1875. At 7 o'clock Captain Hooper late Delegate to Congress from this territory, called and took Governor Axtell and myself to the Warm Springs where we had a fine bath -- thence he drove us to his house, where we enjoyed a very pleasant breakfast. Returning to the city at 11 o'clock, I attended the Congregational church and listened to a sermon from a young minister who came to me after the service was over and introduced himself as a young man who had seen me at West Unity, Williams Co. Ohio, when I visited there in 1858. From the church I made a call on General Campbell of Indiana, Surveyor General of the Territory and at one o'clock took lunch with Mr and Mrs Hollister. She was Carrie Matthews half sister to Schuyler Colfax. Her husband is now U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue in this city. At half past two o'clock went to the Tabernacle which was crowded with people. Except the gallery, there must have been an [Monday June 7, 1875] audience of near 8000. In accordance with my regret made to Orson Pratt a lengthily sermon was preached on the Historical basis of Mormonism, by the Prophet. he is a dear and powerful reasoner and is manifestly an intellectual leader among his people. After the service was over Bishop Sharp showed me the new Temple now in process of erection I then called on Mr and Mrs Minor and Mrs Minors mother, who was bon in Hiram, Ohio, and is a sister of Mrs Jason Ryder. She is one of the fruits of the Mormon Excitement in Hiram in 1831 and 2. At 5 o'clock Governor Axtell and I dined with Mrs John W Young and three or four friends of hers. It was a very elegant and elaborate dinner. Her husband went away yesterday and had not yet returned. After dinner the Governor drove me to the fine residence of Mr Jennings one of the leading business men among the Mormons. On my return to the Hotel Mr and Mrs Cameron called and made me a pleasant visit Mrs Cameron was one of my traveling on the Overland Train from California to Salt Lake. [Tuesday, June 8, 1875] Monday June 7, 1875 At seven o'clock a special car was placed at my disposal to take me to Ogden, and Bishop Shane and daughter and several leading citizens of Salt Lake accompanied me and stand with me until I had started eastward. I am more and more interested with the singular problem which this Mormon civilization involves. I am satisfied that any policy which looks like persecution will strengthen rather than weaker then weaken the Mormons. The question is full of difficulty but the wisest plan in any judgement is to let the better example of out gentile civilization work out its own result upon the younger people among the Mormons. I have conversed very freely with old and young and I am satisfied that there is a clear defined old school and new school party soon to be developed among the Mormons themselves. Many of the more intelligent young people among them and indeed some of the old ones told me that polygamy was every year growing less and less in favor. Capt Hooper told me in confidence that if Congress would give them the secret ballot that the real opinion of individuals would find expression and it WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1875 would very soon develop the strength of the New School Party. I think the Government is making a mistake in removing Governor Axtell. We had a fine view of the Weber Canon. Dined with Evanston, and returned to rest among the Alkali Deserts. Tuesday, June 8, 1875 Formed several pleasant acquaintances on the train, particularly that of Mr. and Mrs. Sage of San Francisco with whom I played Bezique a large part of the day. While breakfasting at Laramie received a telegram from General J. S. Mason who was at Fort Fetterman saying he was about to come with a military escort to take me back with him for a visit. Telegraphed I could not go and also, sent a dispatch to President Tinsdale regreting that I could not be present at the Commencement and Reunion at Hira[??] Wednesday, June 9, 1875 Awoke this morning in the midst of a beautiful shower, the first I have seen except a little of dash in the Yosemite valley since I left Washington. After all it is more pleasant to live in a country visited by showers of rain. THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1875 Reach Omaha at 3 o'clock where Major Swainn met me. We went to the principal hotel and soon General Brook and several of his staff called on me. General and Mrs. Brook had been at the station after me, but missed me. Dined at Capt. Dickerson's in company with General and Mrs. Brook's and Major Swainn. A fine dinner and a pleasant visit. Thursday, June 10, 1875 Crossed the River to Council Bluffs at 6 o'clock and found breakfast at the Depot. Swainn and I took the train for Leavenworth and arrived at the Fort at three in the afternoon. A large number of officers called on me among others General A. McDowell Mcbook whom I have not seen for many years, indeed, I think not once since we parted at Chattanooga in 1863. The grasshoppers made great devastation here to the turf and the parade ground is nearly ruined by them. Swainn tells me that 100 barrels of grass hoppers were taken in three days out of the ditch on the north side of the Parade Ground. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1875. Spent the day in resting, writing and visiting. In the evening dined at General McCook's in company with Genl and Mrs Pope, Major Swain, General Shriver and Judge Green of [?.?.] General Pope gave the history of a curious fact in philology. It appears that a young Swiss of the name of Andreas Eisenberg, being on duty as teamster in General Mile's late expedition against the Indians, found that he could converse readily with an old Cheyenne Indian woman in the Romany language which he had learned from the Gipsies among the Grésons of Italy. This remarkable fact is being further investigated by General Pope who has sent the Swiss to the Indian Reservation in company with some interpreters. I shall watch the development with great interest. Saturday, June 12, 1875. Swain and I took breakfast with General Pope. I am beginning to suffer severely from my piles and staid in bed several hours. General Pope very urgently invites me to go with him in July, on a trip to New Mexico. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1875. I greatly desire to make the journey and if I am able shall do so. At 3 o'clock Swain accompanying me, I took the train for Saint Louis. General Miles and General Schriver were also on board. We went through Kansas City, along the Western Bank of the River and by the way of Independence and Missouri. The places were Orson Pratt says the Mormons are yet to assemble and to occupy as their central Capital. This is a bold prophecy on their part and the future will be watched with some interest in this regard. The day was hot and uncomfortable, but Casino and conversation made it tolerable. Sunday, June 13, 1875. Arrived at Saint Louis at 6 o'clock and stopped at the Lindel House. It being too early for the hotel breakfast, General Miles Swain and I walked out on Capt Eads' Bridge across the Mississippi. Standing upon the crown of that mighty structure and looking back upon the great city, I was reminded of the last sentence in Lewis and Clarke's Report of their expedition in 1836-7, in SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1875. which they record their arrival at St. Louis where they were received with marks of joy "by [all] the inhabitants of the whole village". After breakfast took the street car up Franklin Ave in search of Sister Nelly and her husband Rockwell. After two or three hours search failing to find them took the return car for the City where I found them on board on their way to church. Returned with them to their house on Lay Avenue and stay till after dinner. Still suffering with the piles. Rockwell then went with me to the City and at the Lindel House found General Sherman had called and left an invitation for us to dine with him. Went to his house on Washington St in company with Major Swaim and Major Grimes of the Commissary Dept, and had a pleasant visit of three hours with the General and Mrs. Sherman. She insisted that she had no preparations for dinner except for herself and husband but notwithstanding the fact that General Miles had also come in General Sherman insisted we should dine with him and we had a very pleasant and enjoyable dinner. [MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1875] At 7 o'clock took the train for the East in company with General Miles and Sherman. Chatted with the General until a late hour and greatly enjoyed his brilliant conversation. He is a good talker and very bright. Monday, June 14, 1875. Awoke near the eastern border of Indiana, took breakfast at Richmond and continued the pleasant visit with the General until we arrived a Columbus about 2 o'clock pm. There we parted company, he going by the pan handle route to N.Y. I by the central branch of the Baltimore and Ohio through Zanesville to Bellaire. My piles returned upon me with great severity and I suffered greatly during the remainder of the day. Dinner at Zanesville and a late lunch at Grafton, West Va. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1875. Reached home at half past seven and was affectionately received by the family who are [were] all well. Breakfast was ready and we had a pleasant reunion. I had had no passage of the bowels for two days and shortly after breakfast had a passage from which I suffered excruciating torture. Constipation and over loading of the bowels has resulted in doing me great harm. Very much blood accompanied and followed the passage and I immediately went to bed suffering very great pain. This is annoying in many ways. My trip to California has been very very pleasant except in this. I gained five pounds in weight during the journey and my general health was greatly benefited. But I fear I must pay the penalty of neglecting the attack of the piles. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1875. My passage this morning was nearly as painful as that of yesterday and the rectum is greatly inflamed and very painful. Sent for the Doctor. He commenced treating me but the parts were so much inflamed that no satisfactory examination could be made. He has put me on very low diet, allowing me nothing but gruel, for the purpose of reducing the irritation and inflammation. THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1875. Throughout the day and night my suffering was extreme. I was unable to sleep even a single moment, and were I a nervous person the pain would probably have brought on convulsions. The prospect of lying here for a number of weeks while the weather is every day growing hotter is anything but a pleasant one either for my family or myself. I need all my philosophy to carry me through it. Today is the Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and a great celebration is in progress. I intended to be there and but for this affliction should have done so. I look to these Centennial anniversaries as a powerful means of bringing on a better state of feeling between the North and South. The indications are that Massachusetts will be as great in generous [?????????] as she has been in war. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1875. The inflamation is at last so much allayed that Dr. Pope has been able to ascertain my situation. He says it is not the piles at all but a fissure caused probably by constipation and a difficult passage. He can trace the fissure for half an inch but the inflamation is still too great to explore it further. This accounts for the great pain. It will probably keep me on my back for a fortnight or more. In intervals of quiet I am reading what I can on my bed and have made considerable progress in the memoirs of General Sherman in which I am greatly interested. There has been a great outcry among the news-papers, against the book -- but it has been [????ed], mainly by those officers of our late army, who think they were not sufficiently praised for their services, & merits. There is one ground of criticism in which I do not concur -- viz: that a soldier should not publish a history of a war in which he [took?] a part -- that events are too recent to enable him to judge impartially. There may be something in this, but on the other hand, such publication will elicit facts which can be tested by the memory of thousands of actors in the [??????]. SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1873. I suffer greatly each day after a passage but the pain goes away after a few hours and I rest with partial comfort during the night. The Doctor visits me now twice a day and his first Effort is to reduce the inflamation which is very great. The inflamation seems to have involved the sphincter muscles and this greatly aggravates the difficulty. Continued reading Sherman's Memoirs. His account of his life in California, while he was a Lieut in the Army is very graphic and very interesting. His later life there as a banker from 1854 to 1857 is also interesting in another was as showing the character of his mind in practical matters. SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1875. I think I notice a slight improvement in my condition since yesterday. The pain is less severe and less constant Rose came and I dictated a large number of letters in reply to those that were awaiting me on my return. I have scarcely been able until to day to look into the vast mass of them that has accumulated. A great many invitations [delivery] to addresses were among them and it is somewhat of a compensation that I am able to decline them all. I have finished the first volume of Sherman's Memoirs and thus far I do not see the ground on which he has been so savagely attacked. MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1875. The worst feature of my sickness is that I cannot sit up without great pain I am compelled to spend the day on my back. This makes reading difficult, but I am so well Every other way that I cannot get on without it It is clearer to my min than ever, as I stated in my Eulogy on General Thomas that General Sherman was among the first of our officers to appreciate the magnitude of the struggle on which we Entered in 1861, when he told the Secy of War that to carry on the War offensively on the central line, required an army of [] 200,000 men. The papers regarded him as crazy and yet he was below rather that above the mark. I almost tremble now when I see how near he came being ruined by the assaults of the press in the early days of the War. The same thing might also be said of General Grant and many other of our leading officers who were compelled to come up through the tribulation of calumny. TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1875. Improvement very slow and still suffering a good deal. Five or six hours of each day after a passage is made miserable with pain. I have finished General Sherman's Memoirs and am greatly pleased with them. I believe he has done wisely in writing them. His style is Easy and vigorous, and everywhere he shows evidences of a tremendous Energy and interlectual activity. This book has increased my love and deepened my conviction of his real greatness. Every autobiography must to some Extent appear Egotistical. It must be remembered that he writes not a history of the war, but his own Experiences in the War. It is what he say of the War, and a carEless reader might think that Sherman was making himself a chief character. He was in fact on of the chief characters, but any mans history would leave this imprEssion to some Extent. I do not think the volume is unduly Egotistical. It is a valuable addition to our knowledge of the war and a striking picture of the character of one of our grEatest genErals It was impossible that such a career should not have Encountered antagonism that it should not have Encountered many Personal [WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1875.] enemies. He tells frankly where he felt himself aggrieved and is equally plain in his opinion of the faults of those with whom he served. This may not have been discreet but it is a fair and truthful picture of his own mind and for that I love him. Wednesday June 23, 1875. This is the eighth day since I took my bed and the prospect of getting out again is not flattering although my suffering is much less than it was a week ago. THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1875. I sent to the Library for several books with regard to the Gipsies and have received the following Borrow's La Vengro and Rommany Rye, Simmon's Gipsies, Leland's English Gipsies. I am reading these with great interest so that I may be prepared for the developments of General Pope's investigation when he hears further about his Swiss Gipsy Boy, who alleges that he is able to talk with the Cheyanne Indians in their own tongue which appears to be the same as the Rommany Language. George Borrow has a curious nature. His portrait is very beautiful of the Byron type, but handsomer. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1875. The Doctor is trying one remedy after another for the features of my disease are very obdurate and it is difficult to find a specific remedy to to act upon it. I have finished "Rommany Rye". It appears that the Gipsies came into notice in Europe probably near the the beginning of the 16th Century. Though they speak the language of the country where they are, they yet have a language of their own, known wherever the Gipsies are known, which is largely made up of Hindu and Sanscrit words. It would indeed be curious if the Cheyenne Indians should be found to be a Sanscrit people of the Aryan family. The race are a bright people and not without ability. It appears from Borrow and other authors that John Bunyan was himself a Gipsy. A sentence in his preface to the Pilgrim's Progress seems to give support to this hypothesis. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1875. Were it not for the solace of books I should be thoroughly miserable in my confinement, but when the pain leaves me I really enjoy the leasure which this imprisonment gives me to delight myself with books. I have run hurriedly through Simmons on the Gipsies and have read with more attention Charles G. Leland's English Gipsies, the author of the Hans Breitmans Poems seems to have settled down to solid philologieal work and has really given us a very valuable volume on the Gipsies of England. Rose came again today and we worked off a large number of letters and started to bring up the arrears of my journal, the notes of which I had kept in California. See Sunday 2 pages beyond [SUNDAY]Monday JUNE 2[7]8, 1875. A little less pain but still unable to sit up more than ten minutes at a time and that in the morning before I have a passage. I have just received a copy of Tennyson's Queen Mary. A week ago today the sheets arrived in Boston by steamer. Last Saturday it was published. Today I have a copy. It is a bold attempt on the part of the Laureate to enter the lists where Shakespeare has so long reigned king. I commenced reading it with great pleasure and am curious to see how a gentle singer like Tennyson will behave in the high field of dramatic poetry. Here, as in all his works Tennyson shows himself the master of sweet verse -- but here, as I have not elsewhere seen, he gives us a taste of his power as a writer of [sh?dy] English prose - the prose dialogue is exceedingly well done. Among other things, he has again given us examples of the broad Yorkshire dialect -- which though difficult for an American to pronounce well, yet, the attempt of the [pael?] is very successful. [MONDAY]Tuesday, JUNE 2[8]9, 1875. This morning completes two weeks of my bedridden life. But for books and the tender affection of friends, I should hardly have the philosophy to endure it. But I must lay here at least a week more. I have finished Queen Mary and if Shakespeare had not Iived I should say it was a masterly drama. It has few fellows since the Swan of Avon ceased to sing. It is very skillfully drawn. The savage persecutions of the catholics under bloody Mary, and his picture of the martyrdom of Cranmer will long survive to [ph??e] the Catholic Church for the wickedness with which they used power. I suspect Tennyson had an eye to the Gladstone Campaign against Popery in writing it. The last last sentence certainly indicated this. Colonel Rockwell called on me in the evening and we had a long and pleasant visit. He is a noble fellow, full of grace and culture. Our friendship is of twenty years standing. Commencing at Williams College in 1854. After parting in 1856, we did not meet again till 1862, as officers of Buell's Army. See 2 pages ante [TUESDAY]Sunday, June 2[9]7, 1875. This is my twelfth day and I am still unable to sit up more than a few minutes at a time. The Dr Says the fissure is healing from the anus but is healing slowly. The passage of each cancels a part of the recovery of the preceding twenty-four hour and I can only better by the margin of it. Rose came again today and we made considerable progress in bringing up the Journal, which enables me to live over again my pleasant trip to California. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1875. For two weeks I have been living mainly on gruel and oatmeal and this long confinement is beginning to tell on my general strength. I am sure I am falling away greatly in strength and weight. [I] To experience the contrast between Tennyson and Shakespeare, I read again Henry the VIII, which lies nearer to the time of Mary than any other of his historical plays. We may say of Tennyson "Sequitur patrem non passibus aequies. The stride of the Great William has never been equaled. I also read [blank] which has much powerful writing in it. I think Shakespeare intended to parody the heroic pictures of the Greeks and Trojans. He makes Ajax a great lover, Achilles a sneak, and Cressida a wanton. His speeches of Ulysses of Achilles, trying to induce him to go into the fight, are masterly pieces of deep philosophy. THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1875. The reading Tennyson's Mary has determined me to read up the history of that period and I have therefore commenced with Froude's history of England from the fall of Cardinal Wolsey until the death of Elizabeth. I remember in general the controversy with occurred out of his book in regard to his notions of Henry the Eighth and of the Irish People and I shall try to sit as a judge rather than as a partisan while I read. I am conversant with many of the current events of the story of England during her period from Shakespeare's plays and in many respects they are doubtless correct pictures of the spirit of those times. The Wars of the Roses seem to me the most lamentable and ruthless of any in English history I can hardly understand what good thing Providence could have intended in permitting such fearful and reckless waste of life and treasury for so unworthy a cause. Still it may be that the wars of Lancaster and York were needed to educate English character. These wars led the English to be most anxious that their sovereigns should have an abundance of children. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1875. I am feeling better than any day since I was taken sick, though I suffer considerable pain at each passage. I have finished the first volume of Froude and found it very interesting. It is manifest that he has made Henry VIII his hero, and has probably become his partisan. If however his facts are trustworthy, that monarch has been greatly wronged by the opinion commonly held of him. The authorities have been so much tinged with religious partisanship that it is difficult and perhaps impossible to find out the exact truth. It appears from the authorities cited by Froude that Henry married Catharine of Aragon with great reluctance, that the question was raised whether it was lawful for him to marry the widow of his brother. She had married Authur, the Prince of Wales who died shortly before Henry was crowned. Soon after his coronation in 1509, he was married being then at 18 years of age. The fact that his male children all died was spoken of as a judgment upon his for marrying illegally. It is known that this question trouble him greatly, long before he had ever seen Anne Boleyn. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1875. Still improving. Today I have read the history of the Trial and Execution of Annie Boleyn. One of two conclusions is inevitable. Either that Annie was guilty of the most shameless adultery, both before and after her marriage or the Parliament [and Peers] who examined the case, the Grand Jury that indicted and the jury that convicted her were most shameless fools and cowards. I incline to accept the former view of the case. The strongest point against Henry is that he married Jane Seymour immediately after the execution. This seemed to indicate that he had courted her before Annie's conviction. In reply to this it must be remembered that both Parliament and the country were exceedingly anxious that Henry should have a male heir. Their dread of any other war to determine the succession of the crown was very great and with reason. Again, it is admitted on all hands that Jane Seymour was a woman of high character and free from any stain. She died two days after her only son (afterwards Edw VI) was born. SUNDAY, JULY 4, 1875. I am feeling much better today. I have strong hopes that I am now about to get up. Several friends called in the evening. Rockwell came and we had a long conversation about Shakespeare. Colonel Rockwell has studied the poet with great thoroughness for the last ten years. He has made an index of all the characters in Shakespeare's plays, and has catalogued 1200 of them noting after each name the scene and act in which the character appears. It enhances our wonder at the greatness of Shakespeare to reflect that he has created more than a regiment of characters and of such character as have impressed the world with their individuality and many of them with their surpassing greatness. During the day Rose came and I dictated a large number of letters. Rockwell and Gilfillan drove me to the Soldier's Home in a carriage. The ride did not badly affect me. And it was pleasant to feel again the breath of the woods, and to enjoy the company of my two good classmates. Monday, July 5, 1875. Finished the third volume of Froude. I know of few things in history more pitiful than Henry's marriage with Anne of Cleves with took place about two years after the death of Jane Seymour He had been badgered and worried by Parliament, because young Edward was very frail in health and they did not wish the stability of the kingdom to hang on the life of one child. Henry's quarrel with the Pope had made it difficult for him to marry a Catholic and Woolsey urged him to marry this German Protestant woman. Hans Holbein was sent over to paint her portrait and Woolsey told him to make it as handsome as possible. She was brought across the channel and Henry went down to the coast to meet her. He found her a coarse corpulent sallow stupid creature, who could speak no word of any language but her own the German and his heart sank within him. He had gone too far to retreat though he sought some method of escape from the sacrifice. Woolsey had deceived him, and this was no small part of the cause of Woolsey's downfall. Henry married her but it appears he never treated her as a wife. History admits that when they were divorced a year later she was still a maid. Henry's quarrel with the Pope was in the beginning rather political, than religious. The Pope assumed control of ecclesiastical matters and appointed all the Cardinals and Bishops and their power in the church of England was very great. The Popes refusal to declare the marriage of Henry and Catherine void was really in bad faith for he had frequently promised to do it. It was not so much his conscience as his will that stood in the way of compliance with Henry's wishes. Tuesday, July 6, 1875. Am still feeling better and the fissure is healing from the anus upward half an inch. Finished the fourth volume of Froude and also read Henry IV aloud to Crete. The weather is so oppressing that I dare not have mother stay any longer and have concluded to send her to Solon with a part of the family. Wednesday, July 7, 1875. Am feeling still better. Took a carriage and drove with Crete to the ticket office and purchased tickets for mother and part of the children. Drove thence to the Capitol and entered my appearance in a case in the Supreme Court for the people of Montana in reference to the removal of their Capital. Spent some time in the Library of Congress. Drove to the Congressional Printing Office and thence home. At seven o'clock Mother, Mary McGrath, Harry, Irvy and Abram took the train for Ohio. I have postponed my passage until six o'clock and have suffered for it. It was very severe and the pain which followed kept me awake a good share of the night. I fear I have relapsed by being out [gone] so long today. Thursday, July 8, 1875. The work of yesterday has given me a backset and I am suffering for it. Still I have been able to read another volume of Froude. It is curious to observe how unconsciously to that generation the ideas of religious and civil liberty were growing in the minds of the people. Henry approached the Reformation from the political side, Luther from the religious side. The English and German reformers were almost as far apart in the days of as Catholics and Protestants yet they were chopping the same tree only on opposite sides, and apparently unaware of the proximity of each other. The divorce of Anne of Cleves could hardly have been carried through successfully but for her stupidity and want of spirit. It could only be excused on the ground of the grotesque injustice to Henry of his marriage with her. His marriage to Catherine Howard was dreadfully unfortunate. He evidently loved her, but [and] both parties agree that she was guilty of the vilest adultery both before and after marriage. Nobody seems to deny the justice of her fate. FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1875. I am still suffering from the backset of Wednesday and my improvement is painfully slow. Finished another volume of Froude and have closed [another volume] the record of Henry's life. His marriage with Catherine Parr seems to have been a pleasant one. She was a genial cultivated lady and devoted herself tenderly to the care of his declining years. On the whole I am satisfied that while Froude has overdone his praises of Henry and has been unconsciously drawn into partisanship of that monarch, still he is nearer the truth than the commonly received opinion. There were great forces at work in European communities which must have brought those results which inevitably broke the force of the Catholic power and Henry's career was necessarily involved in the struggle His two great ministers, Woolsey and Cranmer were men of great genius, but both, especially Woolsey, marred their fame by corruption and self-seeking See next page. [SATURDAY] Sunday, JULY [10] 11, 1875. Finished the 6th volume of Froude and the career of Bloody Mary. Two passions shaped her conduct and made her reign what it was. First a blind love and devotion for Philip of Spain, her husband whom she married against the advice of the best men in England. Second Her fanatical devotion to Rome and the Catholic Religion. I do not think she delighted in blood but she thought the highest service she could render to God was to burn heretics wherever she found them. The horrible persecution of protestants, culminating in the burning of Rigby and Cranmer filled the cup of her iniquity to overflowing and her death was the happiest event that England had known for many years. Tennyson in his Queen Mary has followed Froude very closely. Indeed the drama is almost a paraphrase of Froude's sixth volume. In many cases he has used the very same language with only such changes as the meter demanded. The poem is a great compliment to Froude. See preceding page [SUNDAY, JULY 11, 1875.] Saturday, July 10, 1875. Still shackled by this painful disease Finished the History of Edward the IV and the Regency which maintained the Soul during the six years of his reign. The Regent made the usual mistake of statesmen. He carried the protestant Reformation further than public opinion warranted and entered upon the same career of persecution of religious opinion which had made the Catholic Church odious in Henry's time. This prepared a reaction in favour of catholocism and made the reign of Bloody Mary possible. I have to day read a volume recently published entitled Shakespeare Centurie of Prayse in which it was undertaken to collect all that was said of Shakespeare from 1585 to 1685. This volume it seems to me puts effectually to rest all that foolish talk that Shakespeare was not the author of the plays. Ben Johnson who knew the poet well could not have been mistaken in his knowledge of his powers. He was himself jealous as a rival but still spoke in unstinted praise of the great dramatist. [MONDAY] Tuesday, JULY 12, 1875. Finished the 8th volume of Froude As the earlier volumes have grealty modified [to] my estimate of Henry VVI So the 7 and 8th have very considerably changed my opinion of Elizabeth. Like Mary she had two master passions, one was her insane desire to marry the Earl of Leicester who was really unworthy of her and the other was to show her power as a scheming intriguing diplomatist. I perhaps ought to add a third a great ambition to rule England successfully. It is surprising how Cecil and Bacon were able to endure her fitful temper and he fickle change of opinion. My admiration for these two men is very great and it is hard for me to keep from feeling a thorough contempt for Elizabeth still she had many strong points of character. Macaulay says that the group of statesmen around Elizabeth, were the first great laymen who attained great power - Before them, minesters were soldiers or priests These men were not nobles - nor Commoners, but English squires - All educated at Cambridge - [TUESDAY] Monday, JULY [13] 12, 1875. My improvement is at present slow and the Dr says I must go to a cooler climate as soon as I can safely travel. I have written to Hon H Boardman Smith of Elmira, making inquiries about the Water Cure in his place, also, to Harmon Austin in reference to Catauqua Lake. If I go to the District I can not be left alone. Finished the 7th volume of Froude. He enters upon the career of Elizabeth in a more judicial spirit than he manifests in the History of Henry VIII. He seems not at all blind to her faults. Nor does he fail to recognize her merits. Read the Merry Wives of Windsor to Crete. Shakespeare has never before taken a very strong hold on her, but Jack Falstaff has impressed her with the wonderful power of the poet. I doubt if the history of literature has anywhere produced so wonderful a character as The Fat Knight. Received a long and interesting letter from General Sherman requesting me to make any criticisms on the revision of his book, I desired. Wednesday, July 14, 1875 Today the Dr introduced a speculum into the rectum and examined its condition more fully than before. He traced the fissure to its termination an inch and a half up the rectum. Three quarters of an inch is still unhealed and is gradually filling up the cavity by granulation. He gives me small hope that I shall recover under two weeks. The examination was very painful. Finished the 9th volume of Froude. Nothing but the complications of France and Spain and the increase of protestant sentiment in France, Germany and England added to the great ability of Cecil and Bacon saved Elizabeth from shameful overthrow. She was saved in spite of herself. Her management of Mary Queen of Scots was fickle to the last degree. All her troubles with that brilliant woman resulted from her reckless disregard of Cecils advice. She wrote to Mary repeatedly defending her and affording her protection and refused to consider the proofs of Mary's manifest guilt in the murder of Darnley and the adulterous relations with the Thursday, July 15, 1875. Earl of Boswell. At last when Mary driven out of Scotland took refuge in England where she was for a long time a most disagreeable elephant in the hands of Elizabeth. Rockwell called in the evening and we read Walter Savage Landor's paper on the trial of Shakespeare for deer stealing Thursday July 15, 1875 I have accepted an invitation from the State Central Committee, to make opening Campaign speech at Mansfield Ohio, on the 31st July - I fear, however, I may not be able to go by that time. I have read the crazy speech of Judge Kelley, at Youngstown, and long to get on my feet to answer him. It is surprising how the delusion that cheap money will help those who are in financial distress - I find that the same notion was entertained in the times of Henry Eighth & Elizabeth - It took many centuries to explode it, & perhaps it has a foothold in the world because it is apparently true - like the geocentric theory of the universe - Slowly improving, Senator Sherman & Gov. Dennison called. Friday, July 18, 1875. My improvement is slow at present and I begin to doubt whether the fissure under the pressure of the sphincter muscle can heal. I think I must take additional advice. Finished the tenth volume of Froude and began the eleventh. It is difficult to understand how England has held Elizabeth in such esteem. If her character be such as Froude sketches, it must be that her burst of anger, her vacillation of purpose, were not generally known and were seen only by her ministers and not by her people. Her miserly penuriousness which amounted to mean avarice, may still have been a [lo] good thing for the general wellfare of her people. Expenses and taxation were reduced to a far lower figure than in preceding reigns. This of course brought general prosperity to the business of the country. The career of Drake as a privateer (perhaps we ought to say a pirate and slave trader) - was singularly [p] brilliant and his expeditions were allowed mainly because Elizabeth was a heavy shareholder in his ventures. Those who declaim against the corruption of our times should study this feature of the history of Elizabeth before they condemn our own age. Saturday, July 17, 1875. I have finished Froude"s account of the conspiracy against the life of Elizabeth and the part which Mary Queen of Scots took in it and also her trial and execution. That the Queen of Scots deserved her fate I have no doubt, but the conduct of Elizabeth towards her was so fickle so contradictory that I do not wonder that the sympathies of the human kind have gone against Elizabeth in the matter. The most dishonorable of it all was her attempt to throw the blame upon her ministers after she had tried to induce Amias Paulet to put the Queen to death on his own responsibility. She then pretended that Davidson procured her signature to the death warrant without her knowledge that it was the death warrant she was signing. In this she lied shamefully and posterity was ready and now charge the responsibility to her. Sunday, July 18, 1875 Finished the last volume of Froude. Brilliant fighting of Drake, Howard and Frobisher are among the most brilliant records of English history. This book has greatly modified my opinions of the four characters. First, Henry VIII is a far greater and better man than I had supposed though I do not accept the high position to which Froude assigns him. Second, Queen Mary, not withstanding, her bloody career was a braver and sincerer woman than I had supposed. She manifestly believed she was serving God in persecuting the protestants. Her conduct was the logical result of her opinions. Third, Mary Queen of Scots was a woman of the highest order of intellectual ability and of the most desperate character morally. Fourth. Of Elizabeth's character, I have already indicated my opinion. Despicable as she was in many respects yet she was a foil to the extreme opinions around her and probably was of great service to her country by holding the extremists in check. We ought however to say "The good days of Queen Bess" rather "the days of good Queen Bess" for good she was not. This evening Mary Redfield and Jimmie left on the 7 o'clock train for Ohio. Jimmie goes to Hiram. Monday, July 19, 1875. Drove to the Capitol and undertook to transact a little business but the riding was painful. Dr Billings of the Surgeon General's office called today and made a careful examination of my fissure. He thinks that the sphincter muscle must be cut before the fissure will heal. He says the operation will be safe and a cure will be completed in ten days or two weeks. This delay is discouraging. I must take further counsel before action. He says I must go to some cooler place before the operation is performed. I had intended to go down to Fortress Monroe and spend a week. I now think I will go north. I have so long been well and enjoyed masterful health that it required a good deal of philosophy to bear patiently this sort of infirmity. Feeling well in every way except this adds to my impatience. I shall be compelled to withdraw my appointment for Mansfield on the 31st. Tuesday, July 20, 1875 Dr Pope concurs with Dr. BIllings in the opinion that the sphincter muscle must be cut, but is not yet certain whether it better be done here or after I have gone North. This must be determined immediately. I upbraid myself with infirmity of will in regard to little things, for example the discussion of where shall we go or shall we stay here. To day I have read Vathek a singularly powerful tale by William Beckford, whose history is as curious as the story. He was born in 1760 and died in 1844; was very wealthy, and built Fonthill Abbey (near London) with a tower 280 feet high, and probably realized, in stone, the tower in Vathek. The story itself is as wild a piece of gigantic imagination as one often finds. The Hall of King Eblis and the kings and other victims of that dreadful monarch with their hearts on fire is as wild, weird and terrible as almost anything I have seen in literature. Governor Dennison called in the afternoon and Robert W. Taylor and Mr. Knox, Comptroller of the Currency called in the evening. WEDNESDAY, JULY, 1878. Commenced reading Laboulaye's Abdalla a very curious and beautiful Indian Romance. Dr Pope called in the morning and we concluded it was best to have the operation performed here. At 4 o'clock Dr's Billings and Otis of the Surgeon General's Office came and administered chloroform. I tried to remember my sensations while taking the chloroform and experienced what I am told men experience under the influence of Hasheesh. There appeared before my eyes something resembling a checked surface which began to tremble and diminish its figure until it appeared a series of small dots like the specks on the wing of a guinea hen. Finally I awoke as from a troubled dream and my first consciousness was one of nausea and I was vomiting. The Dr's found that the fissure terminated in a patch of ulcer about the size of a quarter of a dollar. They cut through the ulcer and partly separated the sphincter and then by distention separated it more fully. I suffered a good deal of pain for three hours after the operation and had a sense of soreness. I now regret that the operation was not performed a week or ten days ago; for it is certain I could not have recovered without it. THURSDAY, JULY, 22, 1875. I slept pretty well during the night though I was a good deal weakened by the operation. I was quite over my pain this morning and passed the day without much distress. Crete read several more chapters in Abdalla. I was able to read my mail and play games of backgammon on the bed in the afternoon. Dr Billings called in the morning and thought I was doing well. Dr Pope called in the evening and also several friends. The day has not been oppressively warm and I have go on as comfortably as could be expected. Passed a very comfortable afternoon. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1878 Passed a tolerably comfortable night and feel pretty well today. The Dr says I am improving as rapidly as he could have expected. Crete and I finished Abdalla. It is really a very delightful Eastern tale for which I thank Laboulaye that he turned aside from his severe studies to this beautiful work. The legend of the Four Leaved Shamrocks is exceedingly beautiful. Abdalla found each of the leaves as the result of some earnest self sacrifice, the copper leaf at the bottom of his well; the silver leaf in the tuft of feathers given him by the negress whom he had rescued from the Bedouins; the gold leaf from the amulet given him by a man who intended to assassinate him but whom he conquered by kindness. The diamond leaf was offered to him in a vision while he was dying after having spared the life of the treacherous Omar. In the afternoon read Father Tom Pope, a curious piece of rather low Irish wit, but full of learning. While lying in bed made some notes on the Catholic question as relating to our modern education, this I must elaborate into a campaign speech. SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1876. I am still improving and feeling very much better. Dictated a large number of letters and also several days for the journal. Read Hinsdale's article in the Christian Quarterly for July entitled "The Logic of Roman Catholocism". It is very able and interesting and shows the steps in which that church has reached the doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope. Commenced reading Thackerys Newcomes. I find this fault with both Thackery and Dickens _ they dawdle so much in their stories. There is too much machinery about them. For example in the Newcomes, Thackery [by] in the pretense of being Arthur Pendennis, compiler of the History of the Newcomes. And this machinery intrudes itself so much in the plan of the story as to be confusing. There is a greatt deal of powerful and beautiful writing in the book, but I think it could be condensed fully one third and be much improved thereby. Several friends called in the afternoon. SUNDAY, JULY 25, 1875 Still improving. I am favored with good weather. I was able to go down to breakfast and dinner today. In the afternoon Hiram Austin (Harmon's nephew) called and took dinner with us. I feel weak and staggered but am otherwise improving. Finished the first volume of Thackery. His sketches of art and scenery in and about Rome are very fine. He makes Clive Newcom say that he would rather see Wm Shakespeare and Raphael than any other two men that ever lived. Rockwell called in the evening and we had a pleasant visit. Dr Pope sent me Father Prout. During the day I had run over the life of [?], the Irish song writer and artist, in which I had seen several translations from Father Prout (Mahony) which were very clever. MONDAY, JULY 26, 1875 Still improving. I sat up more than half the day. As I advance in the second volume of Thackery it gathers in interesting power and I have been compelled to read back over some of the pages that I ran over hastily in order to get the thread of the narrative more fully in hand. It seems to me that all clear-headed Englishmen must feel [that] with Thackery the absurdities of the English Peerage customs and the cruelties which that system inflicts in the matter of marriage. Colonel Thomas Newcom is as noble a character as one often meets with in history or romance. A genuine large-hearted Englishman and every inch a man. Gilfillan called in the evening and asked my advice about his accepting the chief clerkship which Secretary Bristow asks him to take I advised him to accept. The Secretary of State called to inquire after my health. My friends are very kind. I have tried to do some work on a campaign speech, but my mind does not work well. It is in a passive state. I can read or receive, but what Falstaff calls the "forgetive" quality seems to be lacking [?] would not produce it. Tuesday, July 27, 1875. Today, I have done some reading on the topics of the topics of the Ohio campaign- But my mind has not yet recovered its grip, & productiveness. I long to take the field against the Enemies of our public schools - and the fanatical demagogues who are preaching a paper money crusade - I also commenced a German novel by Eugenia Johns (Mam'selle's Secret) which is in striking contrast with the characteristics I lately noticed in Thackeray's Newcomes. She leaps into the swift current of her story & rushes on with - As a story. It is much more dramatic than the Newcomes, but there are passages that show such culture, power and breadth of thought as the sketches of art - in Clive's letters from Italy, and as the career and especially the death of Col. Thomas Newcome - In not many books can be found the equal of this - At the nonce evening hour "the chapel bell began to toll, & Thomas Newcomes hands outside the bed feebly beat a time. And just as the last bell struck, a peculiar, sweet smile shone over his face, and he lifted up his head a little, and quickly said "Adsum"! and fell back. It was the word we used at school when names were called & lo, he, whose heart was as that of a little child, had answered to his name, and stood in the presence of his Master" - Col. Rockwell called in the evening, and read deQuincey's exposition of the Knocking at the gate in Macbeth - Wednesday, July 28, 1875 Dr Billings called and after an examination found that the incision in the rectum had healed up and that the sphincter muscle was also nearly healed. The ulceration is reduced 3/4s and he says I may go to Ohio when I please, but must be careful for a month about exercising. Read a work on the public school system by the Rev Mr. Muller, a Catholic priest of Boston, in which he attacks the public schools as godless, unrepublican and anti-catholic. I 'wrote' a summary of its doctrine respecting the character of the attack and shall have it published by and by. It is evident that the Catholic Church is moving along the whole line of its front against modern civilization and our fight in Ohio is only a small portion of the battlefield. The strange adventures of a Phaeton by William Black is a novel in the form of a record of travel from England to Scotland. The author shows a good deal of culture in art and literature and particularly in German literature. I think the book is a good one. We read till nearly mid night. I went to sleep, happy in the hope of early recovery- Thursday, July 29, 1875. I am constantly improving and at 11 o'clock took a carriage and drove out to transact some business. Settled some bills and spent an hour at the Post Office Department in disposing of unsettled postal matters from the District. Find myself very weak and I easily tire out. It will take me sometime to recover my strength. Called in company with Honorable Philetus Sawyer (whom I met on the street) at the Headquarters of the Republican Congressional Committee on F. St where [prestonburgh] preparations are being made for vigorous assistance to our states in their several campaigns. They are receiving a considerable amount of funds and are helping Ohio and other states. Crete and I continued to read Black's strange adventures in a phaeton. We have followed the parties in their travels through Worcester, Liverpool, Lancaster, and up to the Lake country in Westmoreland County. We left them in Windermere. The story is exceedingly well told and it awakens my desire to travel in England again. Friday, July 30, 1875. Continued to read until one, then went to the Treasury and called on Mr New, the Treasurer in reference to Gilfillan's appointment I recommended him to keep Gilfillan as Cashier. I walk like a weak old man It is very strange for me to feel such weakness. Rockwell called in the evening and presented me a beautiful edition of Shakespeare in one volume (Knights Edition) We had a very pleasant visit. Crete and I continued to read Black's until the party reached the borders of Scotland. The structure of this story is very clever. It puts the discussion of places well known to Englishmen into the mouth of a German Baron so that it shall not appear common place and by the affixing of notes at the end of each chapter by Titania, the wife of the chief of the party, the little odds and ends of the story are kept up. Black is a young Scotchman, born at Glasgow in 1841. He may possibly be a relative of the Black who married Blumes friend, and who, with his wife & son, made the trip with Crete and me, from Edinburg to Rotterdam & Antwerp in 1867. Saturday, July 31, 1875. Took a carriage and went to the Departments and also to the shops and settled bills. We have concluded to go to New York on Monday, and thence, after some rest, to Ohio. This day I was to have spoken at Mansfield Ohio-- I regret that I could not have spoken with Sherman, in a joint debate on the currency. In the afternoon we read on further in Black's Phaeton - and finished it. It is really a very pleasant book - and gives us a delightful picture of English and Scottish life. Andrew Johnson died this morning at the home of his daughter -- of paralysis. This lives no Ex-President living. Johnson is one of the most singular characters I have ever known. His life has been full of vicissitudes and surprises. He was a demague, but possessed so high qualities - and so marked weaknesses - Much of his blundering, arose from a lack of systematic culture_ & perhaps some of his power with the people arose from the same thing. Sunday, August 1, 1875. Spent the day quietly, looking over my papers, and putting my books in order. They are accumulating so rapidly that I hardly know what to do with them. I enjoy looking them, and seeing in them, the types of my intellectual growth, and the changes of taste which the years bring -- I notice in myself a tenden to treat a book which I own as though I understood its contents without reading. Hence it follows that I am more sure to read a borrowed book than my own -- It is curious to note the opinions which appears in the papers of this morning, of the character of Johnson -- It does not increase one's respect for the thing we call public opinion, to find the same people praising the man, who so recently they denounced as every way unworthy. Dr. Pope called, and we had a long and pleasant visit -- I have learned to love him during my long confinement -- MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1875 A busy forenoon. Wrote several letters - Went to the Pension Office to help [Mr?] McCalmont, in his trouble about his assignment as Inspector. Call our Secys Delano and Cavan - The former is being heavily attacked by the press. He says it is only a part of a general attack on the Rep Party. It appears to be special in this case. Paid all the unpaid shop bills - and after taking lunch - at one o'clock, left our house, which though it has been a hospital for the last seven weeks, has been a pleasant place - to me - Especially since I began to recover. The time has passed most agreeably and I leave the place with regret. Grete, Mollie, and the baby Edward, together with Jennie Richardson left via Baltimore & Potomac RR for N.Y. We were almost alone in the Drawing room car. I commenced reading Scotts Red Gauntlet and Grete commenced Black's Princess of Thule. Reached NewYork at 10-30p.m. and stopped at the Brevoort - Tired. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875 My weakness shows itself when I try to move around as usual, when well. Took breakfast at 9a.m. Met Sam Ward & Hulbut[?] of "The World" and a long talk on politics and Papers. We all lamented the course of Senator Thurman in his speech at Mansfield, on Saturday. It was a great opportunity for him to denounce the dishonesty of his party, in the position they have taken on the Currency question. Instead of that he has evaded the responsibility and pettifogged for his party. He holds that the question is a congressional one and does not belong to this campaign. With astonishing inconsistency, he then plunges into the Louisiana question. Pac[?] is R.R. Pacific Mail, & several other purely national questions. I am sorry, for I like Thurman. Grete Mollie & I went shopping for several hours - & I came back to the Hotel very tired. Took dinner at six and spent the evening in reading Red Gauntlet. Retired a little after nine. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1875. After breakfast called on Hurlbut at his rooms in the university. He showed me a photograph of Peters Chair, taken at the centenary in 1867, when the Chair was taken out of its marble case. The back is composed of Lombard arches, which Hurlbut says were not known before the 10th Century. At one o'clock Crete Mollie & I went shopping and drove around the P.O. the progress of which I have watched carefully, in the Appropriation Bills of the last four years. It is now nearly done, and has cost, including the ground, about eight millions; while the New Court house on the same square, has cost about fourteen millions and is yet unfinished. National Republican - New York Democrat. Called at several places for Chili Colorado - but neither Druggists nor grocers seem to know what it is. The doctors say I ought to use it as a corrective to my digestion. At half-past three p.m. we started to drive to Central Park but were driven back by the rain. At half past six P.M. we crossed the ferry at Chambers Street. and took the Erie train for Ohio. The heavy rains have made the evening cool and travelling pleasant. THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1875. Awoke at Corning. Took breakfast at Hornellsville, and dinner at Meadville. It seemed strange to pass Garrettsville without stopping, and brought to my mind a realization of the fact that I have no longer a home in Ohio. At seven P.M. we arrived in Cleveland and were met at the Depot by Dr. Robison and his son James. Went to the Doctors, where we were affectionately welcomed, although Mrs. R. was away. During the day and evening I finished Scott's Redgauntlet which I have never read before. After all, there have been but few who could hold up a late work such a masterly hand till its very last work as Walter does. Redgauntlet is not his best of historical novels; but in it, he works out the second and final abortive attempt of the Jacobites to restore the Stuarts under the lead of Charles Edward the Pretender about 1765-70 The characters of Red gauntlet, Peter Peebles the crooked client, Joshua Geddes the Quaker, and Turnpenny the courting Smuggler are very finely drawn. The Pretender seems to have been a wretched & selfish absolutist - the worst of his bad family - the illfated Stuarts FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1875. A rainy, dreary day - Spent the forenoon visiting with the Doctor, who has told me the sad story of his oldest son whom the passion of drink seems to be sweeping down into the inevitable gulf. I shudder, when I think that I may live to see some of my little ones swept into the fatal whirlpool. The question of quitting public life and building a home for my little ones is fast pressing upon me for solution. It cannot be much longer delayed. I ought to have grappled it sooner. I must canvass the subject at once, as soon as I am well enough to grapple it. My hope that I may be able to form professional connections & build a home in this city - Perhaps I have waited too long - I certainly could have succeeded a few years ago - I shrank from starting out into a new career - but it must be done. After some reluctance I consented to let Crete go on to the mountain without me. She generously proposed to go ahead and set the cottage in order and have stay here, a day at least, to rest. So she left on the 4-50 P.M. train for the mountain, & I remained at the Doctor's. - SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1875. Remained at the Doctor's - In the forenoon, read Webster's speeches on finance - especially with a view to a fuller understanding of the Bank of the United States. It appears that the Democratic opposition to that institution grew out of their doctrine of States rights - and that some of their leaders, notably Calhoun, change their views on this subject after dogma of States Rights became prominent in the party - In the afternoon, I made it to the Dr's Packing house, and later in the day, just as he and I were about to start to the mountain, Harry Jones came and we concluded to stay over. We had a long session of the "Quintinkle" in the evening, and reviewed many of the events in our early friendship. It is probably impossible for any of us ever to have another set of friends who shall know so much of each other, and shall reach back in their friendship to the Early days of youth and obscurity. We stay up till two hours after midnight, and parted for the night with renewals of old bonds. SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 1875 After breakfast, Doctor Jones & I drove to East Cleveland and attended the Christian Church there. John M Alwaters preached a good sermon - I have not heard him for many years; and I was curious to know how he had developed since he was my student at Hiram His father was a man of such slow mind, though of good sense, that I feared there would always be a heaviness in his style of thought; and there is something of it in him. But culture has done a good deal for him, and he is very thorough. After Church attended the Doctors Bible class, where I met many old friends. In the evening, we had another long session of the "Quintinke" The Doctor gave me a full history of his struggle with Gov. Tod in March 1862, in reference to my promotion to a Brig. Gen.ship Also the history of his first interview with me at Hiram, in 1853 - when I was debating whether I should go on with a full course of study or not. That was the beginning of our friendship - and it has since known no interruption. Returned an hour past midnight MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1875 I feel myself getting stronger every day though I am still weak. Crete and Mrs Robison came up from the [?ain] today to do some shopping - and I was intending to go back with them this evening. But at noon, the Doctor came home with news that his partner Mr Baxter of N.Y. had failed, and he fears it may carry him down in the rain. He is greatly distressed and asked us to stay with him; which of course we did. It is very sad to see how distraught the Dr is at the prospect of losing his business & property. He was saddened by the death of D. P. Rhodes & I wrote his will for him on Saturday. I went with him to the bank this P.M. and discussed the method of using the stock in his Packing house to raise money to meet immediate payments. The case looks better this evening. To keep his mind from brooding over it, I went with him to the Club - & with Mr Younglove & Maj Abbott played two or three hours. I should have mentioned that Master Sherwin & Capt Henry called today. Cleveland, O Tuesday, August 10, 1875 I awoke this morning with a severe cold and a stiff neck and shoulder. It is discouraging to have a new ailment before I am fully recovered from the old. Mr. Eilep came to talk over the Doctor's affairs which appear better this morning. He also suggested to me a partnership at law between himself, McCerceney and myself, and asked if I would entertain the proposition. I told him I would, provided a satisfactory arrangement could be made. If this proposition takes definite and affirmative shape, I will arrange for a home in Cleveland, and will resign my seat in Congress, at the close of the first session of the 44th Congress. I have always purposed to keep political life from becoming an idol & I feel the necessity of providing for my family, better than I can do while I am in Congress. At 4:30 PM Mrs. Robison, Crete & I took the train for Mentor and reached Little Mountain at half past seven. Found the little ones well & the weather pleasant. A large mail awaited me & my stiff neck made the night uncomfortable. Wednesday, August 11, 1875 Am a little better but still stiff-necked. During the day I have been reading a recent English book (1875) by Edward Simpson on the Dramatic Unities. He holds that they were not specially insisted on in modern times, until the appearance of "Sofenisba" in 1515, by Gian Giorgio Frissino, a member of the Court of Lis X. This monk strictly followed the Unities and by degrees ^they became the authority in Italy and France. This book has in it much that is new to me. I had supposed that Shakespeare rebelled against the unities but Simpson says they were never heeded in England till the end of the 17th Century & then only partially. I still think that Shakespeare knew of the rules, & knew that he was dealing them a deadly blow. Simpson makes it clear that Aristotle himself did not hold to them as rigidly as his followers of the 16th Century. I know of the attack made in the Unities by Francois Victor Hugo, in the preface of his translations of Shakespeares Sonnets, but I know before that Hugo pere had fought the battle practically & successfully in 1830. Byron's attempt to restore the unities in Jordanapalus was not like him. He usually despised love Here he forced himself to obey + absend ones THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1875. Harmon Anslin telegraphed me to go with him and Warren Packard to Chatauqua Lake, to meet President Grant - but I declined, not thinking it quite safe for me to take such a jaunt now - In the forenoon finished Simpson on the Unities- I differ from him in his intimation that Shakespeare was unmindful of the existence of the law. From many passages I conclude that Shakespeare knew the law and proudly abrogated it - Especially in the works he puts in the mouth of "Time" in the beginning of Scene 1 Act III. "Since it is in my power to ignore law, & in one self-born hour to place and overwhelm custom, Let me pass on What is now received" &c Wrote several letters - played a few games of billiards - and also of Euchre- Several friends came to visit me - and Paine (JH) telegraphed me that he would come up to the mountain tomorrow and take me to Painesville - The quiet of this place comes to me gratefully, after the long siege of sickness and so hot weather - I am getting anxious to see Harry - who has been away from me several weeks - FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1875. J. H. Paine called in the morning, and drove me to Painesville. We rode by way of Johnny Cake Ridge, along the rich farms and pleasant field of Concord and Painesville - Took dinner at the Parmly House, and saw a large number of friends. Amongst those who called was Labon J. Sherman of Ashlabula - who expressed a strong desire that I should run again for Congress next year - McSweeney of Wooster was there - and I had a pleasant visit. Saw my old Chester Classmate Z. O. Forster who is being sued for a divorce - The case is now in its sixth week - Visited with Scofield of the Painesville Telegraph, and also with Horace & George W. Steele who called - Paine drove me back to the mountain at half past four - In the evening, McSweeney, Capt. J. B. Burrows & Dr. Rast drove up to see me - I studied McS with some care, in view of the proposition made to me by Estep a few days ago. McS seems to be a man of much fever & geniality - perhaps lacking in the culture which he would have if he had mingled more with his equals - or superiors more, in Early Life. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1875. We have had a beautiful and balmy day on the mountain --The stiffness in my neck is disappearing & I see no reason to doubt that I shall be able to go into the campaign in a fortnight I regret that I could not have made a speech earlier in the campaign, & thus have had an opportunity to give a little better direction to some portion of the discussion. But it may be better as it is-- I wrote a large number of letters and nearly caught up with my accumulated correspondence. Began Scott's "Bride of Lammermoor" which I have never read. In the first chapter he puts some very wise criticisms on the relative merits of dialogue & narrative, into the mouth of Dick Tinto - and the fiction of that poor artist's life forms a very clever method of introducing the story -- Played Euchre in the afternoon with the Hickocks pere mère et fils -- In the evening, wrote up this journal and read, and Crete and I had a long conversation in regard to the management of Jimmie. I am puzzled to know what is the best plan to adopt with him -- The force, vitality, impulse, & self centered will make him a strange component. SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 1875. The day has been beautiful, and must have been sultry below the mountain -- Crete and I have read the "Bride of Lammermoor" nearly through. The story is founded in the reign of William and Mary, near the close of the 17th Century, and like most of Scott's historical novels deals with the remanants of feudalism, and the manners of the proud nobility of Scotland -- In reading Scott I am constantly reminded of George Borrow's appendix to Rommany Rye wherein he upbraids Scott with being a [swift?] hunter - a flatterer of the nobility - & alleges that has done more than any man of modern times to keep up the false pride and pretention of that Class of British -- There is probably some ground for this criticism; & I shall not be surprised if it will ultimately be the ground of the loss of Scott's hold on the popular heart. But he is still "the Wizard of the North", & his dominion over the hearts of men is still strong -- The day closed beautifully - and the evening was cool and pleasant -- I feel my strength steadily returning - and hope soon to be myself again -- Monday, August 16, 1875 Spent about half the day in finishing "Bride of Lammermoor". It is a very sad yet a fascinating story. Scott avails himself of the beliefs of his time in supernatural forces revealed through seers and witches, and makes them almost the purposes that fate did in the Greek Dramas. The extinction of the two houses of Ravenswood and Lord Ashton seems to be in accordance with an old prediction. The Character of Caleb Balderstone is a very beautiful illustration of the faithfulness with which a subordinate will sometimes cling to the fortune of his master. Messrs. Page and Downey of Chardon called and made me a pleasant visit. The former is just now suffering from a dreadful calamity - a faithless wife. They want me to go to Chardon and speak on the School Question, and it's relation to the Catholic Church. Billiards in the afternoon. In the evening spent some time at the parlor visiting with the Callagers of the Club. They are very pleasant people Tuesday, August 17, 1875 Jimmie and I took the bus at 8am for Mentor, and went to Cleveland. Dr. Robison's carriage met us at the Depot, and we went to the Dr's house. Found him quite ill. His business looks a little better than it did before he went to New York. Spent several hours look over the slate of his affairs. Drove to East Cleveland to see Dr. Sheaton but found he had gone to Champagne Lake. Jimmie & I took the 3:25 pm train for Salem and went to Sister Mary's. Jimmy has a very sore foot & suffered much pain from it. We found that Mother & Harry's men in Newburgh Hetty came down to Maine and we had a good visit. In the evening Jimmy was very sick with sick-head ache, and for a time I feared he would have convulsions. After I returned I read for an hour or two. In a New work of O.S. Fowler in the Science of Life- or of Love Many of my Experiences confirms the doctrines of the work. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1875. I am posted for a speech at the Sunday School Convention at North Solon at half past ten oclock today - But it commenced to rain early in the morning; and I did not think it safe for me to go out in such weather - Visited with Hetty & Mary & wrote a letter to Brother Thomas - At 2 p.m. Harry came - and the boy was overjoyed to see me. I have been greatly touched by the tenderness and anxiety he shows toward me during my illness - He & I took the afternoon train to Painesville & went to Hiram - Had a pleasant evening w Father Rudolph- And work on my campaign speech until ten oclock - I am feeling the discomfort that comes of having no home in Ohio - This must be changed - I think I must leave public life & establish a home for my children. Burke called in the Evening - but stopped only a moment - I slept with Harry THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1875. Took a walk on the hill with Father Rudolph, and visited the church which is being thoroughly remodelled and repaired - The stiff old [?] of Hiram are by degrees going away - Returned to father's at ten oclock - and resumed work on my speech - My work thus far, has been in reading info - and collecting points - but I recoil from the work of composition - Ever since I was taken sick, I have been mentally in a state of vigorous [?] - but I have not felt at all like aggressive work - Several times today, I have dipped the pen to begin the speech - but each time - I dropped it with repugnance - Played croquet at [?] - & in the evening [?] Austin came, and spent the night with me at father's - after a [?] visit His friendship has been to me a precious possession for many years - FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1875. Spent most of the day with Harmon Austin Alrab Udall & Burke, at the College, where they are making repairs, and laying a flagstone side walk in front & flank. They have trimmed the tree which I planted sixteen years ago. They are now grown to a lusty size, and fill the sand too thick with shrubbery. Ehu fugaces labuntur anni. Harmon went away at four. I played croquet at Mrs McBride's with J.C. Ellis & Wife & Mertie Young. In the evening Burke came home to Father Rudolph's and stayed until half an hour past midnight. He read me the manuscript of an article partly finished on the type of the Catholic mind as contrasted with that of the rationalist and the Protestant, then we talked of my own future, and the prospect of my success on [?] me at the law. I retired a little before one with not a little pleasure in my heart. Changes are not pleasant to me. There is a flavor of old mannishness about me. Saturday, August 21, 1875. Ernest Rudolph drove Harry & me to Garrettsvile, where we met Bro Joseph. Took the 9 a.m. train to Solon, and stopped at Sister Mary's until the 3 p.m. train, when I went to Cleveland with Harry & Jimmy. While in Cleveland, I called on Miss Ransom and found Mother there. She had just been sitting for her picture which is nearly done. Saw Harry Rhodes & visited him half an hour. They took the 4:00 p.m. train for Mentor. On the cars, had a pleasant visit with DVP. MCowles, an old student of Hiram and also a member of the 42nd Regt. Also Miss Juliette Comstock, who was a student at Hiram. We reached the mountain at seven and found Dr. Robison & wife, & Messrs Wade and Payne. We played Euchre (the Dr. Payne Wade & I) till nearly midnight, and then visited for an hour before we separated for the night. The Dr is feeling better about his affairs, though he will probably suffer a heavy loss. SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 1875. Strolled in the woods and visited with the Dr. He went fully over the situation of his affairs. His ultimate loss depends upon how much Baxter and Co are able to save out of their wreck. At 11 AM we (the part of last evening, went down to the Western foot of the Mountain to attend a yearly Meeting of the Universalists. This preaching was very commonplace and we came away before it was over. O.S. Farr & Senator Hathaway & Judge Smith of Chardon called on me. In the afternoon we (the same as anted) walked to the iron spring. In the evening Dr & wife, Wade & wife & Mr. Payne came into our collage & sat two or three hours. Payne is a fine talker, and I enjoyed his company very much. I fear he & I will drift apart in friendship next winter in Congress. He is so wedded to the Democracy that he is shackled in his political [?] & actions Perhaps he may break the fetters next winter, but I fear not. MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1875. Many of the mountaineers left us this morning. I spent the fornoon in writing letters, answering my large mail which I found in my return from Hiram. In the afternoon I commenced a speech, but the constructive spirit was not strong in me, and I did not satisfy myself with the quality or quantity of my work. I am at a great disadvantage in coming into the campaign so late. A printed speech seems hardly in order so late in the campaign. Then, I suspect that the probability of withdrawing from political life somewhat abates my interest in the campaign, though I don't intend to let it do so. In the evening I did not feel like work and so loafed and played and read Bret Hartes "Baruder". I fear he will lose his inspiration by leaving the Pacific Coast. The night fell sweetly among the pines, and the harvest moon spread a veil of yellow glory over the lake and land below us. TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1875. Worked on speech and by mid-day was in a good vein for working - It seems to me that working is more verbose than speech - yet the contrary is supposed to be the case - Some friends called on me - I should have mentioned yesterday that I brought the conduct of Jimmie under discipline - & correction - He has, for a long time, been drifting into a habit of contention, and passion, & seems to lose control of his temper - I ought to have taken him in hand soon - After spending an hour with him and going over the ground kindly and thoroughly, I took him into the woods & flogged him severely - In spite of Solomon & my own opinion, I have some doubt about this business of pounding goodness into a child - But it seemed to work well with Jimmie - at least for the subsequent day - I wish I really knew how he feels about it Perhaps he will tell me years hence - when I don't need [?] - We ought to live one preliminary life in order to know how to live the real one WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1875. Went to Cleveland on the morning train with Crete Mollie and [?] - Mrs Robison met us at the depot, and took Crete to the Children home with her - I went to the Forest City House where the 42nd Regiment meets for its reunion today - at 11 a.m. the Regt. met at Hollis Hall on [?] St - After preliminary business - H. Rhodes delivered an address of Welcome - and Gen. G. W. Mongan spoke half an hour, taking occasion to attack Gen Sherman's book [?] & in a spirit I did not approve. But he was our guest & I said nothing - The Regt then confused me by a fine speech from Gen Sheldon in which he presented me a badge of the Army of the Cumberland - We took dinner at the Forest City House - and met again at 2 P.M. in the evening the society took an excurse on the Summer Pearl - but I did not feel well enough to go - Crete & I stayed at Dr. Robison. Mrs Carry Slossen was there, & we had a pleasant time - there being five members of the "Quintenkle" present. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1875. In the morning, Crete & I drove to East Cleveland & visited Dr & Mrs Sheator - I rode two miles with the Dr. & talked over Dr. Robison's affairs I proposed a Joint Stock Company to be formed to carry on the packing business, and thus enable Robison to go on with the business - I hope we can succeed in this - On returning to the city - I went to see the remaining members of the regiment but they were nearly all gone - Met James Mason, who told me that Estep was anxious for the partnership, & he (Mason) commends the arrangement - The doctor was very anxious to have me stay + see some other parties in reference to the Corporation & so Crete Mrs R. & Irwin went to the Mount Mollie having gone to Solon with mother, yesterday Went to the bank and talked with Garrettson-then to Dr. Streator's office & drew a [subscription?] for Corporation - called on H. B. Payne, who drove me out for an hour- during which we talked of the Dr's affair, Took tea with Payne & stayed there with him, Wade & Robison till midnight - FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1875. Took the 7.30 am train to Painesville & returned to Mentor on the 9 am train - Finding no conveyance to the Mt. stopped at Barnes Hotel- & worked on speech until noon- When I went on the hack to the Mountain-The day is very warm & I greatly regret to leave the Mt so soon, but, the affairs of the Club have been so carelessly managed that it will close early next week- so we must go to Hiram- I hope never again to have my family dragged around as they have been this season - In the afternoon, I worked on the speech as well as I could, but did not feel in good condition- On the evening Selah Chamberlain came and we had a long visit - The Bank of California has failed- & I fear my friend Ralston will go down with it - I warned him against the too great extension of his business- Chamberlain, Hickox, Boardman I played Eucher in the Evening - and at half past ten, I retired - being somewhat the worse for loss of sleep last Evening- SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1875. Spent most of the forenoon in writing letters and putting my papers in order, to go to Hiram at eleven o'clock I left the mountain for the season with much regret. It ought to have kept open until the middle of September. Crete, Jimmie, Irvin & I went & left the rest to go on Monday by wagon. At the Depot in Cleveland Dr. Robison met us and took us to his house for lunch, & thence to the cars. I read in the telegraphic dispatches of today, of the suicide of W.C. Ralston of San Francisco. Yesterday brought the news of the failure of the Bank of California, to-day, the self destruction of its great President. This news fills me with deep grief. I have seen but few men who, in so short a time, so powerfully called into my admiration as he. I Earnestly pled with him, when we parted, to draw in from his greatly expanded business, and reminding him of his danger. We reached Hiram in time for tea. At 7-45, I spoke to a crowded audience in the New town hall on the Campaign issues. And satisfied myself, better than usual in a first speech. I was glad to find my speech approved by Crete who is my readiest and closest critic. I did not feel any evil effect at my exertions SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 1875. In the morning, H.J. Ford and Cal Tolles of Burton called and visited an hour or two. Crete & I attended church in the Town Hall, (the brick church is being repaired) and listened to Burke. He was a little heavy. I fear he is letting his solid studies run away with his vivacity. Crete & I went to his house (late am now) and took dinner & visited till six P.M. All took our usual walk into the woods. From six to seven worked on my speech. At half past seven, went to the Town Hall, heard a powerful lecture from Burke, in the Catholic type of mind. This theme was in his veins and his mind glowed with light & heat. His sketch of the three types of mind. Rationalist, Catholic & Protestant was striking and valuable. And helps to explain some of the anomalies of recent Catholic Dogmas. I should have mentioned that Cousin Phebe Clapp & her 10 year old daughter went with us on the walk. In a few months that girl will be as old as Crete was when I first saw her, at Chester, when Phebe & I were children. Eheu fugaces &c Have sent Mr Pierce with a team to Lt. [?] for the rest of our family except Mother & Mollie who are at Solon. MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1875. Spent most of the day on my Warren Speech. which I finished, but about which I feel as usual concerning anything I have written. It seems heavy and spiritless. But the audience have to hear it but once, and may not tire of it as I do. The news from San Francisco leads one to hope that Ralston did not commit suicide, but died a sudden death, unexpected to himself. Burke came down and we had a pleasant visit. He dined with us. A large mail came, which took me an hour to read. In the evening I called on Charles Young, who heard Allen & Pendleton at Marion on Saturday. After my return, I ran over the Manuscript of my speech & made some corrections. I sometimes feel disheartened with the fact that I have to work so hard, and labor so long over little details, in order to write a speech which comes anywhere near satisfying me. I wish I knew how it is relatively with men whom I admire. I wonder if their quills halt in doubt and questions as mine does in the preparation of a speech. If I knew the facts, I might be discouraged. Perhaps they may give me courage. Quen Sabe? [right hand page] TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1875. Harry drove Crete and me to Garretsville, whence we went by the mail train to Warren. Harrison Austin met us at the Depot and took us to his house. B. J. Loomis & J.V. Redfield of the Cincinnati Commercial, and a Mr. Efraham of the Cleveland Dealer called to get the manuscript of my speech. I wrote in a few paragraphs in regard to the value of our Money Standard, as compared with the Standards of Weights & Measures. I gave them the manuscript. Many friends called to see me, and I made a few calls. Towards evening, Prof Loos of Bethany College called on me had a pleasant visit. In the Evening spoke an hour and three quarters, at the new City Hall. Col. E.B. Taylor presided. I felt a sense of mastery of my audience (which was very large & attentive) and there was in the atmosphere, a much more friendly spirit than that which I felt here last fall. After the meeting Prof Loos & Wesley Lamphers called at Austin's & spent an hour. Loos spent the night. His [?] of the papal assault in secular schools in France & Germany [?] are very interesting. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1875. Warren - Hiram Arose feeling no ill-effects from the Speech of last night. It seems to have made an excellent impression, and has evoked some marked compliments even from my old enemies here in town. My friends here think the active war against me is ended. If they Knew I did not intend to remain in the Dist, they would rejoice. Made several calls & received many during the forenoon. Crete also made some visits. here where she attended school 29 years ago. At two P.M. she & I in company with Harmon Austin & wife, & Lottie Sackett took dinner at Judge Kinsmans. After that we called on Mr & Mrs H.B. Perkins, & looked through their beautiful new house. Crete and I took the 5 P.M. train for Garrettsville, but were delayed 2-1/2 hours at Leavittsburg. Found Harry awaiting us at 9 and reached home half past 9. Before retiring, read Burke's address, delivered in June last at the Delphic Reunion. I blushed but was proudly glad to read from so shiny and so true a man as Burke, the following sentence. p 11 - "Garfield, you have taught me more than any other man living or dead". I will never again doubt that he loves me so well as I do him. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1875. Burke's speech before the Delphic Society has set me in the vein of studying my early life in Chester and Hiram. And I spent most of the day in reading my diary for 1850-53. The style is very stilted, and gushing. So that I need to make some effort to prevent being ashamed of these records. But I was dead in earnest, and thoroughly determined to make all I could of myself and my opportunities. The amount of work I performed in the two years proceeding my leaving for college, was very considerable. It is surprising that I did not break down in health. It is curious that I had almost wholly forgotten the fact that I held a debate with Joseph Treat, a public lecturer of spiritualism when I was but twenty years old. In the afternoon, at 5; went with Crete and her mother to a [n?te] Society at R. M. Hawks - where I met many of our old neighbors - after a game of croquet with J. C. Ellis - and supper at Hawks, went to Hinsdales. And spent the Evening in hearing the introduction to a paper he has written on Ecclesiastical tradition, & which he thinks of publishing in a volume . He is growing very solidly - but I fear he is becoming too much of a specialist. Home at ten P.M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875. Spent most of the day in writing letters and bringing [?] back work until five P.M. when Crete, Jimmie, Irvin and I went to Garrettsville and took the train for Geauga Lake (Late Pond Station) Burke Hinsdale was with us and we stopped at Capt. C.O. Henry's and spent a very pleasant Evening. It is very gratifying to me to see that Capt H. is in prosperity, in a pleasant home on a good farm and that he has been helped out of pecuniary embarrassment by the position I was able to give him in the Postal Service. He is a good and faithful officer, and knows the service. His friendship for us is connected with his school life in Hiram. and his service in the 42nd O.V.I. His wife was Sophia Williams, sister of the Major of the 42nd. We all had a pleasant evening, and sat together until a late hour. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1875. At about nine A. M. Cpt Henry took Burke to Chagrin Falls where the Disciples yearly meeting is in progress. In the mean time I wrote letters and played croquet with Crete and Sophia. In the afternoon, Capt H & I called on Dr. Shepherd, a man of much culture, & who lives on an intellectual plane much above his surroundings. He is very ill and old, About five o'clock Capt H. took me to Mentor via Aurora. We stopped at C. R. Harmon's, where a large audience was awaiting me. Hon O. Blake presided, and I spoke an hour and three quarters. At Mentor, 19 years ago, I made my first political speech. It is strange, what changes national and personal, have taken place since then. After meeting we returned via Aurora and reached Capt Harris about midnight. Chilled and tired by the Evening's adventure. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1873. At ten A. M. Capt H. and wife took us (Crete Irvin & I, (leaving Jimmie) to Chagrin Falls, where we attended the Yearly Meeting in Hutchin's Grove. Burke was preaching when we arrived, and I. H. Jones preached in the afternoon. Burke delivered a powerful discourse but it was in marked contrast with Jones'. One is intent upon his sermon. the other upon reaching the people It is rare that any man holds up so well for so many years as Harry Jones does. The enchantment which he threw around me twenty years ago is still upon this P.M. I saw a very large number of old friends and neighbors from Orange, Solon and the surrounding county Drs Robison and Sheator were there. After meeting Capt H drove us (mother being added to the party) to Sister Mary's at Solon. Where we spent the Evening and night in visiting. [and walking] On the whole, it is a long time, since I have spent a day so pleasantly as this. It has been full of memories and friendships. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1875. I went to Cleveland on the morning train, in company with Burke. I found Dr. Robison awaiting me at the Depot. After transacting some business on the street, I went to dinner at Dr R's, where by appointment, Dr. Sheator came; and, after dinner, the two Doctors agreed upon the details of a partnership, and I drew up the articles. Dr R puts in his packing house at $40.000. Dr. S puts in $40.000 cash, and D. Robison, $10.000. Thus Dr. C has been able to cut loose from Baxter's [?] and can go on again with his business It has given me great satisfaction to be able to aid in setting the Dr's affairs on a footing so that he can go on again. I don't think he would have lived long if he could not have kept up his active business habits. I took the Evening train for the west, riding in the mail car with Capt. Henry, J. C. Ellis, and a Mr Ingersoll of Elyria. Reached Toledo about eleven oclock, and Capt Henry and I went to the Doody House, where we spent the night. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1875 Spent the morning on calling on old friends. Met the three Rood brothers, who were students many years ago. They are now successful business men here in Toledo. Called also at the office of the Toledo and Wabash RR to see Gov. Cox but found he was not in the city. Called on O.J. Hopkins, a member of the 42nd Regt. He is now a successful wood-engraver. At eleven o'clock I took the train for the west, and reached Edgerton about 2 p.m. Found that the meeting was set for evening and went back to Bryans 4 p.m. and visited my relatives. Amos Letchers met me at the Depot. We called on Capt. George Garfield, drove into the country two miles, where we found Cousin Calista (nee Letcher) also William Letcher & his son. Returned to town, saw Capt. Chas Garfield, dined at Amos Letchers. Called on Louisa Learned and her father William Letcher. Went to Edgerton at seven- in company with about 20 Bryan friends and spoke to a good audience, an hour and a half. An old 42nd man from Defiance- L.E. Crandall- spoke a little while before I began. Went to Bryan with friends by midnight train, & stayed over night at William Letchers. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1875. After breakfast my cousin, Amos Letcher drove me 18 miles across the county to Defiance where we arrived at noon. After dinner at the hotel, I spoke nearly two hours, in the Court house yard, to not a very large audience. I satisfied myself fairly well. Went to Crandall's house and fortunately was left alone for nearly three hours. Found Garland's Life of John Randolph, and read half of first vol with much interest. Randolph might almost be called "The Last of the Barons." The book is not ably written; but the author had abundance of good material in his hand, and even his florid style has not been able to cover up much valuable material. I was specially interested in Randolph's sketch of the [Ygoopraud?] of 1705, when George sold forty million acres of land for $500,00. It was subsequently found that every [?] of the legislature, save one, was paid for his vote either in money or land. This was in the so called "better days of the Republic." Got to bed early and read Randolph till a late hour. My sachel was not brought up from the town & so I slept in my undershirt in a house said to be haunted. Thursday, September 9, 1875. Accompanied by Crandall, went by the 8 a.m. train to Antwerp, where after dinner at the Hotel (The Ellsworth House) I address a large audience in the hall for an hour and three quarters. In the afternoon, finished the first volume of Randolph which I brought from Defiance. The Author says that Burke's "Reflections on the French Revolution" published in May 1790, and Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man" published in 1791, were the two books which gave birth to the Federal and Republican parties. Hamilton & Adams followed the doctrines of the first, and Jefferson of the second. This is new suggestion to me. If it be correct, it may account for the charge made against the Federalist that they were British Monarchists. At 7 1/2 P.M. listened to an hours speech from Crandall. He has not any definite knowledge of issues or facts, to keep pace with his declamation Retired at nine, and read hastily through, before I slept, an abominable book which I never saw before, "Horton's Youths History of the Great Civil War." It is worse than rebel, a gross libel on the north. Friday, September 10, 1875. Took the ten a.m. train for Fort Wayne Ind. and thence by the Fort Wayne RR to Van Wert where I was met by the Committee. After dinner at the hotel, spoke two hours at the Opera House. I had a very good audience, and satisfied myself better than any speech this week thus far. After returning to the hotel Mr. Darnell, an old Hiram student called on me, also Col. Alexander and several members of the 64th & 60th Regiments, who served under me at Shiloh & in Alabama. Van Wert County is quite evenly balanced in the strength of its political parties. At six p.m. went to Delphos on the borders of Van Wert & Allen Counties, and spoke in the open air to an audience of about 800 people, a majority of them were Catholics. They were quite angry at my views of the Alliance between the Democrats & the Catholics, and my analysis of the Catholic position in regard to our Common Schools. The bonfire, which was started while I was speaking, and the high wind made it difficult to speak, & I closed after an hours speech hoarse and dispirited. Slept in a wretched bed in a [poor?] hotel & caught a severe cold Saturday, September 11, 1875. Took the 5.40 a.m. for Ada where, in company with a Mr. Price of Van Wert, I arrived in time for breakfast. Spent the forenoon in visiting Mr. Lehr's Normal School building, and in hearing his history of the origin and growth of his rather singular enterprise. From small beginnings, and out of very unpromising materials, he has worked up a school of nearly 250 students a term. Played Croquet with Lehr and dined with him. At 1.45 P.M. addressed a large audience in the town hall. About twenty friends came over from Kenton- among them Gen Robinson, and Sutton Young and his wife. At 3-20 took the train for Crestline, where I arrived in time for tea, and about seven p.m. took the train for Cleveland. Found R.P. Cannon of Aurora on the train. He is Pres of the Ohio Ag. Ass. and was returning from the State Fair. We had a long and pleasant conversation; and at ten p.m. reached the Forest City House, where we spent the night. Telegraphed from Ada. this morning, to the Secy of the Navy nominating Frank L. Lathrop of Painesville for Naval Cadet. Sunday, September 12, 1875. Took the seven a.m. train for Hiram, and stopped at Garrettsville whence by livery reached home at 10 a.m. cold, hoarse and jaded. I made one more speech the past week than I promised, that at Delphos & for it I suffer. Found a large mail awaiting me and wrote many letters, preparatory to leaving in the morning. Made my annual measurement of the heights of Harry & Jimmy, because they are to go to Washington, tomorrow, to begin their terms of school. It will be their final venture in so long a journey alone. In the afternoon Wallace Ford came to take me to Burton; but I persuaded him to [go] wait till tomorrow morning. In the evening, listened to a sermon from Burke. He seemed jaded, and rather heavy. He is running too much in one line of thought. After meeting, called at Mr. Reno's to see Jno. McClury a Hiram student of 20 years ago. He is now a leading preacher of Kansas. Wrote letters, and arranged for tomorrow, and retired at a late hour, nearly midnight. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1875. At half-past seven A.M. Crete started for Garrettsville to accompany Harry & Jimmie as far as Pittsburgh; and soon after, Ford and I started for Burton. There, after a rest of two hours, we were driven, in a farm horse team, to Chardon, and at 2 P.M. Gov. Hayes arrived. He made a very substantial and convincing speech of nearly two hours, to not less than 3000 people. I followed him, commencing in a clear strong voice. At the end of five minutes, and in the middle of a sentence, my voice suddenly failed. The last half of the sentence was not spoken. I struggled for a minute or two; and finally caught a low conversational tone, in which I was able to speak with some effect for thirty minutes. This is a wholly new experience for me, & besides the mortification it gave me, I am somewhat apprehensive that I may have sustained a permanent injury. At the Close of the meeting, I went to Painesville, by special train, in company with Gov. Hayes; and we spent the night at Hon G. W. Steeles. My voice still base & weak. Fowards telegraphed Crete to come to Burton tomorrow. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1875. After breakfast, Mr Steele drove Gov Hayes & me for two hours through the town and its suburbs. We took dinner at the Cowles House, and received calls from citizens. At two oclock, about 3000 people assembled on the public square, and Governor Hayes spoke about two hours. My voice was still so bad that I did not think it prudent to do much speaking, so I spoke in a low voice about fifteen minutes. I called attention to the fact that thirteen years ago today Gov. Hayes was wounded on the battle of South Mountain I sent word to Crete to come on to Painesville; and at five P.M. she came. In the evening Mr. Steele gave a reception to Gov. H. and me; and it was a very pleasant affair. The peculiar feature of the evening was the cordial greeting I received from the liberals, and others who were so hostile to me last year. I shall probably, never again, be a candidate for Congress from this Dist, but it is clear to me that I can be renominated and reelected next year more easily than last. I wont make this fact manifest before I leave the field. I shall leave, if at all, on my own motion. Wednesday, September 15, 1875 At 8.30 a.m. Crete and I went by the narrow-gauge Road to Burton Station where Wallace J. Ford met us with a carriage, and drove us home to his house in Burton Square. It is a pleasant and restful place where we spent the day very pleasantly. I was a good deal exhausted, and felt dull and stupid. I have never read the whole of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra," and to-day, Crete read most of it to me. The play deepens my wonder at the victorious [?], who could so thoroughly seize & express the soul of Rome. My voice does not seem much better; but still stays down on the low notes. Still I believe it will recover in a few days. Towards evening Wallace put out the Croquet sett and we played one game. In the evening, George H. and [?] Ford and their wives called and spent two hours. A little earlier in the day the widow of the late Gen. Seabury Ford; and Mrs Cullin called and spent an hour. Crete and I retired about nine p.m. closing the evening with the later scenes in Act III of Antony and Cleopatra. Thursday, September 16, 1875 It began to rain before daylight, and a warm, heavy shower continued to fall till past noon. My voice still continuing to be unhealed. I telegraphed my friends in Medina County that I could not speak at Chippewa Lake tomorrow. So I rested and read and visited. At eleven a.m., I visited the high school, taught by Mr. Rodofer & his wife (nee Mary Patterson) who were Hiram students. I talked to their students about half an hour, and Wallace said I made a good speech. In the afternoon, while looking over Fords Library, I found a volume of Humboldt's (Wilhelm) "Letters to a Lady" - a book I had not before seen. It reminds me of Goethe, though calmer and less warm. In the afternoon, the sun came out, and towards evening, Wallace [?] & I play two games of Croquet. In the evening a pleasant party of about twenty five friends called and spent about three hours. Just as they were leaving, at ten, it rained again. Thus have I dwindled the day through, but this idleness has been made necessary by former over-work. A few more scenes from Antony & Cleopatra closed the evening. Friday, September 17, 1875 At ten a.m. W.J. Ford took Crete and me in his carriage to Hiram, where we arrived a little before noon. We remained till after dinner. I found a large mail awaiting me. Among the letters was one from Mrs. Reed, telling us of the safe arrival of Harry and Jimmie at Washington. Where they began attending school on Tuesday last. I spent the day in answering letters, and in the evening visited with Burke who called early. Later Dr. Thayer of Warren came, and spent an hour. My voice is still bad; and I have some apprehension that I shall not fully regain its tone. I don't think my tone has ever been so good since the war. The harsh voice of command was not favorable to oratory. But the press is less so. The age of oratory has passed. The newspaper, the pamphlet and the book have abolished it. Only plain speaking, argument and fact that may be printed, are of any great value now. After our visitors left, I wrote letters till late hour. Saturday, September 18, 1875 Crete and I, with Jennie Richardson Abram and Edward, went to [Jed?] Station and took the train. They, all stopped at Solon, but me. I went on to Cleveland to meet Mr. Chisholm on business connected with the Bessemer Screw Co. He wants me to go to Washington to save his Co. from the injury, likely to result to it from a construction of the law relating to the duty in Bessemer Steel Wood Service. I agreed to go next Monday. Took dinner at Dr. Robison's. It delights me to see him restored to good spirits again. He has resumed work in his packing house, based on the new partnership. After tea I went with him to the Cleveland [?] where we met Mrs. Payne, Wade, Wiley, and a large number of leading citizens of Cleveland. I am greatly attached to Mr. Payne, although I do not think he is quite consistent in his political status. I don't mind his being a Democrat, but I don't like his silence, when he believes his party is behaving wickedly in the ethics of finance. Stayed at D.R.s over night. Sunday, September 19, 1875 Helen D.K. Atkins (nee King) arrived at the Dr's last evening, and I had a brief visit with her this morning. Then, at seven A.M. took the train for Solon and went to sister Mary's. At eleven a.m. went to meeting and heard a sermon from Mr [Henery?], and saw a great many old friends. Addressed the Sundy School for about half an hour. After meeting, Henry Boynton and wife & daughter and Aunt Alpha Boynton, went with me to Sister Mary's, and stayed to dinner. While they were there Mr. McMillan[?] & wife (nee Garfield) & daughter came. Thus there were twenty of our relations together. In the Evening sister Hity & daughter & granddaughter came down & visited. I have arranged to have Mother & Hitty go to Jamesville[?] this week. Spent a considerable time late in the Evening writing letters, and arranging for the remainder of my campaign. I shall save myself more than has been my custom. I have given too much to the public and saved too little for myself Monday, September 20, 1875 After breakfast, Mr. Rathbone took me with his horse and buggy to Bedford where I arrived half an hour before the 9 oclock a.m. train. Wrote several letters before the train arrived. Found J H. Jones on board. Saw Halsey Hall and Burke Hinsdale at Ravenna station and J. H. Conrad at Alliance. On arriving at Wellsville found that I could not make connection at Bellaire East on the Baltimore and Ohio and so went to Pittsburg. There took the McConnellsville road at 7:15 p.m. Found Young Iddings on board from Warren. He has recently returned from Europe and now comes to Washington to get employment as a journalist. This days travel shows with what malignant adroitness railroad companies can prevent travel by any line they choose to destroy It was of special importance to me to go by the way of Wheeling, but found it impossible to make the journey between Cleveland and Washington via Wheeling short of thirty-six hours. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad have purposely arranged Tuesday, September 21, 1875 their schedules so as to make a short time by that line impossible, because they desire to carry people by the way of Ganesville, Newark and Sandusky. If the Connellsville line had direct connection with Youngstown I might make the distance between Hiram and Washington in 16 hours instead of 24 Tuesday. Arrived at Washington at 7.10 a.m. Found Harry and Jimmy nearly dressed and ready for breakfast. Took breakfast with them and for the first time felt myself to be the guest of my children. The boys appear to have been doing well in their studies and I think the responsibility of being away by themselves is a good thing for them. Spent most of the day in the Treasury Department working up materials for presenting the case of the case of the Union Steel Screw company. Met many old friends. Rockwell called in the evening and staid until nearly midnight. Before the boys retired I helped them with their Latin lesson. They had just started in Bingham's Latin book. I see they are to be taught the continental method of pronunciation, which will require me to recast my own method if I aid them much. The mass of new text books has become positively a curse to our education. I should have mentioned that during the day I called at 933 N.Y. Avenue to examine the house which Hon H.B. Paine of Cleveland is proposing to rent for the Winter. I shall be glad to have him as a neighbor I ought, also, to mention that during the day I had a long conversation with Secretary Bristow on the political situation. I find the general impression prevails here that Ohio will elect Allen this Fall. I cannot believe that such will be the case. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1875. Finished my argument in regard to the tariff on Bessemer Wood Screws and in the afternoon filed it at the Treasury Dept. I think I have made a clear case. The Solicitor of the Treasury Dept takes the same view of the case I do, and I think this will be the prevailing decision. I called at the Patent Office to examine the original Wood Screws patent of 1846, which seems to settle the use of the word "Wood-screw" Called also at the P. O. Dept. and settled two of their P. O. questions. Went also to the Dept. of Justice and had a pleasant visit. with Mr. Pierrepont Atty Genl. In the afternoon, called at Mr. Young's school and saw Harry + Jimmie at work. I want to encourage the little fellows all I can. After dinner I went with Jimmie and bought him a pair of pants as a reserve to meet the very probable case of a tear. In the evening helped the boys in Latin + dictated letters to Rose. Hal cried over the definition of gender. Gen Pelonze and Col Rockwell called + spent some time. At eleven P.M. I bade goodbye to my boys, + went to the Baltr. + Ohio Depot + took the main for the west- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1875. Woke near Grafton, where I took breakfast. The day was pleasant, with the tone of Autumn in the air and on the landscape. I spent most of the day reading Walter Scott's Talisman, a stirring tale of the Crusades. It is told with power, but there is a touch of lambast about it which I don't like. I have no doubt there was much of that, even in an absurd degree in the crusaders themselves; and Scott is right in reproducing it; but yet, he seems to dwell upon that spurt as though he liked it. It calls to my mind, George Morrow's Critique on Scott, in his appendix to Romany Rye. As I was passing through Zanesville while my train was moving away from the Station I saw mother and Sister Hetty, in Company with Cousin Orrin, crossing the track behind us. I called to her, (mother) but doubt if she recognized me. I did not expect to see her, for I supposed she had arrived yesterday. I went to Shelby by the B + O R.R., thence to Cleveland, where I arrived, at 10 P.M. and stopped at Dr. Robison's. If I knew that Crete were at James Mason's -I should go there. [printed page heading:} Saturday, September 25, 1875 After breakfast, went to Jas Mason's on Euclid Avenue, and found Crete and her mother, and Mollie -- making a visit. We drove to East Cleveland and visited Filch Raymond, also Dr Shealor's . Looked at some lots with a view to purchasing a home. Drove down town, where Crete did some shopping, and where I delivered a copy of my argument in the Screw Case, to Mr Payne. Returned to Jas Masons at one P.M. and won dinner. At 3.45 P.M. we took the train for Hiram, and reached there about dark. I have had a hard week's work, for which I propose a charge not less than $500 for I think I have done the company more than that amount of service. In the meantime, my voice has so far recovered that I think I shall be able to go on speaking next week. Found a large mail awaiting me - and answered letters until a late hour. I wish I knew tonight how my boys got on with Latin Gender as baid down by the stupid Bingham whose book they are studying. [printed page heading:] Sunday, September 26, 1875 The day was cold and stormy, in the forenoon but we attended meeting, and listened to a very good sermon from Burke. After meeting Crete and called on Cousin Phebe Clapp and asked her to go to Orange with us next Wednesday. In the afternoon, Crete and I took our annual walk into father Rudolph's back woods, where we went seventeen years ago, to determine the question of our marriage. The decision, made during that walk, has sanctified the place, and we bless the ground and its sacred memories. From the present outlook, it is not improbable that this is the last of our walks, certainly as residents of Hiram. I shall hope, however, that we may often return to visit the spot & renew it's associations. I want my children to know of it, and love it for what it has been to us. In the evening Burke came down & visited some time. I wrote letters till a late hour, and prepared to start out on my week's campaign. The day closed with a promise of good weather tomorrow. Monday, September 27, 1876. Took the morning train to Cleveland, and then by the 11.15 A.M. train to Geneva where I stopped at the Fuller House. Mr H.S. Munger and several other friends met me and after dinner I played croquet with Munger Thorp and others until tea. In the evening, went to the Town Hall, which was crowded, but the streets were also thronged with people, and we were compelled to adjourn and hold our meeting out of doors. Bands of music and torch light processions were in from Madison & surrounding towns and I should say that not less than 3000 people listened to my speech. It was said to be much the largest gathering they ever had in Geneva. I feared for my voice, and spoke with difficulty. I did not nearly satisfy myself, but the enthusiasm of the crowd made up for my lack. In many ways, I was made to know that the affection and confidence of my friends here is stronger than ever. After the meeting, the band called at the Fuller House and serenaded me. Many friend called in the parlor. Tuesday, September 28, 1876. In the forenoon made some calls; many others called on Mrs [?] She was Miss Adams of Warrensville, and was married while I was teaching there in 1851. She explained to me, what had always been a mystery, the cause of a sort of revolt among the large girls that winter, which I surpressed by calling several of them up on the floor, and proposing to punish them by flogging them. She says they had looked into my journal, in my absence, at noon, and found that I had spoken of them as "drones", hence the row. Took the noon train for Willoughby, where Mr. Clements met me. Spent the afternoon at his house, and visiting at N. B. Green's and W.A. Lillie's. These old friend of many years ago, are showing the results of years, but they are warm friends still. In the evening I spoke two hours in the new town hall, which was crowded to it's utmost capacity. I did much better than at Geneva. Mr. Hulbert, the man who ran against me for Congress was on the platform and has been very cordial. My reception here has been very gratifying. I spent the night at Mr. Clements. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1875 Soon after breakfast I called for a moment at Dr. Clark's & then Mr. Roth's who drove me via Mayfield to Orange. Saw the decayed "center" and its Barry P.O. where I first lay the Postal Machinery of the U.S. Arrived at Cousin Henry Boynton's about noon and took lunch with him and Silas Bigelow who had driven out from Cleveland to see me. At One p.m. we went to "Burgens Grove" near the Solon line and Gov. Hart and I spoke to a large audience. Many old friends greeted me. Within ten rods of the grove was the site of Stephen Mapes' ashery where I worked 30 years ago. Crete met me at the meeting; and we crossed the fields together, and walked to Henry's. The afternoon was full of pleasure to me in the revival of old memories. I doubt if I can ever feel very old when I visit these spots although the contrast of now & long ago is very great. Crete took a sweet and tender interest in the remembrances of my boyhood, which I repeated to her in our long walk. In the Evening Sister Mary & all her family took tea with us at Henry's, and later Dr. Calis and his wife called and visited until a late hour. I was restless and did not get sleep till nearly daylight. Thursday, September 30, 1875 Soon after breakfast, Henry took us to Solon. Cousin Phebe caught the eastern train for Hiram; and Crete and I went to Sister Mary's and stayed two hours. Then we took the 10 A.M. train for Cleveland and spent the day in shopping. At one p.m., we took dinner at Dr. Boynton's 228 Prospect St. I called on Mr. Estep, and agreed to see him soon after Elections in reference to our proposed partnership. Called also on JH Rhodes, who is the Democratic nominee for Judge of Probate. James Mason accompanied Crete & me to the Mahomes train; and, at 3.45 p.m. we went Eastward to Aurora, where Clayton Harmon met us and took us to his father's, my old friend C. R. Harmon In the evening, I spoke at the Town Hall, which was well filled, though the night was stormy - I was in a jolly vein, & we had a pleasant and wide-awake meeting. Reuben Avery and Charles Russell asked some questions which helped me to a fuller elucidation of the currency and Bank questions. It is strange that political antagonists do not know that interruptions help a speaker so he understands his subject. Crete and I stayed at C.R.H.'s FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1875. Soon after breakfast, I drove with Crete to the station, where she took the train for home. On my return to Aurora it began to rain, but Isaac Williams of Edinburg, was waiting for me; and at half past ten, we started for Ravenna where we arrived about noon. After dinner, Burke Hinsdale & I went to the High School and spent an hour and made a short speech apiece to the youngsters. We then went to John Meharg's and took tea; whereupon, John C Beatty drove us to Edinburgh, where Burke is to deliver a lecture upon "The Catholic Habit of Mind ". We left him at Isaac Williams,' and drove on to Atwater, reaching the Town Hall in the dark, & at the opening of a heavy shower of rain. The audience was smaller than any I have had this season, and to pay them for it I spoke two hours and a half. The night was so dark that we concluded to stay over, and so passed the night very pleasantly at the house of my dear old friend Hon J. R. Conrad. I had lately been pained by the rumor that he was drinking too much. I studied his face carefully & could see no sign of intemperance. I hope the story is not true. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1875. After breakfast we mended our whiffletree, which broke last night, and returned to Ravenna by way of Randolph and Rootstown. The latter town is the only one in the county, in which I have not spoken. Took dinner with Halsey, Rev. Hall, and then played croquet [until] at Mr Graham's until five o'clock; when Hon E.P. Brainard took me in his carriage to Randolph. We stopped at the house of his brother, where we also met Capt Blackford of the Capitol Police at Washington. After visiting half an hour, we went to the Congregational Church which was packed to its utmost capacity. I spoke two hours, much more to my satisfaction than usual, although the pulpit was in some degree a restraint. Capt. Bettis had threatened to ask questions; but when I invited them, he was silent, and so were all the opposition. After meeting, returned to Brainerd's and took a supper of oysters. At 10-30 p.m. Hon E. P. B. & I started for Ravenna, and arrived at Halsey Hall's a little after midnight. Halsey had set up for me. I retired cold and tired, but happy to have closed a week of successful work with a throat that promised more work yet. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1875. At nine A.M. Halsey took me in his buggy and we drove lisurly to Hiram by the Lime Kiln road. The day was very beautiful and the annual glory of our autumn foliage was beginning to show its beauty. We lolled and talked and dreamed and, on the way, I told Halsey of my purpose to retire from Congress next year. He is, and has long been, one of my best & bravest friends. We reached Hiram before church was out. He stayed till after dinner and then we called on Burke. After he had gone, Crete & I, Burke & wife & children, and Phebe Clapp & Lizzie and Willie Clark (Harriet Boynton's boy) took a pleasant stroll in the woods. I spent the evening writing letters and preparing to help Crete and the children to start for Washington. She is lame & sore from the effects of over work, & walking the way she was in Cleveland. I very much dislike to let her go to Washington without me; but it seems to be necessary for her to go to the boys, & I must stay and see out this campaign & conclude my Estep negotiation. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1875. At eight A.M. Thos Young took me to Garrettsville, and we took the Eastern train. I went with Crete as far as Niles and saw her and the children and girls seated in the New Lisbon car. Then I went to the village and called on friends for half an hour. I took the Ashtabula RR to Warren where Hannow Austin met me and took me to his house. Helen D.K. Atkins was there and I visited and dined with the family. At one P.M. I took the Mahoning train to Cleveland. Stopped at the depot and visited with Div. Supt. Ferris for half hour and wrote a letter to Ex. Gov. Cox. At 4-18 P.M., took the Gallion accommodation and at 5.40 was at LaGrange, where Gen. Sheldon met me, and drove me to his farm, a mile and a half from the village. He expected Chas. Foster of Fostoria to meet us, but the train from the south did not bring him. Mrs. Sheldon gave us an elegant tea, and we visited and played Casino until a late hour when I retired wishing I knew where Crete was at that moment and how her health was. I am anxious about the precious woman. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1875 This day, I spent in visiting, riding and rambling. We drove to the station in hopes of finding Foster, who did not come _ Then we (Sheldon & I) drove several miles around, on country roads, among the scenes of his boyhood- After dinner; we took a long walk over the General's farm of 450 acres - rambled through his woods and fields, and talked of his & my plans of life. Our relations as brother officers of the 42nd, and as fellow members of Congress, have been very pleasant. There has never been the slightest misunderstanding between us- In the Evening, we & Mrs Sheldon drove to the collage and I addressed a large audience in the Town Hall_ The rest I have had for nearly three days, the pleasant surroundings and all, would have seemed to make it possible for me to make a good speech, but from the first sound I felt that unexplainably somewhat that made me uncomfortable throughout. Mind + body were under its spell, and I could neither speak or think with ease- The audience seemed far better satisfied than I was The ship rolled heavily & her keel grated in the sand at every plunge- Stayed at Sheldon- dissatisfied & worried over my speech. Wednesday October 6, 1875 Took the 8.45 am. train for Cleveland and found Hon J.C. Burrows of Mich. on board. At Cleveland brother Joseph Rudolph met me with my sachel which I had left at Garrettsville- Changed my livere and went to the 2nd Nat. Bank where I found the money on my first note on the Iowa farm awaiting me- Put it in the Savings Bank wrote some letters + after taking dinner with N.B. Sherwin at the City Hotel took the 12-50 p.m. train for Ravenna- Fell asleep before I reached it and awoke dull + stupid in the midst of a heavy shower, which had driven the audience into the opera house where I found Senator Dawes of Mass. near the end of his speech When he closed I was called for and from the first sentence I felt that the mysterious tertium quid of which I spoke yesterday were in accord I think no Ravenna audience was ever so well pleased with a speech from me before After tea with Dawes at the Etna House he + I made a wholly new speech The rain [?] is pour continued All this is strange Yesterday I failed when all the elements seemed most favorable I succeeded when they were adverse Spent the night at Halsey's THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1875. Spent the forenoon in visiting and playing Croquet. Accompanied Dawes to the Depot and saw him off on the train to his next appointment - Painesville Dined at Mr Graham's with whom I played Croquet - This game seems to be a kind of reagent that makes up for the weariness of public speaking - At 2 P.M. Mr Catlin took me to [Kinston?] He is a laboring man, in an humble station, but he delighted and instructed me by giving an account of his studies & his original observations of birds & their habits. He is saving enough out of his earnings to go next year to the bay of Grundy, to visit an island where the birds of the Arctic & Temperate Zones congregate. The house at father Rudolph's is lonely without the light of my life. Went to Burkes and took tea; and then attended a lecture by Rev Mr Forbush of Cleveland on the Jesuits & their relation to Education - It was able and instructive. After the lecture spent an hour at Hinsdale's with Forbush & T.W. Harney - no pleasant conversation - Alone in the library at father Rudolph's over night - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8.1875. I have spent this day in a disjointed way. In the morning I went to the College Chapel, and listened to an extempore address from Mr Forbush, and followed him with a talk of half an hour on the necessity of having some field of culture to follow, aside from our profession, I spoke with ease + apparent effectiveness. Then I came home + wrote and returned a portion of my books to an upstairs room for storage - After dinner- worked on in this way until 4 p.m., when I went to Mr. Stanhope's and played Croquet for two hours taking tea there At 7 returned home and wrote, and visited - and now at 10 I am sitting alone, anxious about Crete, and half homesick to be with her - How soon a home goes to decay without its soul - This place is a desert without her - I will retire, and leave the rest of this sheet a blank lest I may mar it with a whine - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1875. Drove to Jeddo Station, where Brother Joseph & wife met me, they returning with the carriage, & I taking the train to Garrettsville. Met Hon. D. W. Norris & Ex-Gov. Walker of Va, who are speaking for the Ohio Democracy. At Garrettsville took the train west and stopped at Geauga Lake and visited Capt. Harry - Wrote letters and took dinner - Then he & his wife drove me to Solon - Called at Sister Mary's, and I saw mother who this morning returned from Zanesville - Capt Henry & I took the 2:50 p.m. train for Cleveland where we were met by Hon. N. B. Sherwin, and driven to the Kennard House - Senator Sherman was there, and many citizens called on us. At 7:45 we met a vast audience in the public square, amid a fine illumination, and Sherman spoke a little more than an hour in the midst of a drizzling rain. He made a vigorous and effective speech; though I thought he made too light of the hardship of resumption [??] to admit its hardship, and counsel courage in meeting it. I followed for a little more than an hour; the rain still falling - But the crowd stayed through & listened well Fireworks, cannon, & a serenade at our hotel with short speeches to the torch bearers closed the march. Many friends called & I retired at 12. happy in having heard from Crete that all were well at home. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1875. Came to Jeddo Station by the seven a.m. train and Lewis Rudolph was there & drove me up to Hiram. At home found an earlier letter from Crete, which told me of their journey, and the pleasant shape in which they found the house at Washington - Marvin Kent called on me and wanted me to speak at Kent on Monday night; but I declined - as I am to speak at Newton Falls that afternoon. At half past ten a.m., went to Burke's, who sent for me to aid him in raising money to pay the [?] once due for repairs on the church - Governor C. B. Lockwood [??] there - At 11 A.M. went to the repaired church - which is now one of the nearest and most elegant, lovely churches I know. Forty years from now, my grand children will probably laugh at this opinion - Burke preached a fine sermon of dedication. At its close I helped him raise the sum of $600 - doing it to pay on the debt on the House & organ - {?] $45 - Dined at Burke & then called at Cousin Phebe's - In the evening George [?] of Ravenna preached a full [?] The people seem very happy in their new furnished house - I wrote to Crete and worked at my desk till eleven - Monday, October 11, 1875 Drove to Jeddo station, and took the Eastern train to Phalanx, where A.B.Merrill met me and drove to Newton Falls. After visiting a short time among friends, he took us to his house in Paris, where we stayed for dinner, and then returned to the Falls. Stopped at L.C.Merrills, where Isaac Williams of Edinburg was awaiting me, having come to protest against my quitting public life. At two oclock began my last speech of the campaign, to a crowded house. Spoke nearly two hours, and appeared to carry my audience with me very well. I used as an illustration of over production, the glut of wheat, in 1818 on the Western Reserve. They had no market except the home demand, and the wheat product of that year greatly exceeded it, hence the price fell to near nothing. So recently in iron. L.C. Merrill drove me to Leavittsburg where I took the evening train for Garrettsville, took supper at a restaurant, & drove home to Hiram via Hewitt's Corners to get my washing at Wilcox's. In the evening visited with the family & read a little from Scott's Betrothed. I am not sure of the result of our election, but hope for victory. We may win largely, but our last year's election has made calculations difficult. This is probably my last regular campaign in the 19th Dist. Retired at [?] and a quarter. Tuesday, October 12, 1875 Awoke in the morning with a lively snow storm raging. By nine o'clock the voting proceeded far enough to show that we were going to poll an unusually large vote. The sun came out, and the day became pleasant. I voted and then visited President Hinsdale's Analysis Class While there Warren S Young came from Warren to see me in reference to the removal of his father from the Pension Office. We went to Mr Stanhopes and played croquet till 3 P.M. when we went to [?] Hank's and took dinner. We had a [?] dinner and a pleasant time. Visited the polls about 4 1/2 P M, and found that the votes are already nearly as large as the highest it [?] [?][?][?] Drove with Young to Garrettsville and took the train to Cleveland Stopped at the Forest City House. I do not agree with our Republicans in the large estimate they make of a majority. I think we shall lose heavily in the iron & coal Districts, but that our gain in the rest of the state will overcome this and [?] Hayes though by a small majority, not far from 5000. Wrote some letters & read in Scott's "Betrothed" and went to Republican Hd Quarters for [?] and also to the Club where I [?] till a late hour. The returns show [?????] but we have not heard from the [?] districts. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1875. After breakfast E. J. Estep - Mr Keith and several gentlemen called on me - I went with Estep + Call on Judge Welker of the U.S. Court - Before leaving the hotel, Judge Don A Pardee called on me, and expressed some doubt of the wisdom of my proposed partnership with Estep - in the [scho?] of E's habits - I talked with Welker on this point - I have had several warnings in the same direction - At noon went to Dr Robison's and took dinner with him and Dr. Streaton - At 3 pm went with Dr J. to examine this [Mrs Crusher's?] lot, on Euclid St. which Dr A proposes to sell to me on long time, 75 + 800 ft len $15,000 6% int - It would make a nice place - and on many accounts I should be glad to take it [?] [?] went to examine a house on Logan St near Dr Streator's. The property is [?] by [?] from Madison & can be had cheap but the house does not suit me - Thence went to Dr Streator's where Dr R. met me and drove me back to his place. There I found a letter from [Sickles & Lecy?] of the [?] enclosing $1000 - as my fee for [?] case. After dinner the Drs & I went [?] Chamberlain with whom me & Dr R L N Payne Spent the Evening playing Euchre I spent the night at Dr R's THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1875. Went to Jas Mason's office soon after breakfast, and had a confidential talk with him in reference to the habits of E. and their probable effects upon a partnership - He went out and consulted Judges Andrews and Barber who did not think his business powers were as yet, entirely crippled. I then called on Estep. & we went to Mason's office and discussed the basis of a partnership. He proposed I go on counting only the new business, as belonging to the partnership. Masen said it should apply to all the work done in old cases after date of partnership. We informally agreed to form a partnership, not to be announced until next April 1. When [defended?] terms should be agreed on. This settles it as far as can now be done and yet leave both free. Went to Shavings Bank and deposited $700 Took dinner at Dr Robinsons. After having called in Mr Marvin, in reference to the Jno. Hancock Ins case in the Supreme Court - At 3:30 p.m. took the train for Toledo and at eight found Charles Cox awaiting me at the Depot. Went with him to his father's, Ex Gov Cox where I spent the Evening and night. We (the [?] and I) were brother Senators and roommates nearly sixteen years ago, & have been fast friends Ever since - We sat together till midnight over his microscope, following up his delightful studies of the invisible world of small things - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1875. After breakfast I wrote to Crete, while Cox went to his office - After his return we spent several hours in discussing our relations to political life, and especially my proposition to leave it - He is not so clear as I am, that it is wise for me to leave it - On the question of one's duty to children he makes this point: He says that the congenital character and tendencies of each of his children was very marked from an early age, and he has been able to do very little in shaping their lives, beyond guarding their morals - He thinks parents should not do much in the way of shaping the plan of a child's life. He also doubts whether I can make much more money at the law in Cleveland than I now make by my salary & N.S. law in Sup. Court- He also gave me a very clear & sensible view of the difficulties I will encounter in the practice - though he thinks I can succeed - He thinks it better to rent for a while than to build now in Cleveland - His own Experience he gave me very fully - In the afternoon we spent three or four hours over his European photographs. He has thus become minutely acquainted with the most interesting places of Europe - At 8:30 Mrs Cox came from Oberlin - The general & I went on till near eleven, studying his microscopic plates under polarized light - Bad the family good by + returned SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1875. Was awakened at 2 a.m. and at half past two, was at the Depot - the train was late, and I spent three quarters of an hour, reading Scotts "Betrothed" His sketches of Welsh and Norman character, make me desire to read Freman's History of the Norman Conquest, a copy of which I saw at Gov. Cox - At a quarter past three, took the sleeping car, and reached the N + G W Depot in time for the morning train east Found brother Joseph on the train - At Garrettsville Ernest Rudolph met us, and we drove to Hiram in the midst of a cold drizzling rain - Wrote letters & began to put my books and papers in order for leaving Hiram - After dinner, Joseph and I took out my large book-cases and hauled them to the old Humestone Store in the hill for storage. I spent the remainder of the day, in putting in order the debris of papers that have accumulated during the summer - This is always a sad work for me; and it is especially so now, as I am preparing to take my final leave of Hiram - which has been my home for nearly a quarter of a century - The day has been as cold and dreary as one can well imagine - and I close it lame and weary - I shall lie down and read myself to sleep, with pictures of Eveline and Hugo Lucy - and the old castle in the marches of Wales - Really, I am only half a man, when Crete is away - & so I kiss her Good night. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17,1875. Did not sleep well last night, but tossed and suffered pain from cold settled in my joints - After breakfast, completed the storage of my books, and packed my trunk for leaving Hiram - Attended church and listened to a good sermon from Burke on the value of Experience, and the part it plays in the economy of life - It requires culture and experience, and some self-denial to make the accumulated experience of mankind of much value to us - At the conclusion of the services, I offered a resolution requesting the Pastor to prepare and deliver a sermon on the origin and growth of the church in Hiram - and enforced it by some remarks - Hartwell Ryder also supported it, and the resolution was adopted - Went to Cousin Phebe Clapp's and stayed to dinner - Had very pleasant visit - Read a few chapters of Renau's Life of Jesus - It is pleasant to read the views of a strong man with whom you disagree - He is sure to give you some valuable thoughts - After dinner, went to Burke's and stayed till nine o'clock - Talked over the condition of the Church and College - &c. He read me his introduction to an address on the value of mental & moral philosophy to preachers - Came home, & wrote my journal for the day, and finished other miscellaneous work. MONDAY, OCTOBER 18,1975. Closed up my Hiram work, and rode with Joe as far as uncle Charlie Raymond's, where I made a call for a few minutes, and then walked to Jeddo - in time to catch the train to Garrettsville - There I met Joe with my baggage - and went to Cleveland. Took dinner in company with Burke, at William Bowler's - Thence went to Estep's office where J. B. Borrow's took my deposition the Rudolph-Sweeney case - Before dinner I had called on A. J. Marvin, & examined his brief in the John Hancock &c Case, which I am to argue in the Sup. Court at Washington - Called on Harry Rhodes - and had some business talk - Went to Dr Robison's with Burke, at 6 P.M. After a lunch, we went to a meeting of the Finance Committee of Hiram College - at the office of George A. Baker - on Euclid Ave - where we discussed the project of building a Boarding Hall - I suggested to strike out the word "Ladies," & build a hall for both sexes - Also that the College may appropriate $5,000 towards it - A little after seven I went to the Union Club, by appointment, where I met H. B. Payne, J. Hovarde, & Dr Robison - We played Eveline until nine, when supper was announced - Burke having come over we all sat down to an excellent supper. Then the play commenced till 12, when I went to Dr. R's & spent the night. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1875. After breakfast, went with A. K. Winslow to visit Mr Heard, the Architect, and spent an hour or two in examining plans of dwelling houses and their cost to build - Went thence to Lockwood's on Water Street, to get his opinion of the advantages and disadvantages of a residence in East Cleveland, compared with one nearer the public square - Went thence to the office of Geo A. Raker, on the same subject - and other's connected, with my proposed settlement in Cleveland - Thence to Dr. Robisons, where Wm Robison & N. J. Ford & I took dinner - At 3 p.m. Dr. R. took me to the Mahoning Train whence I went to Solon, and stopped at Sister Mary's - In the evening, attended the Cuyahoga Co. Teacher's Association, and listened to a lecture, ready by Alex Rogas At its close, they called upon me, and in response, I spoke three quarters of an hour, and revisited many recollections of my teacher's life - If I were to judge from the appearance of the audience, I should say I have rarely interested a school audience so much - At the close - returned to Mary's with her two girls Nell & Dell - over that miserably muddy piece of road between the Centre + her house - Read & Scott's Betrothed until I was sleepy, & then slept - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1875. Took Mother & sisters Kitty & Mary on the 10 a.m. train to Newburgh - having stopped at the Teacher's Institute, and spoken about ten minutes before starting- Uncle Thomas Garfield met us at the Depot - and we visited with him until one p.m. when Mother & I took the train for Pittsburgh - I telegraphed to Halsey Hall to meet me at Ravenne which he did - In a few minutes the train had swept me out of my District The day was very beautiful - & so I left one of my best friends & my District, & willing a sweet, & yet as I fancied a sad good-bye - to what is probably my last departure from Portage Co., as its Representative - During the day and evening, I finished Scott's "Betrothal," which is one of the best I have read of his Tales of the Crusaders - His pictures of the Saxon, Welsh & Norman style of living & fighting at the close of the 12th Century, are very fine - & he has inspired me to read Freeman's History of the Norman Conquest - which I saw, last week, in Cox's Library at Toledo - At 7-10 p.m. we reached Pittsburgh, and at Eight we left for Washington by the Connellsville R.R. - At half past ten, I went to rest with visions of Eveline, & Damian & Lacey - At 7.15 AM we arrived at Washington; and in a few minutes thereafter, we were seated at the breakfast table, with all our family. The weather here is delightful - Even a little too warm. Summer has lingered into Autumn - the family were glad to see us, nor were we behind them in joy - Spent most of the day in putting my books & papers in order. In the afternoon went to the Interior Dept to secure the restoration of Warren Young to his clerkship in the Pension office Saw Zach. Chandler who has just entered upon his Duties as Secy - Pres. Grant seems to have gone back to his old habit of choosing Cabinet officers - This one is most unfortunate - Chandler is a man of coarse fiber, with little culture, intemperate both in drink, and in habits of mind -There runs through his character a [?] [?] of the "summer," He is an extremist in public- who, though he has been right in many important questions hitherto, is not a man to grapple with delicate questions. Bristow, Jewell, Perre Pont &Fish, must feel great discomfort at the appointment - They were not consulted. We have this to be thankful for; that the appt'mnt was not announced till after our Ohio election - It probably would have lost us the state - Wrote and read in the Evening - Began Freeman's History of the Norman Conquest - Have the headache - which is unusual for me - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1875. Soon after breakfast, Gen. Mussey came, and drove me to his house in Le Droit Park - and hence to the Soldier's Home - We drove slowly, and for more than three hours, reviewed the case of the 6th St Presbyterian Church v the Balt & Potomac R.R. The brief of the opposing counsel is very full, and is an able presentation of that side of the case - I am troubled, chiefly by the surplusage in the warrant for a jury to assess the damages - This was my own fault - which, though I don't think will prove fatal to our client, will lead me to greater care hereafter. I must carefully examine some of the authorities upon which our opponent, Daniel R. Clarke, relies - On our return from the Soldier's Home, we stopped at the Schutzen Park and took a lunch of Lager Beer, Rye Bread and Schivelzer cheese - I have suffered from a head-ache all day, which is quite unusual for me - In the evening, read Freeman's Norman Conquest - and the first chapter of A. H. Hayden's "Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve" - I do not feel well enough to do much work this Evening - and so shall retire early - hoping for a more vigorous tone tomorrow - The weather has been disagreeably warm all day - Saturday, October 23, 1875. After breakfast, went shopping with Crete, and then called on Dr. Otis and stated the case of cousin Amasa Garfield of Newburgh O, who has a fistula in ano- the Dr recommends a surgical operation- separating the wall between the fibula and the rectum_ I then went to the Capital to look after my cases in the Sup. Court. Also spent some time in the Cong. Library- Met Judge Black, and spent an hour visiting-- Came home to lunch at 12 1/2 and then went to the Treasury Dept_ on Business called for Dr. Linderman, and discussed the safety and prospects of my investment in the California Consolidated Va. mining Companies- Made several calls_ and came home tired. After dinner read and wrote, In the Evening. Col. Rockwell called and spent several hours-The reaction of my campaign work has come upon me; and I feel jaded and tired. with but little spirit for hard work. I have to recover from this lethargy in a few days. In connection with Freeman's History of the Norman Conquest, I am reading Green's "History of the English People" which is the best summary of Eng Hist. I have seen I have agreed to write an article on Hard Money but to do it successfully I must recover a better time of feeling than I now have Sunday, October 24,1875 I did not feel very well this morning; for I seem to have still the lethargy & weariness of the campaign work upon me - At eleven a.m. went with Mother and Crete to the Christian Church which I found, apparently, in better condition that when I left last summer - They have a new preacher, Mr Powers, a Virginian by birth, an graduate and recent Professor at Bethany College- He has a peculiar emphasis on the first syllables & long words, which makes it unpleasant and difficult to hear- and has upon me the singular effect of suggesting that his preaching is aching- I presume this is not correct_ but so it seems I am beginning to realize the fact that I am getting beyond the region of youth- What I used to regard as eloquence is now intolerable mannerism to me - How vague and meaningless much of it now seems to me ! Still it is admired by those who are young in culture as well as in years-- The church here seem to be greatly pleased with Prof Powers and I am glad they me - The House was very well filled - Home evening- reading MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1875. After I had worked till near noon, packing my papers in order, Rose came, and I dictated a large number of letters - and thus felt that the current of my writer's life was fully in motion again - Later in the day, I took Harry farther into the circle of my work than he has before been - I allowed him to put the labels on about twenty new vols - and this was a great pleasure to him, chiefly I suppose because of the companionship into which it brought us - So fast and so far as I can entrust any work to a child, I propose to make the trust almost absolute so that he may feel the responsibility of management as well as of serving - In the evening, several neighbors called - and in addition, the coming of Major Carpenter of the Navy, announce the oncoming swarm of [?] for official favors. I may say as Virgil of the Harpies Dapes foedautur - By their touch the pleasures of Washington's life are [?] TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1875. Soon after breakfast went to the Department and thence to the Library of Congress - On my way, learned of the destruction of Virginia City, Nevada, by fire, and with it the destruction of the mills and [?] works of the Cal. & Cen. Va. mines in which I had just determined to buy stock. My delay has proved a negative bonanza to me - and yet - I suspect that just now is a favorable moment to purchase. While at the Library, got three volmes of Wordsworth Prose Words 1876, most of the contents, now published for the first time. Got also, several books from the Law Library on our Case No. 46 - In the evening Dr Linderman called and talked of the Va City disaster and its effects on our efforts at resumption of [?] payments - In the evening worked on Church Case - but am not feeling quite - well - I tire out so much more easily than usual - Ehen! Fugacies lobuntum ami - & perhaps may explain my weariness more than anything else - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1875. Spent several hours in the Law Library working out some details of practice that I was not sufficiently familiar with. I liken myself to Cortes, who on his first capture of Mexico, made one straight & narrow path of destruction from his ships to the Capital - but soon found himself beleaguered in the seat of his own conquest. So I have reach a high place in the law but have left unconquered many outlying territories of law learning & practice The enemies whereof now beset me -- I do not propose to stand [?] - but to go out and attack - and come in as Cortes did on his second entry to Mexico. Nearly [?] days have been spent in conquering one special set of difficulties - an account of which may be found in a special memorandum book of Lawpoints & miscellany. In the evening Col. Rockwell called, and we spent several hours on Wordsworth Thackery and Cribbage -- We were especially interested in Wordworths account of his journey with Coleridge. [?] which "The Ancient Mariner" & "We are Seven" were produced. The made producing of the Seven reminds me of Pres account of his writing the [?]. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1875. This day was given up almost wholly to law and letters -- I dictated a large number of letters; among others, a criticism of Green's first vol of Abridgement of Debate in Congress -- He sent me the volume and asked my opinion. My work on the Church Case has been pleasant and successful. The conquest of yesterday and the day before has made this day full of light. I found especial pleasure in reading cases, and observing their hearing on my own. Every day I feel more and more how much I have lost in my profession by my long absence from its practice - and yet, the work I have done, has been of no small value in many ways connected with the practice of the law - I have been, today, returned in a new case, which stands 292 in the Docket of this term -- This makes seven causes I now have pending, nearly all of which will be reached during the present term -- Have lately been reading, with much pleasure a review of the Sonnets of Charles (Tennyson) Turner -- Father of the Poet Laureate --. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1875. Still working on the Church case. Went to the Law Library and examined some further authorities. This afternoon had a serious question of the management of Jim. A week ago he expressed a great desire to take music lessons and seemed to feel hurt that both Harry and Mollie were taking lessons and that he was left out. For a week he worked faithfully and made good progress. But today he reached the stage which everybody arrives at in the course of any work - the novelty had worn off and the drudgery appeared. He had changed his mind he did not want to take music lessons. I saw it would seriously injure him to allow him to give it up, and so decided that he should be compelled to go through with one term of lessons whether he wanted to or not. So I stood by him for nearly an hour an compelled him to thorough work. He struggled with his tears and pouting until the tangle cleared itself out and he closed the lesson cheerfully. I have no doubt he will sometime be thankful to his father for forcing him to the work. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1875. Dictated a large number of letters and commenced the Chapter for General Shackleford's Life of Dr. Pinkerton. In the evening Crete and I went to Lincoln Hall and heard [?] Miller's lecture on Literary London. He refused to be introduced but walked in in an awkward way and introduced himself. He spoke extempore with no careful arrangement of this theme and with evidently little preparation. No man has a right to present a subject in so slovenly a manner as he did his. Some of his pronunciations were bad and he gave many evidences of imperfect culture but he gave many striking and valuable thoughts. He thought the chief reason why American literature was so far behind that of England that our Government does not like that of England take care of its authors. With the wolf at the door first class literary work cannot be do: That were adore money and moneymaking and pay little heed to intellectual work. He praised Swinburne and Walt Whitman, speaking of the latter as our American Milton. He indulged in some of the ordinary clap-trap about Congress being a nest of vipers, etc etc. which views are the result of envy of those who occupy the position Sunday, October 31, 1875 Attended church with mother, and heard another sermon from the new pastor Forbes_ He did very well_ Spent a portion of the day on the biographical sketch of Dr . Pinkerton for John Shackleford's book_ After dinner, read to the Children Chas Lambs stories of The Taming of the Shrew from Shakespeare_ The children themselves, remembering the pleasure they had in this book, last year, and called for a continuation of the readings_ In the Evening I received a message from Judge Black, that he was at the Ebbett House, and wanted to see me- Went there at seven, and remained until after eleven- His conversation was brilliant and Entertaining- As I entered his room, he had the bible in his hand, and said "No man Ever lived, who could have written the simplest of the parables of Jesus-They would alone, be irrefragable proof of his Divinity_ In talking of poetry he quoted his son-in-law I think as saying that no man after he was forty years old, fell in love with a new poet- The Judge said he had not been attracted by any later than Byron- He proposes to work with me in the law. Monday, November 1, 1875 Worked on the Biography of Dr Pinkerton and finished the first draft. I found it very pleasant to examine the Dr's letters and notice the strong and vigorous spirit with which he handles all the subjects he discusses, though now that the struggle and he is gone I still feel a regret that he did not abandon his effort to secure a position under the Government. But he was all the while animated by a determination to fight against the extreme religious and political bigotry in his state. I feel a strong indisposition to begin the Hard-money article which I have promised to the Atlantic Monthly. I presume I shall delay until I am pushed into close quarters for time and then be compelled to work too rapidly. I can hardly explain this peculiar mental reluctance which I sometimes feel about an important piece of work. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1875. Went to General Mussey's to preview a portion of our brief in the Church Case. Took Mother Lottie Capitol and spent sometime in the Library. In the afternoon finished the Pinkerton Biography which made 25 pages of legal cap. In the evening General Mussey and Mr Abbott of Boston called and spent an hour in general conversation. To day determines the elections in about seven states and the result will probably have an important bearing upon the next Presidential Election. I think the moral effect of our Ohio election will be heavily felt in todays elections - It now appears that we shall carry Pennsylvania - and shall reduce the Democratic majority in New York - But the influence of Tilden and his supporters is a large factor but its result cannot be [?] in advance - Our Ohio election settled the future of several Presidential aspirants - Today will greatly increase the number who will be counted out of the fight for 1876 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1875. The election returns indicate a great reaction against the Democracy Inflation is defeated in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and several other states have gone Republican, and New York has elected a Republican legislature and probably lost the State ticket. Dictated a large number of letters. In the evening read the conflicting views of the election as given in the N. Y. Times, Tribune and World. The Tribune is trying to be independent has become a partisan Democrat. In looking over the results of this fall elections I do not share in the general belief that the inflation declines are overthrown - The heavy loss of the Democrats in New York, will lead the western Democrats to say that their inflation doctrines came nearer succeeding than the hard money doctrine in New York. They will demand another\ trial of inflation. I think therefore, that we shall see another hard struggle over that issue, and it will be a wider, and more hotly contested fight than any we have yet had - To aid in this struggle is my chief reason for working & continue in public life - Still I can do something if I am not in Congress. Thursday, November 4, 1875 Called on the Attorney General with reference to the Montana Case. Alas, spent some time at the Treasury with Mr Knox, Comptroller of the Currency, discussing some points in his report. At quarter past twelve went to the Supreme Court and heard Wm M Evarts make the closing speech in Granger Cases, the argument of which has occupied 14 hours. His speech was rather metaphorical, but on the whole comprehensive and able. He remarked in the course of it that British liberty consisted in the main of "rights wrested from prerogative and added to the fund of common rights". In the Evening went with Dr Pope to hear Barry Sullivan in Richelieu. I have before heard Forest and Edwin Booth in the same character. I do not think Sullivan is quite equal to either, though in most respects I like him better than Forest. Bulwer's play is a powerful one and I am curious to know whether it is historically a correct picture of the great Minister of France I must read the history when I get leisure Friday, November 5, 1875 In the forenoon, when to the departments- and thence to General Mussey and reviewed the last pages of our brief in the Church case. In the afternoon, worked on some new questions that have sprung up in the Montana Case- finished assigning reasons in a brief on Motion to advance the case on the docket- Studied up the practice under the laws that regulate appeals from state + district courts -In the evening Crete and I called on Col Rockwells 1317 Corcoran Street and spent several hours- Rockwell and I read some fine passages from Browne's "Urn Burials"- I must read more from this famous old author.- I know but little of him_ I believe his "Religis Medici" is his most honored work- He belongs to the group of famous Prose Writers not far from Miller's time- Rockwell is a sweet and noble soul- His wife is a bright and sensible woman- and I am glad to call them my dear friends. to leave such friends is one of the pangs I shall feel in leaving Washington_ Crete and I returned home about eleven p.m. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875. Soon after breakfast, I called on Col Don Piatt, who has just returned from Europe. He has been working among literary Englishmen in favor of an International Copyright. He advises them to get the[ir] titles of books secured under the laws of Congress, by making them "Trade Marks". Their Eng books can only be reprinted in America under a different title. First class book sellers will not do this & then will favor an international copyright treaty. He has left Mrs Piatt and her sister at Menton, in France, where they are to spend the winter. After lunch, went to the Capitol and examined some further law Authorities. Went to McGill & Witherams + ordered my brief on Montana motion printed. After dinner, read to children Audubon's account of the Brown Pelican. He is very enthusiastic - and his style is of the florid type much more prevalent thirty years ago than now. Later, Crete & I read some of the poems of Barry Cornwall (Proctor) They are smooth & beautiful - but do not strike me as powerful - I shall not add him to my list of poetic loves. Perhaps it is because I am past forty. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1875. Attended church in the forenoon and afterwards read Joaquin Miller's "Ship in the Desert", a wierd and strange story of the Western Plains. I have not felt well today and have been able to do but little thinking. About the middle of the afternoon, there came on me, what I used to have when a child, a feeling of sadness at that hour of Sunday, which I have never been able to explain, a kind of gloom which for the time unfitted me for anything. After Tea I read several pages of Audubon's book to the children, reading his account of the ferruginous thrush and the robin. The little fellows seemed to be a good deal interested in the subject - especially Irvin. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1875. Several gentlemen called in the morning. Among others a Mr Lloyd of Alexandria who wants me to take a land case for him at halves, to recover some lands in Arkansas. At 12 o'clock went to the Supreme Court and filed a motion to advance the Montana Case on the Docket. I doubt if it will be granted, though it ought to be. Dictated a number of letters and cleared the decks for the Hard Money Article in the Atlantic Monthly. In the evening read until a late hour the pamphlets of Henry Carey Baird, Pliny Freeman and Edward Kellogg and Judge Campbell. I am amazed at the recklessness with which all these gentlemen butt against both science and history. Also read Prof Newcombs article in the North American Review on The Scientific Method in Political Economy. He insists that most writers have omitted the element of volition. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1875. Finished some studies of the Church case. Dictated a large number of letters and in the afternoon and evening continued my reading of inflation tracts and speeches. Then took up a series of articles in the Journal des Economistes, containing the recent discussions of currency. I am troubled about the exact character to give to my article. If I make it too philosophical, I shoot above the heads of ordinary readers. If I go into the A. B. C. of currency too much I may fall below the standard of those whom I prefer to reach. But on the whole as it is to be written to aid in educating the people, I think I will take the risk of making it elementary in character. I am satisfied that a large number of more than ordinary able men really believe in cutting loose altogether from a gold standard. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1875. The day has been rainy, and, with the exception of going out after Mollie and bringing her home from her music lesson about 10 o'clock, I have not been beyond the doorstep. Finished reading the articles in the Journal des Economistes and then read John Law's Money and Trade, as published in 1705. He distinctly announces the principle of non-exportability as a desirable one in currency thereby anticipating Judge Kelley about 170 years. I then took up Macleod on Banking. He is very radical and very able. After dinner read to the children from Audubon, the history of buzzards and eagles, in which the little fellows were greatly interested. Continued reading Macleod until a late hour. I would rather have been the author of the Bullion Report of 1810 by Homer, Haskinson and Thornton than any official document on finance I know of. Retired with a headache. Have overworked today. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1875. Went to the Interior Department on business; then to the Capitol to call on Vice President Wilson, who was attacked with sudden and serious sickness yesterday. He is better today but I suspect his life is near its close. I spent three hours in the Library reading up on the Currency. While I was there Lord Houghton (Moncton Milnes) came in and was introduced. I was at that moment reading a work on the state of the coinage in England written by Rice Vaughan in 1675, and I called Lord Houghton's attention to the Librarian's note on the fly leaf which says that there is no copy of this rare book in the British Museum. Home in the afternoon. In the evening Rockwell called and spent several hours with us. This is the anniversary of our wedding which took place 17 years ago. If I could find the time + had the ability to write out the story of Crete's life and mine, the long and anxious questionings that preceded and attended the adjustment of our lives to each other, and the beautiful results we long ago reached and are now enjoying, it would be a more wonderful record than any I know in the realm of romance. Perhaps I may some day attempt it, for all those lessons + their results I devoutly thank God. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1875. Dictated a considerable number of letters and worked a few hours on points of practice in the Supreme Court. Then devoted the remainder of the day to careful work in reading Macleod on the Currency. I am disposed to think he is right in defining money to be a measure of transfer on evidence of debt. I think this is the broadest generalization I know of on the question and I am disposed to believe it will aid in solving many of the intricacies of the currency question. He describes as "[?ism" all methods for establishing a currency based upon lands, bonds or any kind of property. It must be upon money which is an evidence of debt. I fear I am reading too much to make my Atlantic article very effective. I shall constantly be tempted to put too much into it. I shall try however to prevent myself from being overloaded by the [?] de [?] of the material I have accumulated. If I had time, I should be glad to write a book on the subject rather than a magazine article of fifteen pages. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1875. Worked on correspondence and Atlantic Monthly Article until 10 o'clock when I took Crete, Mother and the children to the Smithsonian to examine the 16 birds I had read about from Audubon. We succeeded in finding all of them but three without help. Then sending for Ornithologist we found that one of those, to with, the Ibis, was not in the Museum. The other two were there but their names had been changed since Audubon's time. At 2 o'clock went Crete and Mother and made some calls. We called at Mr Gallaudets and then at Captain Patterson's home at Brightwood. His wife was a Miss Pierson, daughter of a former member of Congress from North Carolina. In the evening working on the Currency Question. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1875 Attended Church At 11 o'clock called on Judge Black who wanted me to get him excused from attending the dinner of Lord Houghton, because he had no dress coat with him. At half pasting dined at Welcker's with a large party. The dinner was given to Lord Houghton by same Ward. The guests present were Chief Justice Waite, Justices Swayne, Bradley and Fields, Atty. General Pierepont Sir Edward Thomson, Dr. Linderman, Prof. Rodgers, Secretary Robeson and Mr. Philp. Lord Houghton is a very brilliant and companionable man and I enjoyed his conversation very much...He assures me that the political attack on - was not written by Lockhart but by Byron and that Byron put a copy of it under - chair at dinner. He says Byron was one of the meanest of men. His anecdote of distinguished Englishmen were very interesting. Says the most remarkable thing he has noticed in American was the funeral of Minzie Roame, the mistress of the N.Y. merchant, who killed herself the other day in a fit of jealousy. The papers give an elaborate account of her funeral and the grief of her unmarried paramour who was accompanied by his family as mourners. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1875 Worked on Atlantic Article until noon. I have not yet commenced writing it but have taken a large amount of notes of readings. About noon Mr Abbott of Boston called to retain me to bring suit against Col Stevens to recover three bronze vases made by the late Dr Horatio Stone. I declined to take the case but offered in a friendly way to help settle it. At two o'clock received a telegram that the Church Case was about to be called into Court. Reached the Supreme Court just as Wayne Vs. Veagh commenced the argument in favor of the Railroad Company. He finalized his argument just in time for adjournment. Worked on the Hard Money Article until 8 o'clock, when I went to meet a Mr. Judd of Chicago and spent two hours with him. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1875. Worked on money article in the morning and at half-past ten went with Silas Bigelow, my old teacher at Chester, to the Post Office Department and introduced him to the First Asst P.M. General. Went to the Supreme Count at 12 o'clock. At the opening of Court the Chief Justice announced that he did not care to hear anything on our side showing that our brief had been sufficient to carry the case without further argument. Clark of Baltimore was greatly disconcerted. I then spent some time in the Library of Congress getting some additional books on the currency question. In the evening Bigelow took dinner with us. Twenty-six years ago he was a teacher in Chester and Crete and I recited to him. His position seemed a great way up at that time and it's difficult for me to think of him now as I do of other similar men. In the evening, Crete set me on a new line of thought - namely; the enumeration of the circles in which I had lived. They were these - 1st. Orange, 2d Chester, 3d Hiram, 4th Williams, 5th Ohio Teachers, 6th Ohio Senate, 7th Army, 8th Congress, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1875. Went to the Treasury Department and thence to the State Department where I spent four hours in reading from the dispatches of Washburne, Schenck and Bancroft, etc, on the financial situation of the respective countries they are accredited to. I am very much interested in the curious financial condition of France. The masterly way in which she has recused herself from the dreadful embarrassments brought upon her by her war with Prussia and with her own commune. 9th law. My relation to each of these is something of a test. Thursday, November 18, 1875 Went to the Interior Department for Leicester King who has been dismissed. Also went to the Treasury Department. Dictated a large number of letters. The day has been so occupied that I have done but little o my Atlantic Article and begin to feel al distress in regard to it. In the evening dined at 214 New Jersey Avenue with D. W. Middleton of the Supreme Court. All the Justices of the Supreme Court were present except Justice Hunt. There were here, also Secretary Briston, Atty General Pierpont, George H. Williams, Marshall Jewell, P. Phillips, Judge Otto, the new reporter of the Supreme Court and Nicholay the Marshall. We had a pleasant dinner. Judge Clifford, by whose side I sat gave very interesting reminiscences of Jancy, Duvall and other judges of the court Friday, November 19, 1875 I am 44 years old today. I suspect that ones age is a surprise to him when his attention is called to it and yet it comes on so insidiously, so silently, that is I only by the sight of these milestones along the road, called birthdays, that suddenly remind us we are getting old. I wonder if they look more like tombstones each year I am doubtless looked upon as a very old fellow by my children. They have been very attentive towards me today- for that matter they always are-first they have shown a special degree of thought (?) all day. Little Mollie brought me a rose bud in a timid sort of way and I saw in her face a look as if she feared that an old fellow like me would not care for such a little trifle. I kissed her and put it in my button hole and tried to feel myself a boy again. Wrote a considerable number of letters and made some progress on the Hard Money Article. Saturday, November 20, 1875 Worked with some effectiveness on the Atlantic article until about one o'clock when 8 went shopping with Crete. Among other things we purchased a silver cup for Abram and had it marked "November 31st 1875", The third anniversary of his birth. After diner, I read Audubon's account of the American Flamingo, which pleased the children very much. Then continued my work on the Atlantic article. Somethings can be done rapidly and perhaps move effectively for that reason, but this discussion of Hard-money must be done carefully and with constant reference to historical and logical accuracy. Perhaps others can dash it off in short time, but I am making painfully, slow progress with it. I find myself a little fearful of the grade of literary work with which my article will be compared when it appears in the Atlantic and so I feel my self shackled. This one of the results of my lack of self-esteem. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1875 It has been a dreary day and I did not go to church; nor did I proceed in accomplishing as much as I desired on my Atlantic Article. I have never yet fathomed the mystery of the occasional moods of my mind in regard to work. Sometimes when all the circumstances are apparently profitions. I can do no effective work and again when I am tired and everyway disturbed I strike a vein which develops easily and satisfactorily. This has not been a good day for me intellectually. I spend some time instead to the attitude. Read lambs condensation of Othello. The children were not pleased with the way the story came out. I am trying to get them to appreciate stories that come out well, for they are very much like a good deal of life. This is Abrams's Birthday. He is three years odld. we have him his cup at breakfast and at dinner a nice cake was prepared for him, the little fellow seems full of joy. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1875. At seven o'clock this morning, the Vice President Henry Wilson died in his chamber in the Capitol, where he has been lying sick for two weeks. He died suddenly and without a struggle. I went to the Capitol to attend the Supreme Court, but the Chief Justice adjourned the Court immediately in consequence of the death of the Vice President. A meeting of Senators and Representatives was called in the Senate Reception Room, and a Committee of which Mr. Boutwell who is not here, is to be Chairman, composed of several other gentlemen, including myself , to make arrangements for the funeral, was organized. I went into the Vice President's Room and found them taking a plaster cast off Mr. Wilson's face. The doctors were also there prepared for an autopsy. I should have mentioned that on my way to the Capitol, I called on Governor Dennison, who went with me to the Senate. I then spent some time in the Library reading up Calhoun and Carey on Currency. On my return home I struck a good vein of work on the Atlantic Article and wrote until ten o'clock with some satisfaction. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1875. Worked on Atlantic Article until ten o'clock when I went to the State Department and met the Committee to arrange for the Vice President's Funeral. There were present Senators Morrell of NY, and Thurman of Ohio, Mr Justice Clifford, Secy Fish, Randall of Penn, Warren of Mass and myself. The dispatches from Massachusetts indicate a desire on the part of that state to have the remains forwarded to Boston as soon as possible. In view of this, on my motion I was resolved to hold a public funeral here not later than Saturday of this week, making the services as public as possible without the presence of Congress. Several nice questions of precedent and propriety were considered, and a special Committee consisting of Senator Thurman Mr. Warren and myself were appointed to complete the programme. I was appointed to call on the Secretary of War and arrange for having some army officer of ranks detailed to be Marshal of the Day. I called at the Executive Mansion and was invited into the Cabinet Meeting and discussed a number of questions relating to the funeral. General Emory was agreed upon as the Marshal. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 1875. I should have added on last page, that on Tuesday evening, I, in company with the Committee of Arrangements, met the Massachusetts Delegation at the Arlington and found they desired an early day for the funeral, thereupon we designated Friday as the day and agreed to report our plan of procession the next day. Accordingly at 12 oclock today, the Com. met again at the office of the Secretary of State, completed the arrangements for the funeral. There we some curious points of precedence discussed, such as the position of the President and his Cabinet, should they be placed before Congress or after it. On my motion the former was the order. Also the place of the Diplomatic Corps was discussed. It was resolved they should come next after the Supreme Court that is immediately after the other branches of the Government. Then the question of precedence as between the Court of Claims and the Supreme Court of the District of Colombia. The former was placed first because they are a U.S. [?] the other being a Territorial Court. Worked on the Hard Money Article in the Eve. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1875. Spent the day on the Hard Money Article and am beginning to be distressed about the proportions which I am giving to the several parts. I fear I am giving too much time to a statement of the soft money doctrines. Unless I am careful, my article will be a dwarf with a big head and short legs. Went to bed early but found I could not sleep and so got up and worked three or four hours on a new case in the Supreme Court which I have recently taken from Mr Daniels, in reference to the right of the Public Printer's working by the day to be paid 20 percent increase of salary under the Act of 1867. I am clearly of the opinion that the Act of Congress of Feb 22, 1867, making the Public Printer an officer to be appointed by the Senate is clearly unconstitutional. There is no appointing power in any United States officer except the President and in case of minor officers the Heads of Departments. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1875. A little before ten oclock I went to the Capitol, taking mother and Crete with me and getting them seats in the Senate Gallery I then went to the Speaker's Room where the Committee of Arrangements were assembled. We put on white silk scarfs with black rosettes on the shoulder and the pallbearers were in black scarfs with white rosettes. We then led the procession to the Senate Chamber followed by the pallbearers and the coffin. One marine was stationed at the head of the corpse and one at the foot and during the whole honors, which lasted an hour did not appear to move a hairs breadth. In selecting men for this duty they found two who did not use ardent spirits so as to be sure that his nerves would be steady. The halls of the Senate were crowded to repletion and the ceremonies were very impressive. Dr Rankin delivered a very fitting eulogy. His contrast between Sumner and Wilson was very striking. Where else in the world would a nation be proud of a man because he had come from the very lowest grade of Society. This is attributable to our institutions. The procession was an hour in moving from the Capitol to the Depot and though the rain fell steadily, the crowd of spectators was very great. After dinner worked until a late hour on Hard Money Article. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1875. Resumed work on the Hard Money Article from which I have been so seriously interrupted by the funeral and preparations for it. Members of Congress are arriving in considerable numbers, but I shall keep almost aloof from them until this work is off my hands. Rockwell called in the afternoon and spent some time. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1875. Worked on the Atlantic Article until 11, and then attended church with Crete Mother and Irvin. Mr Powers gave us a very excellent sermon. After dinner read to the children a chapter from "Captain Hall's Arctic Voyages." In the evening worked on the Atlantic Article. These days are so monotonous in their activity that I have but little today. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1875. Spent nearly the whole day on the Atlantic Article except two hours when I went to the Interior Department on business. I have not opened my mail for three days nor shall I until the article is off my hands. Vice President Wilson said to me a week before he died, that he greatly regretted his want of early training, especially for the reason that he was not able to turn aside from a subject and throw it off his mind - that it got possession of him whereas he desired to have possession of it. I doubt if this results mainly from training or the want of it. It probably depends upon the nature of a man's mind. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1875 Worked all day on the Hard Money Article. Towards evening wrote a letter to Howells telling him that I should be able to send the article on the first. Continued working until two hours past midnight and went to bed with a severe headache. I had intended to avoid such late work but I am so crowded for time I must break over my rule at least this once. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1875. Spent the whole day on the Hard Money Article and did not leave the House at all. Continued the work until midnight. I have never written any paper which has caused me so much labor, but it is finished at last and I am heartily glad to get rid of it. I have omitted a number of important points for want of room, but such as it is it must go. I have a foolish timidity about appearing in the Atlantic Monthly among the Cambridge Critics, but I rely mainly on the substance rather than the style. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1875 It occurred to me this morning that I ought to make some allusion to the recent French example of financial management and I therefore added two pages on that subject and at 11 o'clock put the article in the express. I have something of the school boy feeling of apprehension about the reception of this article and am inclined to think I have left out some points that would be very effective, this feeling will doubtless continue until I know its fate one way or the other. I ought to have said more on the supposed difficulties of resumption which is really the most important point now in debate but the limit of fifteen pages was constantly in my way. Went to the Capitol and spent some time in the Library. On my return commenced to clear my desk of its accumulation. Took a list of the books I have used in preparing the article. Dictated a considerable number of letters and read my three days mails. In the evening went with Mr Monroe and called on S. S. Cox, Kerr and Randall, the three candidates for Speaker. Clothing is more striking than the difference in appearance between a Republican and Democratic crowd. The class of man gathered at the hotels have not been seen in Washington in many years. Friday, December 3, 1875 Busy in the forenoon, Clearing of the debris of my work, and getting my desk in shape for the next point in the printers programme. From noon till two P.M. dictated letters and journal- At 2 went with Crete & called on Mr Payne and his daughter Mollie and then went Shopping_ Called also Dr Sullivan_ who said I had a difficulty in the back of my head, which was connected with the liver. Mrs Barrcond gave me a strange story of the life and death of Rev. Dr Parleons of Brooklyn N.Y. - In the evening at 6. I dined at Me S B Chillenden at the late residence of Charles Summer with Prof. Sealey + Mr Frost of Mass - The Prof. is bright and able but has a little of that provincial air which is proving more and more marked every year- I am glad to welcome such a man to the House and wish there were more of them The contest for the Speakership is getting more + more better every hour It is curious to note the marked difference between the crowds of democrats that throng our hotels + an equal crowd of Republicans It cannot be prejudice that makes all the difference SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1875. Went to the War Dept. and to Riggs Bank , on business. During my California trip, I went down into the Bonanza Mines of Va. City Nevada, and became very fully convinced of the real value of those mines, especially of the Consolidated Va. and the California. The late fire at Va. City depressed the price of those stocks somewhat, and so strong is my faith in their value, that; a few weeks ago, I wrote to John Mackey asking him to purchase some of the stock for me & draw on me for the margin. He bought 200 shares of California for me, Nov. 15, at $55 the share, & I have today paid $5000 in gold on the account. The stock has already risen to about $70, & I hope to realize well from it. I dictated and got off about 25 letters, and this made a good inroad upon my accumulated letters. In the evening I took Crete, Harry, Jimmy, and Mollie, in Company with Col Rockwell to hear Macullough in Macbeth. With the exception of Macduff he was not well supported. I was fearful that the boys and Mollie would not understand enough about the play to enjoy it; but they did get a pretty firm notion of the play. My reading to them of Laws version of the story helped them. The rant of most actors is dreadful to me. Ken was nominated for speaker on the 3rd ballott. This p.m. Randall next Cox last on strength. SUNDAY, December 5, 1875. Attended Church with Crete Mollie and Irvin, and was forcibly reminded for my remark on the opposite page about ranting. I have come to wonder at those happy mortals who know the whole Counsels of God & have no doubts. Are all religions, past and present, false, except that of Christ? If so, what shall we think of the goodness and mercy of God in leaving mankind so many generations without the truth? It is asking a good deal to require us to believe that this alone is the final and perfect form of religion & truth. When men of all past ages have as confidently believed they had it - and it is now universally acknowledged that none was final or true unless it be this. Is it not intolerable egotism in us, I suppose that we are so exceptionally precious to God, that while He has never seen enough good in the race to make it worth sharing until 1800 years ago, yet then its superiority of virtue & importance led him to make great exertions to save it. It may not be unreasonable to suppose that each life has had as much light as it could use, and no future may open up religions truth on a plane higher than that we now know of. Who shall count the methods of God? Crete & I read "Gabriel Conroy" by Bret Harte, as far as it has appeared in two numbers of Scubuen At 7 1/2 p.m. went to the Ebbitt House to advise in reference to opposing the swearing in of Goode of Va. Had a curious interview with Henry A. Wise of Va. Platt's counsel. The old man is a strange specimen of the strenuous + loud sophomore terce & incontent as when he hanged John Brown. Monday, December 6, 1875. A large number of callers in the morning. At 11 oclock went to the Interior Department to secure an appointment for Lester Kuig. Went thence to the Capitol where an unusual crowd had assembled to witness the organization of the House. The election of Kerr as Speaker took place in due form, a few straggling Independents throwing scattering votes. A handsome and forcible debate sprang up on the attempt of Fernando Wood to prevent the swearing in of Morcy of Louisiana which it appeared was resorted to with a view of reviving the question of Governorship of that state. After an hours debate Wood was beaten. The Democracy made a decidedly poor thing out of it in debate. It is manifest there will be a struggle among them to determine who shall be leader and that we have a dozen men on our side whom they cannot duplicate either in experience or ability. My Church case was to day decided in my favor by the Supreme Court. And the Twenty Percent Case advanced, to be heard in printed argument first Monday in Dec. Letter in evening. This morning I telegraphed J. Q. Smith asking him to accept Commisionership of Indian Affairs. This evening he answer that he will - Letter in evening - Tuesday, December 7, 1875. Called on Judge Black in reference to our fee in the Hunter Tax Case. Then called on the Conir of Patents for Mrs. Cleveland, then on Secretary Chandler and found he had already telegraphed to my friend J. Q. Smith to take the Commissionership of Indian Affairs. In the House at one oclock the drawing for seats took place. I came very late in the last drawing my old seat of last winter, but Mr. Haroldson of Alabama, a colored member, exchanged with me and so I got down nearly to the Republican Headquarters. This colored member was the slave of John Haroldson a Rebel officer of Ordnance who published a notice to the patriotic citizens of Selma to save their urine that he might gather it up in wagons to manufacture mitre for making rebel gunpowder. A curious poem addressed to John Haroldson in a Selma paper fell into my hands during the war. I quoted this poem from memory to Congressman Haroldson today and found that he knew it and that he was himself the slave of John Haroldson and drove the wagon to gather up the urine. Huntsburgh Post Office Case in the evening. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1875. Today has been one of "Aunt Dinah's Clarin up times" with me. I have overhauled all my unanswered letters and put my desk in working order. At noon Rose came and I dictated near twenty-five letters_ Among other things I wrote to Adjutant Gen. E.D. Townsend, sending him my Field Dispatch Book containing duplicates of all my Dispatches from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga and several other historic documents_ Which may be of service in making up the history of the War. I loan them to Gen. T. to copy_ At 4 p.m. went out and settled a lot of bills, as a part of the business of clearing my desk_ The Evening I went to the room of Hon S. Ross of Pa. & meet Glenn W. Scofield who is here on a visit. Foster was also there- and late in the Evening, Blaine and Hale came in. We had a pleasant visit, and discussed old times & new._ especially the question of Grant's purposes in reference to a third term_ We were nearly unanimous in the opinion that he would not attempt it. Blaine spoke of his singularly impossible character, as illustrated by his conduct in the Cars when Col. Bowers, who had been on his staff four years, will killed near West Point Grant did not rise from his seat but wrote a telegram, giving orders about the dispotion of the body., & let the man go on_ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1875 Spent a large share of the day in business at the Departments. Called on the Secretary of the Navy and showed him a memorandum of some rascallities I learned of while I was in California at the Mare Island, Navy Yard. Also called on the Adjutant General and gave him my Field Dispatch Book concerning the Battle of Chickamauga. Then went to the Atty General's and showed him General Sheldon's letter in relation to the proposed appointment of Billings as U. S. Judge in Louisiana. Then called on the President on the same subject. Learned from him that General Babcock had just been indicted_ Then called on Secy Bristow. Dictated several letters on my return home. Spent the evening in reading the preface to The Sabine Farm by Robt Bradstreet, London. The Poem is prefaced by a long letter detailing the journey which he made to the Villa of Horace in 1795. Before retiring, I took a hot bath, the water having been saturated with Tannin, and sat in the decoction half an hour_ I am distressed with a pain in the back of my head and the cervical cord where it joins the head. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1875. Went to the departments in the morning and to the Capitol at noon. The House sat less than an hour and adjourned until Tuesday next. I worked on my 20 per cent Supreme Court Case, by spending an hour in the House Library. Then spent some time in the Library of Congress. Went to Clerk of Sup. Ct. and got a copy of the sermon of Judge Clifford in my case of the Church v. RailRoad. On my way home saw Gen Mussey who drove me an hour in his carriage, and thus reduced the violence of my head-ache. After dinner, read in Bradstreet's "Sabine Farm" and received visitors. My friend Hon. J.Q. Smith spent an hour with me talking over the work of the position of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to which he has just been appointed. Later in the evening, my headache continuing, I went with Crete to Col Rockwell's in Corcoran St. and played three games of domino. Came home at eleven without any dimunition of pain. To-day has developed the perfidy of a woman who has been making all the mischief she could between Miss Runsom, Mrs Bernard, Crete and several others- I incline to the opinion that Dickens' devils are not overdrawn, for we now and then meet in real life, people who seem to love evil for its own sake. And this case seem to be one. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1875. Spent several hours of the forenoon in the Departments, then dictated letters. Commenced preparations for the argument of the 20th percent cases for Col Daniels. The argument is to be presented in print by the order of the Court. In the evening Crete and I attended a Literary Society at Mrs Dahlgrens. A very pleasant and brilliant company of people were assembled among others Mrs Hegeman, late Mrs Moulton the singer, she gave us some exquisite music. Several artists were also there and some fine pictures of scenery around Washington were exhibited. Mrs Dahlgren read a "critique" on a recent French book and the Law Librarian of Congress read an interesting paper on names. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1875. Attended church. It is a cold and blustering day. On my return read John Joannis Bonds' French introduction to the works of Horace in Didot's Edition of 1857, in which is sketch the latest discussions up to that date of the site of the Horatian Valley. In main he confirms the position taken by DeIchoeppe in his three French volumes on that subject. The picture of the rural life of Horace on his Sabine farm is to me one of the most beautiful and attractive in literature. I read also a chapter on the same subject in "Hare's Days Near Rome" MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1875 The House was not in session today. Went to the Departments in the morning and on my return dictated a large number of letters. In the evening attended an auction sale of law books at Latimer and Cleary's but did not stay until the bidding was through. I think I will be able to pick up a portion of those I desire from those who bid them off. I am anxious to secure as nearly a full set of the Supreme Court Reports as possible. After my return read several Odes of Horace and made some notes on the Ode to Sestius, Book 1st, Ode 4. I am in doubt what the chief object of Horace was in writing this Ode. The first three stanzas are a series of beautiful pictures of spring. In the fourth and fifth he turns abruptly to the consideration of death. And the short space allowed to life winding up with a touch of the Epicurian philosophy. I see no necessary connection between the last two stanzas and the three first. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1875. Went to the Post office and Interior Departments in the morning and worked off some District business. Reached the House at 12 o'clock. It continued in session until half past three. The Committees are not yet appointed but a large number of bills were introduced. After the adjournment I went to the auction rooms on the corner of 11th street and Pa Ave and purchased 14 volumes of Peter's reports for $2.00 each. Then went to Mr Anglim's Book store and obtained six volumes of Peters Condensed Reports at $2.00 each and made arrangements for the first six volumes of Cranch at 50 cents each. Dictated letters in the evening and wrote an article for the Republic on the first ten days of the Democratic rule in the House. Read Travels in Spain and retired at half past [ten] eleven, after taking a tan bath I am suffering from pain in the back part of my head which is a new thing for me and one that is not pleasant to think of. I fear that overwork has done me severe permanent injury. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1875. The House was not in session and I was at home most of the time working on correspondence and in the Departments. In the afternoon received a dispatch from Kline of Cleveland informing me that Almeda Booth died this morning. I was greatly shocked at the news, for when Crete and I were last in Cleveland we saw her apparently in restored health. This is the first break which death has made in the old circle of friends who commenced to work together in Hiram twenty years ago. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1875. Worked at my desk in the forenoon and went to the Treasury Department on business. In the afternoon played a few games of billiards with Colonel Rockwell. In the evening Crete and I made some calls - Called on Mollie Payne, Mrs. Dahlgren and Governor and Mrs. Dennison. Spent several hours at Governor Denisons and enjoyed a very pleasant visit. I mean to do more visiting this Winter than usual and to strengthen my purpose in this regard I make this record of it. Mr Rose tells me that I made the same record last year. If so, it is another proof that I need to strengthen my memory - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1875. Went to the Departments in the morning. The House met at 12 o'clock remained there about two hours, when the House adjourned. Returned home and worked at my desk until quarter before three, when I went to the Baltimore and Potomac Depot and joined the Congressional Party who were going to visit the Centennial Grounds at Philadelphia. The President with a majority of his Cabinet, the Chief Justice and five or six members of the Supreme Court and about 200 Congressmen were on the train. This is probably the largest number of U.S. officials that were ever on one railroad train together. the day is piercing cold and uncomfortable. I spent a good share of the time reading [Pliny]. We reached Philadelphia at [5] oclock but it took us more than an hour to get to the Continental and it was ten oclock before we got our supper. After an evening spent in visiting with a large number of friends, Foster and I retired about 12 o'clock, but soon after Col Rockwell and General Mckibben called and we got up and visited for two hours. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1875. Immediately after breakfast, I went with George Alfred Townsend to several law_book_stores to see if I could make arrangements to fill up my set of Supreme Court reports. On my return the Committee were awaiting me and I joined the procession to the Centennial Ground in Fairmont Park, visiting the several centennial buildings and catching beautiful glimpses of the Schuylkill River and the City in the distance. At one oclock dined in Memorial Hall. Remained until the toasts were about half finished. Waited to hear Blaine through but did not stay to hear Bancroft. Then drove back to the Continental and spent three quarters of an hour in the law-bookstore finishing my explorations of the morning. I find that I can procure Dallas and the last three volumes of Cranch, which will fill one of the serious gaps in my set. Soon after my return from the bookstore went to see our classmate the Rev E. Clarence Smith and spent two or three hours with him. On our return called on General McKibben and made a long visit. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1875. Took breakfast at ten oclock, when my classmate Clarence Smith called on me. Then went with Rockwell to Gov to secure a place in the Mint for our classmate Colonel Evans. Then called on General Hardie who lives near 40th Street. In the afternoon dined with Genl McKibben at the Girard House. At halfpast seven Col Rockwell, Ed Cowles and I went to hear Moody and Sankey in the Depot building, corner of Chesnut and 13th Streets. There were very nearly 10,000 people in the audience, the President, several members of the Cabinet, of the Supreme Court and of the Congress were around the stand. I was very greatly impressed by the meeting. The singing of Sankey is very effective. Moody seems to me to be very far from a great thinker or great speaker, but there is a wonderful directress and earnestness in all he says. He drives straight towards his object without delay and reaches the hearts and wills of people to a wonderful degree. This phenomenon is remarkable in many ways, but in none more than this. It shows by contrast the powerlessness of modern theological training, as compared with a direct address to hearts and consciences of men. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1875 Reached Washington about daylight, but slept in the cars until about seven o'clock when I came home very tired. After breakfast read a very large mail which had accumulated in my absence. The House met at 12 o'clock and the Committees were announced. Out of the 34 most important committees the Chairmen of 21 were made from the late slave States. This is the old Southern Rule returning again with a vengeance. I am transferred from the Appropriations to the Ways and Means and am also put upon the Pacific R.R. On some accounts I like the transfer to Ways and Means where I shall probably have less work to do than on the Appropriations. This a sort of compliment to me that they put me off the Appropriations because I would be too much of a critic for them. Before the House met I went with Edwin Cowles of the Cleveland Leader to the War Department to assist him in securing the discharge of a soldier from the army. The Chairman of the Ways and Means Mr Morrison has made no mark in Congress and his appointment is a great surprise. At six dined with Blaine in company with Hale of Maine - Cowles of the Cleveland Leader, McPherson of Pa. At 8 o'clock met the Congressional Committee for consultation, retired at 11 o'clock very weary. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1875 I am feeling a good deal jaded today. Went to the Capitol and also did some shopping. Bought a set of Wheaton's Reports for $75.00. John G. Schumaker called and wanted to retain me as counsel to defend him in the House. I of course declined on the ground that if he were tried, I should be one of his judges. With a singular simplicity of mind he seemed only surprised that I should decline a large fee, saying that he could see no impropriety whatever in my serving him as his counsel. I wonder if he could see any impropriety in arguing a case before the Supreme Court and then walking into the Consulting Room and voting on the decision. Mr Paine and his daughter called in the evening. Harry, Jimmie and Mollie went to Rockwell's to celebrate the Birthday of Lulu. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1875. Spent the day mainly in shopping and letter-writing. Got off a very large mail. Received the proof sheets of my Currency Article from Howells and went over most of it in the evening. The suggestions of the Atlantic Critic are very interesting to me. They show great thoroughness in handling the little details of style. I called at the Attorney General's and got his brief in the Allison case. In the evening took a tan bath and Crete and I read the Third Installment of Gabriel Conroy's Brete Harte keeps up the interest wonderfully. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1875. Dictated a large number of letters and finished reading the proof of my Currency article for the Atlantic Monthly. I sent it off in the evening. I am not a little mortified at the number of inelegances of expression and even inaccuracies of speech which found their way into that article. The notes of Howells on the proof sheets were very valuable and showed a keen and penetrating critical faculty. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1875 Crete and I spent nearly the whole day in selecting Christmas gifts for the children and our friends. It is very difficult, especially as the children grow older to find appropriate gifts for them and the tendency is to get unnecessary things because they are pretty. I called at the Interior Department on behalf of Mrs. Lacy and Leicester King and was thoroughly wearied with the days work. I find I am not a good walker and I tire out on foot much quicker than in any other kind of exercise. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1875 Spent the day home with the children who were delighted with their Christmas Gifts. Crete and I joined them in their games and made a very pleasant day of it. I however took some measures for beginning my work on the 20 percent cases and wrote some letters. I did hope to get away to New York for a part of this vacation, but I enjoy being at home more than ever before. I am glad this is so, although it probably indicates the advance of old age- SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1875. It is a lowering and dismal day and I have not felt well enough to go out to church. The weather has been very depressing for some time. To day it is extremely so. Read with Crete one of Brete Harte's beautiful and touching stories "The Rose of Tuolumne" MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1875. After dictating the usual number of letters, I devoted the day to Daniel's 20 percent case. It involves a number of interesting questions and constructions of law. For example: The determination of when an election takes effect, in case there is no special provision determining it. Also, when does an act abolishing and office take effect, the date not being specified. I am to reply to the printed argument of the Solicitor General. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1875. Went to the Post Office Department and spent two or three hours in trying to secure a clerkship for Warren Young, and a place for Mrs Lacy, a lady in whom Crete has taken so much interest. Every month convinces me more strongly of the folly of young people throwing themselves upon the Government for support. The service is a wretched uncertain and thankless one. Spent the afternoon and Evening working on the Montana Case. During the day Dr Hopkins of Williamstown called and made us a pleasant visit. He is here with Mrs Hopkins visiting their daughter Mrs Judge Nott. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1875. Spent most of the day on the 20 percent Case. In order to do justice to this argument and to the truth, I must attack the constitutionality of the Act of Feb 22d 1867, which empowers the Senate to elect a Congressional Printer. That was a reckless assumption of power the result of political heat, namely. The purpose to thwart Johnson in his endeavors to appoint a Democrat for Superintendent of Public Printing. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1875. Finished my argument on the 20 percent cases. Added one new point as I read the brief this afternoon. I have made a pretty thorough study of this case and am pretty well satisfied with this argument. I find myself enjoying my law work very much and should be glad were I out of public life and able to devote myself wholly to the law. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1875. Worked on the Montana Case until 10 o'clock, when I went to the President to introduce Mr Mallison. He is a bright young man who graduated at Oxford England, but thinks our American System of Education more effective than that of Europe. After dictating a large number of letters I spent the remainder of the day on the Montana Case. I am taking this occasion to work up thoroughly the subject of mandamus and the jurisdiction of the several courts of the United States and their relation to the territorial courts. A recent decision of the Court by Judge Bradley has overruled a number of former cases in relation to those courts. It is a little curious that he gave the last decision favoring the old doctrine and the Court was unanimous. Now he overrules himself with three dissenting judges against him. Series 1 Volume 15 1875 April to 1877 January Vol. 15 p 20 The content of this letter book were included in General Garfields diary for 1875 JB J. a. Garfield. April 1875. Washington, April 17, 1875. For many years, I have greatly desired to visit the Pacific Coast; and when, in 1867 I went to Europe, I was conscious that I did not quite deserve to see the old world until I knew more of the new. In 1865, I joined the company of Calfax, Ross, Bowles, and Richardson, who made the journey overland, and came as far as Chicago with them, when home affairs called me back, and I was compelled to abandon the trip. Again, in 1872, I expected to see California, but my stay in Montana was longer than I expected it would be, & so I went no further on the Pacific RR, than Salt Lake. I have now an opportunity to go to the Pacific Coast under favorable auspices. I have 2 been invited to join a party who are to leave Chicago, next Tuesday in a special car, and I have concluded to go. It was very hard for me to resolve to go without Crete; but after her recent absence of three weeks, she does not think she can leave the children. The good woman _thinks I ought to go_ and, in view of my jaded condition of health, and the impossibility of my getting any rest, here among the constant irritations of politics, I have concluded to go. Spent the day in making preparations to leave; and at 11 P.M. bade good-bye to the dear ones at home, and went to the Baltimore depot. Sent back a note to Crete, and about midnight was in my sleeping berth speeding along the new line from Washington to Point of Rocks. 3 West Virginia & Ohio. Sunday April 18. 1875 Awoke in a snow storm, on the top of the Alleghenies. At a little after 8 A.M. took breakfast at Grafton. At noon crossed the Ohio to Belle Air. At 3 P.M. dined at Zanesville Ohio. At 7, took tea at Shelby, and at 9:55 took the Lake Shore train at Sandusky, and reached Toledo, at midnight_ Stopped at the Brody House. During the day I have read Shakspeares Henry V, which greatly delights me. It is all the more pleasant, from the fact that I have so lately seen the piece very well acted at Booth's Theatre N.Y. The literature is very powerful, but I think the talk of some of his warriors is a good deal overstrained & stilted. 11 Toledo. Monday April 19 1875 This day. I ought to have been at the Centennial celebration at Lexington Mass. and I would have been but for the sudden departure of the special car on which I have been invited to cross the continent. Wrote to Crete and the children and at noon, took the train for Chicago. Read Henry the VI - First part. It is not equal to Henry V. On the train, fell in with Judge Tibbetts and with him, went to the Grand Pacific Hotel. The Ralston party have not arrived, but are expected in the morning. The break in the Union Pacific Road, caused by freshets, is said to be very serious and may delay travel to the Pacific Coast for a long time. To have left home so hurriedly and then be delayed so near it, is very trying. Chicago, Tuesday April 20, 1875 Before 9 a.m. the Ralston party arrived, and the manager of it, Mr Henry Hart, met me and brought word that the break would probably keep us back four or five days. Still, as the time of the detention is uncertain, I could utilize it by going home or to Cleveland. Called on several friends among them Col Hubbard, & went with him to see my lots which are on Armitage St. near Milwaukie Avenue. Real estate is so depressed now that they are not worth much. In the evening read the 2nd part of Henry the VI which is full of savagery in the principal characters, and shows up a most unlovely period of English History. It was during Henry's time that the War of the Roses originated. 6 Chicago Ills. Wednesday April 20 1875 Took a long ride with young McKeever, the student who crossed the ocean with us in 1867. He told me his history since then, drove me to his place in Hyde Park, where his wife and little one are cosily bestowed. He has been very successful in business as a builder + seller of houses. The company who are to go in the Directors Car are Henry Hart - agt of the Pacific Mail Co who is on his way to China, Ex. Gov. Edw. M Cook of Denver, Mrs. W. C. Ralston of San Francisco, Misses Stone, Brewster + Leland of New York. According to present appearances we shall not get off before Saturday morning. The news from the break is very conflicting It is a cold showery day, and the fireside is the pleasantest place - Chicago. Ills. 7 Thursday April 22, 1875 Called on Frank Palmer Editor of the Inter Ocean. He was a member of the Committee of appropriation in the 42nd Congress. Gave him my views of the newspaper tendencies of our times + of the political prospect. Spent two hours with J. Medill, Editor of the Chicago Republican. Canvassed very fully the political situation. He has lately seen E.B. Washburne in Paris and says he gives the following reasons why he will not be a candidate for the Presidency in 1876. 1st. His record on the R.R. question will make him obnoxious to that great interest. 2. He would be considered Grant's candidate. 3. His health is not yet firm enough. 4. He doubts if any Republican can be elected, & he wants to come home and run for Gov. of Illinois. Medill says Blaine is his choice since Washburne declines; but 8 at Louisville he has lately seen Watterson & Halstead who tell him that "The Cincinnati Inquirer" has been getting testimony in reference to B's ante-nuptial relations to Mrs. B. which will be published if B is a candidate. Medill gave me the details of the scandal, and fears it will injure him as a candidate. On the whole Medill thinks the current is so strongly set against the Republican party that it will fail in 1876. In the evening our party attended the theatre and heard Maggie Mitchell in Fanchon. The little woman has a strong hold on her auditors, though I think her voice is losing something of its old sweetness. Read the 2nd part of Henry VI till a later hour. It is valuable as an historical painting but I think it must be a failure as a drama. Chicago, Ills. 9 Friday April 23, 1875. Went shopping in the forenoon, with one party, preparing for our journey. In the afternoon saw Senator Allison, who leaves for Washington tonight. Wrote a long letter to Crete and sent it by Allison, together with several letters which I had answered. Not thinking it prudent to write to Blaine the substance of Medill's conversation, I communicated it to Allison who agreed to see B in New York. I then wrote to B., telling him to see Allison who would give him the points. It is one of the [???] features of our journalism that it leaves no part of private life sacred from its pollution. Wrote many letters & prepared to leave for the west tomorrow morning. Saw Cadwallader Washburn of Wisconsin -- Talked of the Delano scandal as [per?] newspapers. 10 Illinois. Sat. April 24. 1874 Our party were seated in the Director's car of the Union Pacific R.R. at 10 A.M. and started via the Burlington & Quincy R.R. The air of the prairie was chill & skirts of snow lay along the fences & in the ditches by the road side. I finished the 3rd part of Henry VII, and played Casino pour passer le temps. We took dinner at Mendota but had supper in the car. As the sun was going down, we crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, on the new iron bridge & with the deepening shadows of evening, we whirled away into the undulating prairies of Iowa The party is a very pleasant one, with enough variety of character to make it possible for each to find novelty in the acquaintance of the others. At half past ten we were all asleep. 11 Iowa & Nebraska Sunday April 25, 1875 Awoke at seven; at eight took breakfast in the Pullman car adjoining ours, and at nine, came in sight of Council Bluffs where 72 years ago Lewis and Clark landed from their canoes to hold a council with the Indian Nations who then possessed this country. I think of their explorations with pride and admiration, and with a feeling of regret that there are no more such exploration to be on the globe. We crossed the swollen Missouri to Omaha and at 10, I was for the first time, on the soil of Nebraska. Wrote a long letter to Crete and mailed it. At noon, we had stocked our car with provisions and were away to the westward, leaving at Omaha 1500 Emigrants bound for the Pacific coast, who are detained by the break in the road. We go in advance. to make the first crossing. Reading & looking at the Platte & its bends 12 Nebraska & Wyoming Monday April 26, 1875 Awoke on the upper waters of the Platte and near the line of Wyoming. Our route is near the old overland trail and though it is still a wild, desolate country, here and there a cabin appears and the signs of pioneer life. Towards noon, we came in sight of the rocky Mountains covered with snow. Soon Longs Peak appeared in the south west and the sun lighted up with glory the snowy tops of many peaks. The soil was barren for want of water, no life was seen except the gophers which sat on and near their holes to stare at us as we whirled past. About one PM, we reached Cheyenne, and stopped an hour. I wrote a long letter to the children. Major Wolcott & Gov. Thayer (late U.S. Senator) from Nebraska came in the train at this point. I saw Lt. Hayden Delany 13 of the Army, an Ohio boy from Hopedale named after A.S. Hayden, and several old army friends at the Station. After the train started, had a long talk with Wolcott, who is the U.S. Atty. of Wyoming, in reference to the Jno Delano [?]. He got up the papers and forwarded them to Bristow his friend. The case is even worse than I supposed, and it will be a shame if it is hushed up without a change in the Cabinet. In a short time we were at Sherman, the highest point in the road, being more than 8000 feet above the sea. When the sun was going down we were upon the Laramie plains, which were beginning to bloom into green, like a vast meadow. Before long these plains will be filled with cattle, and will be the rich source of supply of our cattle markets in the East. Just before night closed in we saw a small herd of antelope bounding gracefully across the slope of green. 14 Wyoming Territory Tuesday April 27, 1875 Awake among the Alkali desert plains and no vegetation but sage brush. And by ten o'clock reached Rock Springs. After waiting an hour we steamed slowly down to the one remaining break in the road. The snows on the mountain had melted and flooded the channels of Green River and Bitter Creek, and in many places had covered the track at the depth of several feet. Embankments were washed away and bridges swept off. The great energy of the Company has already restored the road to a passable condition, except one road. and that will be done so that our train can cross tomorrow noon. Hundreds of wagons, drawn by mules, are transferring passengers and baggage around the break, a distance of two and a half miles. After waiting at the 15 bridge for an hour and half we ran back to Rock Springs & spent the remainder of the day & night. I wrote a letter to Crete. Read Richard III which is a much more powerful play than either of the three parts of Henry VI. But Richard is such a despicable character, that I wonder if the piece could have been popular on the stage. The power of Shakespeare is remarkable in the play however. Played Casino & Bezique, but felt the timing hanging heavy on my hands. Hart, who has been a sailor, and a rebel officer, is full of anecdote, and brilliancy, and is, in fact the life of the company. I have fallen into such student ways of life, that I fear I am losing my old power of entertaining a mixed company. But I am resting & sleeping, & this was a part of the object of my journey. 16 Wyoming & Utah Wednesday April 28, 1875. We lay at Rock Springs, wainting for orders, until near noon - when the train moved forward and in a hour we had passed the break, and were in our way -- So night ease in upon us we were entering the Weber Canon, and by the star-light, we saw the high cliff and crags that looked grimly down upon us -- A little after midnight, we arrived at Ogden, where we were detained an house in transferring luggage and passengers to the Central Pacific road - In this shall mountain basin work in wise strange routine, and a stranger set of people - the Mormons - there are inducements for much thought As I r[???] - we were passing Corinne - further west than I have ever been in this line -- Utah & Nevada 17 Thursday April 29, 1875. The I awoke, we were out in "The Great American Desert" -- sweeping along the bank of the Humboldt River. It would be difficult to find a more desolate prospect that that which surrounds us on all sides. Alkali dust whirling in white choking eddies - stunted sage brush and barren sand in the foreground and blue barren mountains in the distance - The little RR. towns along our route are brave symbols of the struggle of man against savage nature -- Late in the afternoon we passed Winnemucca - & heard the story of this old chief & his tribe - Not far from us the Humboldt sinks mysteriously into the sand & is lost -- 18 Nevada & California Friday, April 30, 1875 Awoke early and found we were ascending the slope of the Sierra Nevada, along the bank of the Truckee River. The hills and valleys are thickly wooded but pine, and the clear steam comes rushing down with foam and roar- Passed Truckee - and other bright looking towns - wheeled through miles of snow-sheds, passed Lake Donner with its sadly tragic story - the origin of its name- and at seven a.m. Stepped out for a few moments at summit, the highest point of the road in the Sierra Nevadas. The snow lay deep around us, but the birds were singing in the bright sunshine & pure air. Thence we descended rapidly, and by ten o clock were among the mines when water from the great plumes California 19 was washing down the hills and the workmen were capturing the gold in quicksilver nets- Dutch Flat & Gold Hill were busy places- I saw, at a distance, the water playing through great hose upon the Earth The RR passes over a mass of rich earth between the two camps - A little later we passed Colfax, then Rocklin where are granite quarries and then we were among the roses and the vines. Before noon we passed through Sacramento, and after a delay of half an hour, were passing down the broad and beautiful valley of that river. The farmers were culling their hay (oats & barley) and the country was in its harvest season- After passing to the south of San Francisco we turned northwest & through the gap of the Coast range & reached Oakland a little after dusk- Crossed the ferry & were soon at the Grand Hotel. 20 [Confession] The progress of this book to this point, and it's unfinished condition are another commentary on the frailty of a man's purposes in reference to work - I intended to fill this with notes of travel. But the travels outran the notes My memoranda were chiefly merged in letters to Crete, + finally, my regular diary was filled up - After my return to Washington by the aid of this unfinished book - by letters to Crete and by fugitive memoranda - + direct recollection So on this 25th Oct 1875 I devote the remainder of this little book to Miscellaneous memoranda - + just now to notes on Law Studies. As Cortez Captures the City of Mexico but left its outlying territory untouched + was after [Resolution] 21 wards environed in his on Conquered Capitol - So I have reached a commanding place in the law, but have left behind numerous provincial strongholds unsubdued - and now + then the garrisons come in on my rear + distress me by an assault where I am supposed to be invulnerable I must imitate Cortez - + go over the ground again subduing the whole country before I can be entitled to live regally in the Citadel - Without a figure - I must go to the bottom of many elementary questions of laws, which I have only read in a general way - The substance of these two pages is well illustrated by the work is has just cost me to get what follows in reference to 22 Appeals & Writs of Error Yesterday I found myself in the fog in trying to trace the line which separated there two methods of bringing actions up to the Sup. Ct of the U.S. for review. I need the chapters of Phillips Practice on the subject, and still the light did not come. I then summarized the substance of the records in nine causes in which I had been engaged. But I saw no clear distinction by which each fell into its appropriate place. I then read the revised statutes, bearing upon the subject, but found myself not sufficiently familiar with the technical terms employed to enable me to see the line of separation I then took the Statutes in order, commencing with the Judiciary Act of 1789 and tracing the amendments and additions thereto of different dates. This gave me, a clue to the plan. I went this 23 afternoon to the law library, & read several chapters on the subject, from Conkling's Treatise p 26 I found that all reviews by the Sup. Ct. of decrees + judgements from other counts were by writs of error under the 22nd Sec of the Judiciary Act of 1789 But the Act of March 3, 1803 authorized review by appeal in cases in equity admiralty + maritime jurisdiction and prize and no prize when the matter in dispute was [valued] over $2000 I found also from Abbotts US Practice_ I_2/3 that the appeal is a process of civil law origin and removes a cause entirely, subjecting the matter of fact as well as of law to review and reversal while The writ of error is 24 of common-law origins + emoves nothing for examination but the law. We appeal from a decree in equity- [From] A judgment at law. We get reviewed by means of a Writ of Error- This was the original distinction. Later statutes have not always followed this theoretic Distinction This definition seems to have been drawn 3 Dall 321. Also in the 2nd Vol of Abbott, p 317. An author says: "If the judgment or decree to be reviewed was rendered in a case of Equity, of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, or of prize or no prize, the mode of review is by appeal. In other Civil Actions, It is by writ of Error. No review is given in Criminal Cases. 25 Also Bouvier's Law Dictionary. Decree - in Equity - Judgment - at Law - With these lights I came home this Evening, and looked over the Revised statues again, and find they crystallize into symmetrical focus - I also reexamined the notes I made on the nine cases I have had - and the reason why Each falls into one class rather than the other is perfectly clear. I have also reread Phillips this evening, with satisfaction. Dec 28, 1879 In the [Mahourg?] Co Case now pending, I reviewed this [a?pro??h], + found that by Section 709 Rev. Stat us- this case must cause rep by Writ of Error - though it commenced in [Chanc???]. 26. John Shakleford wants me to write a chapter for his life of Dr L.L. Pinkerton and also furnish him any of the Dr's letters I may have. To do this last intelligently I summarize them here. 1. January 15, 1868. Protesting against a Clan of Bowman + Goodise for a college building burnt by our troops. Severe on Bowman 2. January 24. 1868 Same subject + views of Southern affairs. 3. Aug. 3. 1868. Hiram College & Allem Proposes Independent and bold discussion Somethings to quote. 4. Nov. 24, 1868 Independent. Southern affairs Quote. 27 5. Nov. 5, 1869 Wants pension agency to aid him in fighting rebellion. 6. Feb 13, 1870. Same subject. Good passage. 7. Suggests getting position of J. Anger. Notes on Disciples & their lucks . Also in Repub party. Good personal note. 8. May 2, 1870. Pleasant invitation to go & visit him among the cedars and blue grass. 9. May 11, 1870 Vigorous denunciation of office seeking. 10. June 30, 1870 On state political affairs in Kentucky. 11. July 20, 1870 Inviting me to Ky. 12. Aug 4, 1870 [?] of Ky Election 13. Aug 5, 2870 Reflections on Ky Election. 28 14. Aug 16. 1870 Congratulations on the birth of our Irwin. 15. Nov. 7, 1870 Complains that they give him no work as garner 16. Oct. 10, 1870 Same subject 17. Dec. 8, 1870 On his difficulties in preaching 18. Jnry 14. 1871 Ky Politics & the Gangers office 19. Jnry 20. 1871 Note in Bret Harte's "Tennesse's Philter" hood 20. Nov. 1871 Gangership - & his work among the negroes Thinks public [??] must be brought protection 21. Dec23.1871 Note on Civil Service report. Turnbulls' [??] 29 Dec. 15. 1871 Note on leaving Washington Public Quotation a 23. Feb 23 1872 at work as Ganger 24. June 23, 1872 Acknowledges receipt of Commission as Special Ag of the P.O. A fine assoc to Jim. 25 June 12, 1872 Asks for Special Postal Agency - but not fro Grant 26 Nove, 7 1872 Congratulation on the Presidential Election 27. Dec 23, 1872 Denying that he charged Wadsworth with Drunkeness 28. Feb 3. 1873 Has heard he was to be superseded -- 29 Feb 14, 1873 Cedit Mobilier 30 Sept 18, 1873 Same subject 31. Janry 5, 1874 His views on the Constitution 30 32. Jany 11, 1874 Salaries - 33. Jany 20 1874 Salaries 34. March 4, 1874 Key policies and my reelection 35. March 17, 1874 On my speech on appn's 36. March 18 1874 On my health & proposes to fish 37. Nov. 4, 1874 Reflections on the Republican Defeat of Nov. 38. Dec 11, 1874 On his partial recovery from serious illness 39. Jany 3, 1875 Reviewing his affairs - written by his son & signed by L.L.P. 40. Jany 31, 1875. Letter from S.D.Pinkerton announcing death of his father Jany 30, 1875 31 October 1875? Plaintiff in Error also cites Graff v Mayor & City Council of Baltimore 10 Maryland Re 544- to show that the judgment of confirmation of inquisition decides value of land & nothing more, & party suing out warrant is not bound by inquisition, but can abandon it - [Wait till we want to] The City of Balto. obtained a warrant to Anderson property for city water works - Jury was impanelled, inquisition returned, and confirmed by Court - Graff brought suit to compel city to take it - Court held 1. Judgment of Confirmation decides the value of the land from which there is no appeal directly to this court - and consequently its propriety cannot be inquired into in this collateral way - 554 - see p 40 32 Sixth Presby. Church Nov? 1873? v. Balto & Pat R.R Co. The Atty for the R.R. Co insists that the Warrant was in excess of the Authority of the Act of Congress, & should have been quashed. In support of this view he cites "The Queen v South Wales R.R. Co. 66 Eng. Com. Law Rep 988. In this case the verdict of the Jury showed four distinct items of damage - and around of each - The fourth was ""severance, owing to the crossing and expense incurred thereby £450." For this last injury the Statutes provide a remedy, other than by means of a jury In embracing this fourth Clause, in their verdict, the jury exceeded their jurisdiction -- Rule made absolute for a certiorari- Opinion by Coleridge, J. 33 This does not apply to our case- for the verdict of Jury is regular, and in terms, is in accordance with the Statute -- Counsels objection is to our warrant and the case he cites is a cause not of faulty warrant but of verdict beyond jurisdiction. In re W.C. Penny v. Southeastern R.R. Co. 1857 - 90 Eng. Com. Law Rep. 658 Excess of jurisdiction by a jury will certiorari lies - even when such excess does not appear on the face of the verdict. Such Excess may be shown by Affidavit - In this case Sheriff charged jury to count no cause of damages the fact that Penny's house could be over looked by passengers of trains -- which court said was Error. 34 Court held that injury by vibrations caused by construction trains was ground of damage - but not after road was finished. This is strongest case I have seen against us - But I notice 1. The affidavits were not given by the jury - but by the parties themselves - 2. The Excess of jurisdiction was not a ground not in our case - viz, overlooking premises from trains - 3. The statute under which that suit was brought seems to have contemplated damages mainly resulting from the construction, not from the use of the R.R. 4. Ld Campbell says "If the under-sheriff "has directed the jury to include in their verdict [?] "equity an item which they bought not to have included, "and there is reasonable evidence that they "did so include it, a certiorari ought to issue." p 666 5. Ld Campbell approve the rule that no damage can be claimed where no action would have lain before the enabling act for RR. 35 Also Caledonian R.R.Co. v Ogilvy House of Lords Cases 2 McQueens 229 1856 Jury rendered verdict For land taken £360 For Severance & Level Crossing 560 Ld Chancellor decided that the fact that the R.R. crossed on the [back?] - a public highway was not a ground of damage to Deft. and as this portion of the verdict could not be separated from the severance damages, the cause must be remitted. Court held that this ground of damages was common to all citizens. The crossing was 150 to 180 feet from Deft's gate. Rule laid down by Ld Chancellor that no damages can be claimed for any act which is done by Co. without the authority of Parliament, would not have entitled him to bring an action against them. 36 The case relied on by Pltff in Error, as an interpretation of the law governing inquisition in Md. & this case is The Tidewater Canal v Archer 9 Gill & Johnson 479 1839 This was the opinion of the Harford County Court, and seems to have been final. The court say it has been their usual course to simply affirm or set aside the inquisition as in the Exercise of a sound discretion secured seemed best to them p 482 But here they give an elaborate opinion - 1. Holds that the jury to be held to the rule of a common law jury but may be reviewed both as the law & facts - & may be examined as to the grounds of their verdict - 487-9 - & 492. 2. Partiality or prejudice or corruption would be good cause for interposition of court 493-4 37 3. This is an application of our discretion, and must be treated according to the settled practice of the courts - p 494 4. Objection here, that some of the jury were akin to owner of land comes too late - should have been made to Sheriff - 499 5. Objection that jury did not consider advantages of canal to Archer - Court say evidence offered on trial does not invalidate the declaration of the Sheriff, made upon his official responsibility and oath, and the assertion in the same solemn manner , of all the jurymen, in the inquisition which says that they did consider the benefits - 506, 6. Form of oath sufficient if it is substantially complied with - Omission of the word "Faithfully" not fatal - p 508-9 See also 5 Har & Johns 132 & [?] 189. 7. The claim of a right to new evidence and a trial de novo, as if no 38 inquisition had been had, arose from Statute of 1837, which was repealed at the time of this trial. The court granted that Co. had this right under Act of 1837 - 515 8. No sufficient description of the property. As it could not be made sufficiently certain, court held this objection good 519 9. Jury not compelled to go by weight of evidence aliunde, but may be governed mainly by their view - 521-3 10. Rule of Damages is a question of law, to be furnished by the courts, & applied by the Jury - If jury had adopted a false rule, court should not confirm inquisition 11. Value must 536-7 be as of the day of taking - 528-9 12. Jury did not follow true rule of damages - 530-1 39 Remarks 1 The County Court of Harford was to exercise its discretion & in doing so, it set aside. The Sup Ct. of D.C. had the same discretion & after additional evidence and full hearing confirmed our inquisition. 2. This case shows that Pltffs objection to the form of oath is not good. See p 31 ante 40 2. The city was not bound by the mere inquisition and judgment thereon, but could rightfully abandon the location in question 3. City may be liable to [?] in another form. Remarks 1. The use Plaintiff makes of this case is idle. We are not suing for land taken, but for damage done to our own. The statute of 1872 describes our remedy, & uses the [?] Statutes as the machinery by which we reach it. 2. This case shows that the confirmation of our inquisition by Supt Ct of D.C was final and no appeal can be had to the Sup Ct of US. The statute construed is substantially the same as the one in 9 Gill & Johns 4.79. 41 Plaintiff also cites Balto & Susq. RR. Co. v Nesbitt 10 Howard 395, to show that Sup Ct. D.C erred in awarding execution, upon confirmation of the award. In 1836 there was an inquisition by a jury, condemning certain lands, which was confirmed by Balto County Court. In 1841 Md legislature passed an act directing the County Court to set aside the inquisition & order a new one. The R.R. claimed this was a violation of the Const U.S. about obligation of contracts. Hence cause came up on writ of error to Sup. Ct. U.S. The court held 1. that the court of Balto County is admitted to the highest in the state in which a [?] upon this matter could be had, there being no appeal from its judgment 398 42 2. The law of 1841 was not violation of a contract. It was the only way of granting a new trial. 3. The confirmation did not vest a title to the land, but the tender of the amount was necessary. Remarks - 1 This is specially valuable to us to show by analogy that the action of the Sup Ct D.C. was final in our Case. After that it would require new legislation to Entitle these to a new trial. 2. This case & the last shows that the U.S. is not bound to take the Boston P.O. lot. [aside] 43 Plantiff also cites [2 Green] Bennett v Camden & Woodbury R.R. Co 2 Green N.J. 145 - By the act N.J. Feb 4, 1830. The co. must file particular description of lands &c to be taken [?] one of the Justices of the Sup. Ct. who shall cause the Co to give proper notices of time & place when three commissioners to be appointed by judge to examine and appraise the land &c. under oath and file report in County Clerk's office - Sup Court. may "upon good cause shown" set the same aside & have the cause tried before a jury. Bennet moved to set aside report of commissioner, in 1833, Hornblower C.J. held 1. There was insufficient notice 2. That substantial justice had not been done. Ford J. held 1. That objections to proceedings could not be heard in motion to 44 set aside report, but could only be reached by certiorari - 2. That motion must rest wholly evidence showing inadequacy of compensation - 3. In this case compensation was insufficient & report must be set a side & trial by jury had - Remarks - 1. The statute in this case is peculiar - Commissioners first -a jury finally 2. The Sup. Ct. of N.J. stands in same relation to the case as Sup. Ct. D.C. to this - 3. The cause was determined on two grounds, not made in this case - viz. insufficient notice & insufficient verdict - 45 Nov 1875 Case for 6th St. Pres Ch. 1. Words "along the route" - construed - Pratt v Atlantic & St. Lawrence R.R.Co. 42 Maine 579 Statute March 7, 1842 Rev. St- 587 provides that when any injury is done to a building or other property by fire communicated by a locomotive engine of the Co - said Co shall be responsible in damages to any insurable property "along its route" - Court held that growing timber 300 ft from track, being burned by fire from eng. came within the law - 2. If injury is done to property not situated on the land taken for road, damages are to be assessed under the same authority by which they determine the more direct 46 injury - See Dodge v Co Com of Essex 3 [Mele] 380. Maran v K & P. RR co? 215 3 Finality of decision of County Court and jury's verdict Walker v Boston & Maine RR 3 Cushing 1 - In this case the statute allowed an appeal from decision of County Court to Sup Ct of Mass. Court held Shaw CJ 1. The foundation of Co. Commissioners are rather administrative than judicial. They are rather public agents and administrators than judges - 14 2. The only record before the Com Pleas Court is the warrant return of the Sheriff & the verdict of the jury 15 3. The power of the Co. Court over such a verdict is much [broader] larger than the power of this court on an appeal - we are merely to [?] their judgment in order to ascertain if there is any error on the record. The decisions of the Co. Ct. open questions of the fact arising in the acceptance or rejecting of a jury's verdict are final, & cannot be reexamined in this court of appeal. The verdict was set aside because the role adopted by the sheriff describing the lands was defective - 4. Duty of sheriff as quasi Judge Commonwealth v Boston and Maine R. R. 3 Cush. 25 Ch. J. Shaw held That in trial before a sheriff's jury to assess damages for land taken for R. R. the sheriff cannot be called upon to instruct jury as to weight effect or sufficiency of evidence. 48 5. To the same effect as Nos 3 & 4, see also Fitchburg RR. Co. v Boston and Maine RR. 3 Cush 58 6. On improper items in a verdict. Parker v Boston & Maine RR 3 Cushing 107 Shaw CJ held Where, in a petition for damages occasioned by the taking of land for R.R. several causes of damage are alleged, and a general verdict is returned, if one or more of each cause be not proper subject of damage, it is not to be presumed, in the absence of any instruction of the sheriff relative to the same, that the jury gave any damages therefor. 49. 7. The unlawful use of highways. The use of the highway by any person, for any purpose other than to pass or repass, is a trespass upon the person who owns the fee of the road. Kelsey v King 33 Howards Practice Reports 39. See specially pp 44-47; 1 Nat Reps 16; 1 Cowan 238; 15 Johnson 447; 11 Barbour 390. The use of a highway for a RR. does not preclude the owner of the fee, subject to the public easement, from mainlining an action for damages against a R.R. Co. which occupies each highway with the track of its road. 16 Barbour 97; 33 How. P. Rep 39. Last clause of pp 512 should be quoted for us. 50 Washington Jany 2/77 I have just completed the preparation of my brief in Rice v Coff & Co. No 96, present term of the Supreme Court. I has involved a pretty full examination of the law relating to Exceptions to rulings of the Court in reference to evidence, and also to instructions to the jury. I refer to the brief itself for valuable notes on the general subject. I make this memorandum chiefly to note some points in reference to the Practice in the Supreme Court. 1. If the Plaintiff in Error does not file a brief as required by the rules, it is not safe to dismiss the writ of Error unless the judgment is two years old, for a new appeal may be taken. 2. Where [the judgment is] the court below did not specially award interest on the judgment until paid, it is not safe for Deft in Error to move to dismiss unless it is clear that the Statutes of the state in which judgment was rendered provides for interest. 3. The Court will not award damages for delay, except when, in affirmance of the judgment, it finds that there was clearly nothing but delay sought by Plaintiff in Error. [Found in Diary #15–1875] Dr. Pinkerton 1. Mental character 2. Has [a] peculiar grasp of a subject & clear strong views. 2. [?] 3. Intellectual tastes II Religious & Political opinions 1. Broad. Liberal. Reverence for God Love of Christ. Hatred of sin & cowardice 2. Politics = Religion & honor III. Social [?] [?] Sympathic. Intent [?] [?] [?] The Judiciary Act of 1789, makes no mention of the "bill of exceptions"- That comes from the common law practice. I.B.136. How a bill of exceptions must be signed. I.B.140. When exceptions must be taken. I.B.142. III When facts are found especially by the Court in a case submitted to his decision under the Act of March 3d 1865, authorizing parties to waive a jury trial, these facts as fully before the Court, as if presented in the form of a special verdict. In such a case no bill of exceptions is needed. I.B. 144. See, also, Wallace 423-20 especially page 428. Series 1 Volume 16 1876 January to 1876 December [*Vol. 16*] The STANDARD Diary CAPRICORN. AQUARIUS. PISCES. ARIES. TAURUS. GEMINI. CANCER. LEO. VIRGO. LIBRA. SCORPIO. SAGITTARIUS. 1876 TRADE MARK. PUBLISHED ANNUALLY FOR THE TRADE. 1876. Counting-House Almanac for 1876. Sund. Mond. Tues. Wedn. Thurs. Frid. Satur. Sund. Mond. Tues Wedn. Thurs. Frid. Satur. JANUARY.......................................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JULY...........................................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 FEBRUARY..............1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 AUGUST...............1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MARCH.......................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER..............................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 APRIL........................................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER........................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MAY............1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NOVEMBER...................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JUNE..............................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 DECEMBER...............................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 RATES OF POSTAGE. POSTAL CARDS, costing 1 cent each, on which short communications may be written, can be purchased at any Post Office and sent to any part of the UNITED STATES OR DOMINION OF CANADA. LETTERS TO ANY PART OF THE UNITED STATES OR DOMINION OF CANADA, 3 cents for each 1-2 ounce, or part thereof. DROP LETTERS, 2 cents for each 1-2 ounce, at all letter-carrier offices ; at other offices, 1 cent. VALUABLE LETTERS may be registered on application at the office of mailing, and the payment of a registration fee of 8 cents on domestic letters. Fees on foreign letters variable. TRANSIENT NEWSPAPERS, Periodicals, Pamphlets, Proof Sheets, Books, Book Manuscripts, Blanks, Circulars, Engravings, Articles of Merchandise, Seeds, Cuttings, Bulbs, Roots, and other mailable matter, 1 cent for each 2 ounces or part thereof, Newspaper, Magazine, and Music Manuscripts are subject to letter postage. NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS, mailed from a known office of publication or news agency, and addressed to regular subscribers or news agents, issued weekly and oftener, two cents a pound and fraction thereof ; less frequently, three cents a pound and fraction thereof, One copy of a newspaper to each actual subscriber residing within the County where the same is wholly or partly printed and published, FREE, except at letter carrier offices. ALL PACKAGES of mail matter not charged with the letter postage must be so arranged that the same can be CONVENIENTLY examined by Postmasters ; if not, letter postage will be delayed. NO PACKAGE will be forwarded by mail which weighs over 4 pounds. ALL POSTAL MATTER, for delivery within the United States and Dominion of Canada, must be PREPAID by stamps. LETTERS TO GREAT BRITAIN OR IRELAND, 6 cents for each 1-2 ounce, Prepayment optional, but subject to a fine of 6 cents in addition to postage, if wholly or partly unpaid. LETTERS TO FRANCE, 9 cents for each 1-2 ounce. Prepayment optional. LETTERS TO GERMANY, direct, 6 cents ; by closed mail, via England, 7 cents for each 1-2 ounce. Prepayment optional. Double rates if unpaid. POSTAL CARDS may be sent to Germany and Switzerland by adding a 1-cent postage stamp. LETTERS TO OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES vary in rate according to the route by which they are sent, and the proper information can be obtained of any Postmaster in the United States. MONEY ORDERS. MONEY ORDER POST OFFICES are established in most of the large cities and towns, at which orders can be obtained upon any other office, at the following rates of commission : On order not exceeding $10 . . . . 5 cents. Over $10 not exceeding $20 . . . . 10 cents. Over $20 not exceeding $30 . . . . 15 cents. Over $30 not exceeding $40 . . . . 20 cents. Over $40 not exceeding $50 . . . . 25 cents. No single order issued for more than fifty dollars. Parties desiring to remit a larger sum must obtain additional money orders. INTEREST TABLE. SEVEN PER CENT. [13 columned table] Time $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 $100 $1000 1 DAY. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 19 2 DAY. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 39 3 DAY. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 58 4 DAY. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 8 78 5 DAY. 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 10 97 6 DAY. 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 117 7 DAY. 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 14 136 8 DAY. 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 16 156 9 DAY. 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 18 175 10 DAY. 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 19 194 11 DAY. 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 21 214 12 DAY. 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 23 233 13 DAY. 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 25 253 14 DAY. 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 27 272 15 DAY. 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 29 292 16 DAY. 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 31 311 17 DAY. 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 33 331 18 DAY. 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 35 350 19 DAY. 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 37 369 20 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 39 389 21 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 41 408 22 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 43 428 23 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 45 447 24 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 47 467 25 DAY. 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 49 486 26 DAY. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 51 506 27 DAY. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 53 525 28 DAY. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 54 544 29 DAY. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 56 564 1 MON. 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 58 583 2 MON. 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 117 1167 3 MON. 2 4 5 7 9 11 12 14 16 18 175 1750 4 MON. 2 5 7 9 12 14 16 19 21 23 233 2333 5 MON. 3 6 9 12 15 18 20 23 26 29 292 2917 6 MON. 4 7 11 14 18 21 25 28 32 35 350 3500 7 MON. 4 8 12 16 20 25 29 33 37 41 408 4083 8 MON. 5 9 14 19 23 28 33 37 42 47 467 4667 9 MON. 5 11 16 21 26 32 37 42 47 53 525 5250 10 MON. 6 12 18 23 29 35 41 47 53 58 583 5833 11 MON. 6 13 19 26 32 39 45 51 58 64 642 6417 1 YEAR. 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 700 7000 SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1876 The New Year came in frowning with the usual bad weather. Took Harry, Jimmie [?] and Captain Henry to the President's Reception. While we were in the East Room some one jokingly remarked to the General Myer that they would give him no appropriation this Winter if he did not [?] give us better weather for New Years. He pulled out his watch and remark [?] he wanted us toward [?] 15 minutes. In 12 minutes from that Time The Rum shone our deamand [?] bright. This was a handsome triumph [?] for "Old Probabilities" and showed the advance which science had made at the beginning of our Second Century. Spent [?] the day in calling. Made about 65 calls. Grete [?] received her friends during the day assisted by Miss Ramsomd. About 100 people called. Capt. Henry went to Baltimore but returned in the evening and spent most of the evening on the Montana Case. SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1876. Attended church in company with Crete, Capt Henry, and Irvin. The Preacher was absent and we listened to a screed on the Sects by Mr Mobley. I am utterly wearied of this everlasting attack on other churches that has long disgraced our people and is productive of no good. After dinner read to the children Audubon's account of the woodchuck. At seven Capt Henry left us for Ohio. Worked on the Montana Case for a little while and then took a tan bath and Crete read Brete Harte's Story of John Oakhurst". MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1876. Worked on the Montana Case until 10 oclock when I went with Messrs Monroe, Riddle and Dudley to the President's to recommend the appointment of John M. Langston-colored-to a territorial judgeship in New Mexico. We had a pleasant interview with the President and I think made some impression on him in [faf] favor of the appointment. We then called on the Attorney General and had a conversation with him on the same subject. Returned home and at 11 o'clock Mr Daniels came and drove me to the Capitol where I filed my argument in the 20 percent Cases. Spent an hour or two in the Law Library working on the Montana Case. Returned home about two oclock and dictated a large number of letters. In the evening Rockwell and Riddle called. The former did not leave me until near 11 o'clock worked on the Montana case until after one I find Mr Merrick of this City is to argue the other side. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1876. Worked on Montana Brief until 11 oclock when I called the Departments on business and thence went to the Come on Ways and Means. At twelve oclock we agreed upon the resolutions distributing the Presidents message and then had some conversation in regard to a Clerk. The Chairman proposed the appointment of a Mr. Hambleton of Ga., late a Surgeon in the Rebel army whereupon John Hancock of Texas objected to Mr Hambleton as a lobbyist and should not be appointed Clerk of of the Come: This produced some sensation. Mr Bassett's relation to the Committee was discussed whereupon the Chairman mentioned confidentially to the Committee that Adams of the World had informed him that he Adams had bought notes of the proceedings and paid for [it] them, in reference to the doings of the Come Ways and Means, from Bassett Mr Tucker of Va, thereupon remarked that a witness who thus disgraced himself was hardly a reliable one. I was surprised at such a statement from [Aad] Adams, for I had supposed *WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1876. an honorable correspondent. Burchard testified to the good character of Bassett and gave a full history of the charges made against him by Colgate during the last Congress. The Chairman then said that he should not employ Hamilton after what Hancock said, nor should he continue Bassett. On my return home I dictated a large number of letters and worked the rest of the evening on the Montana Brief. *Worked on the Montana Brief until 11 o'clock, when I called at the Interior Department on business and thence went to the House. The day was spent in the introduction of bills and resolutions. A large number of investigations were authorized new con. We do not resist these efforts and it is manifest that the Democrats are cumbering themselves with a large number of special Committees, which they will find troublesome impediments in the way of legislation before the Session is over. I saw Mr. Merrick of the Washington Bar, who informed me that he was retained to argue the *THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876. Montana Case on the other side. I promised him my brief on Friday Morning. On my return home worked until a late hour in the Evening on my brief. I am very well satisfied with the argument as I have presented it, and if the case comes to argument I feel confident of winning it. *Finished the brief and took it to the Printer. Called on Mr Merrick and delivered some law books which I had promised to let him have. He says the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction of the case and he shall move to dismiss it on the ground that it does not come within the law that limits appeals in such cases to controversies in which there is more than $1000 involved. I very much fear he is correct in this though I have not had time to investigate that point. The hurried examination I made of it in the House confirms somewhat his view of it. If this is so then the Montana lawyers have blundered in the preparation of the case and *FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1876. it may be thrown out for want of jurisdiction. This will be provoking after all the labor I have expended. At four o'clock the proof sheets came to me at the House. After dinner I completed the revision and sent it back to the printer, but they had closed. Worked on correspondence in the evening and began the work of cleaning up my desk for the next case. *Called on Judge Black at the Ebbitt House in regard to our claim against Hunter. At 11 attended the first meeting of the Come on Pacific Railroad. Thence went to the Come on Ways and Means where we had a session of over two hours. Further discussion about employing Hambleton as Clerk, he having abandoned the prosecution of his claims before Congress. He will probably be appointed. Worked an hour or two in the Law Library on the question of appeals from the Territorial courts. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876. Worked on the question of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in the Montana Case until 11 oclock when the Come on Ways and Means assembled at the White House and called on the President. We went thence to the Secy of the Treasury and had a pleasant call of half an hour. Worked on brief until two oclock then went calling with Crete and Miss Ransom. We drove to Mount Pleasant and called on the Browns. Went thence to the Columbia Hospital and Mr Mullet's and then called at the Executive Mansion and attended Mrs Grant's Reception. I have not been present at one of these receptions before for several years. A very large and pleasant company assembled. In the evening I dictated a large number of letters and continued on the Montana Case. SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1876. While at breakfast this morning I received a telegram from Judge Lewis telling me that in Callaway's answer in the court below he alleged that the damage to the Government by the issue of the mandate would amount to three thousand dollars. In coming upstairs I found this correct. So that I examined carefully the Callaway answer I would have saved myself myself myself much of the worry I have had. If Mr Merrick makes the point I think I shall be able to answer him satisfactorily. Attended Church at 11 and heard a sermon from Mr Power. In the afternoon read half of the Merchant of Venice to the children. In the Evening took a tan bath. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1876 Worked on correspondence in the morning and at 12 went to the Capitol Mr. Randall introduced his Amnesty Bill and demanded the previous question so as to cut off all debate. As Blaine desired to make a speech and offer some amend'ts we resisted the previous question but were of course beaten. Randall then arose and claimed the floor for an hour. I made the point of order that he had no right to it as the bill was not the report of a Committee The speaker sustained the point and Randall was ruled out The bill then failed on the final vote of getting a two-thirds majority. When Blaine moved to reconsider the vote and made a strong speech against amnesty to Jefferson Davis. He was followed by Cox in a witty speech but not an answer. Kelley then followed in favor of general amnesty and the Centennial Celebration Appropriation which has greatly decreased the chances of the latter. Hill of George got the floor and the House adjourned. The debate of today will raise a storm of criticism on both sides, *Tuesday, January 11. 1876 but I think we shall make more out of it than the other side will. In the evening dictated a large number of letters. In the evening, told the children the story of Middle Creek fight, which occurred 14 years ago today. *Went to the Come on Ways and Means at half past ten and attended its session until 12. Not much business was done for there was a slim attendance of the members of the Committee. The question of paying cotton claims came up and disclosed a strong purpose on the part of some members of the Committee to revive the claims rejected by the Secy of the Treasury. In the House Hill of Georgia got the floor and made a very able and adroit speech. Toward the close he became very bitter and attacked the Republicans party as being the party of constitution breakers and violators of the law. I got the floor to reply to him but a resolution of the Senate in regard to the death of Andrew Johnson stopped the debate for the day. There is a great deal of party feeling prevailing in the House on both sides. As an original question I do not much sympathize with a part of Mr Blaines bill, but we must now fight the matter not WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1876. Worked up the facts which connect the atrocities of Andersonville with Jeff. Davis, and went to the House at twelve. A number of telegrams came to me, making suggestions on the debate. The call of the states for bills on leave occupied an hour and a half, & this gave me time to work in my new facts and to recast the plan of my speech. There was so much passion in the House that I determined first of all to keep my temper and not allow myself to be diverted from my purpose, to wit; first, to deal with the utmost kindness towards our antagonists and second, with the utmost firmness asserting the truth of our history against the calumnies of Mr. Hill. I commenced my speech at two o'clock and continued for an hour and forty-five minutes my time being extended on a motion from the other side. Considering the short time I had to prepare it, I believe the speech was one of the most successful I have ever delivered. Certainly its effect seemed to be more marked than any. Rose came in the evening and we worked until two hours after midnight in writing in the quotations from documents. Retired at two pretty thoroughly jaded. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1876. My speech appears this morning in the Record in very good shape with fewer mistakes than usual occur in so long a speech. Attended the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means at half past ten. In the House the Democracy undertook to cut off debate, but Blaine got in a speech full of strong and brilliant points, but he failed in maintaining the equanimity of his temper and I think lost something by being aggressively personal. Still it was one of the most brilliant and powerful efforts I have ever heard him make. Several members spoke in reply but did not break the force of the positions Blaine and I have taken. On the whole the debate has done great good in arousing the people to real spirit of the South, and I doubt if any speech I have ever delivered has been so widely and so strongly praised. [*This should be Jan 19, 1876*] I should have added in yesterday's journal that at 12 o'clock I argued the Montana Case against Merrick of this City. I did not satisfy myself as well as usually although I think I presented the case very clearly. I fear it will be thrown out of court for want of jurisdiction. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1876 After the morning hour the vote was taken on the Amnesty Bill, but the Democracy failed to secure a majority of two thirds, whereupon Blaine moved to reconsider and read a startling letter from Governor Holden and made a few sharpe points upon it. He then proposed his bill for which we have all been long contending, namely, Amnesty for everyone excepting Jefferson Davis on taking an oath of allegiance in a United States Court. He asked in com. to offer this; it was three times refused. He then withdrew his motion to reconsider and the bill was dead. The Democrats did not see the effect of his motion for sometime. I have never seen a more brilliant parliamentary victory than that which Blaine[one] won. We immediately called a meeting of the [collor] colored Republicans and a few others who were anxious to vote on the subject to have them stand by us on a motion to reconsider. This they promised SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1876 Spent several hours at the Department bringing up neglected and partly in securing a place for Warren Young. I am really too much jaded with work and in the evening rested and received visitors. Letters and papers are pouring in from all parts of the county speaking in the highest terms of our weeks work. I have [never] not seen the country so much roused in a long time. Sunday January 16-1876 Went to church at 12 with Mother Crete and the two children. In the afternoon read the Merchant of Venice to the children. At four in the afternoon Blaine called and asked me to take a walk with him. We had a long talk over the results of the amnesty debate and laid some plans for future management of the case. I promised to see the President this evening and contradict the story the story that Grant is in favor of universal amnesty. At half past five called on the President and had a long talk with him. He thanked me very cordially for my speech and said [he] it had done the country SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1876 much good. He then fell into a long and interesting talk on Sherman's Memoirs, telling me that he had read it more thoroughly than any book he had read since he had been in public office and had taken a pencil and paper for the purpose of making notes and criticisms, but when he had finished it there was really nothing to dispute. The book was singularly free from malice or any purpose to do injustice. Sherman had however been indiscreet in a few things. The President mentioned four of the five points and showed an unusual amount of keen comprehension of the bearing of statements. On the whole my opinion of the President was heightened by this evening interview. At nine o'clock in the evening called at Blaines and met a number of republicans who were troubled about the amnesty questions and gave them the President's views on the subject. We also agreed that some of them should offer Blaine's proposition for amnesty with an opportunity to vote on an amendment to strike out the clause excluding Jeff Davis - White of Ky. presented it. MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1876 An unusually large number of letters are pouring in upon me in reference to my speech on Amnesty. The Republican Committee have ordered it stenotyped and will strike off an edition of 50,000 at once. I have read the proofs and have made a few minor corrections and it will be stenotyped today. After the morning hour White succeeded in getting in his motion to suspend the rules. This put the Democracy in a very uncomfortable position. About seventy of them voted with us but the rest resisted and were able to prevent the suspension of the rules. We can stand this if they can. They are now in the attitude of resisting amnesty unless Jeff Davis can be in it. In the evening went to the Senate to attend the Republican Caucus, but found it had been postponed. Visited a little while with Ross and Foster and F street. Tuesday, January 18, 1876. Met with the Come on Ways and Means at half past ten, and dawdled through two hours and a half accomplished nothing. There seems to be little push in the management of the Committee. After the morning hour the House went into Come of the Whole on the Centennial and I felt so much oppressed with my cold that after transacting a little business at the book store and the Chronicle office, I took a Russian Bath and came home. In the evening dictated a large number of letters read the papers and loafed. Wednesday, January 19, 1876 Went to the Departments and on my way to the Capitol, at the request of Mr Brady stopped and sat for a picture. After the morning hour the Centennial bill was again taken up. John Randolph Tucker of Va. made a long and rather eloquent speech against the Centennial business, he opposed it mainly on the ground of its being unconstitutional. He went into the general question of the construction of the Constitution taking the extremist states rights view. Really it is a much worse speech than that of Hills for in it he reasserted all the secession doctrine. If the people could understand that these men come back to us with this old heresy in all its strength they would have good ground to be alarmed more than for the fiery ebulitions of Hill. Argued my Montana Case today which by mistake was reported as of Wednesday January 13, 1876. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1876. Am not feeling well today. The depression and sense of fullness which I have felt lately was enhanced by my argument in the Supreme Court yesterday and I feel very heavy and dull Worked on correspondence in the morning and at half past ten o'clock attended the Come on Ways and Means. We are still dawdling away our time with the little odds and ends of private bills and have done absolutely nothing in regard to taxation or specie payments. The subject has not even been informally discussed in the committee. In the House the day was spent on the appropriation for the Centennial. A large number of speeches have been made for and against it and the vote will manifestly be close. The Democratic Party will be against it but a strong majority of our party will be for it. In the Evening at half past six o'clock dined at Fernando Woods at the corner of 15th and I streets with a large party all the members of the Ways and Means Committee of the House except Blaine were present. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1876. Spent most of the morning in reading the mails which have been unusually large since my speech. On my way to the Capitol stopped at Brady's and sat for a picture. Went to the Come on Ways and Means and heard the Brewers Association in favor of some modification in the internal revenue law. In the House after the morning debate on the Centennial Bill was resumed. I remained until about half past three o'clock and not feeling well came home. George H. Ford of Burton took dinner with us and had a pleasant visit. At half past six oclock Crete and I went to the Lunatic Asylum and attended the private theatrical given for the amusement of the patients. A very pleasant party of ladies and gents from the City were there. Senators Hamlin Sargent and Windom, Representatives Randall and myself and a considerable number of ladies reached home at eleven oclock. SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1876 At nine o'clock Judge Wright called and took me to Bell's Gallery on the avenue to sit for a picture. He wants my picture in his house because I aided him in resisting Delano's oppression. Took Abram with me, On my return at 11 o'clock took Crete and mother, Mollie and Irvin to the Navy Yard where we visited Commander Marvin's ship Alert. Spent an hour very pleasantly. Went to the Capitol where the debate on the Centennial bill was drawing its slow length along. Staid an an hour or two then went to the Interior Department and tried to secure a place for J.C. Brainerd. At half past seven o'clock went to Secretary Belknap's where a pleasant party, with a considerable sprinkling of rebels among them, was assembled. Blackburn a member of Congress from Kentucky and his wife, a lady the widow of the late Governor Bramlette of Kentucky. Besides these Hale of Maine, Bass and wife of Buffalo At ten o'clock we went to the Reception of the Spanish Minister Señor Mantillo corner of K and 13th St. There was a great crowd large number and little sense. Retired a little before midnight after finishing the third installment of Gabriel Conroy in Scribners. SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1876. Attended church and listened to a sermon of Mr. Power. While there learned that the Philosophical Society, so called, which invited me to address them this afternoon is an atheistical or spiritualist society. I wrote a letter to Professor Brainerd withdrawing my consent to make an address. Later in the evening Henry Spencer called and told me that it raised quit a breeze in the Society in consequence of my refusal to be present At half past three Crete and I called on John Q. Smith and wife and had a pleasant visit. George H. Ford of Burton took tea with us. After he had gone I commenced reading "Measure for Measure to the children. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning and at eleven o'clock called on the Secy of the Treasury and also on the Secretary of the Interior, showed the latter a communication from a soldier at Corrine Utah, showing [?] the Receiver of the Land Office at Salt Lake was a rebel who served against me at the Battle of Middle Creek. Went thence to the Supreme Court and listened to some of the opinions. Some of my cases were reached. In the House the usual Monday miscellany. Nothing accomplished worth while. In the evening a great many people called and I was occupied with visitors until after ten o'clock. Read Mark Twain's article in the Atlantic Monthly entitled "A Literary Nightmare"=a very clever story. Callers and miscellaneous work have taken my whole day and I have accomplished no solid work. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876. Called at the Departments in the morning and went to the Come on Ways and Means at 11 o'clock. The Come is still tinkering away on odds and ends and doing nothing on the general subject of finances. In the House after the morning hour debate was resumed on the Centennial Bill and lasted till near the close of the session. The note was taken about half-past 4 o'clock and the bill was passed by 16 majority. Four fifths of the Republicans voted for the bill and only 55 democrats. In the evening dined at Secy Bristow's in company with the Come on Ways and Means, a pleasant party. Wednesday, January 26, 1876. Called on the Secy of the Treasury on business and went thence to the Capitol and attended the meeting of the Come on [Ways and Means] Pacific Railroad, where we heard Col Thomas A. Scott and C.P. Huntington. They are men of great ability and represent hostile interests. After the hearing of an hour and a half, the Committee adjourned to continue the discussion next week. In the House a bill was reported to repeal the legislation of last winter in regard to the postage on third class matter. I spoke a short time in vindication of the action of my Come at the last session. After the morning hour the House went into Come of the Whole on the Military Academy Appn Bill. Hale of Maine made a very valuable speech analysing the expenditures of the year on the same plan I had adopted three years ago. Hurlbut of Ills made a sharp and incisive speech against the narrow and mean economy of the bill. In the evening at six o'clock dined at the Arlington with three of my classmates, Knox, Rockwell and Gilfillan and Archie Hopkins Clerk of the Court. After dinner we attended the Opera and heard Clara Louise Kellogg in Faust. Thursday, January 27, 1876 In the morning called on the President and showed him a letter together with a pencilled memoranda in Kirk's On the Border which exhibited the fact that O.A. Patton, late Lieut Colonel in the Rebel Army and still a rebel in sentiment is the Register of the Land Office at Salt Lake City. Went thence to the Capitol and attended the Come of Ways and Means - not much was accomplished. In the House the day was spent in the usual way - nothing of value was done. I spoke against the two large jurisdictions covered by the bill to prevent the carrying of obscene literature in the mails. I also went to the Supreme Court and heard the conclusion of the argument of Judge Black in the Gaines Case. His client Mrs Gaines sat behind him within the bar and listened to his argument spent the evening at home. Dictated a large number of letters. Gilfillan called. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1876. After reading my mail, commenced work on my Harriet Hoffman case in the Supreme Court and continued at it for about two hours. Called on the Sec'y of the Interior in reference to the appointment of Mr. Daniel L. Dudley for some position. In the House the debate proceeded on the Military Academy bill and a good deal of bad feeling was developed. Poor Starkweather of Connecticut died today and at three o'clock the House adjourned. I was appointed as a member of the Committee to attend his funeral. After the adjournment I went to the Treasury Department on business. John Q. Smith and wife took dinner with us. In the evening met with a Sub Committee of the Come on Pacific Railroad at the Ebbitt House. Dictated letters and made preparations to leave for Connecticut in the morning. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1876. Took breakfast at half past seven and at eight o'clock went to Williards where I met the Committee appointed to attend the funeral of Mr. Starkweather. After prayer in his room at the Hotel we proceeded to the Sixth Street Depot and at half past nine started by the limited express for New York. The Committee consisted of Messrs Barnum, Phelps and Landers of Conn, Wheeler of N.Y. Stevenson of Ill and Ashe of N. Car Hoar of Massachusetts and myself. Mrs. Starkweather and two lady friends with a number of gents from Conn. were also on the train. Reached N.Y. at four o'clock and at five took the Director's car on the New Haven road and arrived at Norwich Conn at ten P.M. Stopped at the Wauregan House over night. SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1876. Accepted Mr Hoar's invitation to go home with him to Worcester, in company with Mr Wheeler of N.Y. At ten oclock a special train took us from Norwich at one quarter before twelve we were at Worcester. Mr Hoar has a delightful home and I do not wonder he dislikes to continue in Congress. After dinner he drove us through the City and pointed out many places of interest. Among others the house in which George Bancroft was born and the house where General Lincoln of revolutionary fame lived. At the conclusion of our ride I drove to see J. M. Atwater but found he was absent in Ohio. Spent several hours of the afternoon and evening in Mr Hoar's library - a fine room and a valuable collection of books. In the evening several gentlemen called and some of them took tea with us. MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1876. Spent sometime in the morning looking over Mr Hoar's library. Among other things, he showed me a passage in line 102 of Virgils Moretum, in which occurs these words "color est e pluribus unus" - probably the origin of our national motto. The republic is a salad where many qualities and colors are united in one. At ten oclock we took the train for Norwich and arrived in time for dinner. Attended the funeral of Mr Starkweather at two. Listened to a very beautiful sermon by his Pastor at the Baptist church. After the funeral called on Mrs Akin daughter of the late Governor Buckingham. Then called at Mrs Starkweather's and inquired after her health and at five took the train for New York, where we arrived at eleven. Stopped at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1876. Took the train at nine a.m. and arrived at Washington at four p.m. Found about seventy letters and a vast mass of papers awaiting me. I am suffering dreadfully from a cold in the head which makes me nearly sick. Found a telegram from Brother Joseph stating that mother would arrived here tomorrow morning. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1876. Mother Rudolph came at nine and Major Swaim of Leavenworth arrived on the same train. At half past ten I attended a meeting of the Pacific RR. Come where we heard speeches from several gentlemen connected with this interest. In the evening Crete and Major Swaim and I dined at Col Rockwell's with his family and General and Mrs. Card. We had a very pleasant evening. Returned home a little after eleven o'clock. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1876. Met with the Com on Ways and Means at half past ten where as usual little business was done. In the House the Consular and Diplomatic Bill came up for debate. The Com on Appns have attempted to reduce the appropriations about $350,000 and in so doing have struck blindly and ignorantly at an important and economical service. The Secy of State sent for me this morning and requested me to make a speech on the subject, pointing out the absurdities of the bill, which I have agreed to do, although I prefer to keep silent for a while in accordance with my own views of policy and also in accordance with a good letter I received today from Dr Hopkins speaking in the kindest terms of my Amnesty speech and suggesting that I ought not to speak as often as I have formerly done. Wrote a large number of letters in the evening and then called on Donn Piatt in company with Major Swaim FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1876. Worked on correspondence until half past eleven o'clock and then went to the House. The day was consumed in the discussion of private bills. My cold has taken a still more aggravating form. I have been much with a headache and earache. This latter malady has not afflicted me before for twenty years. In the evening Crete and our two mothers and Major Swaim and I went to the theatre to hear Maggie Mitchell in her character [?] - a dream within a play - a coarse but rather effective performance. After our return Crete Swaim and I played a few games of Casino. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1876. This day has been full of miscellaneous work. Worked off a large number of letters. Went to the Treasury and the War Departments to secure Warren Young a clerkship. Went to the Interior Dept to secure a place for Y.G. Brainerd. Called at the Capitol to get my mail. Drew some money and then paid about $250 in bills. At four o'clock Crete Miss Ransom Swaim and I attended Mrs. Grant's reception. Just before that we visited Miss Ransom's studio. While at dinner Dr. Hambleton, clerk of the Comme on Ways and Means called on me and requested permission to publish Charles Ewings letter to me in regard to Dr. Hambleton naming his son John Wilkes Booth. I at first consented but on reflection concluded I had made a fool of myself. I then went to the Arlington to find Mr. Morrison Chairman of the Comme on Ways and Means, but failing to find him, I then went to the Sunday Herald Office and found the letter there. Crete and her mother, my mother Swaim and I attended the theatre and heard Maggie Mitchell in Lorle. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1876. Attended church at eleven o'clock and heard a very technical discourse on the action of baptism. It seems about as useless and valueless a discussion as could well be had. After dinner read to the children Audubon's paper on the opossum. Read and wrote in the early part of the evening and later Swaim and I called at Blaine's, Van Vliet's and Col. Piatt's. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1876. In the morning worked on the Henrietta Hoffman Case and at half past ten Swaim and I went to the Law Library and looked up some of the authorities relating to it. In the House at three o'clock I got the floor and spoke about 50 minutes on the Diplomatic Appropriation bill, and attempted to show the unwisdom of the reduction proposed by that bill. I used the material furnished me recently by the Secy of State. In the evening [but] corrected my speech and at half past eight o'clock joined Swaim at the Theatre and heard Clara Morris in Camille. She has a great deal of power but little culture so Swaim says, and I think he is right. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning. Attended a meeting of the Come on Ways and Means, at which nothing decisive was accomplished. On my way there, I should have added, I went to the State Department on business. Sec'y Fish is very much pleased with my speech of yesterday. In the House debate continued on the Diplomatic Appropriation bill until about four o'clock, when the resolutions were received from the Senate concerning the death of Senator Ferry of Connecticut. After several other speeches had been made, I made a few remarks and then delivered the address prepared by Starkweather before his death. The concluding paragraphs were very touching and seemed to have a tone of premonition of his own death. In the evening dictated letters for a while and then Swaim and I in company with Mr. Frye of Maine called at Mr. Hamiltons and played billiards for sometime. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1876. At the meeting of the Come on the Pacific Railroad we heard a number of gentlemen representing the opposing interests. I was particularly struck with the intellectual clearness of Hon. Mr. Wigginton of California who opposes the Scott bill. In the House the debate continued on the Diplomatic Appn Bill and nothing was accomplished. Springer of Ills and Cox of N.Y. attempted to make fun of the Diplomatic Service and got off a good deal of stale wit, with a [g] [a] little that was bright. The latter is very fast losing his standing among men of education by his intellectual frivolity. During the day I received a dispatch from Secy Fish asking me to let him know what advice I would give in regard to the Schenk matter. I answered that the subject was so much complicated with the affairs of the Department, that I did not think I should give any advice. Governor Dennison called and stated somewhat at length to me the difficulties that have arisen between the President and Secretary Bristow and came from the latter to know what I thought of the propriety of his resigning. I answered that I thought he ought to stand in his place until he was turned out and under no circumstances resign. I pointed out the evil consequences to himself and the party should he resign. It appears that the President has become estranged from him in consequence of questions growing out of the Whiskey trials. Correspondence in the evening. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1876. Committee Ways and Means met and resumed discussion of the Hawaiian Treaty. It was put to a vote and carried by one majority, but in consequence of the absence of some members and the uncertainty of the matters, it was ordered that the vote should be considered as only informal and not recorded. I am not quite clear in my mind whether we ought to agree to the Treaty or not, thought I voted for it. In the House the consideration of the Diplomatic Appn Bill was resumed. Lynch a colored member from Miss, made a handsome reply to Singleton on the state of affairs in the South. After him Blaine got in his speech on the Resumption of specie payments. The galleries were crowded and he had an attentive hearing. He cannot do or say anything now, which is not studied in view of his being a candidate for the Presidency. This speech will haunt him with the [soft money?] men, but will strengthen him with believers in [sound?] money. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1876. Called at the Treasury and War Depts on business. Then went to the House. Private bills occupied the morning hours and the rest of the day was consumed until after five oclock with the Diplomatic Bill which was passed. The Democrats were beaten in the argument at every point, but carried their bill through by the brute force of numbers. Our people voted for it after having protested against its inequities. It has been a dreary dismal day and the rain continued until a late hour in the evening. Worked off a large number of letters. Saturday At half past ten, in the forenoon, Crete and I called on Clara Morris at [Welcker?], and had a very pleasant time. Clara is a very bright and hearty woman, and possesses much force and real genius. She passed a portion of her girlhood in Aurora, near Geauga Lake, in the family of a Mr Freeman, in the neighborhood of the Henrys. Her name was Morrison I fear her health is breaking down, but her ambition & will are keeping her up wonderfully. I want to see her as Lady SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1876. Macbeth. Correspondence in the forenoon. At 12 went to the meeting of the Pacific Railroad Come and sat nearly two hours and a half. The Chairman, Mr Lamar, of Mississippi, asked my opinion of the pending bills and I made the following points in answer. First: I approve the general policy of Pacific Railroads. Second: Regretted that the Southern Pacific Railroad had not been built instead of the Northern. Third: Was very desirous that the road should be built as an act of commercial reconstruction for the South. Fourth: Was inclined to think that private enterprize aided by land grants would build the road. Fifth: But in any case the paramount duty of Congress to resume specie payments, and in order to do this we must not weaken the public credit with any other scheme however justifiable on other grounds. And therefore to loan the credit of the U.S. to the extent of 100 millions of dollars is wholly inadmissable at present. On leaving the Capitol called at the Interior and Post Office Depts and then settled some bills. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1876. Attended church with Crete, our two mothers, Mollie and Irvin. Miss Lottie Bascom of Canton, Ohio, Miss Ransom, Mrs Reed and Major Swaim dined with us. Spent the afternoon in visiting and walking with Swaim. At 9 o'clock he left us after having made a visit very pleasant for us. Crete and I went with him to the Sixth Street Depot where he took the train for New York. She and I then went to Governor Dennison's, cor of I and 21st Streets and spent an hour Mrs Dennison has been very ill and is still in a critical situation. On our return home we read Brete Harte's "Sylvester's Baby" - a very clever article. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning and made some further preparations on the John Hancock case. In the House but little was accomplished and we adjourned at half past three o'clock. I called on General Mussey in reference to the settlement of the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church case and found that the money had been paid by the Railroad company and was deposited in a Savings Bank here. He promised to settle today or tomorrow Just before I left the Capitol Mr Lamar came to me and requested that I should prepare for him an analysis of Mr Luttrells report and also, put in writing the reasons stated by me in favor of the Southern Pacific Railroad, though on other grounds I opposed it. He paid me a rather remarkable compliment, saying that my ideas were broader than any other mans in the House. I wish that I did not feel that there was a little Jesuitism in him for on many accounts, I like him very much. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1876. Met with the Come on Ways and Means where the usual nothing was accomplished. Very little was done in the House and we adjourned at three o'clock. Went to the Supreme Court and concurred with the request of Terrill of Cleveland, to pass our case over until the 24th inst. Saw General Mussey again in regard to the settlement of the Church case. Worked in the Law Library on the John Hancock case for an hour and then Crete came for me with a carriage and we called at Mr Bryan's cor of 14th and Mass Ave and had a pleasant visit with artist Healy. We then called on the Japanese Minister and on Mrs DuBarry and came home to dinner. Several persons called in the evening. Rose came and I dictated the Journal and a number of letters. [?] ES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1876. Met with the Come on the Pacific Railroads. A few votes were taken on amend'ts to Atkins bill, but no final conclusion reached. The House adjourned early having accomplished but little business. In the evening wrote a large number of letters and Crete and I read one of Brete Hart's story. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Com on Ways and Means, but there was no quorum until nearly twelve o'clock. We however heard a speech from James Speed of Kentucky, late Atty General of the U.S. on a private claim pending before the Com. In the House the day was spent mainly on the bill to reorganize the Judiciary. In the evening I dined at Wormley's with Gardiner Hubbard. He gave a dinner to Beck of Kentucky. There were present Ex Gov McGoffin, Senators Hamlin, Saulsberry and Dawes, General Butler, Prof Seelye, Mr Jewell of Mass, brother of the Post Master General, Mr Blaine and myself The conversation was rather brilliant but as is too frequent in such male assemblages it was too broad. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1876. At ten oclock attended a meeting of the Bar of the Supreme Court to draft resolutions expressive of respect for the memory of Reverdy Johnson. I was appointed on the Committee and made one of the addresses on the passage of the resolutions. At eleven went to the meeting of the Committee on the Pacific Railroad where we agreed to a bill requiring full statistical reports annually from the Pacific Roads. Most of the day in the House was spent on private bills until 3 o'clock when the bill for reorganizing the Judiciary was taken up. I left at four o'clock. In the evening a large number of callers came among them Judge Black who remained until eleven oclock. Had a long and interesting conversation with him in regard to the political situation. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1876. Dictated letters from nine until ten then took breakfast at Wormley's with Mr Kasson. The breakfast was given to George William Curtis, who is spending a few days in the City. There were present Sec'y Bristow, Messrs Blaine, Anthony, Allison, Bliss, Kasson and myself. We had a pleasant breakfast. At 12 went to the State Department on business. Secretary Fish read the dispatches to and from General Schenck. He has been requested to resign. Went thence to the Departments War, Treasury, Interior, Post Office, and Capitol. Then came home in time for dinner. The day has been full of errands and work. In evening dictated letters until eight and then went with Crete to Mrs Dahlgrens to attend a Literary Society; of which I was elected a member at the last meeting. A paper was read by Miss Johnson on the life and character of Horatio Stone; one on The Indians, by Prof Cones, one on Art by Mr Hauffman - (a very able and suggestive essay), and a talk on the Atomic Theory by Prof Harkness. A large company was present and many intellectual people among them. It was midnight when we reached home. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1876. Attended church with Crete and our two mothers. During the day read the letters of Gilbert White of Selbourne, of England. He was the founder of the science of Natural History, and died in 1793. The pictures given in the book of that quiet parish in Hampshire County are delightful. At 7 o'clock Miss Ransom, Crete and I called on Mrs Dr Ide at the Arlington. Thence Crete and I went to the Unitarian Church and heard a very interesting sermon by Freeman Clark of Boston. Subject "The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive." I have not been so much instructed by a sermon in a long time. It was so free from cant and hypercriticism, and was full of instruction. Called at Carrie's Studio after the sermon and came home at half past ten. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1876. Worked on the Henrietta Hoffman case in the morning and went to the House at one oclock. But little was accomplished and towards the close of the day I spent an hour in the Law Library examining authorities. In the evening Crete and I took tea at the house of Mr Alexander on Connecticut Avenue who gave a party to George William Curtis. A large number of distinguished people were present, among them George Bancroft, Freeman Clark, several members of the Cabinet and of the foreign legations. We passed a very pleasant evening and returned home in the [evening] rain at 11 oclock. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1876. Today has been observed as a Holiday by Congress and the Departments. Worked in my study until two o'clock, when I went calling with Crete and mother. We called at Messrs Raines, Pelouse, Major Bowles and Mr Powers and came home more jaded than as if I had been hard at work I have been a good deal bothered with one point in the Hoffman case, namely; the effect of bringing a suit to recover the purchase money upon a subsequent suit for specific performance of contract It seems to be held that the mere bringing of the suit operates as a disaverment of the contract. This does not seem to me good law. Wednesday, February 23, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Comme on the Pacific R.R. Then spent an hour in the library on the point in the Hoffman case ref'd to in the journal of yesterday, but failed to satisfied my mind. But little was done in the House. Jimmy came up to have me go home early. Came home by the new Chariot line in company with Blaine and he advised us to make no contest for him in Ohio as against Hayes but watch for second choice. At ten o'clock Crete and I attended the wedding of young Dr Hayes of Chicago with Miss Hattie Hayden in 11th Street. I wondered when the ceremony was performed whether the young people appreciated the tremendous vows they were taking. Vows so full of blessing, if well kept and so full of sorrow if broken. Returned at 8 o'clock and dictated a large number of letters and worked on law case. Thursday, February 24, 1876. Attended the Comme on the Pacific R.R. and found them still unwilling to come to a final vote on Scott's bill and postponed it for a week. Finished some odds and ends of business on Kasson's bill to require further railroad statistics of tonnge. But little was done in the House. At 2 o'clock Mr. Phillips informed me that he should introduce the resolution in regard to Starkweather's death at three and expected me to make the final speech. I had neglected to make and preparation and so was compelled to speak extemporaneously which I did rather successfully. In the evening Crete Miss Ransom and I attended the reception of Sir Edward Thornton. A very brilliant affair. The House of the Delegation is a fine one for public receptions. A large number of distinguished people were present. It was after midnight when we reached home. FRIDAY, see Sunday FEBRUARY 25, 1876. Attended church in the forenoon and remained at home during the remainder of the day. In the evening I read for several hours to the children from Cooper's Deerslayer reading about 125 pages. I found the family both old and young interested in the story and it revived my pleasant memories of reading while I was in college, but I saw much more clearly than I ever did before the stilted style of Cooper. I believe if his tales could be reviewed and about one quarter of the verbiage struck out it would greatly enhance their power as novels. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1876. Spent nearly the whole day in making a[n] reexamination of the fact of the law in the John Hancock case. The issue is doubtful, but I am pretty well satisfied with the preparations I have made. During the day I went to the Interior Department on business, and, also, called on General Mussey in regard to the 6th Presbyterian Church case. He received the money on the judgement some weeks ago and put it in the bank. I am not a little disturbed at the fact of his holding on so long without completing the settlement dictated letters in the evening and at 8 o'clock Sunday, [*see Friday*] February 27, 1876. Made some further study of the John Hancock case. Went to the Interior Department and thence to the Capitol. The day was consumed on Private Bills. At ten minutes before four o'clock the Hoffman vs Hancock case was called. I commenced my argument speaking ten minutes when the court adjourned. In the evening Crete, Miss Ransom and I attended a party given by Judge Wright of Indiana. A large number of people were present and we remained until near midnight. Monday, February 28, 1876. Finished my preparations on the Hancock case and then went to the House But little was done the Democrats being fearful of committing themselves on the currency question. Adjourned at two o'clock to prevent resolutions on the subject. At half past three I resumed my argument in the Supreme Court and spoke an hour. Mr. Terrell followed me and spoke until 1/4 past four. I was well prepared for this argument but did not satisfy myself as usual. In the evening, Crete and I dined at Governor Dennison's with General [?] and wife of Columbus. Had a long and pleasant visit. The quarrel between Bristow and the President seems to have ended. I think the President's eyes have been opened to the fact that mischievous people have been associated with him. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1876. Met with the Come on the Ways and Means and worked until 12 o'clock accomplished. Accomplished but little. Then went to the Supreme Court and spoke fifteen minutes in reply to Terrell. Returned to the House and spent the day. A good deal of [del] excitement sprang up over the pension bill, in which Messrs Hill and Hoar took part. It seems impossible for Mr. Hill to speak without making a row. As I told him today he appears to be the very demon of discord. In the evening dictated a large number of letters and had visitors. Read from "The Deerslayer." WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1876 THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1876. Called at the Treasury to remove a trouble in the way of Warren Young's appointment. Went thence to call on Sec. Fish, who was sick in bed. Offered the latest news of Gen Schenck, & do what I can to secure a fair Hearing - On stopping at home, I found Mr Pearson, with whom I went to the German Savings Bank and secured the payment of the judgment in favor of the 6th St Pres. Church. I sacrificed $700 of my own fee, because of the exorbitant one charged by Gen Mussey. On reaching the Capitol, I found great excitement of the disclosures in reference to Belknap Secy of War The Committee on Expenditures in the War Dept. reported the strange and pathetic story of his crime, which found his accomplices in both his kind and his loving wife - Rumors abounded that he had committed suicide, & for a while, I almost wished they were true. A resolution for his impeachment was reported unanimously, and adopted by the House, without a division - though he resigned at ten this morning. Since the death of Mr Lincoln I have never seen more sadness in the House. At seven o'clock Mr Dennison and the other Commissioners of the District came, and with them Messrs Kasson and Crap - to consult on the debate to come up in the [?] tomorrow - FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1876. After sending my mail, I called at the Treasury Dept on business, and Secy Bristow gave me an account of his call on the President yesterday morning, to urge him to see Bass and learn all the particulars of Belknap's case before he saw any one else. I then called on the President to ask for the appointment of Geo. W. Steeles of Painesville as one of the Directors of the N.O.R.R. The President gave me a minute account of his part in the Belknap resignation. He had not heard a word of the case until he was at breakfast when Bristow called. The day before, he had promised to give Ulke, the artist, a sitting for a portrait, after his breakfast Friday morning. So he brought his coat & hat downstairs when he came to breakfast. After Bristow's call, he ordered a note sent to Mr Bass, asking that gentlemen to call at 12. Having finished breakfast, he started to sit, when he was met at the door by Belknap & Chandler. The former was nearly suffocated with excitement; made an incoherent explanation & offered his resignation. The President, still bent on going to the artists, did not go upstairs, but sent up to have a letter of acceptance written. When it came down, the language did not suit him, and stepping to the mantel, he wrote the letter as it now appears. Bristow & Chandler left, & the President again started for his walk. At the door he met Senators Morrill & Moton, who delayed him fifteen minutes in talk about the Belknap horror. When they left he walked leisurely to Ulke's & sat an hour & ten minutes. He did not know the shocking details which Bass was to tell him; but he SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1876. knew that his favorite minister & wife were disgraced - I asked him if he supposed the artist saw anything unusual in his face. He said "I think not." I then asked if he was himself conscious of any small agitation which was changing his ordinary expression. He answered, "Oh no," as if surprised at my question. I told him I did not believe there was another man on the Continent who could have done the same under such circumstances. His unperturbability is amazing. I am in doubt whether to call it goodness or stupidity. Went to the House, where but little was accomplished. In the Evening, dined at Bristows with a large company. Saturday Dictated several letters, and at 9:20 a.m. took the train for New York. Mr Wheeler was on board with the dead body of his wife. I reached the Brevoort at 4:20. At six, dined at Sutherland with him & Mr Ward, and at Eight attended the Booth Theater, and saw Julius Caesar superbly mounted, and well performed. Lawrence Barrett ranted, and was too stagy in his Cassius. [?] was too violent in Marc Anthony. Davenport did Brutus admirably, for he let Shakespeare take a part, and that is always great. Again I declare that Julius Caesar is one of the greatest monuments to the genius of the Great William. SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1876. Took breakfast alone, at the Brevoort, and at ten William M. Evarts called & took me to the Central Park. We had a long and pleasant conversation, returning to his house about one, dined with his family at two, and sat in his library till half past five. He is evidently gravelled at the failure of Grant to appoint him to the Chief Justiceship. He showed me a letter from Lord Selbourne, (In Arundell Palmer) in which the latter expressed his surprise that the President passed Evarts by. Evarts said some one had wittily remarked that Palmer was made ArchChancellor for being beaten at Geneva. While our Chief Justiceship was offered to Cushing & given to Marte for assisting Evarts at Geneva. Three were decorated for what they did not do, & Evarts was passed by because he won the victory. He gave me a minute account of his two visits to Europe to aid Seward's negotiations with England & France, and of the part he took in the Geneva Trial. At six we went to the Brevoort, where he gave a dinner to Hullbut, Ward & me. I sat but a short time at the table, and at seven p.m. was on the train for Springfield, where I arrived at 12:20 . Stopped at the Massasoit House. I was here 21 years ago, at this same house. [*Springfield Mass.*] MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1876 Took breakfast with Fry of Maine, who arrived here yesterday morning. Spent some time in reading the very interesting Life of George Ticknor, just published. At half past ten A.M. my classmate, Dr. J.W. Bowls called on me; and after an hour we called on Charles Marsh, who was Williams in the class before me. We three called on Bryan now proprietor of the Springfield Mirror [?] 21 years ago the publisher of the Williams Quarterly. He knew me & had kept up a pleasant recollection of our early acquaintance. Called on Sam. Bowles of the Republican, who is trying the difficult role of steering between the two parties. After dinner Fry & I attempted to take the train for the north, but missed it. We found John Mulligan the Supt. who took us to Holyoke nine miles in ten minutes, on an engine, where we caught the train. I slept past the So. Vernon Junction, thus missing the train for Keene. Went on to Brattleborough where I hired a liveryman who drove me in a sleigh to Keene twenty miles in two hours. I have not had so good a sleigh ride in sixteen years. Reached Keene at 8 p.m., and for an hour and a half, addressed a large & enthusiastic audience. Did fairly. Then spent the night with Gen. Griffin, some Richmond relatives & called after the meeting. Tuesday, March 7, 1876. After breakfast with Gen & Mrs Griffin, Mrs Carpenter and a lady whose name I forget, several people called; among them an old lady Ruth Harkness, a daughter of my mothers uncle. At 11-30 I took the train for Bellows Falls VT, and went thence to Hanover, where a committee of Dartmouth students met me, & drove me to the town, to the residence of Ex-Senator Patterson. Poor man; he has suffered terribly at the hands of Oakes Ames. Three of the professors and several other gentlemen dined with us at half past four; and we had a pleasant visit. At seven & a half I went to the church where the President & faculty, students and citizens were assembled. A large and intelligent audience. I spoke and hour and a half, satisfying myself better than at Keene. After meeting had a private conference of an hour with Prof Quimby and Parker in reference to Pattersons connection with the Credit Mobilier. I showed my solution of the Pons Asinorum to Prof Quimby, whos aid it was new & asked for a copy for publication in a mathematical journal. Returned to Patterson, visited until eleven, retired and read Ticknor till twelve. Dartmouth & Claremont WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1876. At eight oclock, President Smith called on me, & I went with him to the College Chapel which is very like the old Chapel at Williams. As I sat during the service, it was pleasant to remember, that here sat, the boys Danl Webster Rufus Choate. S.P. Chase, George Ticknor and many more who have made Dartmouth illustrious. After breakfast I read and visited until eleven, when the Committee of students came & took me to the Station, and one of them Mr. E.M Leary, went on the train as far as White River Junction. I went on to Claremont Junction, where Mr Way met me, & took me to the village two miles distant. Stopped at the Tremont House, took dinner & requested to be left alone till five, while I should read my mail and the papers. At six oclock a large number of people called, & among them, some school mates of Judge Gliddon of Warren, who was born in this place. At half past seven, I went to the hall which was crowded. I spoke an hour and a half, when Hale of Maine came and spoke an hour. I satisfied myself better than before though I am not feeling very well. Several people called at the hotel, after I came back from the hall, but they were thoughtful enough, to leave soon, so that we got to bed a little after Eleven o'clock. Claremont, Nashua & Milford THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1876. We took breakfast at half past six oclock, and, at seven, took the train into the valley of the Sugar River. Acres of ice obstructed our course, but the way was opened, and we crossed the mountains to Concord, where Hale stopped. I went on to Nashua, whence, after dinner, Gen Stevens, late a member of Congress, drove me to Milford, where I arrived when Fry of Me, had been speaking an hour. After he closed I spoke an hour to a very large and intelligent audience. Milford was an old Abolition town where Geddings & Hale used to speak 35 years ago. After the Meeting, Gen Stevens drove me back to Nashua, and finding Hale at the Tremont House, took him and me to his own house to tea. His wife is lame, but is bright and genial. At half past seven, went to the hall which was packed to its uttermost. Hale spoke two hours and a quarter. During the last fifteen minutes the people grew impatient & called for me greatly to my embarrassment. Hale is clear and strong, but he spends too much time on small points. I know the difficulty of holding a large, heated, tired audience, at so late an hour, and commenced, by proposing to the audience to stay just 30 minutes & no more. In that time I condensed my points to the fullest extent I could, & have rarely seen an audience so aroused. They called upon me to go on, but I kept my promise & closed in 30 minutes. Hale Fry & I spent the night at the Tremont House. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1876. Took breakfast at half past eight; wrote several letters and at half past nine took the train northward to Rochester and thence to Farmington, near the line of Maine. Was joined on the way by a Mr Burns who is to speak with me; We stopped with Dr Newell. After dinner, I went with the Doctor to the session of the Select where they were hearing applications of citizens to be placed on what is called the check list, a kind of registry of voters. The proceedings were very interesting, and illustrated what I have often said, that the New England town was the gem of our republic. Returned to Dr Newell's & thence over to Mr Nutes to tea. At half past five went to the hall which was densely packed. Mr Bares spoke an hour, & I followed an hour and a half - apparently very receptably to the people; and quite satisfactorily to myself. After the meetings, went home with Mr Nute, where several called us at until near midnight. My cold was so severe, that I took a hot bath, & a gin sling, and [uhred?] [?bact] rippael 12- I could not sleep for nearly an hour, & so read Jackson until I was sleepy. Got to sleep about half past one oclock. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1876. Awoke at half past seven, took breakfast, visited Mr Nutes boot & shoe factory, and saw his wares made by machinery. At a few minutes past nine, took the train, and went via Rochester & Dover to Exeter, arriving about noon. Was met at the Depot by the Republican Committee, and taken to Gen Gilman Marstons, who was a member of the 39th Congress. He is a bachelor was a good officer in the army, and is now the leading lawyer of this part of NH. After dinner we called at the Phillips Exeter Academy, and also at Avery Tucks who was an old abolitionist member of Congress 35 years ago. In the evening I addressed a very large audience in the town hall; and though my voice was in a very bad condition, succeeding in holding my audience very well for an hour and a half. The memories of this old town, the home of the Cass family, helped me. After the meeting several citizens called on me at Gen Marston, where I spent the night. Exeter SUNDAY, March 12, 1876. Lay in bed till nearly nine a.m. reading the autobiography of Alfieri, which I have never before seen, & which is very fascination. It is in curious contrast with the life of George Ticknor which I have been reading since I left N.Y. The struggles of Alfieri with his loves is a very curious case of passion & the conquest of it. After breakfast, several gentlemen called, among them, Prof Wentworth of the Phillips Exeter Academy, and tendered his horse & buggy to Gen Marston & me, and we took a long drive through the town; saw the old Cass Homestead, and many places of historic interest. Dined at home with several of Gen Marstons friends, then drove again till evening. Gen Marston is a very genial, capable man. He gave me many pleasant anecdotes of Webster, & Jeremiah Mason, in reference to their law practice here. In the evening, went to the vestry of the Congregational Church to hear a lecture from Mr. Perry, the literary Editor of the Cincinnati Gazette. He is full of knowledge, but does not know how to present a subject in speech. On returning to Marston several gentlemen were found awaiting me. Visited until near Eleven, when I retired and read Alfieri for half an hour. I should have added that yesterday morning, I read one of the Idyls of the King before I got out of bed. Exeter to New York MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1876. Gen Marston awakened me at half past five, then gave me a good breakfast, and drove me to the Depot, where, at six & a half I took the train for Boston, reading Ticknor on the way. Spent an hour at Boston among the bookstores, and at 10.20 took the fast train for N.Y. Sam. Bowles of the Springfield Republican was on board, & I had a long visit with him. Also Tarbox of Mass, returning from N.H. At New Haven, Bromley of the N.Y. Tribune came on the train, and we had a long visit. Arrived at N.Y. at 5 p.m. and went to the Brevoort. After dinner, called on P. H. Watson, and had a long visit with him. He is anxious to aid me in getting a start at the law. He is in better health then when I saw him last, is chatty, and full of pleasant reminiscences of Stanton & Lincoln After reading and writing for half an our, I took the Hansom Cab to the Ferry & at 9.30 was on the train for Washington. [?] Thompson and George Bassett was in the car, and I had a long conversation with the former. He is full of learning in regard to the science and art of cheesemaking, and is confident that his new process of using oleo margarine instead of cream will prove a great success. Tuesday, March 14, 1876 Arrived home at half-past six, suffering from a sore throat, and an attack of indigestion- I made seven speeches last week in New Hampshire, and feel confident that a good impression has been made on the people of that state, that we shall carry it the election today, although it will doubtless be close. Found the family well, and an immense mail awaiting me, which will take my spare time for two or three days to answer. Worked on it until half-past ten o'clock when I went to the meeting of the Committee on Ways and Means. During the day Mr. G. H. Pendleton gave his testimony before Mr. Clymer's committee and disclosed the fact that he recd $80,000 for collecting $148,000 from the War Dept. for a Ry R.R. Three-fifths of this money was the property of a family for whom he was administrator. Thus he, as President of the road made a contact with himself as administrator of an estate, giving himself this exorbitant fee. This destroys Mr. P. as a presidential candidate, and leaves a general impression that he used a part of his large fee to preserve the reward. But little was done in the House. In the evening, worked on my mail, and read some from Alfieri to Crete My presence here, has been wanted, I hear, in the debate which Blaine had with Lamar. I am glad to have been missed, & am glad to return. Wednesday March 15 1876 Worked on my mail and dictated letters until eleven o'clock when I went to the Capitol and found that the Comme on Pacific R.R. had adjourned without a quorum. In the House the day was spent in debate nominally on the Legislative Appropriation bill but really on Everything but that bill The Republicans have carried New Hampshire by more than 3000, an unexpectedly large majority, and have carried the House Senate and Council. This results largely from the developed rebelism of the present House of Representatives. If our party behaves well we have a good prospect of carrying the Presidential election next fall. Most of the evils that befallen our party have arisen from the fact that Gen Grant have followed military rather than civil methods in chosing a cabinet and in appointments generally. In the evening Crete and I called on Mr and Mrs Foster and had a pleasant visit. Read and wrote until eleven p.m. when I retired, feeling in better health than I have enjoyed for a week My indigestion resulted I think from the overwork & irregular hours of last week. I suspect too that soup is not good for me. I must carefully examine the food question and govern myself accordingly. THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1876. Met with the Comme on Ways and Means and after a lengthy debate it was determined to take up Morrison's Tariff Bill. I proposed that we frame a bill putting the tax on tea and coffee and removing some smaller vexatious taxes making a reduction of about half as much as the increase made by tea and coffee. But I voted against taking up the whole subject of the tariff at this late hour of the session. By nearly a strict party vote, however, it was agreed to take up the bill. In the House Mr Randall introduced a Deficiency Bill making an appropriation for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and adding a section requiring the Secy of the Treasury to issue silver coin in place of traditional currency. Mr Hewett of NY opposed it in a speech full of partisan bitterness which I think I shall answer. Judge Kelley made one of his most absurd speeches there is some thing positive admirable in the ludicrous results to which his doctrine of soft money leads him. I interrupted him with some questions to exhibit the absurdity of his position. FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1876. Dictated a large number of letters, Stayed at home until nearly noon when I went to the Capitol. Nothing of importance was done in the House, the day being consumed on private bills. Saturday, March 18, 1876 No session of the House today. About ten o'clock Captain Mason of the Cleveland Leader called and I went with him to the War Department to procure some official materials for his history of the "42d" Went thence to the Departments of State and Treasury on business. Returned home about 4 o'clock and went shopping with Crete until half past five. Several people called in the early part of the evening At half past eight Crete and I went to Mrs Dahlgren's and attended the Literary Club. An interesting paper was read by Mrs. Mohim on Horace Walpole; another by Mr. Gill on Sirnames. A translation of a German story was read by Mrs. Coleman, daughter of John J. Crittenden. Sunday, March 19, 1876 Attended church and at 2 o'clock Capt Mason of Cleveland Leader came and dined with us. About 3 o'clock Col Rockwell came and spent the rest of the day. Capt. Mason stayed until the evening and read to me several chapters of his manuscript history of the 42d Regt. It is well written so far as I heard it. In the evening Senator Sherman called and requested me to reply to Hewitt's speech on Silver Resumption. Bathed and retired early. Monday, March 20, 1876 Soon after reading my mail I went to the Treasury Department to procure statistics from the Secy of the Treasury and from the Director of the Mint, bearing on the question of silver resumption bill and particularly to answer Mr. Hewitt's speech. Went thence to the Interior Dept to see if the secy in reference to the appointment of George Steele as a Director of the union Pacific Railroad. Thence to the Capitol. The day was consumed in the usual Monday business. The Democrats made an attempt to carry through a repeal to the Resumption Act under a suspension of the Rules. The vote stood 109 to 108, about 15 Republicans voting for it and 2/3ds of the Democrats voting for it. It was their purpose to try Payne's bill immediately after this attempt, but the hour of two o'clock had arrived and the Comme on the Dist of Col had the rest of the day. It has been wretched weather snow, rain, and slush. At home in the evening dictated a large number of letters and made notes on a speech [for] on the silver resumption bill which I hope to make tomorrow. Tuesday, March 21, 1876 Letters and mail until ten when I went to the Comm of Ways & Means, where we began work on Munsons tariff, an extreme measure which though it has some good points in it, cannot become law this session, and I cannot therefore fuel the interest in it. I otherwise would. I should prefer a policy about midway between the doctrine of the two parties, with a slow progress toward the Democratic view. We passed upon the first 22 lines of the bill. In the House, not much was accomplished; but towards the close of the day, a bill was brought up to prevent assessments & contributions for political purposes. on which Blaine made a brilliant attack, and broke up the scheme for the time Whenever he rises, it raises a breeze in the House. The Democrats seem to hate him cordially. In the evening Rose came & dined with us & I spent two hours in dictating letters. Then Crete & I read Gabriel Conroy until a late hour. Harte has succeeded in holding back the mystery of his story in a wonderfully successful & aggravating way. I think I will never again read a story in installments, but wait till I have it all in hand. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1876. Before I was out of bed, a note was brought from Gen Boynton (SC) telling me that Gen Schenck had arrived, and wanted to see me - Soon after breakfast, I called on him at Wormleys, where he & his daughter Julia are stopping. He is worn & half sick from trouble and a long & severe sea voyage. He is justly indignant and grieved at the treatment he is receiving from his country men. Though I am sorry to say that he has given some occasion for just criticism. I gave him a statement of the situation, & tendered what help I can afford him. Then went to the Com. of Ways & Means, worked on the Tariff until eleven, and then attended a meeting of the Com on the Pacific R.R. where the Omaha Bridge bill was agreed upon. In the House the day was spent in a [?] of debate and voting on the bill to prevent assessments & contributions for Elections by officers of the government. Blaine displayed his usual brilliant parliamentary tactics, but showed more partisanship than [?] he had. The Syracuse Convention N.Y. today endorsed Conklin, Sub Modo for the Presidency Dictated letters at home, until Eight, when I went to Chapman Freeman's & played Euchre with Min & Rose and Dale, until Eleven. Thursday March 23 1876 Called at the P.O. Dept at half past ten and settled some 19th District postal affairs Then went to the Committee on Ways & Means where the cigar and tobacco section of Morrison's bill were considered & settled In the House The day was spent in an irregular debate on the Legislative appropriation bill nominally but really on everything. On returning home found a telegram from Halsey Hall telling me that H B Perkins of Warren& Geo. H Ford of Burton were chosen today at the Painesville Convention as delegates to the Nat Convention at Cincinnati with resolutions mildly in favor of Hayes for President. At seven p.m. dined at the Sec. of States with Mrs Fish & her daughter Mrs Webster Senators Bayard, Edwards, Stevenson & Eaton Representatives Kasson & Leavenworth, Hunter of the State Dept and Webster & Secy Fish. A very pleasant party. Hunter who has been in the state Dept since 1829 told me the Justice Duval wore short breeches and knee buckles, and that Chancellor Bebb who lived here in one of the Depts continued to wear them till 1840. On returning home & retiring at 11.30 I found I could not sleep & got up to read Ticknor and wrote until nearly two in the morning FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1876. Called at the Departments in the morning. Attended the Com. on Ways and Means at half past ten. Made considerable progress on the Tariff bill. In the House the day was spent in a general wrangle over the bill to prevent contributions to election expenses. Am not well. The sleeplessness of last night has left me Retired early. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1876. Went to the Departments in the morning and thence at 12 oclock to the Com on Ways and Means, where we worked on the Tariff until after four o'clock. Came home very tired and jaded. I am bilious or have some internal derangement which affects my sleep. Perhaps it is indigestion. SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1876. Feeling quite unwell today. Went to Church with Crete and our two mothers. On my return called at Secy Bristow's but he was not in. After dinner classmates Hill and Rockwell called. Went with Rockwell to his office to try the Health Lift. Called on Schenck and Hill at Wormley's. In the evening read Ticknor. Such a life as his makes me almost envious. I fancy I could have been very happy in such a career. Spent several hours of the evening preparing for arguing the Insurance Case. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1876. Called at the Treasury Department and saw the Secretary in regard to the appointment of Gilfillan as Treasurer in place of Mr New who proposes to resign. Thence to the Com. on Ways and Means where the woolen men had a hearing. In the House after the morning hour Mr Payne attempted to pass his caucus bill on a suspension of the rules. He obtained but little more than one third of the House in its favor. The House then took up the Silver Resumption Bill, and I made a speech of twenty-five minutes. Crete came up to hear me and I returned with her. In the evening Rose came and we corrected the notes of the speech and at half past eight I went to Mr Payne's and met Selah Chamberlain and George Town of Cleveland. Had a pleasant Euchre Party and supper. Tuesday, March 28, 1876. Went to the Departments on business and thence to the Come on Ways and Means, where we heard the iron and steel men and until nearly one o'clock. In the House discussion continued on the silver bill. After a long discussion on the demand of the Grand Jury for the person of Hallet Kilbourne, I spoke a short time denouncing the injustice with which he has been treated by the House in demanding an answer to questions relating wholly to this private business. In the evening dictated a large number of letters and worked on the Insurance cases. Wednesday, March 29, 1876 Went to the Come on Ways and Means gave a hearing on the tariff on metals. At eleven o'clock I was sent for to attend a meeting on the Pacific R.R. committee. The Omaha Bridge bill was up and Sidney Dillon made a speech against it. I have never seen him before but I was interested in the stalwart sense and homely phrase of his speech. He seems to be a genuine growth of our American soil. House continued the consideration of the silver bill until half past four when we adjourned and held our first evening session. It was devoted to the legislative appropriation bill and we continued in session until 11 o'clock. But little was accomplished. Walked home with Mr Hoar with whom I had an interesting conversation. Thursday, March 30, 1876 When to the Come on Ways and Means where a large number of parties were being heard on the tariff on metals. At 11 oclock I went to the Come on Foreign Affairs to see as far as I was able that justice should be done to General Schenck who is being examined in relation to the Emma Mine matter. After remaining there a short time returned to the Come on Ways and Means. In the House the day was spent on the silver Resumption bill. A large number of amend'ts were voted upon and nearly all defeated except an absurd one by Reagan of Texas proposing to extend the legal tender limit of silver to $5000. The House held an evening session devoted to the discussion of the Legislative appropriation bill. Randall was sharply criticized for having cut so deeply into the service. He is quite on the other tack from that which he took last year and the year before when he attempted to put up the salaries of many employe's of the House against my wishes and in part succeeded. A little after ten o'clock I spoke on that point wherat he seemed a good deal disturbed. Friday, March 31, 1876 Friday. Met with the Come on Ways and Means and took up the iron and steel sections of the bill. Worked until half past 12. In the House the day was in the main devoted to private bills, except that the Silver Resumption Bill was taken up and passed after a sharp contest and that I think is a real triumph for the hard money men. The Reagan amend't is bad and I trust it will be stricken off in the Senate. Crete and our two mothers drove to the House, and spent an hour and took me home with them. In the evening dictated a large number of letters and Crete and I called at Colonel [?]. On our return we called at Dr Peter Parker's and had a pleasant visit. He is a man of large and varied experience and much culture. His life in China and his knowledge of the language and institutions of that country make him a charming conversationalist. Crete and I read Ticknor until a late hour. [(Worked on the insurance cases until 12 o'clock when I went] SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1876. Worked on the insurance cases until 12 o'clock when I went to the Come on Ways and Means. We sat until we finished the section on metals except a few paragraphs in regard to copper. In the House but little was done. In the evening I called by appointment on Matt Carpenter but he was compelled to postpone our consultation over the Insurance Case. At half past 8 Crete and I attended the meeting of the Literary Club at the Smithsonian Institution. A paper was read on art by Mr Clark, followed by a lecture on sound by Prof Henry. A large number of interesting people were present and the evening passed very pleasantly. SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1876. Did not attend church. This is the first time I have been absent while in the city for many months, but I am overborn with work and must complete the brief in the insurance case and was compelled to work on it today. At 2 o'clock Brete Harte dined with us and we had a pleasant visit of two hours. He is very bright and genial. Whether he is [equally] quite generous towards his literary associates I am not so clear, but so far as any talent and modes of growth are concerned, I like him better after seeing him. At half past four o'clock I went to Carpenter's office and held a consultation of two hours on the points to be made in our Insurance Case. We are united in the argument. At half past seven Crete and I went to take tea with Mrs Blaine and Abby Dodge (Gail Hamilton) There were present Brete Hart, Mr and Mrs Spofford, Admiral Alden, Miss Whitney and Miss Daines. MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1876. Worked on Insurance brief until half past 11, went to the Printers with the manuscript as far as completed, thence to the House where the day was spent in the usual miscellany. I got some authorities in the Law Library and wrote some additional pages of the brief while seated at the desk in the House. It is very difficult to keep up a continuous train of thought on any subject except the matters pending, but it was necessary to get the brief forwarded. After read proofs of the brief as far as printed. Worked until half past seven when I went to Wheeler's and met Senator Hamlin, Governor Hendee and Wm Blair Lord at a Euchre party. The day has been one of dreary rain and I shall expect the Connecticut Election will not turn out very well. TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1876. Worked on Insurance brief until half past ten when I went to the Come on Ways and Means where we finished the section on wools and woolens. In the House not much was done. After dinner I completed the Insurance brief. Took it to Carpenter for his approval. I have done all the work of preparing it and he was pleased with it. Then went to the House Debate on the appropriation bill. In the course of the evening Holman charged that the reduction in the appropriation during the last three years had been much less than Hale and I had stated. He took the figures of the ordinary expenditures for 1874 in the Report of the Secy of the Treasury and compared with it the Clerk's report of the total appropriations for 1876 amounting to $179,000,000 claiming there had been but a small reduction. I answered him by saying that the Clerk's report included the revenue of the Post Office Dep't amounting to $32,000,000, while only about $6,000,000 were appropriated out of the Treasury for Postal Deficiency. Randall and Holman are very much muddled in their use of statistics. Wednesday, April 5, 1876 Having failed last night to get my brief printed because their office was closed, I took it there this morning and ordered it to final print. Then went to the Come on the Pacific R.R. and found it had just adjourned. Thence to the Come on Ways and Means where we worked on another section of the Tariff until the House met. In the House the day was mainly devoted to the bill for transferring the Indian Bureau to the War Dept. I was in favor of such transfer ten years ago, but am in doubt how I ought to vote now in view of the changed circumstances. At the evening session, I had a collision with Cox who occupied the chair. He had refused to order letters on the demand of White of Kentucky, who stated that no quorum had voted on division and I insisted upon White's right to have the letters. Cox tried to bluff me but finally on my insisting that White made the demand properly and White having risen and said that he demanded letters on account of there being no quorum, Cox responded that he would order letters on the statement of the gent from Kentucky, although confirmed by the gent from Ohio. At this I rebuked the Chair for insulting me and demanded that his words be taken down and reported to the House. Finding I was firm he withdrew his offensive language and I allowed the matter to drop. Returned home late and soon after Mr James G. Fair of California called and after him Genl McDowell who remained until a late hour. Thursday April 6th, 1876 Met with the Come on Ways and Means and continued work on the Tariff. In the House the main part of the day was spent in discussing the Hawaiian Treaty. I spoke about half an hour in favor of the Treaty. In the evening Crete went with me to the Capitol. The evening was spent on the Legislative Appropriation Bill A good deal of sharp debate took place in which I spoke twice. The House is acting without sense or judgment in regard to the bill and the Democracy vote together as though they had agreed in caucus to follow blindly the head of the App. Come Read Ticknor. Friday, April 7, 1876 In the morning went with Mr. Marshall Newcomb and the Chief Justice to the Sec'y of War to ask the privilege for Nicolay to examine the records of the War as they are printed by the Department in preparation of his Life of Lincoln. Then went to the Treasury and thence to the Come on Ways and Means. In the House the day was spent on private bills. Came home at half past four very tired. The week has been a hard one, and the weather today is sultry and uncomfortable. Saturday, April 8, 1876 Went to the Treasury and Interior Depts on business, and at noon, attended the meeting of the Com. of Ways and Means, where we worked on the tariff bill until four p.m. In the evening dictated letters and among them, are to Gen Coburn of Indianapolis, in reference to the Belknap story of 1872. At nine p.m. Crete and I called at Mr. Bancroft's. He was out at a dinner, and we visited with Mrs. B, a very bright intelligent lady of 72 years. Her first husband was a Mr. Bliss, junior partner of David Webster. She was born at Plymouth Mass., and was present at the celebration of 1820, where Webster made the oration. She was then 16, and was chosen to lead the dance as Webster's partner in the evening. She also heard him in Faneuil Hall, on the reason of the eulogy on John Adams in 1826, & sat beside the first Mrs. Webster (Grace) Webster wore a silk gown with flowing sleeves, a sort of Roman toga, which was the fashion in those days. She knew the Ticknor's well, and said the chief interest she and Mrs. B. had in Ticknor's book, was the remembrance it awakened of their old acquaintances. Just as we were leaving Mr. Bancroft came limping in on two canes, and expressed his regret that he had not been at home. We remained a few minutes, and promised to call again. Mrs. Bancroft had already give us an interesting account of her husband's modes of study, and the help she gave him in revision. Sunday, April 9, 1876. Attended church with Crete and our two mothers. During the day read half of the second volume of the Memoirs of John Quincy Adams, consisting chiefly of his diary. My reading covered his mission to Russia. He left Boston on the 5th August 1809 and after a voyage of 75 days landed at St. Petersburgh where he remained as Minister for several years. Much of the Journal is dreary reading being the daily comment upon events then important but long since of no interest to anybody. The reading of this journal shows him to be a man of great industry and but I certainly should not think him from these examples as so able a man as many regard him. At five o'clock took Crete and the two mothers, Mollie, Irvin, and Jimmy in a carriage and drove to Lincoln Park and thence to 14th St. East and around home. Read Adams Journal until a late hour. Monday, April 10, 1876. Met with the Com on Ways and Means at half past ten until one. In the House the River and Harbor bill was passed under a suspension of the rules, without being first referred to the Com on appropriations. This method of passing a bill seems to be necessary to avoid loading it with too many items. After it passed I analyzed its provisions and found the most inequitable distribution of appropriations. But one state in the Union had so large an appropriation as West Va. (the home of the chairman Mr. Hereford) and more than half of the whole appropriation was in seven states. General Banks made a long speech on the Hawaiian Treaty. He spoke two hours and a half he is a great ways below the man he was twenty years ago. Correspondence in the evening and reading. Not feeling well. Tuesday, April 11, 1876 Met with the Come on Ways and Means and sat until one o'clock. There was a close struggle on the question of taxing tea and coffee. The tea and coffee was retained by a vote of one majority, when Mr. Wood said he should oppose the bill if tea and coffee were kept. Tucker of VA changed his vote and the clause was thrown out. On the proposition to report the bill to the House the vote stood 6 ayes and 5 noes, all the Republicans and Hancock of Texas voting "no". The bill is a thoroughly bad one as it now stands although there are some good things in it. I shall oppose it throughout. In the House but little was accomplished. At half past three o'clock Crete came to the House and went with our two mothers to Mrs. Dunning's beyond the Scheutzer Park where we took dinner. Returned home at 7 o'clock. I then went to the meeting of the Soldiers Committee at 1006 F. Street in reference to the proposed Soldier's meeting in September next at Indianapolis. Went thence to the House of Representatives, where the Legislative appropriation Bill was discussed until 1/4 past ten o'clock. Wednesday, April 12, 1876 Attended the meeting of the Come on the Pacific Railroad where senators' Cole and Howe were heard on their railroad and ex senator White on the Southern Pacific R.R. No action was taken, except to make the subject the special order for Wednesday. Thence went to the Come on Ways and Means to hear parties on the bank check stamp. In the House the day was spent mainly on the Deficiency appropriation bill. I was called to the Chair by Mr. Kerr and presided for three hours. At half-past seven in the evening went to Willard's Hall to attended a lecture by President White on the history of French Inflation from 1790-1795. The lecture abounded in interesting points and showed a striking similarity between the inflation doctrines of that time and our own. At the close of the lecture went to the Chittenden's House, Sumner's late residence where a large party was met to see President White. Returned home at 11 and read [?] Adams Diary, for an hour. Thursday, April 13, 1876 Met with the Come on Ways and Means where a large number of gentlemen were heard on questions pending before the Come The House considered the bill to transfer the Indian Bureau to the War Department. Prof Seelye made a strong speech against it. I favored the transfer ten years ago and carried a bill through the House for that purpose by I incline to the opinion that the peace policy has gone on too far to change it now. The House met in the Evening on the Legislative Apprn bill and made considerable progress. Came home a little after ten oclock and read for an hour in the Diary of John Quincy Adams. His life was a remarkable one and yet there are touches of bitterness of spirit which I do not like. I am constantly impressed with the conviction that the scholarship of that time was superior to that of the present time. Friday, April 14,1876 This is the anniversary of Lincoln's death and his statute is to be unveiled in Lincoln Park and an oration made by Frederick Douglass. I am too much occupied by my Insurance cases to be able to attend. Messrs Knox and Davies of New York called and we spent some time on the Insurance cases. I went to the Smithsonian to see the Collection for the Centennial. Dr Streator has seen Judge Ramsey and proposed to him a partnership with me to which the Judge replied that the will take it into favorable consideration and will see me before the end of April. At half past seven went to Senator Hamlin's and stayed until midnight. Saturday, April 15, 1876 Worked on Miscellaneous in my library until half past ten. Then went to the Treasury Department and to Colonel Rockwell's on business. Thence to the Capitol where most of the day was spent on the Kilbourn Case. The Judiciary Come reported a resolution refusing to deliver the body of Kilbourn to the court. It turned out in the course of the debate that the majority of the Come held that the House of Representatives is not bound by the law relating to the habeas corpus. Near the conclusion of the day I made a speech of nearly thirty minutes against the resolution and against the right of the House to demand an answer to the question propounded to Kilbourn because it was an unwarranted interference with his private affairs. I have not often made so effective a speech as I did on this occasion. Left the House at half past five and called at Carpenters office and joined him in consultation with Knox and Davies of N.Y. and Hinckle of Baltimore on our insurance cases. At 8 0'clock came home and after dinner revised my speech. Sunday, April 16, 1876. At half past nine called at the Arlington to see Knox who proposed a revision and reprint of our [?] brief to which I assented and we agreed upon the changes to be made. Returned home at half past ten when Dr Streater came and went with us to church. He returned home with us, and Cowles of Cleveland and J.Q.Smith and daughter dined with us. We had a long and pleasant visit together. The four gents Streater, Smith, Cowles and myself agreed to write down on a strip of paper the men we thought likely to be nominated for President by the Democratic and Republican Convention. There were four names of Democrats - namely Hancock, Hendricks, Bayard and Judge Davis, the latter my opinion. For the Republicans there were for President, one Hayes, one Blaine the latter my opinion and two were for Bristow. This exhibits and unusual uncertainty existing in the public MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1876. Went to the Departments and thence to the Capitol in time for the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means though but little was done. The Kilbourn habeas corpus case was taken up soon after the reading of the Journal and continued until one o'clock, when the House preceded by the Impeachment Managers went to the Senate to attend the case of the late Secretary Belknap. Chief Justice Waite was brought in to administer the oath to the Senate and its officers. Belknap appeared with his counsel Carpenter Black and Blair who plead to the jurisdiction of the Senate. The Senate Chamber and galleries were crowded but I think the interest in the trial will not be very great. The House returned to its chamber at two o'clock and proceeded with the Kilbourn debate. A sharpe passage at arms between Blaine and Tucker in which the latter asserted his ante bellum doctrine that the States have a right to determine what their citizens shall receive through the mails. The defenders of the writ of habeas corpus won a great victory, for at half past five o'clock the resolution to deliver the prisoner to the Court prevailed by a vote of more than two to one. Spent the evening at Colonel Fords on F. Street with a company of friends. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means and the morning has been spent mainly on private bills. In the House the day was spent on contested election cases. At 2 o'clock Mr. Blaine sent for me to go to the Come Ways and Means to listen to a strange story told him by one [?] of a plot on the part of Conkling and his friends, namely Dorsey of Arkansas, Gorham Secretary of the Senate and Mr. Cornell of N.Y. to injure the Presidential prospects of Mr. Blaine by a story that he carried through the Arkansas resolution of last Winter because of some interest he is said has had in the Fort Smith and Little Rock Railroad. At Blaine's request I wrote out a statement of the conversation in full and signed it for his use in case it should be needed. It is shameful the way our public men are assaulted. In the evening my classmate Knox came and took me to the Theatre, where I heard the new play Inflation. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1876. Went to the Departments and thence to the Capitol in time for the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means though but little was done. The Kilbourn habeas corpus case was taken up soon after the reading of the Journal and continued until one o'clock, when the House preceded by the Impeachment Managers went to the Senate to attend the case of the late Secretary Belknap. Chief Justice Waite was brought in to administer the oath to the Senate and its officers. Belknap appeared with his counsel Carpenter Black and Blair who plead to the jurisdiction of the Senate. The Senate Chamber and galleries were crowded but I think the interest in the trial will not be very great. The House returned to its chamber at two o'clock and proceeded with the Kilbourn debate. A sharpe passage at arms between Blaine and Tucker in which the latter asserted his ante bellum doctrine that the States have a right to determine what their citizens shall receive through the mails. The defenders of the writ of habeas corpus won a great victory, for at half past five o'clock the resolution to deliver the prisoner to the Court prevailed by a vote of more than two to one. Spent the evening at Colonel Fords on F. Street with a company of friends. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means and the morning has been spent mainly on private bills. In the House the day was spent on contested election cases. At 2 o'clock Mr. Blaine sent for me to go to the Come Ways and Means to listen to a strange story told him by one [?] of a plot on the part of Conkling and his friends, namely Dorsey of Arkansas, Gorham Secretary of the Senate and Mr. Cornell of N.Y. to injure the Presidential prospects of Mr. Blaine by a story that he carried through the Arkansas resolution of last Winter because of some interest he is said has had in the Fort Smith and Little Rock Railroad. At Blaine's request I wrote out a statement of the conversation in full and signed it for his use in case it should be needed. It is shameful the way our public men are assaulted. In the evening my classmate Knox came and took me to the Theatre, where I heard the new play Inflation. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1876. It is one of the cheap and extravagant [expressions] specimens of literature which I think will fail as it certainly ought to. The play is based on the assumed universal corruption of public men presented in the baldest and most absurd form. The piece was written by D. R. Locke (Petroleum Nasby) and indicates how low down he must have fallen as a thinker. *Went to the Come. on the Pacific Railroad at half-past ten and considered the bill for extending the time of the Northern Pacific Road The Southern members proposed to amend it by adding Tom Scott's railroad. Luttrell proposed to amend that by adding the Huntington Road. After a jangle of an hour the Come. adjourned making it a special order for Friday next. During the day Mr Danforth informed me that Mr Brega, of the firm of Cowles and Brega of Philadelphia gave testimony in relation to the Moth Exterminator used in the Army quoting in it a telegram which I addressed to the Secy of War on the 7th of August 1874 recommending that the contract be suspended. I foresee on the part of some correspondents THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1876. of the press an inclination to make some insinuations against me. I came home in the evening and looked over my letters and found the press copy of the one I addressed to the Secretary of War on the subject dated August 24, 1874. In which I stated that I had heard that Cowles and Brega have asserted that they paid money to secure the appropriation, and if they had so said they ought not to receive any part of the appropriations made. My information came through Dom Piatt. This is a complete answer to any allegations on the subject. Spent a delightful hour and a half reading Trevelyan's Life of Macauley, one of the most charming books I have met with in a long time. *I observe in the Presidential Message vetoing the bill for reducing the President's salary [of] to $25,000 he speaks of the old salary as having been fixed by the Constitution. I spent most of the day in the Supreme Court listening to the argument in the Insurance Co. versus Kendren. It was argued by Messrs Rich and Hinckle of Baltimore and as *FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1876. it covers some of the grounds of our cases I went [on I] and studied the argument on both sides. Came home from the House with Blaine. Talked with him in regard to the attacks made upon him. He will answer them in the House tomorrow. James Mason of Cleveland called in the evening and made us a visit. Read [?] Macaulay until a late hour. I should have added in the proper place that I had a conversation with Mr Wheeler in regard to the Moth [exterminator] preservative which disclosed some curious facts in relation to the Sec'y of War, but as he stated them to me in confidence I will not repeat them here. *Read Life of Macaulay until half-past ten. Then went to the Com on the Pacific R.R. A long and fruitless discussion on the bill to extend the time of the Northern Pacific made so by the little janglings of two peppery men of the Com Luttrell and O'Niel. In the House the day was consumed on private bills and on the Indian Transfer bill. I favored the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Dept. in 1867-8-9, but now that we have inaugaurated the Peace Policy I oppose the transfer until it shall have a fair trial. The bill however, passed by about 36 majority. In the evening called on Judge Cartter who spent more than hour in discussing the Callet Kilbourn case. He is very anxious to make a right decision and I think has clear views on the subject. After returning home read about the May installment of Gabriel Brown. * Dictated letters in the morning and at 12 o'clock went to the house. But little legislation was done. I went to the Supreme Court and worked on any Insurance case during a considerable portion of the session. In the evening Colonel Rockwell came and spent two hours with me. Then read Macaulay until a late hour. ( After finishing the May installments of Gabriel Conroy). The [ ] breadth of this means reading and his power of meaning are most surprising to me. *Saturday, April 22, 1876. have inaugurated the Peace Policy I oppose the transfer until it shall have a fair trial. The bill, however, passed by about 36 majority. In the evening called on Judge Cartter who spent more than an hour in discussing the Hallet Kilbourn case. He is very anxious to make a right decision and I think has clear views on the subject. After returning home read aloud the May installment of Gabriel Conroy. *Dictated letters in the morning and at 12 o'clock went to the House. But little legislation was done. I went to the Supreme Court and worked on my Insurance Case during a considerable portion of the Session. In the evening Colonel Rockwell came and spent two hours with me. Then read Macaulay until a late hour. (After finishing the May instalments of Gabriel Conroy). The enormous breadth of this man's reading and his power of memory are most surprising to me. SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1876. This morning the mail brings me the Cincinnati Commercial who correspondent meanly attacks me and attempts to make me in some way responsible Coles and Brega moth contract. The little rascal knows he is lying and for the first time Crete shows belligerent anger against these people. She thinks I ought to horsewhip this man but he is not worthy of it. Attended church with Crete and Mother, Mollie and Irvin. Had a collision with Harry the other day because of his spirit of disobedience and with a result which I think was beneficial to him. After dinner read the celebrated case of the Earl of Shrewsbury vs. Scott decided in the Court of Queen's Bench in 1859. It affords a valuable study of the doctrine of conditions precedent. Read Shakespeare's Caesar aloud to the children. At half past six Mother and I went to Mr Riddles on 13th St. where we took tea and spent the evening until half-past nine. After returning home read the life of Macaulay giving the account of his parliamentary achievement and of his articles in the Edinburgh Magazine. There is some admirable in the hearty way in which he hated MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1876. Crocker. I am inclined to think I am not a good hater. *Worked on Insurance case until half-past nine, when I went to the War Department with Major Sweet to introduce him to the Secretary. After his business was concluded the Secy took me into his private room and asked my advice in regard to removing General Babcock from the Commissionership of Public Buildings and also in reference to revoking the order forbidding the officers of the Army to write to Congressmen in reference to matters of legislation. Went to the Capitol and found the Ways and Means not in session. The principal feature of the proceedings in the House was Mr. Blaine's reply to the newspaper attacks upon him in reference to the Western Railroads. I think it was the almost universal sentiment that his reply was manly, truthful and exhaustive and I shall look with much interest at the way it will be treated by the public press. I think his presidential future turned upon it and if his opponents fail to beat him in nomination it will be be because he swept away the charges against him. Dined at Mr Blaines in company with Hale, Hurlbut, Lawrence TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1876. Correspondence. Law Case until 10 o'clock, when I went with Mr Payne to the Treasury Department to aid him in securing a clerkship for Mrs Dean and old lady from Cleveland who is lame. Went thence to the Com. on Ways and Means where the morning was spent on the Internal Revenue bill. Soon after the assembling of the House, Knox called for me and I went with him and Mr Vice President of the N.Y. Life Ins. Co, to the State Dept to introduce them to the Secretary. They desire the Department to request the French Govt to grant them permission to carry on their insurance business in France. Returned to the House and remained until five. Mrs. Ward dined with us. Prof Janney of the Columbia School of Mines called. Worked on Insurance brief. Read Macaulay until nearly 12 o'clock - I shall be glad if my reading of this fascinating book aids in removing the sense of the hopeless inferiority of almost every other man in comparison with him For myself however I shall feel the hopeless distance between myself and him - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1876. Letters in the morning. Attended a meeting of the Pacific R. R. Com. at half past ten, where after a long discussion we voted to report back to the House the Senate bill extending the time of Northern Pacific road. At 12 o'clock went to the Supreme Court, where Carpenter opened our case immediately and spoke finely for an hour and a quarter. Then Clinton Rice filed a printed argument. Judge Casey addressed the Court an hour or two. I then spoke an hour and ten minutes closing the case at quarter before four. I am pretty well satisfied with the argument and with my part in it. Judge Swayne said to a friend of mine after the Court had adjourned that the case had been more ably presented than ever before. Dined at Welker's with my class-mate Knox and his son Julien Davies and Mr Beers President of the N.Y. Life Ins. Co. G. W. Metcalf called in the evening and we had a long conversation in regard to the Alabama Claims. Read Macaulay for half an hour and retired. I am strongly drawn to the brave bold scholar, who loved so strongly and hated so royally - I am a poor hater - THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1876 Went to the Treasury Department in the morning and thence with Genl. McDowell to the Capitol. The General has been summoned as a witness for the House in the Belknap Impeachment. Spent most of the day in the Senate listening to the argument by Blair, Black and Carpenter on the motion to postpone the trial until next December. Black made a very brilliant speech, but I find he repeats himself a good deal. Many of the best points in his speech I have heard him use on other occasions. Carpenter is an easy and forcible speaker and made a favorable impression on his audience. But it was a hazardous experiment to ask the Tribunal to distrust their own fairness and to postpone the hearing until they should be cooler. The result was as I expected the Senate declined to hear arguments on the other side and refused the motion. In the evening received the manuscript of my argument in the Insurance cases and commenced to revise it. It does not read so well as I expected. At 11 o'clock read Macaulay for half an hour and then retired. Friday, April 28, 1876 Worked until half past 11 o'clock revising the Reporter's notes of my [speech] argument on the Insurance Case. The report is very imperfect and I am compelled to rewrite most of it. I have not yet acquired that deliberation of statement in the Supreme Court that I can [enjoy] command in the House. This doubtless arises from the consciousness that I am imperfectly trained in the law. I must acquire self possession in the only way possible, that is by enlarging the circle of any knowledge. At half past eleven went to the Interior Department on business and thence to the Capitol. On the House a long discussion occurred on a point of order under the new rule which allows a change of the law in the interest of retrenchment. I spoke for ten minutes & was pretty well satisfied with my presentation of the subject. The speaker sustained the point of order to throw of the appn Bill the section transferring the Indian Bureau to the War Dept. The Legislative bill then passed the House and the day was spent on private bills. In the evening worked until half past eight, revising my argument At nine oclock went with Crete and Mrs Payne to meet an informal party. we spent the evening pleasantly. Mr Tucker was there and gave interesting facts in regards to Va SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1876. Staid at home and worked on the revision of my notes in the Insurance argument until one o'clock when I sent it to the printer's and went to the House. Nothing was done except to debate the Farwell Election case. Our Election cases drive members out of the House as certainly as an Indian Bill emptied the Commons in Macaulay's day. In the evening Crete and I attended the Literary Club at Judge Johnson's on "K" St. The essay on the Ideal in Art by Mr. Miller did not amount to much, but Mr. [?] gave us a very interesting talk on deaf mutism, showing that there was a mental and moral as well as a physical deaf mutism. SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1876. Attended church and listened to a very good sermon of A. N. Colbert of Baltimore on the relation of law human and divine to morality. After dinner read Macaulay until five o'clock when Crete and I called on General Schenk and his daughter Julia. Had a pleasant visit. They knew Trevelyan, Macaulay's sister Hannah, who died two or three years ago. Returning home after tea I read to the children Plutarch's History of Romulus. Then Crete and i read Macaulay until a late hour. MONDAY, MAY 1, 1876. Wrote letters in the forenoon. At 11 o'clock went to the Interior Department to secure employment for Mrs. Lacy. Thence to the Capitol. The Come on Ways and Means did not meet. After an attempt on the part of the Democrats to suspend the rules and repeal the Resumption Act they got in a tangle about an appropriation for Southern Postal Claims and to avoid a vote adjourned at three o'clock. Went with Crete to call on Miss Ransom, but she was not in. On my return stopped at a book auction where the library of the late Governor Thomas of Maryland was being sold. Purchased Ticknors History of Spanish Literature and also his life of Prescott. It is a great pleasure to me to remember the origin of my book purchases and have thrown around the volume some little memorabilia of it. Crete and I read Macaulay until a late hour. It is a most delightful recreation to follow the dear old brave soul in his work and reading. I confess to feeling a little semiconsciousness of being flattered by [?] thing that in many ways, my own thoughts & traits are like his. Cum longo Intervallo. TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1876. Called again at the Interior Department on business and thence to the Come on Ways and Means, where private bills were discussed in the House. The day was spent on a contested election case Farwell vs LeMoyne. At three o'clock, I went to the Treasury to procure some statistics in reference to the tariff and also to get the opinion of the Department on a bill pending before the Come on Ways and Means. Called on the Com's of [?] Rev. and on Dr. Linderman and on Judge Tabor the Fourth Auditor. The latter gent gave me a splendid volume of the complete works of Ovid, Paris Edition French and Latin text. During the evening ran through the biography of Ovid and also read portions of the Tristitia, moved thereto by a passage in the second volume of Macaulay's Life. I have determined to get a complete set of the Latin Classics. Read Macaulay until 11. The history of his defeat at Edinburgh in 1848 is very touching and the poem written the same night is most worthily done. Crete says his courageous independence reminded her of my speech at Warren in 1864. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. At Half past ten went to the Come on the Pacific Railroad. The morning was spent on the the Omaha Bridge bill. In the house Farwell was unseated and the rest of the day consumed in debate on the Post Office appropriation. At half past two I went into the Library and spent an hour among the Latin Classics then came home and read Macaulay until after dinner. In the evening called on Mr. Riddle in reference to a difficulty which has sprung up between him and Blaine. Riddle is offended at Blaine for using letters of his son in-law's and threatens to make a public attack on Blaine for it. Had a long talk with him and have some hope that he will reconsider his purpose again. Returned home at 11 o'clock and read Macaulay for an hour. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1876 Worked on correspondence until 10 o'clock when I went with Crete and Miss Ransom and brought home mothers picture which has been elegantly framed. We hung it above the piano in a good light. It is an excellent piece of work. We then drove with the two mothers and three of the children to Lincoln Park to see the bronze statute of Lincoln set up by the colored people on the 14th of April. The legs seems too short but the face is very good. Went to the House where the day was spent an the Post Office appropriation bill. At the close a message was read from the President in answer to a House resolution demanding to know by what authority he had been absent from the [city] seat of Government and signed official papers at any other place than Washington. His answer is admirable and the memorandum annexed to it showing the absences of former presidents is really a valuable addition to our historical knowledge. In the evening Crete and I attended the Artists Reception in [the] Vernon Row. We were surprised to find how much was being done in this city in the way of art. After coming home read Macaulay until half past 11. N is breaking down & health is very bad. FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1876 Correspondence in the morning. Then went to the Departments. In the House the day was spent on private bills. I took but little part in the proceedings preferring to rest. I feel a singular indisposition to take hold of any active work. The warm weather is ennervating. I can read but I am quite averse to constructive work. I ought to prepare my address on the life of Almeda but feel the greatest disinclination to begin. Perhaps the life of Macaulay keeps up this feeling. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1876 Read the last 40 pages of Macaulay's life with pleasure and yet with sadness Went to the Departments and then to the House where the day was spent in general debate on the Post office appropriation Bill until 4 o'clock when the bill was taken up by paragraphs. I spent part of the day in the Senate listening to the arguments of Messrs Jenks and Hoar managers on the part of the House. Mr Hoar made an able and impressive speech. The strangest yet made on our side. A portion of it seemed to me illogical in this that when he was debating the parliamentary law question of the jurisdiction of the Senate over an officer who had resigned, Mr Hoar urged the general corruption of the time as a reason why the Senate should take jurisdiction. At seven oclock dined with Mr Hoar and twenty-two other gents at Wormley's. The party consisted of the Massachusetts Delegation, Messrs Blaine, Barstow and Jewell, Senators Allison and Wadleigh Messrs McCrary, Townsend and myself of the House and an Editor or two. A very pleasant party. Came home at ten and read for an hour. SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1876. Attended church and then read Arbuthnot Essays on Political Lying. A very witty and brilliant paper which ought to be republished. I am not sure that it is by Arbuthnot but it appears from the date 1812 of his John Bull and is bound up in the same volume. After dinner finished Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to the children. Blaine and Glenni IV Scofield called and asked me to walk with them. We had a long walk and talked on political affairs. In the evening, finished the Essay on Political Lying and commenced rereading Macaulay. I am rereading hastily to gather up the forgotten parts. Recommitted the first Ode of Horace which I formerly knew and found I had partly forgotten. MONDAY, MAY 8, 1876. After reading my mail wrote out the substance of the first four chapters of Political Lying. At half past ten went to the Capitol and listened to Proctor Knott's speech on the Impeachment Trial. Then went to the Supreme Court expecting to hear the opinion on our Insurance case, but found the Court had postponed it until the next term. The Emperor of Brazil Dom Pedro came in while the Court were reading opinions. He is a pleasant genial looking old gentleman and looks like a sensible man. Went to the Senate and listened to Judge Blacks closing argument in defense of Belknap. He fell below my expectations. In the House the Hawaiian Treaty was taken up, debate closed and the bill passed by 15 majority. In the Mr. Powers and wife sister and aunt dined with us. Spent the evening until nine o'clock reading Martinus Scriblerus and read what I could find of the history of Dr. John Arbuthnot the companion of Pope and Swift and said to be their equal in wit. It is a pity that their plan of a Scribbler's Club was abandoned; it appears that Gulliver's Travels was to have been a part of it. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1876. Worked on correspondence until 10 o'clock. Went to the Capitol and made two or three shopping calls on my way back. At half past eleven Crete and I went to the Depot and at 12 joined the excursion train for Philadelphia. A majority of the members of both houses were on board the train and also many other people. The train was furnished by Thomas A. Scott and took us by way of Baltimore, York, Columbia and Lancaster. We arrived at the Centennial Grounds at half past six and stopped at the Globe Hotel, a temporary building erected at a cost of half a million dollars. On the way Crete read Miss Edgeworth's "Hannah". We were lead to this book by Ticknor and Macaulay. Spent the evening in visiting and reading. Great crowds of people are pouring into the city from all quarters. Wednesday May 10, 1876. At seven o'clock Crete and I drove to the City to do a little shopping, but most of the stores were closed and the processions that filled the streets made it difficult to move. The sky is overcast Wednesday May 10, 1876. and some rain is falling while we are in the city. We returned at 9 o'clock and after breakfast went to the Centennial. Old Probabilities promised us a fair day and it came. We sat on the stand in front of the Art Hall and witnessed the imposing ceremonies of the opening of the Exposition. They will be so well described by Bayard Taylor in the Tribune of tomorrow, that I need not enlarge upon them. Nearly one hundred thousand people witnessed the ceremonies. But more than the sight of crowds and of titled officials, I was impressed by the grandeur of the human voice when the thousand trained singers rendered in solemn and beautiful music Whittier's hymn. As I had Bishop Simpson's prayer and the other speeches in print before their delivery I did not care to listen and after the singing Crete and I went into the Art Gallery. Thence through the crowd to Machinery Hall but two late for the opening. Just at the door we met the President with Empress of Brazil on his arm, followed by the Emperor and Mrs. Grant. We then spent an hour in Machinery Hall, where THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1876. the United States will doubtless make relatively the best exhibition. Hence to the Hotel and dinner. After dinner it rained heavily. Crete read Miss Edgeworth until Rockwell and General Pelouze came when we played whist for two hours and then retired. *After breakfast called at the U.S. Hotel and met Judge Ramsey of Cleveland, with whom I had a long talk in reference to the law business. He spoke kindly and encouragingly of my prospects should I enter the law. He was not yet ready to say what he could do in reference to the partnership, but would see me in Washington next week. At 11, Crete and I went again to the Exposition Grounds and spent three hours in Memorial Hall and Art Hall. We saw enough to determine to visit the grounds again later in the season and if possible bring the children. I have no doubt of two things; first, that the Exposition will not be a financial success; second, that it will be a great success in the way of Education and stimulous to the people who participate. At two o'clock returned to the hotel and took dinner and at 3 o'clock took the excursion train for Washington, where we arrived quarter before ten and found the family well and glad to meet us again. Crete read Miss Edgeworth and I copies of the dispatches written by me during the war which have been furnished me by the Adjutant General. Before we were aware of the passage of time, it was half past 12 o'clock. FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1876 Dictated a large number of letters and caught up with my mail, which gained on me as usual during my absence. Attended the meeting of the House. But little was done, the day being spent in private bills. Received the sad news of the death of Halsey Hall's wife and imagined how desolate his life must be for some time. Saturday, May 13, 1876 Called on Mr. Young in reference to some difficulties in his school affecting Jimmy. One of Jimmy's books which he had lent to Norman Galt, was found the other day in a Circulating Library and he supposed Norman had sold it. This led to the complication. Jimmy was in the right and I defended him. Attended the meeting of the House at 12. Still at work on the Post Office Appropriation bill. I should have mentioned that I spoke yesterday on the bill. In the evening the Literary Club met here and discussed the question who were the five foremost promoters of American Independence. I advocated the claims of Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Franklin, Washington and Jefferson. About forty people were present and we had a pleasant evening at the close of which the club adjourned for the season. Sunday, May 14, 1876 Attended church with Mother. Crete remained at home. After dinner read Cicero's letters in which he avows his sympathy with the assassination of Caesar. At three o'clock took Crete and mother and the children on a drive out 14th St, past Mount Pleasant, across Rock Creek, through Tennalytown, Georgetown and home. In the evening John Q. Smith and Rockwell called and spent some time. Retired at 10 having accomplished but little during the day and needing rest. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1876. Began my preparations for an address on the life and character of Almeda Booth. I hardly know how to do it. Read over the volumes of my journal covering an early period of my acquaintance with her. Called at the Treasury Department on business thence went to the House. It is difficult to keep up my interest in the proceedings. Attended a meeting of the Judiciary Come where they are investigating the bond story about Blaine. Arbuthnot's treatise on Political Lying ought to be republished with notes giving modern instances. Went to the Library and found his essay in the Sixth Volume of Swift's Works. Rose came in the evening and I dictated a number of letters. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1876 Went to the Treasury Department on business. Thence to the Come on Ways and Means, where several private bills and reports were agreed to. I called up the bill for the settlement of the accounts with Internal Revenue collections and it was authorized to be reported to the House. In the House three hours were spent on the Report of the Printing Committee denouncing Clapp the Congressional printer. I called Singleton of Mississippi to order for referring to a Senator by name and he responded insolently and I rebuked him. The affair made some sensation. The House then went to the discussion of the Post Office appropriation bill, but did not conclude it. In the evening Gov. Dennison called and spent several hours. The political contest seems to be narrowed down to Blaine in the front rank and Hayes in the second. The attacks on Blaine are reacting in his favor I feel a singular incapacity to commence the addresses I have to prepare and do not know how to breakthrough the spell which seems to be upon me. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. At the House during the day. It appears that the Senate, contrary to the general expectation, will take jurisdiction of the Belknap case. I greatly doubt their right to do so. Read in the evening and examined the materials for the life of Miss Booth. It is amazing how little I have been able to learn of her early life before she came to Hiram. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1876. Dictated a few pages for the beginning of the address on Miss Booth. For some reason, I find it extremely difficult to do this work. Perhaps the very strength of my interest makes it difficult for me to put her far enough off to get a proper perspective of her life and character. I have never undertaken a composition which appeared so difficult. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. Made a little progress on the Booth address. During the day spent sometime in the Library reading up the life of Margaret Fuller and making notes. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1876. Dictated an hour on the life of Miss Booth. Went to the House at 12. But little was done. Baker of Indiana introduced a resolution requiring the printing of the altercation between Singleton and myself which the latter gent left out. I spoke on the subject. The Democrats laid the resolution on the table. At four o'clock went with Foster of Ohio to the Navy yard to witness the experiment with Lay's new torpedo. The experiments were a complete success. In the evening worked on the Booth address. Retired at 11 but could not sleep and after a half an hour's tossing went to my library and worked until 5 o'clock and still was not sleepy. Caught two hours of sleep however and rose at 8 o'clock SUNDAY, MAY 21, 1876. Did not attend church. Read and wrote until after dinner. Read to the children in the evening. Col Rockwell came and he with Crete and I called at Blaines. Mr Blaine has been sick with chills and fever since Tuesday. Had a long conversation with him on the political prospects. Retired early MONDAY, MAY 22, 1876. Worked on Hiram Address until 11 o'clock. Then went to the Treasury and the State Departments on business. Thence to the House of Rep. After the morning miscellany a report was made from the Come on Rules recommending the dismissal of Door Keeper Fitzhugh, which was agreed. The rest of the day was spent on the Naval Appropriation bill. In the evening Mr and Mrs Ketcham- she that was Mary Clapp took dinner with us and staid until 8 o'clock. Received from Kline a package of Miss Booth's manuscripts. Read them until midnight. Had an interesting conversation with the Secretary of State concerning the Senate's opposition to Dana's appointment. It appears that Don Cameron desired the place. This was doubtless the cause of Dana's rejection. We were surprised and disgusted today by the nomination of Don Cameron to the Sec'y of War. Taft goes to the Atty General's office and Pierpont to England. T[UE]HURSDAY, MAY 25, 1876. [*For Tuesday see Thursday +al.*] Worked on the Booth address until half past ten. Then went to the Come on Ways and Means. Much discussion and little accomplished. The papers of this morning show that yesterday was a field day for Blaine. He must have carried in the neighborhood of sixty delegates in the five Western State conventions and New Hampshire. In the House went into C. Whole on the Tariff bill. Morrison, Chr of the Committee on Ways and Means made a long and able speech followed by Burchard in a still abler one. I am more and more confirmed in the opinion that theoretically free trade is right through I still insist that for the present it is impracticable. Come on Foreign Affairs made their report on the Emma Mine reflecting severely on General Schenck I wish the case were so I could defend him but I fear I cannot. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1876. Worked on the Booth Address until half past ten and then went to the meeting of the Committee on the Pacific R.R. Heard Mr Wigginton of California on a bill relating to the Pacific Coast and then heard Sidney Dillon President of the Union Pacific Railroad on the Omaha Bridge Bill and a reply from Mr Crouse of Nebraska. The House went into Cme on an Election case about two o'clock and at three I came home and worked on the Booth Address but without much spirit. At ten o'clock went to a party at Mr Bannagra's. An old French lady 82 years of age played very finely on the piano. At the request of Mr Bannagras, I read Mrs Brownings "Death of Pan" TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1876. [*For Thursday see Tuesday Ante.*] Worked on the Booth Address until 12 o'clock. Then went to the House. The Naval Appropriation bill was passed and the Indian Bill taken up. I was ashamed to find that I had wholly forgotten the meeting of the Come on Ways and Means. I have very rarely been absent from a Come meeting. I dislike to be a laggard in any respect. In the evening Rose came and we worked on the address and on correspondence until 9 o'clock. At ten Mr Blaine sent for me and I went to his house. He is nearly well again. He is feeling hopeful about the Cincinnati Convention. It looks now as though he would have the whole Illinois Delegation. Work on the Almeda's address until half past 11 and am at least getting started. I have found it more difficult that anything I have undertaken for a long time. FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1876. Worked on correspondence and the Booth address until half past ten when I attended the meeting of the Come on Way and Means. In the House the day was consumed in the discussion of private bills except an hour and a half which was devoted to a report of the Come on Foreign affairs in relation to General Schenck and his connection with the Emma Mine. The report is unanimous and severely censures the General. I feel that he has been dealt harshly with but I do not see sufficient grounds of defense on which I can serve him. Worked on the Booth address in the evening. Saturday, May 27, 1876. Worked on the Booth address until near noon and made good progress I have at last broken through the crust of my work and moving more easily and steadily. In the House most of the day was consumed in fillibustering on the Army bill. Just as Blaine has recoveered from the Cme assaults upon him a private letter of his in reference to the Northern Pacific Railroad Bonds has been printed in the New York Sun. It will I fear greatly injure him. I was so much distressed that I went to his house at four o'clock and discussed the question. He has prepared a reply which will break the force of the letter a good deal. In ordinary times no harm would come of it , but the public is morbidly sensitive to any connected with railroad affairs and I greatly fear that this letter will lose Blaine the nomination. Still I hope not. In the evening Col. Rockwell came and staid until eleven o'clock. Sunday, May 28, 1876. Attended church and in the afternoon made further progress on the Booth address. Brought her history down to her graduation at Oberlin in 1855. I fear I have destroyed its perspective a little by making that portion which relates to her studies to minute, and I seem also to have reached a climax with 'her graduation. MONDAY, MAY 29, 1876. Worked on the Booth Address until 11 o'clock, when I went to the Treasury Department on business and thence to the Capitol. I am ashamed to say that I again forgot that we had a special meeting of the Come on Ways and Means this morning at 11. The members of the Ho. were dreadfully shocked by the fact that a man from New York testified to having paid Mr Kerr in 1866, $450 for appointing another man to a Lieut'cy in the Army. I am unwilling to believe this story, but if it is true it ruins poor Kerr's reputation in the last hours of his life. The new attack on Blaine has fallen with much less weight than I feared. In the evening worked until a late hour on the Booth Address. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1876 I perhaps ought to have attended the Decoration Services at Arlington but could not spare the time. I did not go out of the House until evening but spent the day on the Booth Address. Very nearly completed the story of her life. I have concluded to leave to the last a summary of her character. After dinner I went to Blaines and visited an hour. He is not yet well of his illness and is a good deal depressed by the repeated attacks now being made upon him. The effect may however, be a stronger reaction in his favor. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1876. Worked on the Booth address a little while in the morning and at half-past ten went to the Committee on Ways and Means where some witnesses were examined on the newspaper story that money had been used to procure the passage of the Hawaiian bill. There is nothing in the story and the investigation is itself absurd. In the House most of the day was spent on the Morey Election case. At half past three went home with Foster to his room at 13th St. and played Casino for an hour. In the evening worked on the Booth Address. Am not feeling well today. Worked too closely yesterday. THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1876 Worked on the Booth address until half past ten when I went to the Come on Ways and Means where nothing special was done. Miscellaneous work in the House. The bill reducing the army was passed. Also, a bill correcting the Revised Statutes on which I spoke a little. A new sensation in the Blaine Investigation. A dramatic scene between himself and the Irish witness Mulligan. I am watching the progress of these assaults upon Blaine with anxious interest. I begin to think they may damage his chances for nomination. On the evening worked on the Booth Address and dictated a large number of letters. FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1876. Continued work on address and correspondence in the morning. Then attended the Come on Ways and Means. In the House the day was spent on the Indian Appropriation Bill. I came home early and worked on the Booth Address. It drags its slow length along but is nearly finished. At 10 o'clock Crete and I attended the reception given by Sir Edward and Lady Thornton to the Emperor and Empress of Brazil. A large and brilliant party was assembled but the Emperor did not arrive until after 11 o'clock having been detained on board the Steamer Arrow. The general impression to night is that Blaine has suffered very serious from the Mulligan Letter business. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1876. Booth Address and correspondence in the morning. At half past ten attended a meeting of the Committee on Ways and Means and listened to an argument from Judge Black on the Fort Sill question. The Come adjourned at 12 and met again at two and sat for an hour and a half on the report of the sub. committee on the Fort Sill Committee business. The report completely exonerated the Secy of the Treasury from any wrong in that matter. This is the first instance of the acquittal of a Republican by this Democratic House. After dinner went with Harry and Jimmy with two of their school boy friends to Georgetown and took a boat ride for about an hour on the river. Got caught in the rain and came home about half past eight o'clock wet and tired. I feel the necessity of taking more pains with my boys and keeping up a stronger sympathy between us. SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1876. The day was hot and uncomfortable. I did not attend church but spent nearly the whole day in revisiting the Booth address through out. I have finished it all but about two pages of the conclusion. I am thoroughly displeased with it but presume it is because I have worked over it so long. In the evening Cowles of Cleveland came and had a long talk in regard to Blaines prospects. I doubt if he can recover from the Mulligan complication. He is in this dilemma if the public sees the letters they will probably afford materials for campaign scandal. If he refuses people will say there is something very criminal in there. I incline to believe that he ought to refuse and lose the presidency rather than surrender a private right. Still if he fully vindicate his right to withhold and then chooses to present them it may turn the tide in his favor. He is to night discussing that question and will act tomorrow. MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1876. Worked on correspondence and the Booth address until near 12. On the House at half past one o'clock Blaine took the floor on a question of privilege, reviewed the course of the investigation against him and showed that they were turned from the channel of public affairs to do him whatever personal harm they could, but thus far they had proved nothing because there was nothing to be proved. He then reviewed the Mulligan matter and asserted in the broadest terms and the most defiant manner his right to those letters against the Committees of the House and his right to contest it at all hazards. He then said of his own will he would read the letters and did so. The effect was very dramatic and electrical. At the close of the reading he charged the Chairman of the Judiciary Comm with having received a dispatch from Caldwell exonerating Blaine and of suppressing it. This was the climax of his triumph Knott was completely crushed under it and the tide of sympathy very strongly turned *TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1876. in Blaine's favor. I have never witnessed so dramatic a scene since I have been in the House. It may give Blaine the nomination. The feeling to night is that it will, though I am not so sure of his election as I would be glad to be. Called at Schenck's house. He feels greatly outraged by the report of the Comm on Foreign Affairs. Then called on Blaine for a little while. I shall look with interest at the comments of the press tomorrow. *I am now turning my attention to the Williams address but am wholly at a loss for a subject. A sense of impotence and inaction oppresses me. At half past ten went to the Come on Ways and Means where the Hawaiian investigation was continued without any discovery because there was nothing to discover. In the House the day was spent on the Indian Appropriation bill which passed. The Belknap Impeachment going on in the Senate. In the evening called on Judge Black in reference to the Court Martial of Paymaster Carpenter # WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1876. Then called on Secy of the Navy- Robeson- on the same subject. Returned home and read Cornwall Lewis; work on Methods in politics. # Worked on correspondence in the morning. Attended the meeting of the Comm on the Pacific Railroads at 10 o'clock. Only routine business was done in the House. Everybody seems resting on their ears after the battle of yesterday, except that in the Investigating Committee, he Blaine again pushed his accusers to the wall very sharply. The tide of reaction still seems to be sweeping strongly in his favor. The roar of the great dailies of the commercial centers would indicate an easy victory for him but the ground swell from the country districts would determine it, and that is not yet heard from. In the evening read G. Cornwall Lewis on Political Methods and the new historical work of Von Holtz on the constitutional history of the U.S. I have about concluded to take the U.S. Congress as the subject of my Williams address. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning. At 11 o'clock attended a meeting of the Come on Ways and Means. The day in the House was devoted in the main to the discussion of the of the Geneva Award. It was interrupted, however, by a personal explanation from Mr Farifax in which he attacked Blaine for doubting his sincerity. He was effectually squelched by Blaine in about two minutes and shown to have been probably the only one man in the House that could not have afforded to attack Blaine on the point he did. In the evening I called on Blaine and talked with in regard to some passages in the Mulligan letters which are being criticized. He has received 150 letters to day from all parts of the country full of enthusiasm and courage. I shall not be surprised if he is nominated at Cincinnati, yet I feel some doubt about the effect of these letters upon his success as a candidate. He certainly is not the highest type of a reformer. Hardly a reformer at all. But I have no doubt he will give us an honest and brilliant administration. Reading the history of Congress during the evening. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. Went to the Treasury Department on business and had a talk with Bristow in regard to his relations to Blaine urging the necessity of friendship between them, that whatever might be the result of the Cincinnati Convention they were naturally allies. He concurred in this view. In the House the day was spent on private bills. I spent most of the time in reading and making notes for my Williams Address. Continued the same work in the evening until a late hour. Saturday, June 10, 1876 Worked on correspondence and the Williams address until noon. In the House Mr Hinton moved to lay on the table Blaine's motion to reconsider the vote about printing the testimony of the [Judiciaty] Judiciary. Blaine resisted and there was a sharpe combat for nearly [and] an hour. I took part resisting Morrisons attempt to authorize the Committee to receive hearsay evidence. That attempt failed but the motion to reconsider was laid on the table very wrongfully on the part of the Democrats. A large number of delegates to Cincinnati. Many of them called on Blame. The New Hampshire delegation called on Blaine and myself and l had a pleasant visit with M and Mrs Newton of Farmington New Hampshire and Mr. Burns of Milford. Continued reading for my Williams address, while 8 oclock when I went to Mr Lord's room and played Euchre for three or four hours with Lord, Treasurer New and Danford reformed have at eleven and read until half past one. Sunday June 11, 1876 Read on History of Congress until 11 a.m. when I went to Church with Crete Mollie & Abram. The day is very hot. On my return at half past twlve, found a note from Gilfillan, telling me that Mr Blaine fell fainting at the Congregational Church this morning at 11. I went at once to his house, found him on a bed in his front parlor, still unconscious. He was so when I left him at a quarter past one. If he dies, of this it will be the work of political assassination, as surely as though he had been stabbed to death. Just before I reached the house, Mrs Blaine had refused admittance to Secy Bristow, because she regarded him as one of Blaines assailants. At four o'clock called again at Blaine's and found his consciousness slowly returning. Went thence and sent a dispatch to Hale of Cincinnati. Then went to Foster's room and consulted with him and Danford in regard to the debate of tomorrow on the Kerr investigation Governor Dennison called and took me to Bristow's to consult [to] in regard to the unpleasant event referred to above. I advised them to shield Mrs Blaine from any mention in the public prints and then sent another dispatch to Hale on that question. At nine o'clock went again to see Blaine who is still #MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1876 unconscious; thence to Bristow's to consider the statement proposed to be made by Governor Dennison. Recommended the omission of a clause which he and Bristow both consented to. Retired at twelve o'clock but sleepless and anxious. *Could sleep but little last night on account of my anxiety for Blaine Rose at 5 and ascertained that he slept quietly most of the night. Read for for Williams address until eight when I went to see Blaine. He is still unconscious except occasionally. After breakfast worked on address until near 12 when I went to inquire after Blaine. I found Governor Dennison at the door and rode with him to the Treasury and thence to the Capitol. Wild rumors about Blaine's condition were received frequently during the day. A report vindicating Speaker Kerr was read and Danford made a very manly speech denouncing the recent unjust attacks up Kerr. I called for a rising vote on the report which was unanimously adopted. #TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1876. Went to Blaine's at half past five and found him a little better, but most of the time unconscious. The family were greatly distressed by a request from the Judiciary Committee to know when he would be able to be present at the investigation. I agreed to manage the answer. Further trouble also about the Dennison - Bristow dispatch. On my arrival home Warren Fisher was sent to me by Blaine's Private Sec'y and I had a long talk with him. He has come with Mulligan who is again summoned as a witness. Worked on Williams address until 11 o'clock #Went to Blaine's early in the morning and found him still unconscious though I think he knows a good deal of what is said to him. Then to the meeting of the House. In answer to Blounts opposition to national aid to education, read a paragraph of Washington's Second Annual Message to Congress. Several of us had arranged for a consultation at 10 o'clock in regard to Blaine's situation which it is our duty to communicate to the Cincinnati #WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 1876 Convention. But at ten minutes after eight o'clock he took the matter into his own hands by writing a connected and beautiful dispatch to Hale. The cloud has lifted and he is himself again. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1876. Visited Blaine in the morning and then spent all the rest of the day at home on my Williams address. I have been so very anxious about Blaine and so much interested with the doings of the Cincinnati Convention that I have not worked with any ease or satisfaction to myself on the Williams address. THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1876. Arose at five o'clock and worked on Williams address until after breakfast then called on Blaine and found him rapidly improving. Worked on address until two o'clock when I went to the House. Nothing but debate. Spent three hours in the Library looking over the Duane Pamphlets and other memorials of Revolutionary times. In the evening called at Blaine's. Then worked on address until half past ten. The candidates have been named at Cincinnati, but the Convention adjourned until tomorrow without a ballot. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1876. Did not attend the House but worked on the Williams address and made some progress though I was a good deal disturbed by the ballotings at Cincinnati. Blaine sent for me two or three times to advise with him. And I made two visits to Mr Morton one at his request in which singularly enough he desired me to cut Blaine and help him. Morton so as to prevent the election of Conkling. I was with Blaine when the 7th Ballot was taken. So soon as New York cast so large a vote for Hayes Blaine foresaw the result and wrote his message of congratulations to Hayes before the nomination was announced. I am clearly of opinion that it is better for Blaine not to be nominated, but New England has shown herself unworthy of having a President by her treatment of Blaine. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1876. Worked on the Williams address all day. Do not feel well for I have been sleeping only about half time during the last week. Engaged to deliver a speech at the Hayes ratification meeting this evening, but the rain postponed it until Monday. Retired at 11 very much exhausted. SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1876 Rose at seven and resumed work on William's address. Rose came shortly after breakfast and we tugged together until six o'clock. Made pretty good progress but I am drawing it out too long and must hasten to a close. My mind seems strained and lethargic at the long strain upon it with these two addresses. MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1876 Rose early and recommenced work on the Williams address. Crete commenced to make a duplicate copy. I worked on the concluding portions, and at one p.m. finished it. In many respects I am pleased with it; but I fear it is too heavy, & too historical for the audience to which it will be delivered. At one p.m. went to the House, and took part in the debate on the bill for the government of the Dist of Columbia. Returned at half past four & Rose & Warren Young came to aid in completing the copy. I also dictated letters to Rose and worked until 7-30 p.m. when mother & I took the train for Pittsburgh en route to Ohio. The heavy strain of the last two weeks & the sudden let up, as I sat in the car brought great fatigue. I ought to have said above, that before leaving I wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Ratification meeting to be held tonight at the City Hall. Went to sleep between Balmore & Harrisburgh. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1876. We reached Pittsburgh at 8-30 a.m. and in half an hour, were on the way to [?]. Before we arrived there, I had revised two thirds of my address on Miss Booth. At [?] we waited nine hours, during which time, I completed the revision of the address, and wrote a part of the conclusion. Mother has stood the journey better than usual for her. At three we took the train for Niles & thence west. At Warren, Harrison Austin & several friends came to meet me. Harrison went with me to Hiram. Mother went on to Solon. Alvah Udall met Harrison & me at the Garrettsville station & took us to his house to tea; after which we went to the College & organized the meetings of the Board of Trustees. At 7 1/2 p.m. attended the sermon of the Hisperian Society. Harmon Austin went with me & spent the night at Father Rudolph's. He is very anxious to have me stand again as a candidate for Congress. Wednesday, June 21, 1876. At half past eight oclock the board of Trusties met and continued in session nearly all day. The College has greatly run down in students, and has fallen behind in revenues. I am not a little distressed at its condition. With all of Burke's good qualities, I fear he will never acquire the power to attract young people, except of the more strident class. Took dinner at Burkes, and tea at Phebe Clapps. We found it necessary to dispose of Mrs [?] who has not been doing satisfactory work, especially in the social relations of the College. Sat up at Father Rudolph's until a late hour, on the Booth address and finished it. It is too long; but I could not well make it shorter. The house & the town are very lonesome, and it does not seem as though I could ever feel at home here again. How strangely our lives change in the lapse of years! THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1876. Board met again at half past Eight A very unpleasant little bit of meanness from Dr Squire, in reference to his services as teacher. He is a sly, hypocritical man, full of envy & hate, Under the pretense of kindness. Burke put me in possession of a scan mag, which greatly complicates the question of employing Mr Hill for next year. Tided over immediate difficulties by remitting the work of filling vacancies in the Faculty to a standing committee. Attended Commencement. Exercises in forenoon, took dinner at Cousin Phebes, and at two commenced reading my address which occupied one hour and a half. Had good attention & I think the address was well received. Resolution of thanks & to print were adopted. I took six o'clock train to Cleveland and spent the night at Dr Robisons. Very tired, and greatly distressed about my future. It seems as though I am at the parting of the ways. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1876. Telegraphed Crete to meet me at Albany tomorrow. At 10 a.m. called at the office of A.P. Ranney, and found he had gone to Akron. Had a long talk with H. C. Ranney, in reference to a partnership. He is anxious to have me come there & thinks a partnership can be arranged. I proposed to make an agreement to enter into a partnership on the 4th March next with the right on my part to be absent a [?] in Congress. Henry Ranney was pleased at the suggestion, and promised to see his uncle on the subject, & [?] me in the course of a fortnight. Took dinner at Dr Robisons with Dr Shertor & Harmon Austin. It seems almost necessary that I should run again partly to aid Hayes in Ohio, & partly to seal up the charges which were [?] altogether [?] over two years ago. At 2-45 p.m. took the cars in Company with Bushnell White (who graduated at Williams in 1836) for the East, read & talked till late, & slept, soon after we passed Buffalo. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1876. Arrived at Albany at 6-30 a.m. & found telegrams from family & from Gilfillan. Stopped at Delaware House, and after breakfast visited Sarah Garfield (widow of cousin Abram) and Alma McMillan (neé Garfield). At noon crossed the river to Greenbush where at 12.50 Crete Harry & Jimmie arrived & I joined them for Troy. After ten minutes, we left for Williamstown, and at three 20 were met by Prof Perry at the Wmstown depot. In the evening, I sat as one of the three judges (the others were Drs Crosby & Booth) to choose the best of six contestants for the delegate from Williams representative at the intercollegiate contest. We were unanimous in favor of Toland a bright young man, too scholarly & isolated to be popular, & Dodge of Cleveland for the second. Williamstown has greatly improved since I was last here. The old fences are gone & the broad street gives the whole grounds the appearance of a park. Retired at eleven tired. SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1876. Listened to a morning sermon from Dr. Howard Crosby, Chancellor of NY University - an able and scholarly sermon - but so ultra orthodox as to be of little value to me. He speaks of conversion as a complete desecration of the rational man, and a substitution of a new man as the work of God, not one word of which do I believe. In the afternoon we had the baccalaureate from Pres Chadbourn - not a very strong production. And then, later the missionary meeting at which Mr Calhoun (late Wmstown but for forty years missionary in Syria & most of that living on the top of Lebanon. He gave a very interesting account of the missions in Palestine, and his hopes of dying in Lebanon. The missionary spirit of this college is one of its most beautiful features. Still I have always felt that the religion of Williams is a little overdone. Especially the influence of Prof Albert Hopkins overdid the supernatural. The mountains are a good foil & check this undue supernaturalism [of the pla] MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1876. Revised my address, and wrote a few additional pages at two points in the discussion. Dr Hopkins called and invited Crete & me to dine with him at one - the boys have family mates in Prof Perry's two boys - & are having a grand time. Met Rockwell on his arrival & got him a room in New Street, next to Manleys. At one p.m. Crete & I dined at Dr Hopkins in company with Calhoun & his son and Mr and Mrs Goodrich. After a pleasant visit with the family & a walk with the Dr to Mission Park, Crete & I went to Nells, and made also a call on Mrs Tyler with whom I boarded when I first went to college. Back to Perry; and after tea, reviewed new parts of my address. At Half past seven Mr Gilbert priest of the Adelphia Union called & accompanied me to the church, which was well filled with a very distinguished audience. Read my address which occupied one hour & twenty five minutes. It was well received; but I think as I expected, its historical part was too long. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1876. Meeting of the Society of the Alumni at 9 a.m. W. C. Grant presiding. At eleven Dr. Hopkins centennial address, which was in his best [?] of analysis, & ornate style. It was really a most masterly production. At its close, the class of '56 met in the old Chapel No 5. and sent a committee on Conveyances, & even went by stage to Greylock Hall, where we had a good dinner, & then held a class meeting for four hours, twelve members present. At four p.m. Mrs Noble, Mrs Edridge, Mrs. Yeomans, & Crete with our two boys came & took tea with us. Our meeting was a most delightful one - Edridge was chairman & Cutter Sec. We took up the Financial record for 1856, & spent from three to ten minutes on each member, and found out the history & career of almost every member. Seven are dead, 37 living. In all 16 have been present at this Commencement . Only one member (O.C.S.) is said to have made a failure of life. The class feeling is really stronger today than when we parted 20 years ago. Returned to Prof Perry's at half past seven, and spent the evening in meeting with him and Pres. Bascom, who with his family are here at Prof Perry's. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1876. Our class met again at half past eight. I brought out the old class book of 1855 & 1856 and read the words of our meetings, which aroused many old memories. We continued our meeting until the procession was marching (at 10) to the Church, when we joined them, and listened to the exercises until half past 11, when we went out & resumed our meeting under the trees on the East side of East College. I finished the reading of the Class book, and we parted to hear the valedictory. Thence went to the Alumni dinner at Goodrich Hall, where dinner was eaten & speeches made. I spoke in response to a toast to Congress. Bryant's speech was enlivened by the history of his "Manolopsis" which he said was written when he was 18 years of age, not here but in Mass. In the evening, Crete & I attended Pres Chadbourne's levee and saw many friends. The day was somewhat clouded by the failure of Chadbourne to call upon Baseton at the Dinner. To little knowledge of men. Thursday June 29 1876 In the morning made several parting calls in Williamstown and at half past ten took the train for North Adams. Called on my classmates "Black" Patter who went with us through Sampson's Shoe Manufactory to let the boys see the Chinese at work. Then after lunch at the Ballon House we took the train to Pittsfield where we spent an hour driving through the town calling at Mr Dawes. At 2.30 pm we made the train for Hudson N.Y. where we arrived at 5 p.m. Dinner at the Worth House, & then went on board the Steamer Mc Mannus for N.Y. The boys were delighted at a tub race [?] to young men. At seven we steamed down the Hudson in sight of the Kaatskill Mts, the whole scene being a faint imitation of [?] of the Rhine. I notice that I have lost much of the enthusiasm I felt when I first descended this noble river 22 years ago. I regret this loss in part; though I presume it is best to get over the excessive gush of the twenties. Still I fear my way of life has done too much in the way of disenchantment. After night closed in Crete & I played Casino with the boys for half an hour & then retired FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1876 We were wakened at 5 by the pitiful bleating of a cargo of calves, on a barge which our steamer had taken in tow, & found that the boys were out, enjoying the morning and the scenery of the palisades. At half past six we reached pier No 49, and went to the Brevoort House & breakfast; & thence, after a view among the bookstores to get something for Mollie & Irvin, we took the 9:30 limited Express for Washington Took a drawing room compartment; and after reading the papers & magazines for an hour or two we played casino until we reached Baltimore. The day was exceedingly hot and the dust was almost blinding. We reached home at 4-20 p.m. and found the little ones well & rejoiced to meet us. Baths, all round and dinner, & then for me more than two bushels of mail. At eight p.m. went to the House. This absence of ten days is the longest of my congressional life. Walked home at ten with Prof Seeley who invited my advice in reference to staying in Congress or accepting the Presidency of Amherst College I laid the two paths before him but did not choose SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1876. Callers and Departments in the morning - and at noon went to the House. The greeting I have met on my return has been very pleasant and cordial. I made a speech of fifteen or twenty minutes on the deadlock between the Senate & House on the Appropriation bills, and was welcomed by our friends who say I have been greatly needed. I think we have today put the contest on its true grounds. House sat until half past five o'clock. After dinner, Rockwell called & took me on a pleasant drive. After looking over the whole case, I have concluded to allow my name to go again before the 19th Dist. I do this with great reluctance; for I really want to get out of Congress; but don't quite see how I can in the midst of this Presidential Campaign. I am not at all happy in the prospect of continuing in Congress. In fact I have been greatly depressed at the prospect of this unsettled mode of living with my large family. If we lose the next Congress, I will certainly resign next year. This I record for a memorial. SUNDAY, JULY 2, 1876. The day was so excessively hot that I remained at home in half-dress until Evening. Crete and I read Pres. Bascom's Baccalaureate sermon before the graduating class of Madison University Wis. on "The Seat of Sin." a very clean and powerful analysis of the prevailing dangers which beset the man & the society of modern times. In the afternoon, Rose came and I dictated twenty five letters, which made a considerable inroad on the heavy mail awaiting me on my return home. In the Evening I called on my friend John Smith. Com of Indian Affairs & had a pleasant visit of one hour. Returning home, I read along from Pres. Bascom's new book on "the Philosophy of Religion". He commences his discussion with a bold and fearless spirit which awakens my interest in the book. I have written to several friends in the District that I will accept the nomination if it is tendered me, but will make no effort to secure it. Really I am more distressed at the prospect of remaining in Congress than I supposed I should be; though I presume I should be somewhat saddened by the prospect of returning. Inconsistent human nature MONDAY, JULY 3, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning Went to the Departments, thence to the House at 12. But little was done. The Democrats attempted to get a vote on the repeal of the resumption act which we successfully resisted. The House adjourned at 130. Spent three hours among the duplicate books in the Library selecting some in exchange for pamphlets I have given to the Library. Had a delight ramble among books old and new. Especially a volume of the Duane pamphlets, in which the sons of J.A. Bayard repel the attack of Jefferson upon their father. Found much that confirmed my views of Jefferson's character. Looked over the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of California, reported by J. Ross Browne. As a curious and interesting work of government making that convention is very interesting. Home in the evening and read Bascom. TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1876. The day has been excessively hot. Crete and I read to the children, 100 pages of the Arabian nights. This I have never read before and on the whole am glad that I saved it up to enjoy with my children. In brilliancy and fertility of imagination, it really surpasses my expectations! The black winged horse which Agib found in the Golden Room Number 100, seems a good symbol of motion which carries a man to great heights but finally inflicts a great loss upon the devotee, as the Black Steed with his tail whips out the right eye of Agib. In the evening the children delighted themselves with fireworks and Foster came and visited, chatting and playing Cassino. I have reflected much on the great significance of this day in the history of our nation and I admire more than ever the remarkable courage and wisdom of our Fathers who ventured on the great experiment of Independence one hundred years ago today. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1876. Dictated letters in the forenoon and nearly cleaned up my desk. At half past 11 went to the Post Office Department on business and thence to the Capitol. The day was consumed mainly in closing the discussion of the Geneva award. I spoke ten minutes taking the ground that the Award was the judgment of the Tribunal which we had nothing to do but to carry out. We could not give a dollar to any party not included in the Award. And if after paying those who were included a surplus was left it should be returned to Great Britain. This view would prevail but for private interests which seek to get a share of the award and for the demogogical spirit which seeks to gain glory by putting a part of the fund into the Treasury. I believe I made an effective statement of the case. In the evening corrected my remarks and read Evarts oration which is too vague and compares unfavorably with Dr Storrs more vivid and attractive style THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1876 Correspondence in the morning and horrible heat all day. I was not formed for the Tropics, nor for the rays of the Dog-Star. My mind seems liquefied. I can do but little more than puff & sweat. Still, in the House, I spoke ten minutes in reply to S.S. Cox who made violent and reckless speech in praise of the retrenchment of this Cong. & denouncing the late Congress for Extravagance. I gave him a rather successful scoring. which please my friends more than me. The Belknap Impeachment Trial was resumed today, and promises to drag its tedious length along, perhaps for a month. I see no hope of my getting away before August, or perhaps it may be even later. I hope I shall not go to Ohio until after the nominating convention of the 19th D[?] I have not much doubt of the result but I want to come, without any of my help. I am set down for a speech in reply to a toast to the memory of Gen Thomas, at the banquet of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland tomorrow evening, but I find I cannot go. Hot!! Hot!! Hot!! At six met Soldiers Ex.Com - & at 8 1/2 met Ohio Delegation at the Arlington FRIDAY , JULY 7, 1876 Correspondence in the morning and meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means at 11 am. Though but little was accomplished. I spent most of the day in the Senate, listening to the Examination of witnesses on the impeachment trial. I am beginning to be anxious about the delay of Gov. Hayes to issue his letter of acceptance It would be mortifying if he should delay until after Tilden has published his acceptance. But I have more anxiety about the contents of Hayes letter. I wrote him July 1st urging that he emphasize two things - civil service reform, & the resumption of specie payments. If he does these things well, it will give him an immense advantage The civil service reform is needed for the protection of Congress more than for any other fence, but it is needed for every department of the government. The President who will devote a term to that reform, & make it sure will stand among the foremost benefactors of his country -- In the Evening, Cal Rockwell drove me [?], & thence by the Tenallytown road up & across back [?] & home - Hot! SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1876 Correspondence in the morning. At 11 o'clock went to the War Department on business and had a long interview with Secy Cameron in regard to the appropriations and Custer and his command. Went thence to the Capitol. The day was excessively hot and was devoted to private bills. At three o'clock announcement was made of the sudden death of Mr, Parsons representative from Kentucky, when the House adjourned. I spent a portion of the day in the Senate listening to the testimony in the Impeachment Trial. At six o'clock Nellie Austin and Will Pendleton came to visit us. The evening was too hot for comfort. It was barely possible to endure the oppressive weather SUNDAY, JULY 9, 1876 Another dreadful day. Thermometer ranging from 95 to 98. Did not attend church but spent the time in a vain effort to keep cool. I read to the children from the Arabian Nights hoping to beguile them to coolness by the story of [Gul?]. At six o'clock we took two carriages and drove our guests and the children to the Soldiers Home returning at twenty minutes past eight. The heat continued so oppressively that in company with Harry and Jimmy, I slept in the back yard on a quilt and made a comfortable night of it until half past four in the morning. MONDAY, JULY 10, 1876. Worked on correspondence in the morning. At half past ten went to the Treasury Dept. on business and thence to the Capitol. The morning hour was tided over by calling for the reading of all the bills presented and thus the Democrats were prevented from getting a majority vote on the bill for repealing the Specie Payment Law. Later in the day however, they decided to repeal it by a suspension of the rules and secured only 11 majority. A resolution to furnish lemonade was voted down by a large majority. The total cost of the thing asked for would be about $25.00. The cost of the reporting of the debate on the subject will be nearly $150.00 This is a good illustration of the small economy of the House. The Belknap Impeachment drags itself along slowly until a late hour. General Hayes letter of acceptance appeared in the papers this morning and is a very clear and sensible document. I received a letter from him this morning acknowledging the receipt of mine of July 1st saying that he thought I would be satisfied with his letter on the two points Civil Service and Specie Resumption. TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1876. Correspondence in the morning Went to the House at 11 o'clock. Testified before the Committee on Naval Affairs in reference to the action of the Come on Appropriations concerning construction and repairs under the Navy Department in 1874. Went thence to the Senate and spent most of the day listening to the Impeachment Trial. Very little interest is manifested in the proceedings but I am disposed to think the guilt of Belknap will be proved. Came home in the evening when several friends called. Nellie Austin and Mr Pendleton left at half past seven. At 10 o'clock Cousin Phebe Clapp and daughter and Mrs Hindale came. WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. The day was excessively hot and I could do but little work. On my way to the Capitol I called at the Post Office Dept on business, and, also, to congratulate my friend Tyner from Indiana on his appointment as Postmaster General In the House the day was spent on the Mexican Border Bill. But I was weary and warm and did no effective work. I spent some time in the Senate listening to the impeachment trial. At four o'clock when Crete and her visiting friends came, I went with them about the Capitol. In the evening at half-past eight o'clock Judge Black came and asked me to ride with him for the sake of getting cool. On returning to the house he dictated and I wrote a letter applying for the discharge of Paymaster Carpenter from the sentence of the Court Martial on account of insanity. Had a long talk with the Judge on the Belknap Case. One reason they did not bring out the history of Mrs Belknap's arrangement with Marsh is because the antinuptual contract between Belknap and #THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1876. her was written and witnessed by George H. Pendleton and the scandal would be likely to come from that quarter. #Correspondence in the morning. Called at the Departments and went thence to the Capitol to attend a meeting of the Come on Ways and Means. During the day the Silver Bill came up on a Conference Report and I spoke ten minutes in favor of the Report and against Landers amendment to make silver legal tender without limit. I believe I made a pretty effective argument on the subject, holding that when we had the double-standard we were morally if not legally bound to keep the amount of metal in the two kinds of dollars such as to make them equal to each other in value. Mrs Cuscaden called on me during the day. On my return home I found that Hinsdale had arrived and had gone to the Capitol to find me. He came soon and we spent the evening together. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. Hinsdale went with me to the Capitol about half-past ten and we spent some time in the Senate but more in the Ho. The day was excessively hot like its predecessors and I find it almost impossible to do any work. Our visiting friends except Hinsdale went to Mount Vernon. At seven o'clock in the evening General Boynton called and drove me to the soldiers home We had a long conversation on the prospect of Governor Hayes and what was better got a small degree of coolness by the ride. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1876. Crete went with the ladies to Arlington. Burke and I went to the Ho. and spent some time in the library, but more in the Ho. I found that the Senate Appropriations Come. had stricken out the appropriations for Ashtabula and Fairport Harbors and I got Thurman to move to restore. Late in the afternoon a brisk debate sprang up in the House on the Hamburgh Massacre. Rainey, the colored member made a notable speech. In the evening Judge James called and we had a long and interesting conversation. I find he knew Gov Hayes very well, when he and Hayes were members of the Bar at Cincinnati and also as members of the Cincinnati Club. I feel better about the Governor's qualities after this evening's visit. Sunday, July 16, 1876 The day was a little less intolerable than its immediate predecessors. Burke and I attended church at 11 o'clock and after dinner walked in the Park and visited. While we were at tea in the Evening Crete was taken very seriously ill with an excruciating pain in the lower part of her bowels. It seemed for a while as though she could not live. We sent for the Doctor who found it was mainly the result of constipation. She had not had a passage for nearly five days. In about two hours and a half the pain gave way and she slept comfortably during the night. Our visitors Hinsdale and family and cousin Phoebe Clapp and daughter are en route to the Centennial. Monday July 17, 1876 Attended the meeting the Come on Ways and Means on the Internal Revenue bill. In the House further attempts were made to repeal the Resumption Act but without success. And to prevent further contest the Democrats moved an adjournment which was carried a little after three o'clock. In the evening, I worked on some materials for a speech reviewing the investigations of the Session. The has been less severe in heat than its recent predecessor. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1876. Correspondence in the morning Went to the Com. on Ways and Means where we sweated away for a while over the Internal Revenue bill. In the House debate was resumed on the Texas Frontier bill and on Small's amend't relating to the Hamburgh Massacre. I spoke five minutes and turned the current of the debate into a more serious channel namely into what the condition of southern feeling was on the subject and drew out a strong speech from Lamar. WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1976. About midnight last night I was taken with a very severe pain in the pit of my stomach, a part of a cross between a cramp and a colic, and was able to sleep but little during the night I presume it was the effect of indigestion and heat. Wrote some letters in the morning and went to the House, but the day was intensely hot and I was so depressed with the pain and the loss of sleep that I was able to do but little. In the evening played with the children until half past eight o'clock. I then retired but it was too hot to sleep. The most uncomfortable night of the year. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1876. In the House sweltering in the heat as usual. On my return home this evening I found the family greatly exhausted with the heat and little Ned sick. Whereupon I determined to take them away from the City in the morning. Set up until long after midnight writing letters and reading. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1876. Having dismissed Emma Redfield and given Mary McGrath, leave of absence. I took Crete and the children and Lena Richardson to the train and we went by way of Philadelphia to Ocean Grove New Jersey where we arrived at six in the evening. SATURDAY JULY 22, 1876 Spent the day here in getting finally located at Grossets on Maine Avenue Crete and I and Mollie and the two oldest boys took a surfbath at three o'clock. At ten oclock I went in connection with a company of gentlemen nudis membras SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1876 This is a Methodist place and is locked up all day no teams moving. Spent the day quietly. Crete and I read the instalment of Gabriel Conroy. Brete Harte seems to have a passion for bespattering all his heroes with a little touch of crime. Still the story is very fascinating. At four oclock went over to Ashbury Park where I got a team to take me along Branch and at half past five took the train for Philadelphia and thence the night train to Washington MONDAY, JULY 24, 1876 Arrived at my deserted house at seven. Mary White had breakfast ready and I found over fifty letters awaiting me. Worked on the mail until noon then went to the House TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1876 Dictated letters visited the Dept. and attended the sessions of the House. The cool wave has struck us and the weather is now quite pleasant I am strongly inclined to be homesick for want of a family. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26,1876 Met with the House on Ways and Means though but little was accomplished. Listened for nearly two hours to Carpenter's closing speech on the Belknap Impeachment His argument that the question of jurisdiction must accompany every act relating to conviction was masterly and it seems to me unanswerable. Dined with Judge Black in the evening THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1876 Senator Cuperton of West Va died last night and both Houses adjourned soon after 12. Spent the day in study and writing. Secretary Robeson sent for me and desires me to make a short speech on one of the law points involved in the Comes report. I dined with him at halfpast five. FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1876. Received 18 letters this morning. My friends are making a vigorous canvas of the Nineteenth District and question appears to be not one of victory but of how much for the nomination seems to be sure. Yet I am humbled by the fact of opposition after all that has passed. Contest Goods vs Platt decided by a close vote. An outrageous party decision. Dined at Mr Sumners with Commissioners Pratt and Smith. Finished the first volume of "My Novel." (Bulwer). SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1876. House met and spent the day in the discussion of the report of the Naval Committee on Secy Robeson. There was five hours debate. I spoke fifteen minutes on the law points. Taking the whole debate together it is one of the best we have had for a long time. Friends from the Nineteenth District are constantly coming on their way to the Centennial. And I spend some time in each day showing them about the Capitol. SUNDAY, JULY 30, 1876. Commenced work on my campaign speech by writing the recent history of the School question in N.Y. where the Division Fund has been going on for sometime. At four oclock p.m. called on Mr and Mrs Parks at the Washington Hotel and drove with them to Arlington returning at eight. We have had a blessed rain from early morning until three o'clock. At half past nine took the train for N.Y. and met with the National Soldiers Com. by whom I have been appointed Commander in Chief of the "Boys in Blue." MONDAY, JULY 31, 1876. Arrived in N.Y. at half past six. Went to the 5th Avenue Hotel and spent the day in signing commissions for commanding officers of the Boys in Blue in the several states and territories. Also called on Genl Dix and General Robinson of the Com. Greatly disappointed to find that Crete did not come. I fear she did not get my telegram. At half past nine took the train for Washington. Tuesday, August 1, 1876. Arrived in Washington at half past six and found a large mail awaiting me. After working on it until noon went to the House where I joined in resisting the efforts to bring up the silver bill. Wednesday, August 2, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. In the House Mr Lamar delivered a speech two hours in length on the philosophy of our present situation giving his reasons why the Democratic Party ought to be placed in power at the coming election. His speech was prepared weeks ago and in the main committed to memory. It was well arranged and powerfully delivered. I obtained the floor to reply but as it was late the House adjourned. I spent most of the evening in preparing points in reply. Thursday, August 3, 1876. Spent the forenoon in continuing my preparations for answering Lamar In the House an exciting debate sprang up in regard to the Knott and Blaine controversy which occupied most of the day and made it impossible to get into Come of the Whole. A more disgraceful speech than that of Knott I have not heard. He was dreadfully crushed by the debate which followed at the hands of Frye and Hale. In the evening worked until a late hour in recasting my plan of speech in reply to Lamar. Friday, August 4, 1876. Spent the morning in rearranging the plan of my speech in reply to Lamar. Went to the Interior Department at eleven and thence to the Capitol. At two o'clock the House went into C.W. and I obtained the floor. I spoke in reply to Lamar nearly two hours. I think I have never had the of the House more thoroughly. How the speech will read I cannot yet tell. On some parts I did not satisfy myself; on others satisfied myself better than usual. I think I have never been so enthusiastically applauded before in the House. I was greatly exhausted by the effort and the heat, and came home not a little distressed that my body shows such a sign of loss of vitality. My clothes were drenched with perspiration. I came home and bathed and at half past six o'clock dined at Welcker's with Major Powell and several Senators and Representatives. Among them was Senator Oglesby in whose history I was greatly interested. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1876 I was unable to sleep much last night for the exhaustion and awoke this morning tired and with a severe cold which had settled in my throat and limbs. I think I took the bath too soon after speaking. Went to the House and spent the day in resisting the repeal of the Resumption Act and the passage of the Silver bill. Tildens and Hendrick's letters have appeared and the success at repeal is a consequence In the evening dined at [W?] with Mr. Pierce and a large company of members of the House. Came home early and retired. Could not sleep until near midnight. Finally read Bulmer's "My Novel" until I went to sleep. SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1876. The day has been extremely hot; and I have spent most of it in revising my speech. In many parts it was better than I thought. My thought ran on in pretty fair proportions and expression, and I made but few corrections; but in other parts, especially where an [?] or transition occurred from one branch to another of my theme, the style needed considerable forming. Col Rockwall came, and spent several hours with me, and we dined alone in the wide dining room. In the evening, John [Newman?] called and called me to drive with him. We went out 14th St to Brightwood, and home by N.Y. Avenue. I worked on my speech until a late hour. Monday, August 7, 1876 I have been making such careful work of verifying my authorities and other material for the speech, that the huge pile of 250 pages of manuscript, was not half finished yesterday, & so I spent nearly the day, until four p.m. working on the revision. The heat was so excessive, and I was so jaded, I did not think it prudent to walk much; and so took a carriage and went to the public printers, & left three quarters of the manuscript, with orders to put the speech in the Congressional Record whenever Lamar's appears. Went thence to the Ho. Reps, where a call in the House was in progress. Was kept there until 6 1/2 p.m. After dinner finished the revision of my speech, and read the proofs which were brought to me in instalments. At home past midnight, went to the printing office and read the last slips at 2 am. got home & to bed very tired. Tuesday, August 8, 1876 Spent the morning in bringing up arrears of correspondence, which I have neglected for several days. The letters are pouring in for copies of my speech. The associated press report, though brief, has awakened a very general desire to see it in full. It appeared in the Record this morning, following Lamar's and, though I was very weary of it before the revision was finished, It reads better than I feared & I found, in the House today, that many members had read it entire, long as it is, and spoke of it in terms of compliment that I cannot repent. The dead-lock still continues; but the House must soon give way. I should be desperately lonely, but for Crete's letters, which are food and medicine. Finished "My Novel", which is a very high work of art. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. I have already received more than 100 letters asking for my speech. It is spoken of with Extravagance of praise. Its chief merit is that it meets Lamar in his own field of philosophy, and takes, as I think, broader and higher ground than he did. We are struggling, successfully, every day to keep off the silver bill which fills & blocks the morning hour. I see signs of a coming storm on this question among the people. But I will not give way to the passion and folly which this new and most dangerous form of inflation and repudiation. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1876. Correspondence in the morning - later went to the Departments and thence to the House - where, after a long struggle, the House gave way on the question of salaries, and thus opened the way to our agreement on the app'n bills. The debate between Lamar & me, has given rise to much more political discussion, & the Senate is now swept into the same current. The fact is that shadow of the Presidential election covers the whole legislative field. Felder's & Hendrick's letters have made some eddies in the tide, but they are more than the usual run of party documents, full of evasion and deception, mixed with some ability of statement. I learn today that Mr Northway has withdrawn from the canvass in the 19th Dist, & is a good deal cut down by it. The fact is, he has a great deal overestimated the value of the talk against me, & in his favor. The nomination is clear; but there may be an independent candidate put up. "Let them rave". FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1876. Correspondence & Depts in the forenoon - House during the day. The adjournment still drags, & will not be reached until next week. I made arrangements with Hale & Kassen to be away from the House tomorrow, and after the adjournment, went home & dictated a large number of letters; and at nine-forty p.m. took the train for Philad, en route to see my beloved ones, at Ocean Grove. SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1876. Awoke at half past six, in West Philad. and at 7-20 took the train for Ocean Grove, where I arrived at 10-15, and found my dear ones well & happy at my coming. Rested, bathed in the sea, read & loafed until evening & retired earlier than I have of late. I should have added that from Philadelphia to Ocean Grove, I commenced to read Scotts "Anne of Geierstein," which I have never before read. Sunday, August 13, 1876. Spent most of the day resting and breathing the refreshing air from the sea. Read some hundred pages in "Anne of Geierstein". At three p.m. took Crete & the boys beyond the gates of their super-[?] enclosure where a carriage was was waiting, which took us to Long Branch, where she and I took the train to Philad , & at 9 p.m. were in the Continental Hotel. Edw. Cowles & wife called, as per my telegraphic request, & we arranged to take their home at No 9 Woodland Terrace for a few weeks in order to allow my family to enjoy the Centennial. Monday, August 14, 1876 [Arrived at Washington 6] At 6 1/2 a.m., Crete & I separated, she to return to Ocean Grove, I to go in to Washington. At 12:20 I was met at the Washington Depot; with a request to go at once to the Ho Reps, which I did, & with the exception of a brief intermission, staid until midnight. I went home, & thus kept out of the reach of a most disgraceful exhibition by S. S. Cox, who is getting lower & lower, each month. The House continued in session all night, but I got six hours sleep. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1876. Made inroads upon my great mail, most of which was answered by sending copies of my speech. Read further in Scott and enjoyed the powerful sketches in French, Burgundian and Swiss life in the 15th century. Scott has kept his novel rising into the higher elements of drama, each chapter. At twelve I went to the House where we continued in constant session until half past seven p.m., when the final adjournment was reached. During the afternoon, news came that Speaker Ken was dead; but this was found to be untrue, though he is sinking fast & can last but a few days. The Democrats were very anxious to adjourn before his death, because they dread the struggle over the election of a speaker. When it was supposed he [would] was dead, my friends proposed to vote for me if an election of speaker took place. Spent the evening to a late hour, in dictating letters and getting ready to leave the city in the morning. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1876. Dictated a large number of letters, and made preparations to leave. Reached the station at 9-36 a.m. supposing the train went at 9-40; but found it had been gone one minute. This delays my arrival at Ocean Grove 18 hours. Returned to the house too tired to do much work. Read Scott & finished it hurriedly.- In the afternoon and evening dictated about 20 more letters, & pretty fairly cleared my desk. Had the cellar re-concreted and made arrangements for painting & other repairs in my absence. At 9.40 p.m. took the train for Philadelphia, after a hot & exhausting day. Read the N.Y. papers which came just before I left the house, and retired at ten p.m. The long session has broken up my plans in reference to my family for the summer and I think they will not go to Ohio at all, though I want Crete to visit her father & mother if possible. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1876. Slept in the car until six and at 7.20 a.m. took the train, and arrived at Ocean Grove at 10-15 & found the family well. At eleven, Crete & I went to the bath, and had a good dash in the surf. The boys are running their rented boat on the lake, and are getting their fill of that kind of sport. In the evening, Crete and I attended the Methodist Camp meeting at the pavilion and heard the frantic efforts of their preachers to excite the people. During the afternoon, we had read Hinsdale's article on the need of the study of mental and moral science for preachers, and his thoughts pointed the contrast between calm & serene faith on the one hand and the artificial excitation of the sensibilities on the other. Returned at half past nine, and engaged a long and refreshing sleep. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876. I find the reaction from the long strain of the session very heavy; & it does not seem possible for me to do any work. I took a sea bath at eleven, and rested & read, walked & walked until five p.m.; when Crete and I took another bath in the surf. It was at high tide, & too violent for Crete's taste, but I liked it. In the evening I wrote for an hour or two, & brought up some of my work. I would be glad to stay here longer; but I must go to Ohio, & probably shall leave here tomorrow morning. I need a month of rest before going into the campaign but can get only a few days. They report that one of the ministers at the Camp meeting this evening told the Lord in a prayer, that if he did not not send down the power, the meeting would be a failure, & would be derided by visitors & by the daily papers. After this adroit appeal to the Lord's pride, he said, it wouldn't cost you much effort to convert a half dozen souls this evening. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1876. Wrote a large number of letters, and drafted the outline of a speech for the Warren Convention Took another good bath, and regretted that it must be so nearly the last. I am sure that a few weeks of this bracing air and healing sea-water would rest and refresh me. Concluded to stay over till tomorrow evening. SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1876. At 10 ½ A.M., Crete and I attended the Camp meeting, and listened to an able sermon from Bishop Haven - These Methodists know how to vary their programme so as to give food to men of sense, as well as to men of sensibility. But I supposed the [?] [?] were men. At three p.m. I took Crete and the three boys (Aimis) to Asbury Park (for the piety of Ocean Grove, does not allow its minister to go through its gates on this day) where a carriage met us by a clandestine arrangement & took us to Sea Girt - the former home of Commodore Stockton. I took a parting bath in the surf, and at 5 p.m. bade goodbye to the dear ones, & took the train for Philadelphia. At the latter place, I took tea, & wrote a letter to Mr. Cowles, telling him that my family would arrive in Phil. at 4 p.m. tomorrow, and would take up their residence at No. 9 Woodland Terrace. At 9-10 p.m. I took the train for Pittsburgh. MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1876. Awoke Early, and commenced to read over the material sent of which I shall make my speech at Warren. Arrived at Pittsburgh at 8-30 am; and, after breakfast took the train for du Pont arriving at at 11-30. Stopped at the hotel and work three hours on my speech. Took the train at 3 1/4 and arrived at Warren about five pm. Harmon Austin met me at the Depot, & took me to his house My friends appear to have carried all the towns, in the caucuses, ex Jefferson, and the failure to do that can only be damaging to Northway. If he had only possessed Enlightened selfishness, he would have come to the Convention, & then taken an active part in my favor. In Warren there was no opposition at the primary meeting. The change from has years ago is very marked. Many friends called in the evening; and I was kept up until a late hour of the night. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1876. From Early in the morning, the throng of friends, and converted enemies came to see me. My speeches in Congress at the late Session, especially that in reply to Lamar, is spoken of constantly. I went to the Thompson House for dinner, and waited there, until two p.m. when a committee came to inform me that I had been nominated unanimously and by acclimation, & the Convention desired me to address them. I was delayed for some time by the ballotings for Presidential elector; but, finally B.F. Wade was nominated for elector, and then I went with the Committee to the Convention in the City Hall, and was received with great enthusiasm, far more than I expected. I spoke about three quarters of an hour; & succeeded fairly well. At half past eight, I was serenaded at the Thompson House, and spoke to the crowd of about one thousand people, for about half an hour, and then, a large number of people called on me. On the whole, the change during the past two years, though personally gratifying to me, does not enhance my respect for the popular steadiness of judgment. Staid over night at Harmon Austins. Put Arnica on my hand made lame by shaking. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1876. Took the 5 a.m. train for Cleveland in Company with Mr. Colburn of the N.Y. Times, for the purpose of helping him in his negotiations for the Editorship of the Cleveland Herald. Finding that Dr. Robison was away from the city, I stopped at the Forest City House; and after breakfast went to the Savings Bank on business, and thence to the Herald Office, where I talked with Colburn & Fairbanks & thence with the former to Dr. Streator's and took his advice as to Colburn's course. It was my intention to leave for Philad. on the 1.45 p.m. train; but the Rep. County Committee, and many others urged me to remain over, and make a political speech in the public square tomorrow evening. I consented; though I am greatly worn out by the recent Session & the work since. I called on John Hay, and visited his new house - At 3-45, I took the train for Solon, and went to Sister Mary's, to see her & mother. Found that mother was away. Aunt Alpha was there. I had a pleasant visit, but was too tired to rest well - THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1876. Alton went with me to the Depot but, finding that the train was forty minutes late, I went to Mr. Parmlees and took breakfast - Arrived in Cleveland at 7-30 a.m. and went to the Forest City House. to work on my speech for the evening. It is my plan, to discuss mainly the points I did not discuss in my reply to Lamar, or my Warren Speech. This narrows the field somewhat, & makes it difficult to present a very interesting speech. At half past ten a.m. Mr. Pomerene, a shorthand reporter came, & I dictated my speech. Although frequently interrupted, finished it about four p.m. At five, dined at the club with Mr. Cowles and his friends Parson Boardman, a Prof Read of Missouri, a CW Clarke of Miss. At eight addressed about 8000 people on the public square while Mr. Schurz spoke in German at Brainards Hall - I strained my voice badly, & did not satisfy myself very well. At 9-50 pm I took the Atlantic & G.W. train for the East, en route to Philadelphia - FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1876. Awoke near Hornellsville N.Y. where I took breakfast. At Waverly, took the Lehigh Valley Road; and, for the first time enjoy its beautiful scenery and that of the Valley of the Wyoming, which was far more bold and beautiful than I expected to see. Our train was late, one hour, and at North Penn Depot, I took a series of Street cars, and arrived at No. 9. Woodland Terrace at about 11 am. Glad to find all my dear ones well, but too exhausted to sleep till nearly two hours past midnight. Seriously, I must begin to husband my resources of physical strength, which though great, give some signs of having limitations. I spent two sleepless hours in reading my large mail from Washington. Philadelphia SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1876. Took Crete Mary M'Grath and Mollie & the three boys to the Centennial, and spent about five hours in Memorial Hall, the Government Building of the Woman's Pavillion. I was too tired to enjoy it so much as I otherwise would have done. At 3-30 p.m. Crete & I took the boys to Wannemakers great clothing store, and purchased them some suits for fall & winter. Then came home to Woodland Terrace, and spent the evening in working & visiting and retired very Early to make up, if possible, some of the arrears of lost sleep & rest. [*Philad*] SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1876. Stayed at home with the family and wrote and read till five p.m. when we took a drive (Mr & Mrs Chase, Crete, & the baby Irvin & I) around the outer circuit of the Centennial Grounds. I feel the need of more rest than I am likely to get before this campaign is over. But it is gratifying to me, to have been able to get my dear family so situated that they can pleasantly visit the Centennial for two or three weeks. I have concluded to stay here until Thursday evening, & will go to the 42nd Reunion. [*Philad -*] MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1876. After writing many letters, we got off for the Centennial, Crete, Harry, Irvine, Mollie & I. We spent most of the forenoon in the Art Gallery, & then lunched at the Vienna Bakery Restaurant. We then went to the East Life Saving Station, and to a series of state & national Head Quarters, passed through Machinery Hall, and closed the visit in the Main Building. We came home at five less jaded with the day's work than we were on Saturday. Spent the Evening in reading & writing. Mr & Mrs Chase are still with us, but expect to leave tomorrow. Philad- TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1876. The Cleveland papers came this morning with my Speech on the Public Square Thursday Evening. It was brought out in pretty good shape, & reads well. At ten, we bad goodbye to our friend Mr & Mrs Chase, and went with Harry Jimmie & Irvin to the Centennial. The two older boys spent the forenoon in U.S. Government building, while Crete spent the morning in the Japanese Department. We took lunch at the Dairy, and spent the afternoon at Dr. George's house and other places of interest around the grounds, closing our visit in the main building. After dinner Mr Cowles came with an invitation for me to attend the Mayor's banquet inside the Centennial grounds It was a great jam, and not very creditable. I was called out & forced to make a short speech. Left Cowles at the Trans-Continental hotel, & arrived at No 9 Woodland Terrace at 11-15 p.m. Philad WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1876. I had intended to accept [Col. Forney's?] invitation to attend the International Regatta on the Schuylkill; but I found it would result in depriving the children of a trip we wanted them to take, & so I wrote my excuses, & at 10 a.m. took Crete, Harry, Jimmie & Mollie in the Carriage to Paramount Park & to Laurel Hill. I visited the latter for the special purpose of showing Crete & the children the statue of Halfer Scott & "old Mortality which I saw here, nineteen years ago. After that we drove to the City; & after taking lunch at the International Restaurant, we visited the Independence Hall, The Carpenter's Hall with their precious memorials of the revolution. I think the visit will be remembered by the Children, & I hope its inspiration will not be forgotten by them. Jimmie was attacked with sick-headache, & did not enjoy it as he otherwise would have done. We returned home at five, and at seven Mr Cowles came to stay with us. Wrote letters visited, and made preparations for going to Maine tomorrow afternoon. THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1876. Soon after breakfast, Mr. Cowles, the two older boys, Crete & I drove to the Centennial, and visited many places of interest, under the direction of Cowles who has been here nearly three months. Took lunch at "the Dairy", and closed our visit with a tour through Machinery Hall. At 3 p.m. I bade a goodbye to the dear ones, and took the train for N.Y. arriving at the Fifth Avenue Hotel at 7 p.m. After dinner, a large number of people called on in, on business connected with the "Boy-in-Blue. I found a serious trouble between this organization and the National Committee. The latter have become dissatisfied with the expenses incurred by Dudley our Secretary, and arranged with him to leave the work for a while in the hands of Maj. Drake DeKay, who thinks he can harmonize the troubles. At 8 p.m. I was serenaded by a battalion of "Boys-in-Blue" from the 5th Ward, & I made a short speech to them from the steps of the hotel on 23rd St. I was kept up till after midnight by the business of the Committee which is badly tangled up. Dudley is drinking too much FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1876 Took breakfast at half-past six, and after another interview with Dudley , & a painful one with Mrs. Dudley, I took the Street cars for 42nd St depot, and at 8 a.m. took the train for Boston. The day was hot and uncomfortable & I was not aided in bearing it, by the consolations which a good dinner give for I had a miserable one at the lunch room in Springfield. Arrived at Boston at about 5 p.m. and went directly to the Portland boat, but finding it did not sail till seven pm, I went up State Street to a barber's shop and had my head & whiskers washed. At seven we left the India wharf & were soon in the enjoyment of a fairly cool evening. Took tea on board & sat for two hours on deck enjoying the sea & the air, and then enjoyed a good sleep. Palland Maine + Augusta SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1876. Awoke at half past five and drove to the Maine Central R. R. Station; took a cup of coffee, and at 6-15 a.m. took the train for Augusta, where I arrived at 9-25 a.m. having enjoyed the fresh air and the fine scenery of the Kennebec valley - Stopped at the Augusta House but soon was sent for to go to Blaine's where I found him & Col. R.G. Ingersoll & family. Spent the day writing and visiting until 2 p.m. when we attended the mass meeting in front of the Augusta House. Ingersoll spoke two hours & Blaine one - Ingersoll is a remarkable man; of pictorial mind, and wonderful command of language. I doubt, however, whether he does not mar much of the effectiveness of his speaking by the extravagance of his statements - Great parade of uniformed companies of Torch Bearers in the Evening. At nearly ten p.m. I spoke to a[n] large audience from the balcony of the Augusta House - I spoke only three quarters of an hour. Spent the night at Blaine's. Augusta SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1876. Slept long and well until half past eight - After breakfast had a long visit with Ingersoll, and was interested in studying the peculiarities of his remarkable mind - He is poetic; full of keen & exquisite sensibilities; Equally full of prejudice; and is, withal a highly original mind. His wife shares fully his atheistic views & seems entirely content with them - I doubt if these views will sustain them when the shadows of life fall heavily, and deepen into the darkness of death - Maj. ordnance officer in Command of the U.S. arsenal here, came & drove Mr. & Mrs. Ingersoll & me to his place & around the town. Several friend Secy L.M. Merrill among them dined with us; and Blain took us through the State House, which is near his own - Quaint old benches, singular old ways, some rare portraits - Many battle flags & curiosity enough. Sumner's portrait over them - Visit, music & Shakespeare - & retired at 10:30 p.m. Augusta Me + Bangor MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1876. Soon after breakfast, Blaine and Ingersoll took their departure for their next appointment; but not until I had arrange with Blaine for seven speeches in Ohio, the first to be in Warren, Sept 23 - I spent several hours in writing letters and telegrams - Played one game of billiards with Emmens Blaine; and at four p.m. took the train for Bangor - Received my mail after I was seated in the train, & best of all found in it a letter from my Crete. At 7:30, arrived at Bangor and was met at the Depot by Senator Hamlin and Capt Boutille of the Bangor Whig & Chronicle. At eight, went to Norumbega hall, where I found an audience of 2500 awaiting me - Spoke an hour and a half with good effect. John A. Peters, an old friend in Cong. was on the stand. Spent the night at Senator Hamlin's who is the oldest in continuous public service of any one now in prominent public life. Bangor & Houlton Me. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1876. Breakfast at seven, & at eight took the train into the valley of Mt. Penobscot. At one p.m. after passing through as rough a country as I ever saw East of the Rocky Mts, we reached the St. Croix River and at McAdams Junction, I took the New Brunswick train and rode about fifty miles in the Queen's Dominions reentering the U.S. & reaching Houlton, Aroostook Co at 5-20 p.m. - quite chilled by the cold. Llewellyn Powers, the Rep. Candidate for Congress met me & took me to his pleasant home where I spent the night. I found the situation such in this county that it would be a serious injury to the party to omit the meeting here on Saturday; and, on condition that I should be taken to Mattawamkeag on Sunday by wagon, I agreed to stay on. Many pleasant gentlemen called in the evening and after reading & writing one letter to Crete - I retired at half past ten - Aroostook Co. Me - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1876. Breakfast at eight, and at nine, in company with Mr. Robinson, County Atty, I started, in a buggy for the north, along a good road & through a limestone country. A strong soil, heavy timber and settlements new & not far back from the main road. After riding 22 miles we stopped for dinner and, at one o'clock pushed on, reaching the little village of Presque Isle, forty two miles north of Houlton, at half past three p.m. Stopped at a large & comfortable hotel the "Presque Isle House." At seven p.m. met a large audience, the largest they say, ever assembled here, & continued my speech two hours. The audience "hooked on" very soon & I have hardly held a people more closely than I did them. They were very enthusiastic. After the meeting I went home with a Mr Johnson a merchant & spent the night. After going to bed, I read the first book of Bickersteth's "Yesterday Today & Forever" - a poem of some power, but in the [?] view Aroostook THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1876. After breakfast, Mr. Johnson drove me several miles among the farms, and to his Starch factory, on the Aroostook River. They run it sixty days in the autumn, and can consume 75.000 bushels of potatoes. The potatoes are grated to a pumice, & the starched washed out of it into vats, when after racking off the water the starch is dried and barreled. I find that several converts were made at the meeting last evening. Some from the Modocs, the name given to bolting Republicans in this county. After dinner Mr. Robinson drove me to Caribou, twelve miles north of Presque Isle. We stopped at the Vaughn Hotel, whose floor is reached by a flight of 37 steps from the street. At 7-30 I address a crowded church of people, & spoke nearly two hours - good attention - but the audience did not "hook in," as at Presque Isle. The old mystery of speech recurred. The same effort did not seem to produce equal results. I never expect to fathom this mystery. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1876 Awoke at half past six, and read forty pages of Bobby Burns before rising. It give me peculiar to examine the odd stacks of books I find in a trip like this. After breakfast, got hold of a daily Tribune of Sep 5 and read & wrote until nearly eleven. I ought have said that the editors of Burns have printed a good deal of trash, which though I like to read it yet I doubt if it does not injure his fame. During the forenoon, I wrote seven or eight letters visited with a few people who called; and having taken an early dinner, drove with Robinson, along the Caribou Stream & down the Aroostook river, ten miles, to Fort Fairfield and stopped at Osborne's Hotel. This place was founded in the days of the Aroostook War, & indeed, the settlement of the county appears to have had the same origin. In the evening, spoke two hours to a crowded hall full of people. Did well & was pleased to see how much they were delighted. After returning, read several chapters of J.B.C. Abbot's History of Maine (1875). It amuses me to see how this old man pities those "infatuated citizens of Me." who were seized with the Ohio fever in 1816. Aroostook SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1876 Took an early breakfast, and at half past eight Robinson & I started for Houlton, forty-six miles distant. At noon we took dinner at Bridgewater, and at 3-45 arrived at Houlton. Several letters & dispatches awaited me and the streets were crowded with people awaiting the evening meeting. It is curious to see how eagerly the citizens in this remote region crowd the halls to hear the discussions. It is pleasant to find so many of them quite familiar with the leading facts of my public life. Many men were introduced to me who have come twenty miles in carriages to attend the meeting. At half past seven I commenced my speech before what they say is much the largest audience ever assembled here. I spoke nearly two hours and a half with more effect than anywhere this campaign. I used too much voice; but I felt it was necessary because above 500 people were in the adjoining rooms & halls unable to get into the hall. After the meeting, went home with Llewellyn Powers the candidate for Congress, and spent the night. Houlton & Mattawamkeag SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1876. After a good breakfast of pork & beans & Aroostook potatoes, (of which I have ordered 12 bsh for next winter at Washington) at 9.20, started in an open buggy with Mr. C. A. Hanson of Lee; for the town of Mattawamkeag 56 miles distant. We travelled along the old U.S. military road, built in the days of the Aroostook war. Stopped and dined, rested an hour at Hamlins Tavern about half way to Mattawamkeag, and reached the latter place at 6.45 p.m. After supper at the hotel, I crossed the long bridge over the river (after which the town is named) just above its junction with the Penobscot and attended a meeting. It was curious, to sit in the silence of strangerhood, & hear these men and women of Maine, speak to each other of those hopes and aspirations which so universally pervade the human heart. I enjoyed it; although I was powerfully impressed with the fact that they were spurring each other up to a kind of artificial zeal & solemnity here as elsewhere. Do these efforts indicate a struggle to prop up a falling institution as some say! After writing half an hour, retired at 9:30. Abe called at 4 in the morning. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1876. Was awakened at four and at 4.30 was on the train for Bangor where we arrived at half past seven; Stopped ten minutes for a hurried breakfast and a large mail which was awaiting me (two letters from Crete) and went southward by the Maine Central R.R. At Augusta Blaine met me at the train with a sachel which Crete had sent, containing letters and linen. Blaine is sanguine that we shall carry the state by 12,000 majority, perhaps more. Arrived at the Old Colony Depot [?] just in time to miss the Fall River train. Took dinner at the Adams house and wrote letters and dispatched until 9 p.m. when I took the all rail route to New York. During the day, I have read the trial of Powers vs Cary in the famous Aroostook libel case. It is very interesting, both as a personal memory of Lew. Powers and as a law report. N.Y. to Washington TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1876. Arrived at New York at six and went straight through to Jersey City where I found telegram from Crete, asking me to go by Washington, rather than to have her meet me at Philadelphia. Took breakfast at Taylors Hotel and train for Washington at 9:30. We were delayed three hours by a wreck of two trains which [?] the track Read through the Powers-Cary libel case, and read the newspapers which delight & surprise me with a better report from Maine than I had dared to hope. The majority appears will be nearly 1500, and my Aroostook friends are rejoicing over the election of Powers. On the train found Flood & his friend Geo Wells of California. Wells was one of my travelling companions to the Yosemite last year. Flood Is one of the four owners of the Big Bonanza mines. I lunched with them, and had a pleasant conversation. Got home at seven, and was too tired to start to Ohio this evening. Read my great mail for three hours but did not complete it. Washington WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1876. Worked on my mail, dictating about forty letters to Rose, and adjusted my affairs for an absence of a month. At eleven fifty-five AM Crete, Mollie & I took the Balto & Pot. RR. for Ohio. At five p.m. we were on the Pullman car at Harrisburg, and away to the west. It is so sweet to be again with Crete and the children, that I feel anew the burdens and privations of political life. It is not often that she & I travel together without the children but we have left the Boys at school, at Mr Youngs Emerson Institute, and Miss Mays is staying with the family at home. In the night we were awakened by Mollie who was quite sick. Alliance - Hiram - Warren THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1876. Arrived at Alliance at five a.m. and finding an early excursion train going to Cleveland, we took it as far as Ravenna, arriving there at half past seven. Took breakfast at the Etna House. Called on Halsey Hall, & Mrs. Ward and at nine took in a carriage for Hiram, where we arrived via the Lime Kiln road at eleven o'clock. Found half a bushel of mail awaiting me. Crete has never been so long away from her Hiram home before. This time she has been away nearly a year. Visited ,rested, & wrote letters until four p.m. when Crete and sister Nellie drove me to Garrettsville where I took the train to Warren. In the way at Mahoning. met Judge Kinsman who was going to Hiram to see me. Stopped at his house and was visited by a dozen people in reference to the Campain. My first arrangement to have Blaine here on the 23rd Sept. is at last agreed on. I have also arranged seven appt's for Blaine. Retired at eleven. Warren - Springfield FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1876 Was awakened at four a.m. and at four fifty one took the train on the A& GW R.R. in company with Benj. Eggleston of Cincinnati, - and Judge Pettis of Meadville Pa. We took breakfast at Kent. At Akron, Don A Pardie came on the train as far as Wadsworth. He gave me a copy of the history of the 42nd Reg O.V.I. I read about half the volume; and cried many times over, the memories of our army life. Arrived at Springfield about 3 p.m. and stopped at the Lagonda House. Many friends called/ In the evening a great meeting assembled; I spoke two hours at the Opera House, and Col McKee of Maysville Ky spoke to the audience of 2000 outside. By one of those mysterious forces which I have never been able to anylize, I felt, from the first moment, and every minute of the two hours, that I was making a poor speech. I put my will and force into the work and faced the discussion along against this obstacle; but still felt that I had made a relative failure. Retired at eleven quite jaded and disgusted. Springfield - Columbus SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1876. At nine o'clock drove in company with Mr. Obilvee, Judge White & Mr Miller to a grove eight miles west of Springfield, where great crowds of farmers and their wives & children were assembling. At eleven am Cal McKee took the stand and spoke an hour and a half & made a good speech. He had good music and a good deal of it. An intermission of an hour and a good cold dinner with warm coffee in the grove, with the Forgy family. At 2 p.m. I spoke and carried my audience with me easily and strongly. They were very enthusiastic. Gen Keifer, candidate for Congress followed for half an hour. Drove back to Springfield. Judge White complimented my speech, but said he liked that of last evening in the Opera House better!! See last page for a new tangle to the mystery. At eight p.m. took the train for Columbus & arrived a little before ten. Heard the last ten minutes of Col Ingersoll's speech on the east steps of the State House. Niel House & bed at eleven after writing to Crete. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1876 Called at Rep. Head Quarters, and consulted Wykoff on the state of the campaign. Wm. Hayes son called and invited me to visit his father. Called and spent two hours with him. Was pleased with his clear analysis of the movements of the campaign. He says the prospect of the return of the rebels to power has absorbed all other issues in the public mind. He is hopeful. He went with me to B.E. Smith to see Ingersoll, who was not in. I went again to the Hd. Qus. & found several friends. At one Wm. Hayes sent me an invitation to dine with him and Gen Schurz, which I did. At table were Mr & Mrs Hayes, their daughter and three sons, Schurz & I. A pleasant dinner and pleasant talk. I tried to show Schurz how the war issues were dwarfing all others. After returning to the Niel House I read a pamphlet open letter of Judge Black's addressed to me, criticising my speech in reply to Lamar. It is slashing in its criticisms, brilliant in style, most Bourbonish in its argument and political opinions, but personally kind to me. Gov Dennison called in the evening with Senator Updegraff, also Capt Wykoff. Columbus Delaware MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1876 Wrote letters, and visited the Rep. Hd Qurs in reference to appointments. Called on Gen. Curtis - and later on Gen. Hayes. He telegraphed to Blaine, urging him not to disappoint us in reference to the Warren Meeting of Sept. 23rd at his office. I say the Cin. Commercial of this morning attacking me on the Silver Question. Hayes said promptly, "I will write to Halstead" & sat down & wrote a short decisive note, suggesting that Halstead should throw his force into the main issue, a united South to control the country. Called at Niel Dennison's and lunched with him & his wife & Gov. D. But for the Gen. I should have felt more than I did, the loveliness which has always come over me in this city since the war. Went to Capt Gardner's office and wrote letters until 3-30 pm. When I took the train to Delaware I had the best meeting yet. Opera House crowded. I spoke first in reply to Gen Ewing's late speech here; and there on the general issues. The audience, "hooked on" early and staid with me. I spoke an hour and a half when George A. Sheridan followed me in his inimitable way, as much longer Visited till near midnight, & then in bed, read Howell's life of Hayes for an hour. Delaware- Indianapolis TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 1876 Slept till near eight. Visited & drank of the Sulphur Spring near the college. Wrote letters, read more in Howells; and at half past ten visited the two story Brick house where Hayes was born Oct 4, 1822. It was a better dwelling house than I had ever seen when I was ten years old. Old fashioned brick nine inches long four & a half wide & three inches thick. I find my heart warming up towards Hayes very much since I find how true and thorough he was in student life and habits It is a joy to speak for a man whose stuff and spirit one can wholly & cordially approve of. It is a shame that the German who owns the Birth House is a Greenback Democrat. In answer to my question what he would do with the old house he said; "If Hayes were a Catholic I could sell the bricks for a Chapel, but as it is I suppose they wont bring much. It is getting old; and I suppose I shall tear it down by- and-by." At 3 pm took the train for Columbus; and found Marshall Jewell on board with whom I called on Gov Hayes and went thence to Indianapolis where we are to meet the Veteran Soldiers in convention tomorrow. Indianapolis WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1876 Arrived at Indianapolis at 2 a.m. and stopped at the Hotel Bates - and slept until near eight o'clock Great crowds of Soldiers, and great enthusiasm. Convention assembled at 2 pm Morton made speech of welcome, & I replied -- In the evening I went home with Col A.D. Streight of the old 51st Ind - Spent the evening with him and the great army of soldiers, until eleven p.m., when we drove again to his house & spent the night -- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1876. Commanded the great procession of Boys in Blue, and reviewed the line nearly three miles in length, from the Hotel Remy on the circle - After that, in company with Gen Hartraft. Gens Kilpatrick & Harrison, and my aids - rode to the camps - and through the principal streets - Five or six miles of gallop - awakened the old memories of my horseback-life in the army. Meeting of the convention in the afternoon; and at the close of its business, a splendid speech from Col. Ingersoll - whose marvellous power before a great audience is delightful to witness - Met with the National Committee in the evening and made arrangements for future work of the Society - Sent many telegrams in reference to my appointments - and at 8-30 p.m. took the train for Cleveland, in company with many soldier friends. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1876. Arrived at [Warren] Solon by the morning train, and spent the day at sister Mary's, with Crete and mother - & the relatives. Wrote letters, doctored my cold, and, at four p.m. took the train for Garrettsville. Where C.O. Foote met me, and took me to his house & tea - at 7-30 p.m. I spoke, in the hall, to a very large audience, among whom were 50 torch-bearers from Windham - The meeting was very enthusiastic & my speech appeared to be well received. Went to the house of Smith, of the firm of Barber & Smith, and took lunch - I waited for the eastern train - At half past eleven, took the train, which the Division Capt had ordered to stop for me, and went to Warren where Harmon Austin met me & took me to his house, when Crete had by the evening train. Blaine is to arrive at 5 am tomorrow from the East - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1876. After breakfast, and after receiving a great many calls - I went to Judge Kinsman's, and found Blaine & his son Walker - Crete went with me & dined at Kinsman's - Crowds of citizens came to call on Blaine - Procession and extra trains were constantly coming in - and by one p.m. there were not less than 15,000 standing in solid mass on the public square The number who visited the town was far greater - Blaine spoke for two hours with great power - and I followed him in a short speech of fifteen minutes - I was received with more enthusiasm than ever before in this District Blaine left at five p.m., and Crete & I staid at Judge Kinsman's. At eight in the evening I was persuaded, by the band, & several hundred torch-bearers & with more than 2000 citizens attending - I spoke to them, about half an hour from Judge Kinsman's balcony - Horace Steele followed me for a few moments - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1876. At eleven a.m., Crete & I attended the Disciple Church, & listened to a very good sermon from the pastor Dr Thayer. At Sunday School, I spoke a few minutes, drawing upon a thought in the sermon, for my theme. We dined at Harmon Austin, & many friends called. In the evening, we went back to Judge Kinsman and there spent the night. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1876. Remained at Judge Kinsmans until the 8 a.m. train, which Crete took for Solon. I then went to Harmon Austin's and wrote letters, until time for the train to Ashtabula. At the Depot found that the train was off the track & would be five hours late. Went back to the city & took diner at the Thompson House & visited several friends . Took the train at half past one p.m. and arrived at Ashtabula at 3 p.m. A large audience had been awaiting me for two hours. I spoke an hour & three quarters. I treated the silver question, or so I think, to the satisfaction of my friends. Took tea, in company with Tharp of Geneva, at Henry Hubbards. After tea spent two hours at the office of E H Fitch, receiving calls & visiting with friends. Tharp & I spent the night at Hubbard's. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1876. Took the six oclock Express to Painesville & thence the accommodation to Reynold's station, where Dr Robison met me & drove me to his farm home, about two miles from Mentor Village - where I found Crete & mother awaiting me - Spent most of the day in examining some farms which are for sale - made the widow Dickey an offer of $115 per acre for her farm of 116 acres - and think it will result in a purchase - I must get a place where I can put my boys at work & teach them farming - I think this farm will always be worth the price I offer, & probably more by-&-by - In the evening Dr R. drove me to Willoughby, where I addressed the largest audience I have ever seen in that place - In my speech I made no allusion to Col Casement who is running against me in the Democratic ticket - The little band of malignant enemies are pursuing me again with their venom - Returned to the Doctors & spent the night - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1876. Arose at 4-45 a.m., and was driven by Dr R's boy to Willoughby, where I was to have been driven to Cleveland by Capt. ; but as we reached the Depot, the belated Steamboat Express came along, and I took it to Cleveland - arriving at half past six. Breakfast at the Forest City House - and at 8-40 took train to Ravenna - Stopped at the Hetna House, and after dinner Halsey Hall, J. C. Beatty & [?]m drove me seven miles to the Twin Lakes, in the edge of Shakersville, where I spoke nearly two hours, to an audience of nearly 3000 - Cold air, but much enthusiasm - Drove back to Ravenna, & at seven, took the belated train to Cleveland - I spent the night at Dr Robisons with Crete & mother who came up from Mentor - with the Dr & wife this morning - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976. Took the 6:55 a.m. train to Columbus where I remained until 4 p.m., when I took the train for Athens. An impromptu meeting had assembled on two hours notice, filling the hall. I spoke an hour and a half. There was great enthusiasm. Spent the night at the Warren House. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1876. At half past seven a.m. Capt Jo. Kesslinger - who was QM. of the 40th O.V.I. in the Sandy Valley Campaign took me in his buggy, & drove me to Pomeroy, arriving soon after Eleven. After dinner I address 8000 people, for nearly two hours. Called on V. B. Henton, who was long a member of Congress. In the evening drove to Middleport and addressed 4000 people in the street. At 8-45 p.m., took a buggy, & drove to Athens arriving at 2-30 Saturday morn. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1876. After sleeping less than three hours, I took the six a.m. train and at Columbus took the 9-50 a.m. train to Cleveland Dinner at Forest City House - Took the 4-50 p.m. train to Geneva - Arriving at 6-30 At Eight commenced to address the largest audience that ever met me at Geneva - I spoke nearly two hours - & afterwards was received by the people & escorted to Tom Fuller's Hotel, where I spent the night - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1876. Rose at five a.m. and took the Early Express, which I had arranged would stop for me - It was thirty minutes late, but I telegraphed to the Conductor of the Ash W train to wait for me, which he did; and I made connection at Cleveland and reached Hiram via Garrettsville, at 9 a.m. The time I have spent at Hiram this fall is but five hours - Attended church; no preaching, but social meeting - Burke & I spoke a short time - I see elements of the personal influence in Christianity, - Took dinner (Crete Mother & I) at Burkes, visited at Phebes - home evening, retired early - MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876. At ten o'clock, brother Joseph drove me to Farmington, and we took dinner with O. R. Wolcott. At half past one p.m. address a mass meeting of about 3000 people in making a pretty effective speech. After taking a lunch at the Town Hall, Joe & I drove back to Hiram, where I spent the night. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1876. Took the morning train at Garrettsville, and went to Cleveland. Attended the Soldier's meeting. After the procession reached the Public Square I made a short speech in reply to a portion of Judge Black's open letter to me. I took the 3-23 p.m. train to Mineral Ridge, where Mr Stewart met me, and took me to the New Town Hall, which was crowded. Twelve wagon loads of people & the 9 am squad from Niles were there. I spoke two hours Effectively. Discussed the Silver question among other things. Spent the night at Dr McKinley's. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1876. Took the Early Train from Mineral Ridge to Warren and remained there with Senator Boutwell till noon, when he left for Rock Creek. At 3 p.m. I took the narrow gauge train for Barton, & arrived at Niel Ford's at half past five. p.m. I found that Murray & Burroughs had spoken there [the] last evening, attacking me very maliciously My friend had taken notes. I addressed a large audience and replied to the attacks effectively Spoke nearly two hours & a half I think the tide was fully set back towards me. Spent the night a Wallace J Ford's, retiring at 12 m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1876. At 10 am, A.A. House & I drove to Chardon, and stopped at the Hotel. At 2 p.m, a mass meeting of 4000 people were assembled on the Court house square; & after they were addressed for an hour by C.W. Goodloe of Ky, and a short time by Mr. Williamson of La. I spoke an hour and a quarter, more effectively I think than I have ever before done in Chardon. Soon after the close of meeting, I took the train to Painesville, & thence to Cleveland. Stopped at Dr. Robison's and found Burke Hinsdale there. Went to the Leader office & looked over the speech of Mr [T?ker] at Mentor. He made a powerful attack upon my traducers. It has been a mistaken policy to let let these fellows alone. If a few effective speakers had attacked them two weeks ago, they would have been driven from the field before this. Spent the night at Dr. Robinson FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1876. Took the 11 am, train to Conneaut & was met at the Station by S.J Smith who took me to his house. I wrote and rested till tea time. At half past seven, a large audience was assembled in the town hall, though the rain was falling heavily for two hours previous. I spoke about two hours, very successfully, though hoarsely. Spent the night at Mr. Smith's. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1876. Took the eight o-clock a.m. train to Cleveland, and called on Mr Blaine who arrived the night previous. Spent an hour with him. He is in much better health than when he left me at Warren. He says outdoor speaking is a good a good tonic. I have reluctantly consented to disappoint my audience at Niles, where I was to speak this Evening, and go to Madison, sending Mr [Quaker?] to Niles. I greatly dislike to do this; because it has been my invariable habit to keep my own appointments. Went to Madison on the late evening train and spoke nearly two hours to a large audience. Did only fairly well. By arrangement, Mr Couch has ordered a freight train to stop for me at 9-40 pm, in which I rode to the Cleveland Shops, & was taken thence to the city in an engine, arriving at 1-30 am. Stopped the remainder of the night at Dr. Robison's. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1876. Took the 7 a.m. train for Garrettsville and reached Hiram at 9am. Attended Church and heard an excellent sermon by Burke on the promise of a future life, as the chief aim of the Christian Religion. After dinner [took] went to Burke's and visited two hours when [the] a messenger came from Garrettsville, with word that I must go to Cleveland tonight, to insure reaching Painesville in time for my Blaine meeting tomorrow. Returned with messengers to Garrettsville; found the train late; but took it when it came. Spent the night with Edw. Cowles, 260 Superior Street. MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1876. Blaine & I went to Painesville by the noon train, and stopped at the Cowles House. The city was thronged with people. At 2 p.m. Blaine addressed not less than 9000 people for nearly an hour and a half. I followed him about one hour. I discussed the two modes of political warfare adopted by the Democracy in this campaign. Murder & intimidation in the South; and political assassination of character in the north. I illustrated both methods, but left the audience to make the application of the latter method to myself, which I was sure they would do. I thought this a more effective method than to mention my assailants. Judge Hitchcock and Blaine & his son & [wife?] to the Lake Erie Seminary, where the young Ladies gave us a reception. I took tea at Geo W Steel's. In the evening we had a great torch light parade, & I addressed the people briefly from the balcony of the Cowles House. At 9-30 took the Narrow Gauge Special train, arriving at Warren at 2 a.m. & spent the remainder of the night at Harmon Austin's. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1876. Took the eight a.m. train to Garrettsville & went to Hiram on the hack. The polls opened briskly, and when I left there at 4.30 pm, 300 votes had been polled, - a greater number than was ever thrown since Garrettsville was cut off from this precinct. After spending two hours with Burke, discussing his old Wadsworth home troubles, the hypocondria of his father & the high pride of his mother, have converted that home into a fatality-mill, which has ground up the life of his sister, and the happiness of all the other members. I warned him against the danger of the hereditary taint upon him. At 4-30 took Crete & Mollie to Garrettsville, & we went thence to Cleveland taking mother at Solon, and all went to Dr. Robison's. Spent the night until 2 a.m. at the Club, hearing the Election returns. Blaine was there The returns came in very slowly. We have carried Ohio by a little more than the majority of last year, & have probably lost Indiana by a close vote. Remainder of the night at Dr. Robison's. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1876. The closeness of the Elections of yesterday, will make the remainder of the campaign unusually fierce. I am weary of the work. After making several calls on friends, Crete, mother Mollie & I took the 1-50 pm train for Pittsburgh en-route for Washington. I had telegraphed to the five counties of the 19th Dist for the report of my majorities to be dispatched to the Hall at Ravenna. A crowd of friends met me at the Ravenna Depot, and announced my majority, over Casement at 8880. This ought to set at rest the clamor of my enemies. Tea at Wellsville. Arrived at Pittsburgh at 7-15, and at 8 p.m. took sleeper for Washington. More election returns, and more close results than was expected. We have gained eight or ten Congressmen in Ohio & Indiana. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1876. Awoke at Harrisburgh, three hours late - Caught the 7:30 train from Harrisburg, and arrived at Washington at one p.m. The suspension of speaking for two days has brought on its reaction of great weariness, and I feel like sleeping a week. After lunch, went to the Rep. Hd Qrs, and learned the latest news from the October states. The Cong. Committee request me to write an address to the Country on the peril of the situation I will try tomorrow. Spent the afternoon and evening in overhauling my mail, and getting my arrears of work in shape. Congratulations over my great majority, pour in from all sides. I fear that in Washington, success is worshiped far more than merit. Took a bath, and retired at 9-15 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1876. Spent most of the day in overhauling my arrears of mail and work. The reaction of the long strain of the campaign has set in; and I am more tired out than I have been since the adjournment of Congress. Went to the Departments and to the Capitol on business. Swaim came today, to my great delight. In the evening, Sarah Garfield, Abram Garfield's widow, came to make us a visit. Several citizens called, to congratulate me came to congratulate me upon my success in the 19th Dist. In the evening Col Rockwell came & he & Swaim I & played Casino until eleven p.m. Saturday, October 14, 1876 At half-past nine, went to the Superiors architect office with Col John F. Morae to aid him in his troubles at N.O. He has been indicted on account of his duties there as Supt. of the U.S. Custom House. Returned, and went with Swaim & Crete to purchase some carpets for our chambers. Then came home and dictated a large number of letters. In the afternoon, went with Crete and Sarah to the Capitol. Home in the evening. Judge James called, and later Rockwell came and we resumed the contest of the [day] ^evening before. Retired at eleven p.m. Sunday, October 15, 1876. Mother Cousin Sarah, Crete and I attended church at 11 o'clock. A large audience was present. Several preachers were on their way to the Missionary Convention at Richmond. Ira Hobbs of Bloomington Illinois preached a sermon on "The Temptation in the Wilderness." It was a strong presentation of the case, but not effective as the chapter in "Ecce Homo" on the same subject. In the evening several friends called and at seven o'clock Major Swaim left us for his post at Leavenworth. Read and wrote and rested. Retired early. Monday, October 16, 1876. Dictated a large number of letters. Mother and Cousin Sarah went to Mount Vernon. I went to the Departments. Telegraphed to the N.Y. Committee that I would give five days to that state beginning Thursday evening next. The applications for speeches are numerous and pressing. In the evening John Smith came and spent several hours. Tuesday, October 17, 1876. Went with Crete, Mother, Mollie and Cousin Sarah to the Treasury Department and thence with Sarah to the Patent Office. Dictated letters and at one o'clock took Sarah to the cars. Then called on the President and Secretary Chandler and then on Judge Edmunds. Work on the case of Cobb vs Rice No 96 present term of the Supreme Court. In the evening helped the boys on their lessons and declamations. Retired early. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1876. Dictated letters in the morning, and at ten went with Crete to visit Miss Kerr's school of 12th St. between 2 I & K to arrange for sendin Mollie, who had never been at School Except the kindergarten since years ago. I went thence to the meeting of the Society of the Army of Tennessee, at Lincoln Hall, and thence in the procession to the Ceremony of unvailing the Statue of Gen McPherson. Gen Logan delivered the oration to which I listened with much interest. McPherson was one of the few leading officers of our army whom I never met, and he was manfully one of the bright and worthiest men in the Service. Today, I was again impressed with the belief that when his Presidential term is Ended, Gen Grant will regain his place as one of the very foremost of Americans. His power of staying, his imperturbability, has been of incalculable value to the nation, and will be prized more and more, as his career recedes. In the evening Crete and I attended the Army meeting at Lincoln Hall addressed by General Thayer. Grant made a short speech and then Logan. Then I was called on and spoke about 15 minutes. I took occasion to compliment Grants power of silence. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1876. Little Neddie is still quite ill; but is not considered so ill that I may not safely leave. and so I went to the Depot at 9-30, to take the train to meet my first N.Y. appointment at Tarrytown. I was chagrined to find that the time of the train had been changed to 9-20 and I was left. Telegraphed to Mr. Cornell, and then went to Mt Vernon with the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. In response to a call from Gen. VanDever and the Society of Mt. Vernon, on the character of Washington, mentioning the fact, that during the whole war of the Revolution, he spent but one night at home, & that was while he was en route to Yorktown. On our return from Mt V. we had a collation on board the Lady Washington, and some stirring army songs. Col Rockwell drove me home from the 7th St. Wharf. In the evening wrote several letters, and at 7 p.m. attended the President's reception to the Army of the Tennessee. Mrs Grant and Mrs Sartoris took occasion to speak very appreciatingly of my speech of last Evening. Home at half past ten, and retired at eleven Neddie not much changed since morning. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1876. Took the 9-20 a.m. Limited Express for N.Y. and on the way, resumed the reading of Greville's Memoirs which I began long ago. Stopped at Newark, and in an hour took the Erie train for Patterson where I stopped at the Hamilton House an English Inn, very homelike in its appointments. Gen. Banks was there, and Gen. Conway came soon after my arrival. After a good dinner, we went to the Wigwam, which was built during the war, and Gen Banks spoke an hour & a half, I an hour, and Conway until 11:30. The crowd was large and enthusiastic. Banks was very hoarse, but went so fully over the ground that I skirmished. While on the stage I received [the] a telegram from Crete that Neddie was about the same. I am very anxious about the precious boy. After the meeting, Hobart, George [Leslie] Christie, and several Republican friends called and visited an hour. Banks had gone to N.Y. to see his sister. I retired at near one a.m. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1876. Spent the forenoon with George [Leslie] Christie, a solid sensible Glasgow man, in visiting the Silk mills, and studying the details of the manufacture. A French woman explained to me the principal of the Jacquard loom, which I never fully understood before. Leslie also took me to the falls of the Passaic, the picture of which I remember to have seen in my childhood, in a geography, I think. It is really a canon, into which the river falls. Christie told me the touching story of his Scottish home, that, after his father died, he and a twin brother cast lots to decide which should go to America, the better to provide for the mother; that the lot fell to George, and he came away at nine years of age, and nearly burst with Emotion as he saw his mother calling him from the dock. Three months after his arrival, he sent her 3 pounds.xx. At 2-15P.M. went (cum Christie) to Hackensack, and was soon on the stage sub Jove pluviale with W.M Grosvenor, and Mills, Candidate for Congress. I found my classmate Lavelette Wilson in the audience and got him on the stand, & had a pleasant visit while Mills was speaking. I followed for an hour and a half. Made an effective speech, probably better for Wilson's being near me. While I was speaking, a telegram came from Crete, that both Doctors thought I should go to poor Neddie. In five minutes after I closed, I was on the train to N.Y. and after dining at the 5th Av. hotel, took 9 p.m. train for Washington. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1876. Awoke in Baltimore at 6-30 a.m., train late. Arrived home half past Eight, and found my precious Neddie unconscious, and in very dangerous situation. His whooping- cough has left his brain in a state of exhaustion; and he has slight spasms once in 30 minutes or an hour. The danger is that he has not enough vitality to rally. I spent the day in watching him, and occasionally reading, or writing letters, to keep my mind from the shadow of a sorrow that may soon deepen into the shadow of death. I telegraphed Mr Cornell, that he must provide for my meeting at Deposit tomorrow p.m., and Owego tomorrow evening, and that I would dispatch him again tomorrow. In the Evening, Drs Pope and Edson were here, and we had a long interview in reference to the dear little boy's case. Crete has been up so much of late, that I insisted that she should have a good rest, We slept in the South East Chamber, upper story. Neddie is in our Chamber. S. W. Chamber - 2nd Story. MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1876. In the morning we found Neddie but little changed; though the continued unconsciousness indicates a pressure upon the brain, which, unless soon removed, must prove fatal. I have not been able to much continuous thinking of any subject but the little boy. However, wrote seven or eight short letters, and read Trescott's article in the N.A. Review for Oct. on Lamar's speech and my reply, or rather on the Southern Question. The article is fair as could be expected from the writer's standpoint. But he mistakes the punctum proclii. Lamar set up certain premises, relating to the condition of the South, and hence drew the conclusion that the Democratic party ought to be placed in command of the nation. Without admitting or denying his premises, I assaulted his conclusions first as to broad to flow from his premises, & second on historical and philosophical grounds. Now Trescott says I do not [?] Lamars position. True, as to his premises & I did not intend to; but I did what is more: refuted his conclusion. Trescott's solution of the Southern Question is this: make Negro Suffrage a nullity, and give the white Southerner his "natural and proper influence" - I.E. let 5000 whites govern 10,000 Negroes, (p 278) and all will end well. He says the negroe's labor (which the white man wants) is his best defence. Is Trescott's? Crete and I set up with Neddie, and tried the new remedy, Bromine. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1876. The dear little boy showed wonderful vitality, & the Bromine appeared to disperse, but not silence the convulsions. Crete and I sat with him until seven. I went to the telegraph office & sent dispatches, cancelling my appointments in N.Y. and Penn. I went also to the Supreme Court to see the opinion delivered, yesterday, on the effect of war on a policy of Life Insurance. The decision followed the suggestion which I made near the close of my argument of April 26, 1876 - see pamphlet edition pp 42-3. On my return to the house, I spent some time on the case of Cobb v Rice No. 96, which I shall have to argue early in Nov. At two p.m. the Doctor told us there was no hope for Neddie. I have expected this, but the spectacle of that beautiful boy struggling so bravely for life, fills me with the very helplessness of sorrow. Our dinner was eaten in the sadness of choking hearts. The little ones around us, thinking of the dear one, kept asking us questions which break our hearts. Neddie does not suffer much, as I hope, but his unconscious struggle for life is touching and wonderful. Both doctors, Pope and Edson, were with him for some time. The dear boy is very beautiful, and I can hardly believe that he does not know of the battle he is fighting. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1876. The brave boy has struggled through another night, as though determined to win the fight & live, but his great powerful brain is too large a field for him to win against such heavy odds. At dawn he was unable to swallow nourishment or medicine, and, for several hours, his strength was kept up with enemas & by external applications of alcohol. But this could not last; and at 9-30, the precious spirit was released. And when the struggle was over, all the sweetness and beauty of his dear face came back and the thought of it will dwell in our hearts forever. It required all my courage to hold up the hearts of the children, Even though aided by the better courage and faith of their dear mother. We tried to give them the better and more cheerful view of death, and with Irvin succeeded very well. He stood beside the little body and kissed it and talked to it in the tenderest way. At six, Mr Power came and held a brief service, reading the beautiful story of David's child. The parlor was filled with friends. At seven p.m., Crete and I followed the precious body to the Balt Potomac Depot, & at 7:40 left for Ohio. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1876. We arrived in Pittsburgh at 9 a.m. and transferred the dear little body to the P & H train, and reached Lutonia at one p.m. At 3-10, took the train for Niles, & thence the Mahoney train. At Warren a large number of good friends came to the depot to express their sympathy [for] with us, in our bereavement. Harmon Austin went with us to Hiram. Our train was delayed an hour at Levittsburgh, but we arrived at Father Rudolph's at eight p.m. Burke came down and sat with us for an hour. We placed the body in the front parlor, and Crete and I slept in the bedroom near it , during the night. I fear that the long nights of watching, and the hard journey will impair the health of my dear Crete. Even I am much worn out. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1876 At eleven a.m. the house was filled with friends and neighbors, and Burke preached a strong sincere Sermon. He read the same passage that Bro Powers read Wednesday Evening just before we left Washington the account in 2 Samuel 12th chap. of the death of David's child. At the close of the services, we gave the precious body to the graveyard and buried it beside the grave of our little daughter, which was made thirteen years ago. I did not know, since that great sorrow, that my heart could be so wrung again, by a similar loss. I am trying to see through it the deep causing and lesson of this death I can hardly think that this child died for itself but for us. God help me to use the heavy lesson for the good of those of us who remain. Aunt Alpha, Cousin Phebe & [?] Dr Boynton stayed with us after Herman Austin left for home at 4 and at 5 Sister Mary & her daughter Hattie [took] left for home. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1876. Took the morning train to Cleveland with Crete, and stopped at Dr Robison's. Then drove to his Packing House in hopes of being able to settle the arrangements for the purchase of the Mentor Farm. But Mr Dicky did not arrive in time; and we agreed to meet at the Dr's next Tuesday morning to conclude it. At 1-50 p.m. I went to the Pittsburgh Dept with Crete, and arranged to have Bro Joseph + his wife go with her to Washington I mention, as a sign of this centennial time, that I purchased a ticket for her to Washington via Pittsburg, Harrisburg + Balto for $6.50/100. The usual price, heretofore, has been $13.50/100. At 3-45 p.m., I took the train to Niles, where I was met by a torchlight procession, and escorted to the City hall. I addressed a very large audience on the Presidential issues. It was hard to push away the thoughts of my darling Neddie, but it seemed to be a duty. Hon Th. J. McLain Jr. took me on his buggy to Warren, and I arrived at Harmon Austin's at Eleven p.m. SUNDAY, October 29, 1876. Attended Church with Harmon and his family & heard a good sermon from Dr Thayer I spoke a few minutes at the Sunday school, but the memory of my little Neddie filled me too full for speech and I could not go on- Harmon invited a company of my good friends to dinner. Thompson , Brierly Kennedy, Kohl, Kinsman; several others called in the evening. The two men who have staid by me in storm and tempest I treasure with special tenderness of affection. If I ever forget them, I might [so?] suffer the fate of the faithless I should have mentioned the fact that soon after breakfast I called on Maj. McKinney the congressman elect from the Mahonny Dist He is a bright young man 33 years of age and I hope he will prove a valuable addition to to Ohio delegation and Congress He says he heard me speak in Poland about ten years ago MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1876. Took the 10 a.m. train for Hubbard, where Mr. Edwards, the Representative in the Gen. Assembly met me. and drove me to the Hotel. Several gentlemen called, and later, I got by myself and wrote a dozen letters - and read in Greville. Addison Randall, one of the County Commissioners spent several hours with me. He was hostile two years ago, but is very friendly now. In the Evening, spoke an hour and three quarters, and in the course of it, made a special appeal to the Greenback Republicans, not to throw away their votes on Cooper & Cary. After the meeting several friends among them Dr Stevenson (who opposed me two years ago) called and visited until nearly midnight. I was too tired to sleep. well, and read Greville in bed for half an hour, before I could sleep. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1876. Took the 7 a.m. train to Cleveland, where Dr Robison's man met me and drove me to the house. Soon afterwards, the two Dickey's of Mentor came, and we completed the business & consummated the purchase of the Dickey farm of 118 74/100 acres in Mentor. So, at last, I am to be a farmer again. As a financial investment, I do not think it very wise; but as a means of securing a summer home, & teaching my boys to do farm work I feel well about it At 3-15pm took the train for Akron & was met at the Depot by Mr Crouse & by Matt Upson. who took me to his pleasant home. At 8 p.m. I went to the Wigwam, which was crowded with 2000 people I felt too ill to speak well, but by making an unusual effort, I think I made an effective speech. Spent the night at Mr Upson's. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1876. Took the morning train to Hudson, and there waited half an hour for the train to Ravenna. Col Risdon, the Sheriff of Portage Co., was en route to Columbus with four condemned prisoners, all Democrats. By the way, he told me that out of a total of 15 persons who had been lodged in the Portage Co. jail during the last five months, 14 of them were Democrats. I suspect that a large majority of our criminals, belong to that party. Took the train to Ravenna; and being quite ill, slept two hours at the house of Halsey Hall. Took the 5 pm train to Alliance; and addressed a very large audience in College Hall - the place of sad memories of A. B. May and the failure of the College Enterprise there. The meeting was a great success. Many went away, who could not find room in the hall. I spent the night with Mr Coates, a Disciple. Warren & Hayden is having trouble with some ecclesiastical questions growing out of the preaching of Mr Flowers, the Alliance pastor. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1876. Took the six a.m. train to Redford and stopped off and spent the day until 2:30 at the home of Mrs Willis, with her & her daughter & granddaughter [?]. Played croquet, read Shakespeare & Tennyson, and rested, until the p.m. train when I went to Cleveland and took the 5 p.m. train to Elyria. Was met at the Depot by the Committee, and taken to the Hotel. At half past seven, addressed a very large audience, which appeared to be more enthusiastic over my speech than any I have yet to address. Here also, a large number of people failed to get standing room in the hall. A band and a torchlight company from Oberlin were there, and kept up music & parade until midnight. I was unable to sleep, and read Greville until nearly 1 a.m., when at last I fell asleep. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1876. Took the six oclock train Eastward. At Erie, got the N.Y. Tribune and read the speech of Wm M. Evarts to the business men at Cooper's Institute. It is able; but has the old fault of Evarts - it is too uniform, has too few salient points for the popular mind to grasp - Arrived at Buffalo at 1 p.m. and was met by Hon E. G. Spaulding who took me to his residence. After dinner, I went to bed for two hours & then bathed, to sleep & wash away my weariness. At 8, addressed a very large audience at St James' Hall. Said to be the largest evening meeting of the season. If I were to judge by the appearances of the meeting, I should say that our chances in N.Y. were very good; but my conversation with friends at the Hotel, lead me to fear a heavy falling off, in Erie Co. Z. L. White of the N.Y. Tribune tells me shall lose N.Y. On the whole, I gravely doubt our ability to carry this state. If it fails us, the Presidency will hang upon a thread. Many friends called, At half past Eleven p.m. to took a berth in the sleeping car & awaited the western 12-45 Express train. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1876. Awoke in Cleveland, an hour behind time. Took breakfast at the Depot Restaurant, and went on to Elyria, where E. W. Metcalf met me. Went to his house, and took a cup of excellent coffee, & then rode with him and Judge W. W. Boynton, by carriage to Oberlin. A mile from town, a large Cavalry Escort & band, under the charge of Prof Ellis met me, & escorted me to town & landed me at Prof Monroe's where were Gov. Cox & his wife. After dinner, we joined the very long procession, and pausing around the college square, I addressed an audience of about 5000 people in front of Tappan Hall, about an hour and three quarters. I think my speech was very well received. After tea at Mr Monroe's, we witnessed the very fine display of fireworks, and at eight p.m. went to the great church, which was crowded. Gov. Cox spoke an hour & a half clearly & ably, but without enthusiasm. His mind is of a philosophical cast, he is full of good strong thoughts. I wish he had more enthusiasm. Spent the night at Monroes. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1876. Spent a quiet Sunday at Prof Monroes & family & Gen. Cox and wife. It was very pleasant for Cox, Monroe and me to meet after sixteen years, and review the lives we have lived. In January 1860, we met in Columbus, as members of the Ohio Senate, and formed a very firm and pleasant friendship, and now again we are to be colleagues in Congress. I can see many sharp points of individuality in each of us; and I presume it will not be as easy as it was in 1860, for us to work together. But I hope we shall get on pleasantly. Years should add forbearance as well as individuality. Attended Church at the old Finney Church and heard the pastor & Prof Morgan at Communion service. The evening was passed in pleasant conversation, and in music by Mrs Monroe & her children. Now that the campaign work is done, I feel a reaction from the hope & faith with which I have kept up the work, & find myself in great doubt about the result. At all events, I am clear that this will be the closest Presidential election I have ever seen Spent the night at Prof Monroes. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1876. Took the 9-20 a.m. train for Cleveland, in company with Mrs Cox - Went to Dr. Robison's to dinner, and spent some time in business and calls. The rain fell heavily nearly all day; and my depression of yesterday continued. After each great financial crisis, 1837, 1847 1857, the cry of hard times has been followed by a change of administration. The cry has been senseless and illogical, but unfortunately successful; and so it may now, but I hope not. Took the 3-45 p.m. train to Garrettsville and went to Hiram. Found a large mail awaiting me. Spent the evening and night at Hinsdale's, after reading my mail and having a long visit with Burke. The day closed with a little brightening up of the sky and the prospect of a fairer day tomorrow. I did not know that I could feel such anxiety about an election as I do about this. I presume my own discussion of the issues has given me an exaggerated view of the dangers which may follow if Tilden is elected. I hope so. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1876. Answered a large number of letters, and at nine a.m. voted for the Electors of Hayes and Wheeler - This is probably the last vote I will cast in Hiram. I have never voted anywhere else, except that in 1864, I voted at Chattanooga in a cigar box, but as of Hiram - I cast my first vote in 1856 for Salmon P. Chase for Governor of Ohio, and a month later, voted for Fremont - I have voted at six Presidential Elections, but never at one of the results of which I feel so much doubt - Still, it does not seem possible that the good sense and patriotism of this country can allow the destiny of the nation to pass into the control of the rebels - At 4-30, I went to Jeddo (now Hiram Station) and took the train to Garrettsville, whence, after waiting two hours for the belated train, I went to Cleveland - A great crowd was on the train, to hear the [?] - I called at Dr Robison's, & found the Dr. quite ill. At 10 p.m. went down to the Republican Head Quarters, and heard enough to be sure we have lost N.Y. & probably have lost the Election by a considerable margin. It appears to have gone even worse than I feared - I spent the night at the Doctor's - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1976. The papers this morning give it up, & concede the Election of Tilden - But towards noon, late dispatches indicated that several southern states had gone Republican - This makes it possible that Hayes is elected, notwithstanding his loss of N.Y. Ind. N.J. & Conn - I still think the probabilities are strongly against us - Transacted some business; and at 1-50 p.m., took the train for Pittsburgh in company with Edwin Cowles & S. T. Pierson - When we reached Pittsburgh, we found the count standing Tilden 184, Hayes [?] And the vote of Florida (4) in doubt - & claimed by both parties - After waiting an hour for our belated train, we took the sleeping car for Washington - It would be strange, indeed, if Hayes should carry it by one majority - The people, who indulge a touch of superstition, say it is like his luck; that he has always squeezed through by a small majority, and will do so now - How strangely the human mind behaves in Emergencies! In the final analysis, it inclines to fall back upon the supernatural - Thursday, November 9, 1876 Awoke, belated in Harrisburg; and found the Patriot claiming Tilden's Election by one vote, but admitting the doubt. Arrived in Washington at 12.30 p.m. & found the dear family well. But the great void left by our Darling Eddie surrounded me with its chill and sorrow. We all seem much older than before. I know not how to adjust myself to the new conditions of life. A letter to Crete from Mrs. Cox in which she says that a book of scripture texts for each day in the year, given her by her mother, had this verse for the day her babe was born: "Every good and every perfect gift cometh from above"; and this for the day of its death: "Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain." It is the same spirit of superstition, referred to yesterday, which makes this coincidence so startling? At 3 p.m. went to the State Dept. and to the Bureau of Statistics with Pierson, who is gathering facts in reference to the trade of Mexico, with a view to Establishing an Express business from New Orleans to Mexico City. Florida still claimed for Hayes, but in great doubt. Probably nothing but the official count will decide. Friday, November 10, 1876 Cleaning up arrears of work. Went to the Capitol and also looked after my Supreme Court case. On my return home in the evening I found the following dispatch dated this afternoon. "Centennial Grounds Friday" addressed to me. "I would be gratified if you would go to New Orleans to remain until the vote of Louisiana is counted. Governor Kellogg requests that reliable witnesses be sent to see that the canvass of the vote is a fair one. Answer" "U.S. Grant." I am in much doubt about what reply I ought to make. If both political parties are to be represented by fair men, I shall be willing to bear my share of the responsibility. But if violent men on either side are to be invited and I shall stand a chance of suffering political injury and accomplishing no good. After consultation with Judge Swaim and a few other friends I answered the President that I could not go immediately but would see him on his return tomorrow. The elections seem to hang by a thread. The day of choice has passed. We have only the one duty - to ascertain who is elected and see that he is so declared. Rockwell was with me in the evening. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1876. Consulted with Judge Swaim, Judge James and several other friends in regard to the President's request and concluded that if the President had made a good selection of persons to go to New Orleans I would go. Worked on my mail during the day and put the remainder of my papers in order. Called on the President at six oclock and found he had made a good selection. He urged me very strongly to go to New Orleans, both for the sake of doing what I could to calm the public agitation and witness the canvass of the Electoral votes so as to be ready to debate the case in the House or the assembling of Congress. Agreed to go. Worked on my mail and made other preparations until half past 11 o'clock. It is very hard to leave home just now when I so much need rest. This is the 18th anniversary of our marriage and I was in hopes I could spend the day quietly at home. At half past 11, went to the Baltimore depot and a quarter before 12 took the train for the West. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1876. Awoke on the top of the Alleghenies amid the frosted trees and snowy hills. Took breakfast at Grafton and dinner at Chillicothe. Spent most of the day in reading Greville's Memoirs. Reached Cincinnati two hours behind time and missed the connection for the South [L.?] La. White of the New York Tribune was with me. We went to the Burnett House. Called at the Gazette and Commercial offices. Took a lunch with Halsted and talked over the political situation. The excitement throughout the country is very intense. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1876. Took the six o'clock train to Covington. Passed through Louisville at ten and thence South over the old battle fields reaching Nashville at 7 where we took supper. Caught a glimpse of Franklin and Columbia by starlight and then went to sleep among the scenes that attended the Army of the Cumberland. Rode from Nashville to Columbia with a brother of Congressman Whithome I should have mentioned that soon after we left Louisville, Mr. White and I were invited to lunch in the rear car, by three ladies, two of them from Vicksburg, and the third a Mrs. White of New Haven. We had a pleasant visit with them, until we reached the Memphis Junction, where they went westward - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1876. Awoke among the pine woods of Alabama about 30 miles north of Montgomery, having passed Decatur in the night. Took breakfast at Montgomery. Talked with a number of planters on the train in regard to the political situation. Took dinner at the junction of the Florida road. Passed through Mobile a little before sunset and as we went westward caught sight of the bays on the border of the gulf. At half past 7 took tea at Bay St. Louis, and reached New Orleans about 9 o'clock where Charles Ringgold and General Sheldon met me. Went to the St. Charles and found Stanley Matthews, Governor Noyes and Job Stevenson and after visiting with them a short time took the street cars in company with General Sheldon to Carrolton and spent the night at Judge Pardee's Don A. Pardee of my old Regiment. Wednesday, November 15th, 1876. Went to the City and spent the day in conference with our friends. We received a letter from the Democratic committee asking us to unite with them in influencing the board to come and declare the votes actually cast for Presidential electors. Stanley Mathews drafted a reply, declining to interfere on that basis, showing that not the votes actually cast but the votes legally cast were the object and aim of the law. We however decided to delay our answer until the rest of our associates should arrive. Thursday, November 16, 1876 Our Committee met at the St Charles at ten o clock and received the report of the Committee on Reply to the Democrats. The letter was criticized at length and, finally unanimously adopted and was sent to them in the afternoon. On many accounts, I should have preferred a conference with the Democrats but it is manifest that they wish to get a technical advantage of us by committing us to the doctrine of the votes actually cast. Friday, November 17, 1876. Sherman, Stoughton, Hale and myself called on Wells and Anderson at the Custom House and advised them to proceed with great deliberation, following strictly the letter and spirit of the law and allow a Committee of both parties to be in constant attendance on their proceedings. Later in the day we held a meeting at the St Charles of our Committee and agreed to send to Cincinnati for a stenographer to take a full report of our proceedings and the proceedings of the Board. Saturday, November 18, 1876. Went to the Saint Charles. The Com'e agreed to reply to the Democratic Committees second letter. I did not think the reply was necessary, but it could do no harm. Mr Stoughton prepared the draft. Matthews and several others left for home. A telegram came from Secretary Chandler or rather from Mr Wykoff of Columbus, asking that several of the members should go to Florida. Noyes, Lew Wallace and Mr Kasson went. Sunday, November 19, 1876. I had hoped to spend this Birthday at home, especially as it is that critical one which is called the summit of life - 45. Next to being at home, I did the best thing I could. I wrote a long letter describing my trip and in the evening went to the St Charles and consulted with my Committee. Monday, November 20, 1876. Went to the St Charles and attended the meeting of our Committee. A special Committee of five was appointed to attend the meeting of the Board, which commenced today. I was one of the five. We met in the Senate Chamber of the State House which was formerly the Hotel St Louis. Some good frescoing overhead. The work of the Board was mainly formal. A few of the uncontested returns were opened. Took dinner at Pardees. Returned to the city in the evening and at 8 p.m. went on board the Steamer " " in company with General Beauregard, General L, General Sherman, Harry White, W.D. Kelley and Charles Farwell and started down the river to visit the jetties. When we got out twelve miles the fog became so dense, that it was unsafe to go further and we tied up for the night. Had a long and interesting conversation with General Beauregard in reference to the Battles of Shiloh. Among other things he told me that during the battle of Shiloh their surgeon felt the pulses of General Beauregard and Staff and found them ranging from 85 to 120. Tuesday, November 21, 1876 Awoke about seven oclock and found ourselves still in the fog. We were unable to proceed until night Had a pleasant breakfast onboard the boat and enjoyed the scenery along the river very much. As we passed Forts Phillip and Jackson General Beauregard gave us an interesting description of the bombardment and capture of those forts by Farragut and Porter. We reached the mouths of the river about two o'clock having been transferred to the steamer Rio Grande. We descended the south pass through the jetties and out into the open Gulf and at five o'clock started back to the City. Several addition visitors joined us on the Rio Grande. Reached New Orleans at half past 11 p.m. Spent the night at the St Charles. Wednesday, November 22, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Returning Board. A long session. The returns from several uncontested parishes were opened, examined and tabulated. During the session I wrote a long letter to home and described quite fully my trip to the jetties. Went to Pardee's to dinner and spent the night. After coming down to the city made several calls upon General Angur and other officers at Army Headquarters. Also called at Capt Clapp's but did not find him in. Attended the Board at 11 o'clock. At six p.m. dined at Governor Kellogg's in company with J Madison Wells and General Anderson of the Returning Board Mrs Senator Harris and Mrs Kellogg! Of our party Sherman, Hale and [Stoughton?] were with me. We had a very pleasant dinner. My opinion of the Returning Board is far better than it was before I came here SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1876. Attended the meeting of the board of commerce, I mean the Returning board and commenced work on two papers in the case of the Parish of West Telican. I am writing a careful brief of the testimony about to be filed before the Returning Board. There are 49 depositions and they are very lengthy. Much of the testimony is heresay, but there is enough lawful evidence in it to startle me with the strength of the case likely to be made. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1876. Bardee and I arose at 6 o'clock and went to the City visiting the French Market. It is very curious. We took breakfast at a French restaurant. At 8 o'clock went on board the steamer General Dix where we joined a large party to visit the plantation of Effingham Lawrence about fifty miles down the river. The day was very pleasant and we arrived at the plantation at one o'clock. Mr. Lawrence is a New Yorker by birth but has been here 40 years. Governor Warmouth who is a joint owner of the plantation took me in his carriage and drove me through a mile of orange groves which is wonderfully beautiful. The trees are loaded with the yellow fruit, the product of which realizes the owners $10,000 a year. We visited the sugar manufactory and refinery and were much interested in the process though the mill was not running. Saw the great steam plow which Congress allowed to be shipped free of duties a year ago. Returned to Lawrences house. Twenty guests sat down to a bountiful dinner at the close of which a number of speeches were made. Lawrence spoke and declared that he had no (Sunday continued) doubt that the vote of Louisiana was strongly and honestly for Hayes. Judge Kelley spoke twenty-five minutes on the Tariff!!! George Sheridan shook the table with his wit. Smith of Wisconsin repeated a part of his campaign speech against carpet baggers and Job Stevenson too full of wine made a five mile speech in which he damned the individual states and parties but hurrahed for the Union, Humanity and God. The scene was amusing beyond description I spoke a few minutes at the conclusion and at 5 o'clock we were steaming up the River arrived in the City before 11 o'clock and reached Pardee's at midnight. Monday, November 27, 1876. Went to the St Charles in the morning. Attended at the Returning Board until two o'clock, when I went to the Custom House and worked on the West Felliciana case until time for dinner. Went back to Carrolton with Sheldon and spent the night at Pardee's Tuesday, November 28 1876. Attended a meeting of the Returning Board until two o'clock and then went to the Custom House and spent the rest of the day on the West Feliciana testimony. Pardee's in the evening. Several of his friends called to see me. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1876. Did not attend the meeting of the Board but spend the day at the Custom House on the West Feliciana testimony. The testimony of Eliza Pinkston was taken before the Board today early and created a great sensation. At six o'clock I dined at the St. Charles-Ringgold in company with Sheldon, General Anderson, Mr. Bausamro and several other gentlemen. I would never have dreamed that Ringgold had any colored blood in his veins, but he introduced me to his mother a marked mulatto and to his sisters who showed some color. Among the guests was Jack Wharton, late a Colonel in the Confederate Army and one of the most brilliant men I have met for a long time. After dinner was over went to the St. Charles to see our Committee and thence to Pardee's. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1876. Attended the meeting of the Board from ten o'clock until one, when I went to Mr. Stoughton's room at the St. Charles to hear his draft of a letter to the President which he submitted to the Committee for criticism. Continued its consideration until four o'clock when we adjourned for dinner. Went to Pardee's to dinner and returned to the St. Charles at half past 8. Continued the consideration of the letter until half past 11. Judge Parker of New Jersey critizied it partisan tone and many changes were made at his suggestion. Returned to Pardee's at midnight. Friday, December 1, 1876 At half past ten went with Sherman and several other members of our Delegation, together with Mr and Mrs Sandford and two English gentlemen one of them a Mr Chilters M.D. and Mrs Chilters on the U.S. Revenue cutter. "John A. Dix" and visited Oliver Ames plantation, six miles above New Orleans. We witnessed the process of making sugar and after taking a very pleasant lunch on the Cutter, returned to the City. Our party agreed to remain over until Saturday night. Saturday, December 2, 1876 Bid good bye to Pardee's family after breakfast and went to the St. Charles to finish up business and prepare for a return. Had the oranges packed that were given me by Effingham Laurence and at five o'clock Sherman, Stoughton, Hale, Van Allen, White and I took a Sullivan Palace car to Cincinnati. As the night came on prairie fires were blazing on both sides of the road and the bright moonlight was very beautiful made more so by the fact that we were making our way home ward after a long and weary sojourn. We have staid from the opening of the Board to its close. The last testimony was filed before it at twelve o'clock to day. I hope and believe we have done the country some service. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1876. We awoke near Montgomery and took breakfast there. Our party spent most of the day in arranging affidavits and other papers connected with the proceedings of the Returning Board We passed through Decatur, Athens and Pulaski by daylight full of old memories of the War. Dined at Nashville and retired about the train passed Galatin. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1876. Awoke near Cincinnati where we breakfasted and took the Little Missouri Road to Columbus. Stopped at the Neal House. After dinner we called on Governor Hayes and stated the result of our observations in Louisiana. We had a long and pleasant conversation with him. In the evening called at his house and spent two hours very pleasantly with him. Several members of the Electoral College have arrived in the City and were awaiting anxiously the conclusion of the struggle. At 11 p.m. we took the sleeping cars for Washington. Tuesday, December 5, 1876 Awoke near the Ohio River. I am pleased to learn by the morning papers that the Republicans in the House yesterday complimented me by casting their votes for me for Speaker. The passage of the mountains by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was unusually interesting. A considerable depth of snow lies along the hills and along many places the woods are frosted with a most delicate white. Arrived at Washington at half past nine in the evening thoroughly tired. Half an hour after my arrival received a dispatch that the Returning Board had announced the election of the Republican ticket in Louisiana. Found a large mail awaiting me but was too tired to read it. Took a bath and went to bed. Wednesday, December 6, 1876 After devoting two hours to my mail called on the President at 10 o'clock, in company with other gentlemen who went to New Orleans and delivered our report. In the partisan fashion of this period I have no doubt it will be bitterly assailed. Doubtless we are ourselves partisan in making it but we have sought to exhibit the truth. Went to the House at 12 and found I had been appointed a member of the Committee to visit the State of Florida and examine the elections there. Declined, my friends thinking that I ought to remain in the House. In the evening at 8 o'clock the Republican members of the committee just appointed to go to Louisiana called at my house to consult with Sherman, Hale, and myself in regard to the investigations they are to make. At ten o'clock went to Sec'y Chandler's to hear the returns from the various Electoral Colleges. Heard of the Oregon Infamy attempted to be practiced by Governor Grover. This very seriously complicates the elections. Thursday, December 7, 1876 Correspondence in the morning. At half past ten attended the first meeting of the Committee on Ways and Means. A little positive business was transacted but it was manifest that the Democracy have no heart for anything but the Presidential contest. The Committee agreed to meet once a week. In the House nothing was accomplished and we adjourned before three o'clock. The Democrats went into caucus and attempted to impeach the President. This will damage them and help us. I was glad to learn that Hill and some other leading Southern members resisted the scheme. Wise management may break the strength of the Southern Democracy. We ought to have the old Whig element with us. A number of friends called in the evening. Friday, December 8, 1876 Dictated a large number of letters. Am slowly bringing up arrears of correspondence. House at 12 o'clock. The Democrats are with out a policy or a leader. They are full of passion and want to do something desperate but hardly know how to get at it. They adjourned the House before two o'clock and went into caucus. Saturday, December 9, 1876 Spent nearly all the day at my desk. Simkins came and wrote about seventeen letters for me by dictation. Read the President's message. Made some progress in bringing up arrearages of Congressional proceedings. I am trying to follow up closes than ever before the proceedings of the House and studying the movements of the Democracy. Spent two hours with Crete shopping. Many friends called in the evening and I continued reading until a late hour. Just before dinner Sherman came bringing nearly a peck of additional copies of testimony in the Louisiana Case and requested me to arrange it for the Printer. I sent for Hale, who came after dinner and we put it in order and sent it to the Printing Office. Sunday, December 10, 1876 Wrote to Governor Hayes suggesting that he take some early means of assuring President Grant of his kind regards and appreciation of his services during these critical weeks. Attended church with Crete and Mollie. In the afternoon and evening several gentlemen called - among them D.K. Cartter. He was very anxious that I should take means to sound the Democrats in regard to their purposes and bring Hayes to the determination of finding some earnest Southern Union men to help him build up the Republican Party in the South; also, that I take early occasion to make a speech on Louisiana affairs. During the day a few slips of the Louisiana Report came and I spent some time in reading them. Foster also came and staid two hours of the evening. Worked at my desk until 11 o'clock when I went to bed. Monday, December 11, 1876 Read up the Congressional debates to date, and worked at my desk until nearly twelve when I went to the House. The Democrats seem to have no plan of operations. They skirmish about for an hour or two after the morning hour and adjourn early to go into caucus. Soon after my return home Williams of Michigan called on me to say that Young of Tennessee was very anxious I should make a speech indicating my notions of what our Southern policy should be, saying if we could give such men as he good ground to stand on fifty Democratic Congressmen would stand by Hayes. Spent the evening on my correspondence and reading up the early history of counting the Electoral Vote. The first counting of the votes for the President was done by a President of the Senate elected solely for that purpose by the Constitutional Convention. If we get tangled we must go back to the rock of the Constitution. Tuesday, December 12, 1876 Worked on correspondence. Read up back Records until half past ten when I attended the meeting of the Ways and Means Committee. The resolution distributing the President's message was adopted and but little else done or attempted in Committee. During the day in the House the Speaker went out of his way to declare the Joint Rules in force. I spoke about 20 minutes demonstrating that they were not. Withdrew my point of order at last because it was not a good occasion to make the contest, his ruling being justified under the rule of the House itself. It is manifest that the Democrats are intending to make all the trouble they can in regard to the count. Received a remarkable letter from Judge Williams of Michigan asking me to make a speech, which he says is requested by an old Confederate, mapping out the Southern policy of the next President. Wrote a long letter to Hayes on the subject forwarding William's note. Wednesday, December 13, 1876 Correspondence and documents in the morning. At noon attended the session of the House. The silver bill which was brought yesterday as the result of the Speaker's ruling was set for today and was debated in the House. I spoke about 15 minutes and more effectively than I usually speak urging delay and more consideration before acting on so important a question. The movement of the Southern Members against the violent policy of Northern Democrats is more marked than ever, but I doubt if it will amount to anything in the long run. In the evening went with Crete to call on Mrs. Starkweather of Connecticut by her request. She related a curious chapter of history in the forgetfullness upon the part of those who were her husband's friends and admirers and a curious revelation of her characteristics of mind and heart. On my return home felt strong premonitions of a fever accompanied by a severe headache. Went to bed suffering very much. Thursday, December 14, 1876 Awoke at six o'clock with pronounced symptoms of some sort of fever, accompanied by a diarhoea and severe headache. Remained home until after 12 then went to the Capitol, hoping by exertion I could throw off the difficulty but I suffered so much that at half past two I came home. Called on Dr. Pope on my way and on reaching home went to bed, suffering a great deal of pain. In the evening Rose came and I dictated to him a short time. Friday, December 15, 1876 Suffered a great deal of pain during the night with fever and headache. I had also, a severe diarhoea but am somewhat better this morning. The Doctor says that I have had strong symptoms of remittent fever, but he thinks he has broken it up. Slept some during the day and read some. Crete and Martha Mays read to me the Senate debate of yesterday and also two chapters of Parton's Life of Burr relating to the Presidential contest of 1800 and the tie vote between Jefferson and Burr. I have long been indignant at the fact that in nearly every period of our history American Statesmen have been croaking of the downfall of the Republic. When a party or politician is disappointed it seems to be the habit to fall back and prophesy the failure of the Republic. The same thing is reappearing in the present entanglement. I take no stock in this theory of ruin. In the evening Rose came and I dictated a short time. Saturday, December 16, 1876 Partly dressed at 8 o'clock and went down to breakfast. I have been nearly free from pain during the day but felt weak and uncomfortable. Read my mail and the House proceedings yesterday and also considerable from Pardees Burr and Well's life of Samuel Adams. A good many people called but I received no one who came on business. The Doctor was here twice and thinks he can dismiss me cured by Monday. Am reading from the Life of Samuel Adams which leads me to renew my faith in radicalism. Nobody but radicals have ever accomplished anything in a great crisis. Conservatives have their place in the piping times of peace; but in emergencies only rugged issue men amount to much. I fancy that the character of such men is usually lovely only when seen from a distance like the scene painting at the theatre. Rose came in the evening. I dictated some letters. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1876. I am much better today, and was able to spend most of the time among my books. I read up the history of Counting the Electoral votes in 1789- 1794, 1800, and 1836. Also read several hundred pages from Wm. V. Wells Life of Samuel Adams - I have promised to speak on Tuesday next on the occasion of the presentation to the House by Mass of the statue of John Winthrop and Samuel Adams, but I fear my illness will make it impossible for me to do so in a satisfactory way. In the evening, Gen Boynton and Charles Foster came & spent some hours. I sat up later than I should have done. Bathed and retired at 11-30 pm. MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1876 Worked at my desk until 10:30, when I drove to several of the Depts. on business, and went to the House at 12. After the close of the morning hour, I introduced a telegram from Gen Hurlbut, and forced its reference to the Com. on the Judiciary. In the evening, Gen. H. V. Boynton & Col Keller Editor of the Memphis Avalanche called to talk with me on the southern question. Col K. says there are two classes of men in the South, the original secessionists, and the original union men, among whom are many young men who care more for the peace and growth of their country, than for the old quarrel. The first class will not lead in violence, but will follow if Northern Democrats begin. The second class will neither lead nor follow, and if they can be assured that Hayes will stand by his letter of acceptance, and help divide the south on other than the color line, he can have a large support, to prevent violence and build up a sound Republican party there. The Col is anxious that I should make a speech soon, and give such southern men a chance to do something . I am not sure that these * see previous page" Monday, 18th Continued - men can be trusted. But I am inclined to try the effect of a speech by and by, and I shall hope to be able to prepare it before long. I greatly regret that I am not in robust strength and able to work as I want to. I told the Col. to leave the names of such men with Gen B. as he wished me to see, & have them call on me. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1876. Still feeling weak - the result of fever. Spent most of the morning in reading up histories of General Winthrop and Samuel Adams, intending to speak on the presentation of the Massachusetts Statues, but have not had time to make any adequate preparation. In the House about two o' clock, resolutions came from the Senate and Messrs Hoar and Warren made elaborate speeches. I had come to the conclusion I would not speak, but Mr. Hoar insisted I should do so and I spoke about ten minutes, doing better than I had any hope of doing. Corrected notes of a speech on the subpoenas of the Come on the Western Union Tel-Company. Spent the evening in correspondence and in correcting the report of my speech in the House. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1876. Correspondence in the morning. At half past ten o' clock went to the Come on Pacific Railroads and found them determined to push Scott's bill through. I resisted them by amendments and quietly delayed until the hour of adjournment. In the House made a short speech in opposition to Knott's proposition to seize the telegrams in New Orleans in and of the Election Committee. I am glad to find that my little speech of yesterday, on the Mass. statues made a pleasant impression upon the House. Mr. Hoar requested me to have it printed in pamphlet form, and himself subscribed for 500 copies. But I was distressed because I had not made a fuller preparation -- and followed out my line of thought farther. Thursday, December 21, 1876. The Pacific Railroad Committee met again at ten o'clock, but the resistance of yesterday to Mr. Knotts proposition from the hostile corporations led the Come to postpone the whole subject until after the Holidays and recommitted the bill and all its amendments to the old subcommittee consisting of Lamar, Luttrell, myself and others. In the House the attempt was made to order the Telegraphic Manager at New Orleans to be arrested and brought before the House for contempt and to do this with out debate. I resisted and called upon the Republicans to sit still and not vote, thus leaving the house without a quorum They followed me and we compelled the Democracy to give an hour to debate. I spoke and was followed on our side by Mccrary and Kasson Dined at Welcker's, Thompson, Jones, Stewart Hooker, Roberts, Hale, Dom Pratt. The conversation was directed to political topics and an attempt was made to find some common ground of action in the difficulties surrounding us. Friday, December 22, 1876 Went to the Department on business and attended the House at 12m. There was barely a quorum present and but little business was done. The House refused to adjourn for the Holidays, wishing to hold itself in shape to help the Southern Committees by any orders it may see fit to make. This is the first time I have ever known Congress to refuse to adjourn for the Holidays. Correspondence in the evening. General Casey Young of Tennessee called and I had a long talk with him on the political situation. He opposes violence in case of Haye's election. T. J. McLain of Warren Ohio took dinner with us today. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876. Spent the morning with Crete in doing shopping for Christmas. Attended the House at 12. A quorum was not present and we adjourned in a few moments. Spent the rest of the day in paying up bills and getting Christmas things. In the evening called with Crete at Mrs. Ward's on Second Street and at half past eight went alone to attend a literary Club at Mrs. Dahlgren's. A striking poem was read by Chief Justice Drake of the Court of Claims entitled The Paleo Crystic Sea. He did not avow its authorship but I am satisfied it was his own. Dr.Toner read a paper on the burning of theatres and a translation from German was read by Mrs nee Crittenden. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1876. Wrote letters in the morning. At 11 attended church with Mother Crete Mollie lrvin and Miss Mays. In the evening attended to the Christmas things and read from In memoriam and also, from Dryden. Monday, December 25, 1876 Did not step out of doors today but cleaned up my desk and put my library in order. Spent most of the afternoon in preparing my brief in No. 96 special term of the Supreme Court Mrs. Fannie B. Ward and her sister Miss Mary Brigham ate Christmas dinner with us at two o'clock. Rose came in the evening and I dictated a large number of letters. After our company had gone, I read to Crete and Miss Mays, the poems from Tennyson's In Memoriam which relate to Christmas. I have read these on Christmas for many years, and their beautys grow upon me at each reading I have for many years, sung "Ring Out Wild Bells" to a rude air which the spirit of the words evolved from me, and which Crete is good enough to say is Excellent music. Some of the verses - beginning: "The time draws near the birth of Christ" I have turned into French verse as best I could. It is one of the proofs of old age, these new poems do not take hold of me as these old ones do. Tuesday, December 26, 1876 Spent most of the day on the law case. and enjoyed the work very much. I have always found a Keen intellectual pleasure in the law. It reaches out into what is impersonal. It is unpartisan. and may be so studied as to enlarge the spirit. I am conscious of not being fitted for the partisan work of politics, although I believe in in partisanship within reasonable limits. In these days of passion I am strongly reminded of Macaulay's letter of 1857, on the instability of the American theory of Government. I tried to answer it in my Hudson College address in 1873: but current events may shake my position. Though I hope not. One of the elements that begins to show itself in this crisis, is the old spirit of agrarianism which did so much to overthrow Rome. In the evening Rose came, and we answered a large number of letters. Several people called, among them, Col Rockwell, with whom I played Casino for some time. I need some such let-up from the strain of thinking and work. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1876. Worked on law case until half past 11 when I went to the meeting of the House. I do not think a quorum was present but debate sprang up on the question of printing a letter from a Democratic Meeting in Cincinnati. Banning talked of the people rising to resist the inauguration of Hayes. I replied in a speech of about 25 minutes rather effectively I think. I note Banning's speech as the first open declaration looking towards violence that has yet been made in Congress. The newspapers everywhere ought to scorch him for it so that others will be detered from a like action. Banning attempted to reply and turned the discussing against Wells and other members of the Returning Board. Frye followed in a temperate and effective speech. The House adjourned about three o'clock. In the evening worked on my law case until ten when I spent some time in answer to an inquiry from Miss Mays reading up the legends of the Sybils. I found a very curious and interesting story in "Ovid's XIV Metamorphosis, which I had not before seen. The story that Apollo gave the Cumaean Sybil the grant of whatever she could wish. She took a handful of sand and wished to live as many years as there were grains, but forgot to wish for perpetual youth and so she told Aeneas she must waste away by old age until nothing was left of her but a voice. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1876. Worked on my mail until ten [then] when I went to the Come on Pacific Railroads to meet Lamar Chm of the subcommittee. [D] He did not come and at half past 11 I went into the House Library and looked up the history of the Plaquemine Frauds of 1844. The House met at 12 with no quorum and adjourned in a few moments. Came home at two and dictated a large number of letters. Then went to the Treasury Dept on business On my way met George Bancroft with whom I had an interesting conversation. He thinks it will be a damaging thing for the Republican Party to insist upon the election of Hayes. He thinks the La vote cannot be properly counted for Hayes because of the character of the Returning Board and the fact that they did not fill the vacancy. Mr. Rose and Mrs. McLain took dinner with us. Dictated more letters. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1876. Worked on brief in the morning; Then went shopping with Crete for a short time on my way to the Capitol. House met at 12 but continued in session but a few minutes. Worked in the Law Library on my case. Came home before dinner and continued the work until a late hour. During the evening Mr. Stoughton of New York called and gave me the situation of affairs in New York. Also, the result of a long conference he has had with Conkling who has some doubts concerning the Electorial count but will probably give the benefit of his doubts to his party. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1876. Worked on law case until half past ten, when I went to the Capitol. The House adjourned almost immediately after meeting and before reading the Journal. Went to the Come Room on Pacific Railroad and worked with Mr Lamar on amendts to the Compromise bill of Scott and Huntington until nearly four o' clock. Had a long conversation with Monsieur Henri [Cervaili?] on the silver question. He is a voluble and able Frenchmen thoroughly absorbed in his subject. Home in the evening and dictated letters. Worked on law case. Sunday December 31, 1876. Attended church at 11 o'clock. Spent the day in reading and writing. After dinner read for the children from Audubon concerning the wild turkey it character and habits. In the evening read from Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Also from Livy's accounts of the Sybylline Books and occasions on which the Roman people consulted them. These books were in charge of 15 priests or augurs chosen by the Senate and were consulted by order of the Senate whenever it was thought special sacrifices should be made to avert threatened disaster to Rome. I have read also a number of pages of Julius Obsequens who has left a single book. Giving a summary of the prodigies that happenned in the Roman Empire during a hundred years before Christ and Christian work. Read Tennyson's New Years and Christmas Poems until near midnight. The clock struck the new year before we went to sleep. Series 1 Volume 17 1877 January to 1877 December January, MONDAY 1. 1877. Received a letter from Hon John B. Henderson of St. Louis in regard to Rice's Case Finished my brief in the law case and worked on correspondence until half past eleven o'clock when I went [to] with Mr Monroe to make New Years Calls. Called on the President, Heads of Departments, Judges of the Supreme Court, and about twenty five other places. Snow was falling heavily all day, more than I ever saw before in Washington. Something of the gloom of the political situation was seen among the people on whom I called and some expressions of a fear that we might not see another peaceful New Years at the White House. I do not share to any great extent in this fear. Each generation of men ought to be able to meet emergencies that arise in their own epoch, and this is one that we should provide for. Home in the evening a good deal tired out. Played Bezique with Crete and Miss Mays until ten o'clock when I retired. Crete has a slight cough which troubles me very much. New Year's Calls Jan 1. 1877 1 The President's 2 Mrs Fassett [Speaker Randall] 3 V. P. Ferry 4 Hon Judge Clifford 5 " " Davis 6 Speaker Randall 7 Mrs Judge Field 8 " " Bradley 9 Mrs Taft 10 " Gen Sherman 11 " Morton 12 " Bacon 13 " Chandler 14 " Hall 15 " Strong DOMESTIC POSTAGE. On all LETTERS throughout the United States, 3 cts. for each half ounce or fraction thereof; if prepaid one full rate the deficient postage is collected on delivery. DROP or LOCAL LETTERS, 2 cts. per half ounce where there is a free carrier's delivery; other offices, 1 ct. POSTAL CARDS, 1 ct. each. VALUABLE LETTERS may be registered by the payment of a registration fee of 10 cts. 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To the DOMINION OF CANADA, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA, &c., Letters, Postal cards, Printed Matter, Samples, &c., must be prepaid same as U. S. rates, except Samples are 10 cts. for 8 ounces; must not be over 8 ounces. The fees for Money Orders on Canada are: not over $10, 20 cts.; $10 to $20, 40 cts.; $20 to $30, 60 cts.; $30 to $40, 80 cts.; $40 to $50, $1.00. To NEWFOUNDLAND, per half ounce, if prepaid, 6 c.; if not prepaid, 10 cts. Postal Cards, 1 ct. extra, each. -------------------------------------------- STAMP DUTIES. CHECKS, DRAFTS, NOTES, ORDERS, &c, if paid by Bank, Banker, or Trust Company, are subject to a stamp duty of 2 cts,; all other instruments and papers are exempt. 1 DAY |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0 |2 |17 2 " |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0 |3 |33 3 " |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1 |5 |50 4 " |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|1|1 |7 |67 5 " |0|0|0|0|0|1|1|1|1|1 |8 |83 6 " |0|0|0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1 |10 |1.00 7 " |0|0|0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1 |12 |1.17 8 " |0|0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1|1 | 13 |1.33 9 " |0|0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1|2 |15 |1.50 10 " |0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1|2|2 |17 |1.67 11 " |0|0|1|1|1|1|1|1|2|2 |18 |1.83 12 " |0|0|1|1|1|1|1|2|2|2 |20 |2.00 13 " |0|0|1|1|1|1|2|2|2|2 |22 |2.17 14 " |0|0 |1 |1 |1 |1 |2 |2 |2 |2 |23 |2.33 15 " |0|1 |1 |1 |1 |2 |2 |2 |2 |3 |25 |2.50 1 Mo. |1|1 |2 |2 |3 |3 |4 |4 |5 |5 |50 |5.00 2 " |1|2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |10|1.00|10.00 3 " |2|3 |5 |6 |8 |9 |11|12|14|15|1.50|15.00 4 " |2|4 |6 |8 |10|12|14|16|18|20|2.00|20.00 5 " |3|5 |8 |10|13|15|18|20|23|25|2.50|25.00 6 " |3|6 |9 |12|15|18|21|24|27|30|3.00|30.00 7 " |4|7 |11|14|18|21|25|28|32|35|3.50|35.00 8 " |4|8 |12|16|20|24|28|32|36|40|4.00|40.00 9 " |5|9 |14|18|23|27|32|36|41|45|4.50|45.00 10 " |5|10|15|20|25|30|35|40|45|50|5.00|50.00 11 " |6|11|17|22|28|33|39|44|50|55|5.50|55.00 1 YR. |6|12|18|24|30|36|42|48|54|60|6.00|60.00 to make New Years [?][?][?] Heads of Departments,Judges of the Supreme Court and about twenty-five other places. Snow was falling heavily all day, more than I ever saw before in Washington. Something of the gloom of the political situation was seen among the people on whom I called and some expressions of a fear that we might not see another peaceful New Years at the White House. I do not share to any great extent in this fear. Each generation of men ought to be able to meet emergencies that arise in their own epoch, and this is one that we should provide for. Home in the evening a good deal tired out. Played Bezique with Crete and Miss Mays until ten oclock when I retired. Crete has a slight cough which troubled me very much. New Years' Calls [January 2 1877] 1 The President's 2 Mrs. Fassett [Speaker Randall] 3 V. P. Ferry 4 Hon Judge Clifford 5 " " Davis 6 Speaker Randall 7 [?] Judge Field 8 " " Bradley 9 [?] Taft 10 " Gen Sherman 11 " Morton 12 " Bacom 13 " Chandler 14 " Hale 15 " Strong 16 "Morrill Me 17 " Fish 18 " Robeson 19 " [?] Sherman 20 " Judge Swayne 21 " Sec Cameron 22 " Senator Edmonds & Mrs Gallant 23 " " Bagant 24 " " Allison 25 " " Morrill Vt 26 " " Thurman 27 " " Bontwell 28 " Judge Waite 29 " Gov Dannison 30 " Com. Patterson 31 " Gen Townsend 32 " Matt Carpenter 33 " Judge Nott 34 " Judge Miller 35 " Wood Fimaso 26 " Gen Swan 37 " Mrs Blaine January, TUESDAY 2. 1877 Received a letter from Hon. J. B. Henderson of Saint Louis in regard to Rice's case in the Supreme Court. To answer it satisfactorily I had to consult a new point in law relating to interest on judgments where the writ of error is dismissed. To answer it satisfactorily I went to the Supreme Court and worked for an hour. After lunch cleared my desk by dictating a large number of letters. Spent the afternoon in preparing for discussing the Louisiana Case when it comes up. The snow is nearly a foot deep on the ground and many are out sleigh riding. Prospect of a double-headed Legislature in Louisiana. Played Bezique until 1/2 past ten o'clock. January, WEDNESDAY 2. 1877. Commenced making careful preparations this morning for a speech on the Louisiana question. I want to present the subject so clearly that plain men can understand it, and so that they will not say I have been unduly partisan in the share that I took in the Sherman Report. At Eleven o'clock went shopping with Crete at at 12 reached the Capitol. The House was in session with barely a quorum present until two o'clock when it adjourned. Went to the Law Library and read up Constitutional questions in relation to the Court. Settled a large number of monthly bills. In the evening dictated letters for a short time and then went to Willard's Hotel and worked with the Special Committee on the Pacific Railroad at Lamar's room until nine oclock. Then spent an hour at Foster's with General Conley on the political situation. January, THURSDAY 4. 1877. Worked on the Louisiana case until after ten. Then I went to the Railroad Committee meeting. Heard Mr. Billings of the Pacific Coast on the extension of time to the Northern Pacific Railroad. In the House but little was done in the evening. Senator Dorsey came and said there was trouble among the senators. He feared Conkling was going to fail us in the Presidential struggle and that several of the carpetbag Senators were dissatisfied fearing that Hayes was unfriendly to them. I [certainly] then agreed with him to give a dinner and have Conkling and some others brought together to reassure the wavering and hold our friends in line. I incline to the opinion that the appointment of the Compromise Committee was a mistake Should Conkling go away it may lose us the Presidency. Still I think the feeling is a temporary one and will pass away. Dictated letters and worked until a late hour on the Louisiana question. ----- A large sum of money which was sent to Oregon about the time of the casting of the Electoral vote of that State, was almost certainly traced to Tilden, at least the evidence appears to lead to his Private Secretary Pelton. This I think will make some impression upon the public mind in the way of showing the character of Tilden's campaign. At home in the evening until January, FRIDAY 5. 1877. Attended the meeting of the Committee on the Pacific Railroads at which the bill extending the time for building the Northern Pacific Railroad was agree to with one amendment. In the House the day was spent mainly on private bills and upon the Deficiency Appropriation bill. Holman was a good deal badgered on account of some appropriations for his particular friend. At seven o'clock p.m. on invitation from Senator Sherman I went to the office of the Attorney General to meet Messrs Taft, Dennison, Senator Sherman and General Comley where we had a long conversation on the political situation. Sherman is satisfied that Conkling is going to break with the party on the Presidential question. How many Senators he can carry with him is not certain. The subject was quite fully canvassed and a determination to resist all defection was come to. It is reported that the Joint Committee on the part of Senate is likely to adopt a plan to submit the count to a Joint Committee of the two Houses of an equal number of both parties from which one is to be dropped by lot. Better go back to the days of the Roman Augurs at once and inspect the entrails of a calf and the flight of birds. Sherman and I called at Secretary Chandler's on our way home. Worked at my desk until 11 o'clock. Went to the Executive Mansion and had quite a lengthy visit with the President. Thence to the House of Representatives. The day was disposed by the Dist of Col Come. January, SATURDAY 6. 1877. Worked at my desk in the morning. Visited the Departments until near noon, then attended the session of the House. The day was devoted to the business of the District of Columbia until three o'clock when the House adjourned. Returned home in the midst of fearful weather. Spent the evening in studying the Louisiana question and also studying compilation made by the Joint Committee on the part of the House in reference to the counting of the Electoral votes. January, SUNDAY 7. 1877. The weather was so bad that I did not attend church but spent considerable time in reading. After dinner read the seven voyages of Sinbad the Sailor to the little ones. Spent the remainder of the afternoon in writing the leading points of the argument for a speech on the Louisiana question. In the evening several gentlemen called. Among others called Scofield and Ross of Pennsylvania. Scofield thinks strongly and clearly, and it is always a pleasure to follow his mind. He made a good point on the legal force of the word "Count" in connection with the presidential election. He insists that it must not be considered as a mere opening of the Envelopes—but means rather to allow[ed] or to publish the vote. I read to him a few pages of manuscript on the appointment of Electors, with which he appeared to be pleased. January, MONDAY 8. 1877. Worked on Louisiana Speech until half-past 11 o'clock, when I went to the Capitol. The day was passed in the usual Monday miscellany, nothing of importance was accomplished. At home in the evening. Dictated letters until eight o'clock when I went to Senator Sherman's and met about twenty gentlemen Senators and Members and Cabinet Ministers to consult on the political situation. There were twelve members of the House and half as many senators present, besides Don Cameron, Chandler, and Secy. Morrill. We had reports from the situation in South Carolina and Florida. and then went into general consultation on the [situation] course to be pursued. A Committee was appointed to draft resolutions to be sent to the several state Legislatures in order to counteract the influence of the violent proceedings at the Democratic Convention of today. Home at eleven—read mail—and at 12 retired. January , TUESDAY 9. 1877. Pacific Railroad Committee in the morning. At the House during the day. Nothing of importance was accomplished. At seven o'clock in the evening dined at Senator Morrill's with a large party given to Henri Cermachi. There were present Senators Anthony, Hamlin, Booth, and Allison. There were present also, Sir Edward Thornton, Dr. Lindeman, and Mrs. and Miss Gibbs, Mrs. Morrill, and Miss Swann. At the conclusion of the dinner several Senators came in and a good deal of pleasant and interesting conversation ensued. Sir Edward told me that Queen Victoria never unbent even at home among her children; that she acted the Queen even at her table and among her children. He thought this was a mistake and not usual among sovereigns. Came home about 11 o'clock and worked at my desk until 12. January, WEDNESDAY 10. 1877. Called on Judge Black at the Ebbitt House in reference to our note now due on the Virginia farm. Had quite a long talk on the political situation. Judge Black holds that the House had the exclusive right to count the vote, because it is empowered in a certain contingency to elect a President and the necessary incident to that power is the right to count the votes in order to ascertain whether a cause has arisen for the House to elect a President. This assumption is a monstrous subversion of the Constitutional provision for an election by the people; For the House could in every case where there is not absolute defeat an election by the Electors. Went thence to the meeting of the Committee on Pacific RR - and worked an hour - But much done in the House - Fifteen years ago today, fought the banks of Middle Creek—The lapse of years since then, is an abiding surprise to me January, THURSDAY 11. 1877 Called at the Interior Department at half past ten and went thence to the Comte on the Pacific Railroad. The Compromise bill guaranteeing the bonds of Scott and Huntington for building the road passed the Come by a vote of six to five, all the Republicans but O'Neil voting against it; two Democrats Lutrell and Phillips voting against it. In the House but little was accomplished except the passage of the Consular and Diplomatic appropriation bill. At home in the evening. Dictated letters until nine o'clock, when I went to the Speaker's reception. His residence on Capitol Hill is small and he was compelled to limit his invitations. No ladies were present. But about forty members of the House were there. Wells of Missouri invited me to ride with him in his carriage in company with Foster and Southard of Ohio. Returned home at quarter passed eleven o'clock. January, FRIDAY 12. 1877. Worked on correspondence and on the Louisiana Case until near noon and then went to the House. The day was devoted to private bills except that Barnes the New Orlean telegraph man was brought in for contempt. We bothered the Democrats very much in the management of the case and their mistakes were ludicrous. In the evening James Mason and son of Cleveland called. Also Mrs and Mrs. Riddle Dictated several letters and worked on speech. January, SATURDAY 13. 1877. Spent nearly the whole day at my desk working on a speech, on the Presidential election. Went to the Capitol at noon to look after my case in the Supreme Court and examine some books. The subject of the Presidential election is too extensive for one speech, and if I can get the time, I will make two distinct discussions; one relating to the appointment of Electors and a special discussion of the election in Louisiana, the other in relation to the counting of votes. Several friends called in the evening and I closed the day by working until a late hour. January, SUNDAY 14. 1877. Worked at my desk until ten a.m. when [H]Col Rockwell came and read to me one of the noon lectures of Rev. Joseph Cook who is just now making so much stir in Boston, on theological and metaphysical questions. At Eleven, went to Church with Mother Jimmie & Harry. On my return, stopped half an hour at General Schenk's, who is living quietly at the Cor. of Mass Av. & 14th St— quite disgusted with public life. and the cowardice of the Republican party. Soon after my return home, E.W. Stoughton of N.Y. and Wm E. Chandler called to consult on the situation. They have news that the Packard government will fall to pieces in a few hours, if it be not recognized by the President; and a committee goes to see Grant on the subject, at 2 p.m. I am appointed as one of six of Hayes' friends to confer with doubtful Senators, and confirm their courage. At four pm, Stoughton came with a report that Grant had sent a telegram to N.O. recognizing the Packard Government. So another snag is pulled - but a heavy load is laid upon Hayes, if he comes in. Stoughton & I called to see W. A Wheeler, at Mrs. Rines; but he was out. At nine o'clock, went to Secy Chandlers to consult National Rep Committee, in regard to answering questions propounded to its secy & Pres by the House Com. Found that the President's telegram reckognizing the Packard govement has gone out. January, MONDAY 15. 1877. Called at the Ebbitt House to see Senator Morton at half past nine and found that he had gone to the Capitol. Called on Judge Black and went with him to Riggs Bank to adjust our debt on the Virginia farm. Then went to the Treasury on Department business and thence to the Capitol. Mr. Wheeler called at the House and spent sometime in conversation. He is satisfied that Conkling has turned against us, and will probably carry off several senators in the defection. This makes the result look very doubtful and there is a good deal of depression of feeling among our friends. I do not concede that the situation is so gloomy as it appears on the surface. At home in the evening at work on correspondence until half past eight, when I went by appointment to meet Senator Jones on business connected with his Ice Patent. I gave him the main features of the Cook patent - for freezing ice on a wheel of coiled pipe - and he showed me the points covered by the patents which he controls. They seem to cover very fully the plan of freezing water sprayed upon a refrigerant. Cook has the only patent which freezes water taken up to cohesion and revolving wheel. The two appear to cover the whole ground. I am offered a chance to sell the Cook patent, and may succeed in making sale to Senator Jones who is owner of the [?]. Returned home at half past ten - too late to attend the reception at Secy Fish's. January, TUESDAY 16. 1877. Attended the meeting of the Ways and Means Committee at half past ten o'clock. Several bills were agreed upon. In the House after some miscellaneous legislation the Committee on the Judiciary reported a resolution for arresting the Returning Board of Louisiana to bring them before the House for contempt. They attempted to put the resolution through under the p.q. I gave them notice we should resist it and demanded three hours for debate which was finally granted. I took the third half hour and replied to the proposition of the Committee that the constitutional clause empowering the legislatures of the States to appoint electors incidentally gave authority to Congress to inquire whether that was done in accordance with the law of a state. My friends think I made a more than usually effective speech, and I am inclined to concur with them. I used a portion of the speech I had already prepared for Louisiana. Home in the evening. Rose dined with us. Dictated a number of letters and then spent two hours in revising the notes of my speech. January, WEDNESDAY 17. 1877. I find myself very much oppressed with hoarseness this morning so that I am hardly able to speak. I carried my voice too high yesterday in speaking and attempted to condense an hour into 30 minutes. I fear I am disable for several days. Called at some of the Departments and attended the meeting of the House . The order was made to summon the Returning Board. Nearly every Democrat voted for it. This is a long stride in the direction of centralization. I found Macaulay's passage on the strange contest between a man and a serpent, drawn from Dante and used in the First article of the Earl of Chatham to illustrate the change in political parties. Mr. Hoar used it with effect in his speech. Worked at my desk in the evening until seven o'clock when I went to the Riggs House and played Euchre with Senator Hamlin, Representative Hamlin and Mr. Lord our Reporter. Returned home at 12 o'clock my throat very bad. January, THURSDAY 18. 1877. More oppressed in the chest and throat than yesterday. Am quite ill but went to the House. Joint Committee made their report all signing it but one. What I may think of it when I have studied it more carefully may change my present impressions, but it appears to me not only a surrender of a certainty for an uncertainty, but it seems to me a cowardly mortgaging of the safety of the future to secure an escape from a present danger. I doubt if we shall ever have another Presidential Election by the people in the old sense of the term if this will becomes a law. It will be a Presidential Election begun by the people, but finally determined by Congress. At half past seven o'clock dined at the President's. There were at the table besides the President and his wife, Col Fred Grant and wife, Mr and Mrs Dantons, Mr. and Mrs Wirt of N.Y., General Patterson of Philadelphia, who was an officer in three wars beginning with 1812, also, Senators Boutwell, Jones, Morton, and Frelinghuysen. The dinner lasted until ten o'clock, when General McDowell, Sherman and Secretary Cameron came in. I returned home at half past ten. My chest is still in oppressing and distressing me. Went to the Supreme Court and moved for the affirmance of the judgement in Cobb & Co. v. Rice No. 96. As [?], counsel for Cobb did not appear, & had consented to the affirmance if I would not ask for damages for delay. I think my course was safest, for it makes an immediate mandate for my client. January, FRIDAY 19, 1877. Went to the House at 12 o'clock. Diversity of opinions on the Compromise Report still continues. I doubt if successfull resistance can be made to it, and possibly it is the best that can be done anyway. I felt so badly about the throat and chest that I left the House at four o'clock and drove home. Took dinner with Mother at Mr. Summer's. Dictated letters in the evening until seven o'clock. Then went to Senator Sherman's to meet with a number of Republicans for consultation, in reference to Louisiana affairs. There were present, Half, Frye, Sanford, Joyce, Lawrence, & Hurlbut. Before we concluded our interview, Ex-Gov. Wells of Louisiana came in, and we went over the situation of affairs in that state quite fully. A good deal depends upon the President, in reference to his action upon the rival governments. I don't see how Packard can be overthrown without destroying the authority which gave the electoral vote of that State to Hayes. The political sentiment is greatly divided in reference to the bill of the Joint Committee. The businessmen of the Country are clamorously in favor of it. They care more for results than for methods. More for an escape from present evils than for a time enduring rule of action. On the contrary, extreme partisans oppose the bill because it makes the result uncertain, which they believe can be made certain without the bill. I incline to oppose the bill for its faulty, and probably unconstitutional method, and for the evil which may result from it hereafter. January SATURDAY 20.1877 Still suffering from great oppression in the chest and hoarseness. At 10 a.m. went with Lawrence and Gen. Runkle to the President's in reference to Runkle's reinstatement in the army. After the business was concluded, I talked with the President in reference to Louisiana. He don't think Packard can be sustained, but believes will be driven from the state as soon as the Electoral count is decided. This seems to be a bad outlook for our friends in La. and I don't see how the vote for electors, and that for Governor can be separated. Returned home, and remained until 11 1/2, when I went to the Capitol. But little was done in the House. Went to the Senate and Edmund's speech in defense of his bill from the joint committee. It was an able defense of the right of Congress to legislate on the subject. I only heard the last half of the speech. In the evening at seven, went to Senator Sherman's to meet the Rep. delegation from Ohio in reference to the bill on the Count. Foster alone is decidedly in its favor, Monroe uncertain, and the rest opposed. Foster came home with me, & with Crete me played Casino until eleven p.m. I am more than ever persuaded that the bill is a dangerous one for the future whatever may be its effect upon the late election. January SUNDAY 21. 1877 The condition of throat and chest is such as to lead me seriously to fear pneumonia and so I have remained in the House all day and took medicine but did not find much relief. I spent most of the day in a careful consideration of the principles , or rather want of Constitutional principle in the Compromise bill. The more I read it, the more thoroughly I am disgusted with it and I have made up my mind to resist it to the extent of my ability. I very much fear my throat will not be in condition to enable me to speak as I would like to do on this subject. I shall, however, take some means of putting on record my opposition to the scheme. Several friends called during the day and evening. January, MONDAY 22. 1877. Still feeling very badly in the chest and remained at home working on the Electoral Question until half past twelve when I went to the House. But little was accomplished in our Body and I went to the Senate to hear a portion of Senator Sherman's speech against the bill. I came home and dictated letters until 7, when I went to Wormley's and dined with William M. Evart, John A. Kasson, and Sam Ward. The object of the dinner was to confer with Evarts in regard to the Electoral Bill. He gave me some interesting views on the constitutional question, among others this: That the duty of counting the votes was purely an executive and not a legislative function, and that to allow Congress to count the votes is to violate the fundamental idea of the Constitution that the Election of President shall be independent of Congress. I came home at nine o'clock and studied on the constitutional question until near midnight. January, TUESDAY 23. 1877. Worked at my desk until nearly half past twelve, when I went to the House. Throat better this morning, but am still suffering from hoarseness. Went to the Senate and listened to Sherman's speech against the bill and then for about two hours to Conkling's in its favor. He is certainly an able debater and his manners are very striking though stagey I was surprised at his mass of words in proportion to the ideas they contained. In the evening dictated a large number of letters and worked on the Electorial Problem. Spent some time in re-reading those portions of the Madison papers which relate to the Election of a President. I am very anxious to speak with satisfaction to myself, but greatly fear the state of my voice. January, Wednesday 24. 1877. Worked at my desk until 12 o'clock. I have been examining the provisions of the existing state Constitutions in reference of the mode of counting the votes for State officers. It throws a curious light upon the great question at issue. O! for a voice. I have never wanted one so much. Went to the House at 12. Several long speeches were being delivered on the Electoral question. Went to the Senate and heard the second installment of Conkling's speech. Many words and sonorous in which his ideas were badly stifled. Saw Blaine who I think is wavering in regard to the bill. I told him to remember that the West would never forgive the East; if they deserted us in this hour. The letters and dispatches are pouring in from Ohio against it. The suspicion is gaining ground that Democrats of the House are holding back until the Senate takes action that the Vice President of the Senate has no right to count then drop the bill and take advantage of the point gained by the Senate's admission Home in the evening and dictated letters and continued my studies of the Electoral question. I am trying to get a clear idea of the boundary line between the three powers, legislative, executive and judicial. It is surprising how little I can find in the books on the subject. January. THURSDAY 25. 1877. Worked on my speech until noon. Had not a little difficulty in determining the proper perspective of the parts. I have thus far been at work only on the material and verifying my historical propositions. Went to the House at 12 and found that the day and part of the evening would be taken up by the Committee. Came home at half past four and after dinner drafted a sketch of my argument. Went to the House at half-past eight and at half past nine got the floor and spoke nearly an hour and a quarter, my time being extended by unanimous consent. Contrary to my fears my voice was good and I spoke with more ease than usual. I think I have never had the attention of the House better nor followed the logic of a case more closely. On the whole I am better pleased with the speech than with any one I have ever made. It will not be so popular as many others I have made, but will, I think reach a higher class of minds. Came home at a quarter past eleven and soon retired. January, Friday 26. 1877. Worked on the historical points of my speech, verifying some among the matters which came to my mind while speaking last night. At twelve o'clock went to the House when I received the notes of my speech from the Reporter. Debate continued in ten minute speeches until four o'clock when the p.g, was called on the bill. After a closing hour of debate in short speeches, the vote was taken of the largest House I have ever seen in this Congress and 191 voted for the bill and 86 against it. I was gratified with the fact that more than two-thirds of the Republicans voted against it, In the evening Rose and I worked on the revision of my speech until 11 o'clock. January. Saturday 27. 1877. Worked on the revision of my speech until half past ten oclock when I went to the Capital and attended the Republican caucus in the Judiciary Committee Room. Two prominent Republicans were severely damaged by their friends. Frye made a speech for the purpose of nominating Hale from Maine for a member of the Joint commission under the Electoral Bill. In the course of this speech he denounced the bill and those republicans who supported it in very injudicious terms. The Caucus proceeded to ballot and eighty-three votes were cast seventy-nine for me. Hale would certainly have been elected on the next ballot but for Frye's speech. Hoar was voted for and would have been elected on the fourth ballot but for another injudicious speech from Prof Seelye which came very near defeating him (Hoar). He however received forty-two votes on the fifth ballot which was just enough to elect. I highly appreciate the compliment of the vote I received especially in view of the fact that I had so strongly opposed the bill. In the evening Rose and I commenced work on revising my notes and continued it until two o'clock in the morning. I find myself very hard to satisfy in matters of literary taste and I presume such minute criticism while it makes a speech more correct loses something of the freshness and vigor of the style. January SUNDAY 28. 1877 Attended church with Mother, Crete and Irvin and listened to a sermon which had so much Hell in it as to be quite repelling to my sentiments. At three o'clock dined at Welcker's, with Neely Thompson who gave a dinner to Marat Halstead of Cincinnati. There were present besides those two gentlemen Senators Thurman and Booth, Ex Senator Stewart, Representatives Watterson [and] Blackburn and Hooker. and a Mr Stillson of the press. We sat until near nine o'clock in the evening The conversation took a very wide range and some interesting historical anecdotes were given. The character of Vallandingham was quite fully discussed and Thurman stated what I had never before heard, that Vallandingham's arrest was procured in order to make him the candidate for Governor and that this was done by his Democratic friends. January Monday 29 1877 My speech appeared in the Record this morning but it was not satisfactorily printed and needed much revision Spent the morning in revising my speech and at 11 o'clock went to Polkinhorn's to arrange for its printing in pamphlet form Went to the House at 12 o'clock During the day Judge Black called on me and very strongly advised me to decline going on the Commission saying that I would thereby -- avoid a serious collision with the Democratic Party that the objections to my appointment were that I had opposed the bill as unconstitutional and had signed the Sherman report thereby committing myself on the Louisiana question He thought I would be embarrassed by sitting as a member of the Committee There was some force in the suggestion but after consulting with Messrs. Hoar and Mc Crary and others of my friends I found that I could not withdraw without displeasing my own party in the House and I determined to let them do what they would in the case If they reject my name I think no Republican in the House will serve on the Committee Mr Hoar told me emphatically that he would not Received retainer in the County Seat case of Mahoning County together with the record on which I am to ask writ of error At home in the evening and dictated a large number of letters January, TUESDAY 30. 1877. Worked at my desk until 11 o'clock when I went to the Capitol. House met at 12. Ordinary business until one, when the House proceeded under the provisions of the ---- Electoral Bill to choose its five members of the Electoral Commission. Mr Lamar acting I suppose on behalf of the Democratic Caucus moved the selection of Abbott, Hinton, Payne, Garfield and Hoar, and as the roll was called each man arose and announced the name of the persons voted for by him. Twenty-three democrats dropped my name in the vote. I suppose they thought they were doing me some political injury. They were probably not aware that they were doing me a service. The fact was that an overwhelming majority of the foremost Democrats of the House voted for me, and a few Conferates and Northern Extremists of no particular weight in the House voted against me I receive 240 votes, all the others 263 except Mr. Hoar who received 264 Home in the evening dictated a large number of letters. January, WEDNESDAY 31, 1877 Worked at my desk until half-past ten. Then called at the Q.M. Gen's, and the Interior Dept. At eleven a.m. went to the Supreme Court room and met the Commission appointed on the Electoral Count. The President Mr Justice Clifford was sworn by the Clerk of the Sup Court and then administered the oath to the other fourteen members. Each kissing the bible, and subscribing the oath prescribed in the law. The members then took seats at the table in the centre of the Sup. Ct. Room, in the following order Frelingh Morton Edmonds Payne Hunton Abbott Thurman >>>------> North Hoar Bayard Garfield Bradley Field Clifford Miller Strong A committee of six was appointed to draft rules, and the commission adjourned until 4 p.m. I learned from one of the judges, that they had a long struggle to elect the fifth. At two sessions last evening they failed to agree, and only agreed late this morning. Judge M. offered to vote for any one of the [three] four except Davis, if it could be agreed to unanimously. This was refused, I suspect the choice was actually made by lot, for the choice was, at last unanimous. In house until 4, when commission met again, and sat nearly two hours adopting rules. I think they allow too much time for debate. David D. Field is anxious to be made a mannager. He followed me to the door of the Ct. Room urging me to vote for allowing each House to appoint managers. A clause was reported [added] [to] in one of the rules, by the Com. to allow members of either House to act as counsel. This was voted down. A blow to the hopes of D.D.F. But a place was prepared for him by Thurman's amendment to let objectors to returns speak before the commission. When it grew dark, candles were brought, there being no gas fixtures in the Supreme Ct room. On the way home, Strong J. told me that all the judges, save one, were very sorry to be called to this commission. Home in the evening, reading and writing. At 9-20 p.m. recd telegram from Foster saying there was a row in the House Come. Went + staid till adjmt at eleven. February, THURSDAY 1. 1877. Rose came at Eight a.m. and I dictated a large number of letters in answer to correspondence which had been neglected during the Electoral debate. After a visit to the Treasury Dept. at Eleven, I went to the House. To prevent the Democracy from pushing through any embarrassing resolutions in reference to the Court, our friends demanded the reading of the Journal in full, which consumed 3/4 of an hour. At one 1. The Senate came, and awed a great and quiet crowd. The court proceeded. The Speaker had disregarded all the comity due to the opposition by appointing two Democratic letters which compelled the Pres. of the Senate to make retaliation. The court proceeded without special incident, until Florida was reached, where three returns were found, and several objections were filed. At 3 p.m. the case was sent to the Commission, which assembled at once. As we are to hear counsel. The Commission occupied the bench and its two flanks where the Clerk Marshal usually sit. Mr Hoar and I sat on the south flank (Marshald Dedk) facing Bayard & Thurman who occupied the Clerk's desk. Objectors and counsel entered appearance, & the order of argument was agreed on, when the open session closed, and the commission discussed some further rules of procedure, and the question of what we should order printed. It was finally decided that the affidavits & [?] - Sent to us were not a part of the objections. Adjourned at half past 5. At 8 Crete and I went to the reception of Mr & Mrs Gallaudet at the Deaf Mute Asylum -- a pleasant company but I was very tired -- returned at about 12 midnight. February, FRIDAY 2. 1877. Worked at desk until 10 a.m. when I went to the Capitol. Commission met at 10-30, and D.D. Field spoke one hour and a quarter on his objections to the Hayes certificate. His speech was Sophomoric and far below the level of the occasion. He commenced at the wrong end of the case - by narrating the action of the Judges of Election in Baker Co. in throwing me the Darbyville and Johnsonville polls. The last half of his speech bore upon the question. J.R. Tucker followed for 45 minutes, and made a very able argument. Each 15 minutes of it was of more value to his side than the whole speech of his colleague. Kasson asked, for time, till tomorrow morning; but the Commission granted recess from 12 to 3 p.m. At the latter hour Kasson spoke very clearly and forcibly. There is a certain air of affectation in his manner which detracts from the impressiveness of his speech, an effort to be Exquisite. But the speech was clear and able. McCreery followed in a very powerful argument, answering Tucker in deference to the Florida proceedings in Quo Warranto & making his points with great clearness and force. Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. Home in the evening and dictated a large number of letters, working at my desk till about eleven o'clock. The scene today, at the session of the commission, recalled the history of the scenes enacted in that chamber, when Webster, Clay & C sat in the Senate. Mr McElhone, one of the oldest Reporters in the Record, told me, that though he was often in the Old Senate Gallery 25 years ago, yet in attempting to go there today, he found that he had forgotten the way. The door to the Sup Ct. Gallery has been closed up for many years. February, SATURDAY 3. 1877. Worked on letters and papers until ten a.m. when, with Crete and Miss Mays I went to the Capitol, and secured seats for them in the Court Room. Commission met at 10½. An hour and a half was spent in debating interlocutory motions. O'Connnor Black and Evarts participating. After a recess of half an hour, Merrick opened the case for the Democrats, making a clear and able argument. Black followed in a brilliant and striking speech, but not so much to the point as Merricks. I fear Judge B. is falling into the loose and garrulous ways of an old man. Stanley Matthews made the first speech for the Republicans speaking 55 minutes with great clearness and power. He was followed by E.W. Stoughton. forty minutes on the Law of Florida and its relation to this case. The interest of today was even greater than that of yesterday - and it will doubtless be still greater on Monday next. Commission adjourned at 3½ p.m. when I came home with Crete and Miss Mays. At 7. dined at Secy [?] with a large company of Senators and Representatives. At ten, attended the reception of Mr Chittenden given to Whitelaw Reed and Wm Walter Phelps. The President was there, and about 150 people were there. At half past ten, Reed went with me to Mrs. Dahlgren's where the club was in session. Remained until after eleven, when Mrs. Robt. Anderson brought Crete & me home. February, SUNDAY 4. 1877. Commenced to revise my lecture on a Century of Congress, delivered at Williams College in June last, for publication in the Atlantic Monthly. At 11 o'clock attended church. In the afternoon worked on the address. In the evening went with Crete and Miss Ransom to tea at Mr Riddle's. Had a very pleasant conversation with Darius Lyman who gave me an account of the time he spent at the Hermitage in Tennessee in 1844-1845 giving very interesting anecdotes of General Jackson. Then called on Judge Black at the Ebbitt House and had a long conversation on the great case. February MONDAY 5. 1877. Worked at my desk until half past ten o'clock when I went with Mother and Crete to the Capitol. At 11 the session of the Commission began and Mr. Evarts spoke an hour and a half. His speech was very clear and scholarly and in parts able but his sentences are too long and involved and I think he lacked his usual fervor and force. Charles O'Conner followed for an hour and a half. Evidently he was suffering from feebleness and he did not come up to my expectations though he exhibited great clearness of mind and conciseness of statement. The case was closed at least so far as arguments of counsel on the powers of the Commission were concerned and after a recess of three quarters of an hour the Commission went into secret session for deliberation. After a little conversation in which Judge Bradley expressed a desire to take the evening and tomorrow morning for a study of the case in which opinion he was endorsed by Edmunds and Thurman we adjourned to meet at 12 o'clock tomorrow when the Commission must wrestle with the merits of the case. At home in the evening studying the case. Dictated a large number of letters. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1877. Worked at my desk until 12 o'clock when I went to the Commission. Bradley and Frelinghuysen were a little late, but at 20 minutes past 12 all the members were present. After an impressive pause in which each member seemed disinclined to begin, Edmunds delivered his opinion of the case before us in quite a conversational tone, speaking on the question of what evidence if any we should consider. He spoke until 1:10 and was followed by Morton who spoke until 1:35. Thurman spoke for 45 minutes reading a part of his remarks from Manuscript. Frelinghuysen gave his opinion and occupied about 20 minutes. Bayard spoke commencing 2:45 until 3. Then a recess for half an hour. Bayard resumed and closed at 4:42. Hoar read until 5:08. Mr. Hinton spoke 50 minutes ended at 5.55. Desultory discussion between Thurman and Edmunds until 6.30. I spoke 25 minutes and closed at 6:55. Abbott followed at 7 and spoke until 7:35.Commission adjourned at about 7:45. All the Senators and members having spoken except Mr. Payne. The Proceedings were very impressive and the debate very able. Dined with Mr. Hoar at Welcker's and reached home in the evening. Several members waiting to see me. On the whole I have never spent a day in closer and severer intellectual work with more sharp incitement from the presence of able and trained minds. I was pretty fairly satisfied with my own part in the debate; and I regret that the whole was not taken down by a stenographer. February. WEDNESDAY 7. 1877. At half past ten, called on Judge Swayne to get a writ of error issued to the Sup Ct. of Ohio, & bring up the Mahony Co Court House case. At eleven met with the Commission. Mr Payne made a speech of 35 minutes having in it more partisan bitterness than any yet made. He had the bad taste to speak sneeringly of colored men in Florida. Judge Field then read an opinion strongly Democratic. Judge Strong then made a very clear and favorable speech on the power of Congress and of the states in reference to the appointment of electors. Judge Miller then made a very powerful speech on the authority conferred upon the Commission & Congress in reference to the Court. Among other topics, he married this: that no judicial body state or national can interfere in an election in any way, unless specially authorized to do so by statute. And as Congress has not been so authorized, it cannot interfere in the determination of a state election. Judge Bradly arose at 2-13 to read his opinion. All were intent, because B. Held the [casting?] vote. It was a curious study to watch the faces as he read. All were making a manifest effort to appear unconcerned. It was ten minutes before it became evident that he was against the authority to hear extrinsic evidence. His opinion was clear and strong. Near the close, he surprised us all by holding that we could hear testimony as to the eligibility of Humphreys. Clifford followed w a dull speech, but strongly [?] [?]. Thurman made a short speech, showing his dissatisfaction with the result. Edmunds closed with a strong speech on the validity of the acts of a de facto officer. At three the vote was taken & to five a strictly partisan division. [?] opened & adjd to 11 tomorrow. Great excitement throughout the Capitol. Home in the evening. many callers. Dictated letters till half past eight, and took refuge from the crowd of callers by going to Foster's room and playing Casino until 11 pm. Home, read [?] and [?] at 12. February. THURSDAY 8. 1877. Worked at my desk until half past ten when I went to the Commission who were in session. Testimony was taken in regard to the eligibility of Humphries in which his resignation and the acceptance of it, of the office of shipping Commissioner were clearly proved. The counsel of the Democrats asked for an extension of time [of] for three hours on a side. Judge Hoadley spent an hour mainly on the eligibility question and having Oregon in his mind. He was followed by Green of New Jersey for an hour. Then Shellabarger spoke with great ability and was followed by Evarts who spoke with more animation than at the last session. Merrick closed the debate making an abler speech than any of his associates. The case closed at five o'clock. Edmund moved a recess of half an hour, but on motion on of Mr Payne by a vote of eight to seven we adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow. Judge Bradley voted for the adjournment all other Republicans against it The lawyers in general practice do not speak as well on these questions as members of Congress whose minds have been full of this subject for the last two months and who are more familiar with questions involved in the controversy. February, FRIDAY 9. 1877. Met with the Commission at 10 a.m. Thurman opened the discussion in reference to the eligibility of Humphreys. Judge Miller even proposed that Judge Bradley state his position on the question which would probably be decisive. Judge B. preferred to hear further discussion. And so the debate continued. Bayard spoke an hour and a half. Clifford read a brief opinion to the effect that Humphreys had not legally resigned. Morton, Hoar and Bradey followed; the latter coming out more strongly & clearly than before in the general subject & on the [?] eligibility Recess of 30 minutes at 3, after which debate continued. I moved to take vote at 5, amended to six. Payne objected, but it was carried. Payne spoke, and made a complementary address & an adroit appeal to Bradley to [?] opinion. He spoke of him as the umpire of the nation, and a man of conscientious purity. Miller rebuked the assumption that B. was any more conscientious than any other member of the Commission, & was sure B did not so assume, nor was it true that the other 14 had made up their minds upon anything except that now before them. Payne made a not very successful effort to retract what he had said. Hinton made a long speech on eligibility, but Thurman offered a resolution that Humphreys was not a Shipping Commissioner Mr. T. Morton wanted a [sub?] that his vote was valid whether a Shipping Com. or not. To avoid entanglement from either, I offered a resolution covering the whole Fla Case, which was adopted 8 to 7. Recess of one hour at 6, reassembled at 7 and adopted Report of Comm; eight of us signed report, and adjourned at 8-20 p.m. Arriving home, found several people anxiously awaiting news. Inter alia Gen M. Dowell, W.E. Chandler, [Smalley?] &c. Retired 11-30 pm. February, SATURDAY 10, 1877. At half past eight went to Judge Swayne's and took breakfast with him and Stanley Matthews enjoyed a pleasant conversation. At twenty minutes to ten Mathews and I went to the Capitol in company. House met at ten and adjourned until five minutes of 12. The Com. of Ways and Means met and I sat with them for an hour. At five minutes to 12 the House resumed its session. The House was unwilling to receive the Senate immediately but fixed the hour of one at which time the Senate came and the report of the Commission was read. Objections to the finding were filed by David Dudley Field to the Senate report moved to take a recess until Monday. Nearly two hours debate was had upon this question. Had some apprehension that the Democrats would interpose delay so as to prevent the count altogether. Just before the recess was carried [from] the message came from the Senate that they had overruled the objection and were ready to meet the Ho. to proceed with the count. Came home at half past four and worked on Article for the Atlantic. In the evening Crete and I called on General Schenck's and visited between two and three hours. Retired at midnight. February SUNDAY 11, 1877 At half past nine went to the Riggs House and took breakfast with Senator Hamlin. There were present beside the Senator - Blaine, Davis, Hale, Frye, Llyewellyn Powers of Aroostock and Mr. Ford, one of the House reporters. We had a pleasant breakfast and an interesting conversation. Most of those present thought the Democrats would not resist the count. Returned home at half past twelve and during the afternoon finished my article for the Atlantic. It is my addressed delivered at Williams but revised for the magazine. Several gentlemen called in the evening and much anxiety is expressed about the behavior of the Democrats in reference to the count. They have manifestly been in consultation on the course they will pursue and some of their members favor revolutionary resistance to the count. February MONDAY 12. 1877 Worked at my desk until 20 minutes past ten when I went to the Capitol. House took a recess until half past ten and then commenced discussion on the finding of the Commission in the case of Florida. Proctor Knott representing the reactionary part of the Democracy offered a resolution to recommit the report to the Commission, which after a debate of half an hour was ruled out of order. Then the two hours debate on the merits of the report followed and the vote was almost strictly on party grounds. At half past one the Senate came to the House and the count went on. It was expected that an objection would be raised to the count of Illinois but the Democrats feared the effect on the Commission of having the ineligible Illinois Electors ruled out. The count proceeded without incident until the vote of Louisiana was reached. A mock certificate had been sent to the President of the Senate which illustrated the absurdity of confining his powers to opening an envelope. At half past two the Commission adjourned until 11 o'clock tomorrow. At eight o'clock in the evening Crete and I went to Lincoln Hall were I made a speech of 20 minutes. At half past nine Crete & I went to the reception of the Japanese Minister Yoshida - & thence to the reception of Fernando Wood Home at midnight & bed. February, TUESDAY 13, 1877 Commission met at ten oclock and continued the execution of the order for the argument of counsel until 11 oclock, when Trumbull made an offer of testimony which it took an hour to read and at the conclusion asked three hours to debate the admissibility of testimony. Strong moved to grant two hours on each side. On the question of evidence Edmunds moved to grant four hours on the side to the whole case including the evidence. After a good deal of Debate I made a brief speech advocating Strong's motion which prevailed. Debate continued until six oclock. Carpenter and Trumbull made speeches strongly denouncing fraud. Stoughton followed in an able speech on the law of Louisiana. Shellabarger followed in a speech of great power. I am inclined to think the ablest that has been made on either side. It is manifest that the Democrats intend to delay the decision as long as possible. They vote for the longest time, the longest recesses and the most frequent adjournments. Home in the evening. Worked at my desk a short time and then played Bezique with Crete until 11 o'clock. February, WEDNESDAY 14, 1877 Commission met at 10 o'clock. Carpenter opened the argument for the Tilden Electors and spoke with great force for two hours. I was impressed with the belief that Carpenter was a man who had been so accustomed to speak on any side to which his interest inclined him that he has lost his convictions and therefore he uses whatever argument will suit his case for the moment. This is a great calamity to happen to any man's intellect. He was followed by Judge Trumbull who after speaking a short time offered a vast mass of testimony. It took him an hour to read his offer of testimony. As the conclusion, the Commission ordered an extension of time on the question of admitting evidence, but allowed counsel to use in this argument, such portion of their time on the main question as they chose. Trumbull then proceeded with his argument and was followed by Stoughton in a brief and effective speech. Shellabarger then followed speaking until in the evening. The record of the last part of Shellabarger's speech is in the wrong day. At home in the evening very tired. February THURSDAY 15. 1877 Commission met at half past ten and listened to Mr. Evarts for three hours. It was a very masterly speech. During its delivery I wrote this note to Mr. Hoar. "Many years ago I was angry at Carlyle for saying that Sir Walter Scott was a healthy man. Later reflection has led me to believe that sanity is greater than greatness. It seems to me that the greatest quality of Mr. Evarts' mind is sanity. He is discussing this question in a thoroughly same manner and is all the while in possession of himself." The speech was most admirable. Judge Campbell spoke for two hours and after making a strong speech in the beginning later became involved in the passions of the Louisiana controversy to such an extent as to mar the strength of his presentation of the case. I doubt if any Louisiana man is competent to discuss this question wisely. The argument was closed at four o'clock and the Commission spent half an hour in discussing its future action. The Democrats seem determined to make all the delay they can. They uniformly vote for the longest adjournments and the greatest extent of time. It was finally to adjourn until 10 o'clock in the morning and take a vote at 4, and notify the Counsel to be present at 4 1/4. After dinner called on the President and spent nearly an hour. I was introduced to Mrs. Bright, sister in law of John Bright of England. From the President's went to General Schenck's and played Bezique for two hours. FEBRUARY FRIDAY 16. 1877 Went to the Commission at ten o'clock and remained until near nine in the evening, a session of 11 hours. A day of the most nervous strain and anxiety I have have ever passed since Chickamauga. The order of speaking was Morton, Thurman, Garfield, Bayard, Edmunds, Hinton, Hoar, Bradley. We had no hint of the conclusion to be reached until Bradley was twenty minutes into his speech. The suspense was painful, and the efforts of members to appear unconcerned, gave strong proof of the intensity of the feeling. I could hear or fancied I could hear the watches of the members ticking in their pockets. When Bradley reached a proposition that make his result evident, there was a long breath of relief, up or down, but actual relief to all, from the long suspense. February. SATURDAY 17. 1877. Went to the House at 10 o'clock. Spr. Randall refused to recognize the Secretary of the Senate to deliver a message for nearly three-quarters of an hour. This is the first time I have ever known the Senate Messenger to be delayed. The Spr. did it to enable his party to get in a motion to take a recess before the message came. A recess was taken until Monday at 10 o'clock. The Democrats showing every disposition to prevent the completion of the count by delay, though some of the better men among them say that they wish to gain time to cool down the fiery spirits of their extreme men. At seven o'clock called at John Sherman's by appointment and had a long conversation in reference to the proper construction of the Cabinet for Hayes. I think Sherman wants to go into the Treasury and have me succeed him in the Senate. Just now the roads fork for me. The one strait ahead is to stay in the Ho. to stand the chance for the Speakership and another is the Senate. I shall probably pursue my usual course of seeking nothing and letting events take care of themselves I don't believe there is any real chance for me, or any republican to secure the Speakership, though many think there is. February. SUNDAY 18. 1877. Sunday slept until a late hour trying to recover a little from the great fatigue of the past week. At eleven o'clock Crete and I went to church. In the afternoon and evening a large number of friends called. Cowles of the Cleveland Leader came and stayed until after 11 o'clock. February, MONDAY 19, 1877 Went to the House at ten o'clock and at 11 o'clock the Senate came in and the report of the Joint Commission in regard to Louisiana was read. A long objection was filed, signed by nearly all the Democratic members of the House. Whereupon a recess until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock was carried by 10 majority. Came home about four o'clock and dictated letters. Also, commenced the reproduction of my speech in the Commission on the Florida Case. At seven o'clock went to dinner at Mr Sanford's No. 1744 G. St. at the Old Edward Everett mansion. A pleasant party. Mr Evarts, Secy Robeson and Gov Dennison with Mr and Mrs Sanford and others made a pleasant evening. Remained until a late hour. Returned home at half past eleven and retired at midnight. February, TUESDAY 20, 1877 Went to the Capitol at ten o'clock and found a call of the House proceeding. By half past ten we had secured a quorum and the debate began under the ten minute rule. By twelve we had voted on the Louisiana and soon the Senate came in and proceeded with the count until we reached Michigan, when a snag was unexpectedly stuck by an objection to one of the Electors. The two Houses separated and two hours were consumed in debate, when the objection was overruled almost unanimously. We again proceeded until Nevada was reached when Springer secured enough signers to his objection to an elector to cause the two Houses to separate and after struggle at nearly six o'clock a recess was taken. Home in the evening. At eight o'clock dined at Secretary Robeson's. February Thursday 22 1877 Commission met at 10 o'clock and Mr. Stanley Matthews spoke an hour and 50 minutes, making a strong argument but not so able as his argument in the Florida Case. He was followed by Mr. Evarts who spoke an hour and 40 filling the time of his side. His speech was very clear and forcible. Merrick closed the debate. At four o'clock Commission took a recess of half and hour and then sat in consultation until 8. Morton, Miller and Field made speeches on the case and we adjourned at 8 after resolving to take the vote at four o'clock tomorrow. Two Senate officers were in waiting with a carriage and took Mr. Hoar and me home. Rose came and I dictated a large number of letters. Several gentlemen called in the evening among them Cowles, the two Ingersolls and Mr. Stoughton. They stayed until half past 11, when I retired very much jaded, having sat in the House and Commission 12 hours yesterday and 10 hours today. [*from next page-*] adjourned to meet at 12 o'clock tomorrow in the Supreme Court room. Came home in the evening dictated letters and read mail. February Friday 23 1877 At ten o'clock drove to the Attorney General's with Col Morse in reference to his indictment in New Orleans. Thence went to the Commission where the discussion was continued. Bayard spoke an hour and a half. He was followed briefly by Judge Field. Judge Strong then made a clear and able statement of his opinion of the case and was followed by Mr. Hinton. At half past two Judge Bradley delivered his opinion in writing taking strong grounds in favor of the Hayes electors in Oregon. This closed the debate as no one else wished to speak. Senator Bayard then read a letter from Mrs Thurman, saying that Senator Sherman was confined to his bed by serious illness and was then unable to meet the Commission whereupon a Committee consisting of Senators Bayard and Frelinghuysen were sent to Thurman's house to ask if the Commission might go there and have the votes in his presence. At quarter past four the Committee reported and the Commission and its officers taking carriages reported at Judge Thurman's House on 14th Street. At first it was proposed to hold the meeting in the parlor and send the President upstairs in the Chamber to take his vote. Judge Field thought this would be unlawful and the Commission held its session in Thurman's room were the several votes were taken and the final order and report were adopted . at half past five the Commission. February, [FRIDAY 23] Wednesday 21st 1877. House met at 10 o'clock in the morning Concluded the Nevada Case and continued the count until we reached Oregon and soon after the Commission met and received the papers and listened to a speech from Senator Kelly in opposition to the certificate of the Hayes electors and another speech of an hour by Mr. Jenks in opposition to the certificate of the Hayes electors. Senator Mitchel of Oregon followed for an hour in opposition to the Cronin certificate and Judge Lawrence of Ohio, closed the argument of the objectors in a speech of an hour. The Commission then took a recess until half past seven when we met in the Senate Chamber and Judge Hondley spoke two hours and a half defending Cronin's right to be considered an elector on the principle that Watts was ineligible, and the minority man was chosen. It was a very able effort to sustain a perfectly absurd proposition. I doubt if Cronin will receive a vote in the Commission. Adjourned at ten. White of the Chicago Tribune came to the Senate Chamber to show me a dispatch that was going over the wires in regard to the DeGolyer Pavement Business. I drove with him to the Hotel where the witness who was said to have testified was stopping and saw the witness who condemned the telegram as false and malicious. White promised to go to the Associated Press and have it corrected. February, [SATURDAY 24] Monday - 26 1877. Worked on my argument in the Florida Case in the Commission until 20 minutes to ten, when I went to the Capitol but arrived too late for the first Roll Call. The Democrats fillibustered for two hours before we reached the Pennsylvania Case, then two hours were spent in debate, when nearly an hour more was consumed by ayes and noes. At three o'clock the vote was counted and Rhode Island was soon reached and objection was made to the Hayes Electors. The two Houses then separated and debate continued until 6 o'clock when Rhode Island was counted and South Carolina reached. At half past six the Commission was in session and received the papers together with the objections they were ordered to be printed and we adjourned until 10 o'clock. Home in the evening. Dictated letters until nine o'clock when I went to Wormley's [and dined with] at the invitation of Stanley Matthews -- I found with Matthews in his room, Foster, Judge Sherman Dennison, Ellis, Waterson & Burke of N.O. Matthews spoke as though it was certain that the Nichols government would be sustained, at least that US troops would not be used. Burke drew me aside and read from a paper some propositions, among them that civil and political rights should be guaranteed to the negros, that there should be no political prosecutions, that Nichols legislature should elect at least one Republican senator &c -- This, and Matthews talk led me to believe that there had been former consultations, & that a compact of some kind was meditated. I spoke a few moments, stating that nobody had any authority to speak for Gov. Hayes, beyond his party platform & letter of acceptance -- & it would be neither honorable nor wise to do so if any one had such authority & that those southern Democrats who are resisting filibustering (over) February, SUNDAY 25, 1877. Did not attend church but read some pressing letters and worked a few hours on my argument in the Florida Case. Several people called during the day, among them General Logan who asked me to assist him in being made Secretary of War. Also, Judge Carter who wishes to go to the Supreme Court Bench. Also, General Ramm, in favor of General Logan's request. Miss Ransom and Mr. Cowles took dinner with us. At half past seven dined at Secy Fish's with his family, Senators Anthony and Blaine and several other gentlemen went thence to Senator Sherman's and conversed a short time in reference to the political situation. Foster was there with us. Foster is feeling very much depressed about the completion of the count. The Democrats are behaving very badly. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- are damages in the ground of high public duty and honor; [?] any bargain would make their motives far lower. For myself, I had no doubt that the new administration would deal justly and generously by the south, and the whole nation would honor those southern men who are resisting anarchy, and thus preventing civil war; but neither they nor we could afford to do anything that would be or appear to be a political bargain. I thought Matthews did not like my remarks; but I made them to prevent any misunderstanding so far as I was concerned, and left at eleven not caring to be present longer. February, Saturday. 24. 1877. Worked at my desk in the morning until half-past nine when I went to the Capitol arriving at ten. The House attempted to prevent the consideration of the Oregon case. A motion was made to adjourn until Monday but it was beaten by a decisive majority. This was a saving vote. It was followed by a motion to adjourn until half past nine which Randall ruled out of order as a dilatory motion. The Case of Oregon was proceeded with to a conclusion about three o'clock when the two Houses met and the Oregon vote was counted. The certificate from Pennsylvania was then read. Objection being made to one of the electors the Houses separated and another struggle ensued which resulted in an adjournment until ten o'clock on Monday. Though this was unfortunate we have made a good gain today with a better hope of completion of the count than we had when we assembled this morning February, TUESDAY 27. 1877. Commission met at 10 o'clock. Mr Hurd of Ohio spoke an hour as an Objector to the Hayes certificate. He was followed briefly by Cochrane on the same side. Judge Lawrence in reply spoke 3/4 of an hour in objection to the Tilden certificate. Senator Christiancy objector on the part of the Senate declined to occupy any time. Montgomery Blair and Judge Black appeared as Counsel for Tilden. Blair spoke not quite an hour. Stanley Matthews, and Shellabarger Republican Counsel declined to occupy any time. Judge Black closed the argument by a bitter and insulting speech of 3/4 of an hour on the general politics closing at 10 minutes past two. Commission then took a recess until 1/4 to three when the consultation was begun. The Democrats were manifestly determined to prevent a report before the two Houses should adjourn for the day. Hinton made a speech of an hour; Bayard of nearly an hour; Abbott 3/4 of an hour; Kernan half an hour. With the exception of brief interlocutory remarks the Republicans said nothing until near the close when Morton spoke for 15 minutes. At six we commenced voting and at seven had concluded the South Carolina case and adjourned. Home in the evening and dictated letters. February, WEDNESDAY 28. 1877. House met at 10 o'clock and the day was consumed until a late hour on South Carolina. The Democrats filibustered with all their might to prevent the completion of the count. At last after worrying until eight o'clock in the evening it was agreed the Joint Meeting should be held until we struck Vermont and that then we should take a recess. This was done and the two Houses accordingly at nine o'clock came together and continued the count as far as Vermont. Came home very tired. During the day received a letter from Glover, Chm of the Come investigating the Real Estate Pool, saying that testimony had been taken before his Committee reflecting upon me. I answered that I wished to appear before his Come tomorrow morning and confront the witness. Obtained a copy of the testimony of one Nickerson and spent sometime looking over the whole case. Could not sleep after retiring and so got up and worked until half past two in the morning. March, THURSDAY 1, 1877. Capitol at ten o'clock. The Count was resumed. The fillibustered were more determined than ever. To affect the credit of the Commission the Democrats are threatening to bring in a resolution for my expulsion as a question of privilege. We continued the struggle over Vermont until 11 o'clock at night. At times there was more violence and disorder than I have ever seen in the House. Beebe of New York sprang up on the desk and screamed with all his voice. Wisconsin was reached and fillibustering was resumed, then I took more part in managing our side and got the corners of the fillibusters plans and at a few minutes after four o'clock in the morning a final vote was reached and they were defeated. At fifteen minutes after four the Senate having come to the House the count was completed and Hayes was pronounced elected as President. At home at half past four in the morning of Friday March 2d. I ought to have added that this morning I went before Glover's Committee and cross examined Nickerson the scamp who had retailed a lot of second hand scandal with whatever additions he was himself able to make. I made a statement of the pavement case which I think was entirely satisfactory to those who heard it. March, FRIDAY 2, 1877. Slept until near ten o'clock when I took breakfast and went to the House reached it near 12. The struggle then commenced on the appropriation bills and we work without cessation until 6, when an adjournment was taken until 8. Though tired to the bone, I went back at 8 o'clock and watched the proceedings steadily until two hours past midnight when I went home and got to bed at 3 o'clock. The prospects of getting the appropriation bills through is uncertain. It rests with the Democrats to compel an extra session if they please. They are very bitter. March, SATURDAY 3, 1877 Slept until near nine o'clock, when, after breakfast I went to the House and except a brief intermission, we continued until two hours past midnight. During the day the Democrats passed a resolution declaring that Tilden had be lawfully elected. At first we thought we ought to resist it but we finally let them have their way. I am not sure but that I made a mistake in so doing. They may make their resolution the basis of some revolutionary proceeding. March, SUNDAY 4, 1877 After a broken sleep of four hours, breakfasted and went again to the House when the session continued. The Sundry Civil Bill was completed and all the appropriation bills but the Army bill. The Democrats insisted on a clause forbidding the use of the Army in the State of La or Fla. This I resisted and they refused to allow the bill to pass. This will probably compell an extra session. Our last Act was to demand the Ayes and Noes. Before the roll was completed, the hour of 12 arrived and Randall made a brief and bitter partisan speech denouncing the Commission and thus closing his career as Speaker in a way not honorable to himself. Came home utterly exhausted. Blaine, Hamlin, Hale came to ask me to help put Frye in the Cabinet. Logan came and wanted me to aid him for Sec'y of War. Judge Carter came and wanted me to help him to the Supreme Bench. Received many callers in the evening among them Captain Henry and his boy to visit us. March MONDAY 5. 1877 At ten o'clock called on Governor Hayes at Senator Shermans and had a brief conversation with him. He wants me to remain in the House and let Stanley Matthews go to the Senate. He thinks he can aid me organizing the House for the coming Congress. I promised to consider the matter and talk with him again. Rode with him in Senator Sherman's carriage to the White House where we awaited the Committee. Rode from the White House to the Capitol with Governor Dennison and the other Commissioners of the District. Attended the Senate and the Vice President was sworn in. Thence went to the East Portico and witnessed the inauguration of Hayes. The President spoke clearly and forcibly, the Chief Justice administered the oath opening a new Bible which Hayes kissed somewhere in the first eleven verses of the 118 psalm. Drove back with the Presidential party to the White House where a lunch had been prepared by Mrs. Grant. There were many indications of relief and joy that no accident had occurred on the route for there were apprehensions of assassination. At the conclusion of the lunch, General and Mrs. Grant took their carriage and four in hand. Their White House servants bade them good by, and they and the President and Mrs. Hayes came to the carriage steps and bade them farewell. Mrs. Secretary Robeson stood crying on the steps saying this is my place to stand on the steps and see my King go. No American has carried greater fame out of the White House than this silent man who leaves it today. In the evening Crete gave a reception to the Ohio people in the City. A large company were present until 11 o'clock. March TUESDAY 6, 1877 Dictated a large number of letters and in the afternoon made some calls. Spent an hour with Carl Shurz and Governor Cox and sometime in the evening with Foster. Hayes is thinking of putting a Rebel in his Cabinet. He should either take none at all or the greatest. It would either be a disastrous failure or a great success. I fear he is not quite up to this heroic method. My house is beset with office seekers from morning until night. Halsey Hall, Mrs Ward, and Mrs Hawley dined with us and spent a part of the evening. I have still much sleep in arrears. I ought to have added, in yesterday's journal, that I was a little nettled, but perhaps without reason, at the President's wish to have Matthews elected to the Senate. I have no doubt, however, that he sincerely wishes me to help him in his policy of pacification, & perhaps I ought to do so. March, WEDNESDAY 7. 1877. Remained at home in the forenoon and dictated a large number of letters. Tried to bring up my arrears of work. I am hardly able to work five minutes without interruption from callers. Hayes has sent in his nominations for the Cabinet which creates a great deal of sensation in both parties. I think the appointment of Shurz is unfortunate and unwise, but still it ought to be confirmed to give the President a chance to test his policy. I hope the appointment of Key will be received as an earnest of a better policy in reference to Department work. If we could return to the policy of the fathers and make the country know that offices were not party rewards it would be a great step. March. THURSDAY 8. 1877. The rush of visitors commenced again soon after breakfast and continued until nearly 11 o'clock when I fled from the House for protection against their importunate demands. I went to Foster's and went thence to the President's where I spent some time. I then went to the Capitol closing up some odds and ends of business and listening to the debate in the Senate. I think Blaine is making a mistake in opposing the confirmation of the Cabinet. Came home at four oclock and found a large company of people awaiting me. Messrs. Hines and Whittlesey and their wives dined with us, and the callers continued to come until near ten o'clock. I am thoroughly disgusted with the pressure for office which knows no limits of modesty or self-restraint. March, FRIDAY 9, 1877 Suffering from a severe cold in the head, so that I am hardly able to sit up. Dictated letters in the forenoon and finished writing out my remarks in the Commission on the Florida Case. In the afternoon made a few calls and returned home in the evening to be thronged and overrun with office seekers. Received a telegram from McLain that at an informal meeting of the Republican members of the Legislature I had 22 votes and Matthews 13. Governor Taft called and Expressed his desire to run for the Senate, but did not wish to oppose me. Went to bed earlier than usual in hopes of sleeping off my cold which is distressing me greatly. March, SATURDAY 10, 1877 Dictated a large number of letters, and worked at my desk until half past one p m. when I went to the Departments on business, and returned home at four. I recognize in myself an infirmity of will in choosing what to do in reference to the Senatorship. It is a choice not of evils but of goods, with many contingencies attached to each. On the whole I am attracted by the suggestion to do the unusual thing of declining the senatorship and staying in the House. At six p.m. Crete, Mother and I dined at Mrs. McLain's with Mrs Mason (nee Bouchard) and Miss Ransom. At half past I took the ladies to the Executive Mansion, and made a long call on Mrs Hayes & the President. When the visitors thinned out, I had a full and free talk with the President on the Senatorship. He is very anxious to have me stay in the House, and I agreed to do so. He wrote me a letter which I am at liberty to publish, asking me to stay. We returned home at half past ten, having had a very pleasant visit. Mrs. Mason found that she & the Pres. are relations. Her father, & the Pres's mother were second cousins. My cold is still very bad, & I am nearly disabled from thinking in consequence of it. Took a hot bath, & retired at half past eleven. March, SUNDAY 11, 1877 Early this morning I telegraphed to McLain of Columbus that I would not be a candidate for the Senate, and that I had come to this conclusion in accordance with the urgent request of the President. Send several telegrams of like tenor to other gentlemen. Attended church at Eleven, home in the afternoon. After dinner rode with Colonel Rockwell to the Arlington. Several friends called after my return. In the evening called at Secretary Robeson's and remained an hour or two. I heard the general situation, quite fully discussed with many of the criticisms upon the policy of the President. It is clear that below the surface of approval there is much hostile criticism and a strong tendency to believe that Hayes' policy will be a failure. Blaine thinks the differences between the North and the South are too deep to be bridged over by the proposed methods. I insisted however, that we should give the policy a fair trial and have said so to all who have spoken to me on the subject. Home at half past ten and wrote letters for three quarters of an hour. March, MONDAY 12, 1877 Dictated a large number of letters and remained in the House constantly interrupted by callers until near noon, when I went to the Departments and also called on the President with General Rusk. The newspapers treat my declination of the Senatorship very kindly many speaking with regret that I did not run for the senate and others appreciating the generosity of the withdrawal for service in the House. On the whole I am not certain what the general verdict will be. I have some doubts whether the public will appreciate my motive. They will be quite as likely to charge it to timidity about making the canvass as to any other motive. Mr Atkins was here at dinner and spent some time afterward. Got my desk pretty well cleared up and read my proof of my argument in the Commission on the Florida Case. March, TUESDAY 13. 1877. Worked at my desk dictating letters and reproducing my Louisiana speech in the Commission. Several telegrams from Columbus wanting me to take part for one of the other candidates were received. I telegraphed that nobody in Columbus was authorized to speak for me and I should take no part whatever in the contest. Wednesday 14th. In the morning about the usual crowd of visitors all seeking help for some position. Not less than 75 people called. At four o'clock the President and his son called to see me and spent half to three quarters of an hour. He said he was greatly embarrassed by the fact that there was a thousand offices to fill in the course of two weeks and it was impossible for him to make good appointments in such a hurry. He proposed to fill only those which were now vacant and would get the Senate to adjourn and let the rest go until he could take his time. This is a wise policy. He expressed great interest in the senatorship from Ohio, saying that he did not want an inexperienced person like Howland nor a hostile one like Taft and did not know but I had better be a candidate I told him it was too late I could not consent. In the evening at 7 o'clock dined with Senator Hoar. The party consisted the following DINNER PARTY IN HONOR OF THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.-Senator Hoar gave a dinner party at Wormley's last evening in honor of Attorney General Devens, who used to be his law partner. There were present Vice President Wheeler, Secretary Evarts, Secretary McCrary, Secretary Sherman, Gen. Sherman, Chief Justice Waite, and Justices Miller and Strong, of the Supreme Court, Gen. Garfield, Senators Dawes. Allison, Morrill, and Wadleigh, and George Bancroft, the historian. Wednesday 14th continued The party was a very pleasant one. All but two of its members were of New England birth or parentage. Fewer were graduates of Harvard College. The Chief Justice and Mr Evarts were classmates. Senator Dawes and Judge Strong were also. Mr Hoar mentioned the remarkable fact that until Mr Devens came into the Cabinet Mr Hoar was the only Harvard graduate hold federal office. Home at half-past ten. March, WEDNESDAY 21 1877. Took the eight o'clock train from Reynold's station to Cleveland where Crete spent the day in making purchases for the farm house. Crockery, furniture, carpets etc. Snow is slowly melting walking very uncomfortable. A large number of people called to see me on political business. Among others W. H. Upson of Akron who wished to know how I felt about his being a candidate for Governor. I gave him my support conditionally and promised to see several people in his interest. Letters from home received at Robisons on my return. At half past six Dr. Robison and I went to the Club where we met H. B. Payne and J. H. Waite and had a pleasant game of Euchre and a late supper. March, THURSDAY 22 1977. Crete and I spent the forenoon shopping, over hauling the list of crockery and purchases, getting window shades, reprising the list of furniture purchased on the day before. Went down to Hereden's and found a very pretty solid bedstead which I think we will get instead of one of those we looked at at the other place. Called at the Leader office and also at the Herald office in regard to Upson as a candidate for Governor. Took dinner at the Dr's at one o'clock. At one o'clock and forty-five minutes took the train for Pittsburgh. Read Daniel Deronda by the way. Left Pittsburgh at 7.45 snow melting. Thursday 15th Dictated a large number of letters and worked at cleaning my desk in preparation for going to Ohio tomorrow. Still the rush of office seekers continues and one of my reasons for going to Ohio now is to escape the annoyance of the ceaseless repetition of their solicitations. Wrote a strong letter in favor of Sheldon's appointment as Collector of Customs at New Orleans Took it to Foster's for him to endorse and present. Also wrote another letter to the Secretary of the Treasury in favor of the appointment of Horace Steele as Collector of Customs at Cleveland. Went to the Capitol to draw some money and on the whole made a busy day of odds and ends. March, Friday 16. 1877. Worked at my desk until 9 o'clock when Crete and I went to the Sixth Street Depot and took the train for Ohio. We go to put our new farm home in readiness for the family and expect to move there by the middle of April. I have gradually become weaned from Hiram and can leave it but with few regrets. Fifteen years ago it would have seemed sacrilege to quit that place. Two hours after we [cam] left Washington it commenced to snow heavily and continued all day. Bob Ingersoll and his family were in the cars with us and we had a long and pleasant visit. Took dinner at Harrisburgh and Tea at Altoona. Through Pittsburgh in the night having retired before our arrival. March, SATURDAY 17.1877 We arrived at Alliance at 5 o'clock in the morning. Read Madcap Violet for an hour and a half. Breakfast at Sourbeck's. Train at half past seven to Cleveland, where we arrived at ten. Dr. Robison's party met us at the Union Depot and we went to the Doctor's House in a sleigh with more than a foot of snow on the ground. Many friends called to see me and almost uniformly expressed regret that I did not run for the Senate, saying it was certain I could have been elected. Of this, I have no doubt. At four o'clock and ten minutes we took the train for Garrettsville Brother Joe accompanying. Drove from Garrettsville to Hiram in a sleigh with the thermometer nearly at zero. We have had but few days this winter so cold. Spent the night at Father Rudolph's. March, SUNDAY 18. 1877 Crete and I attended meeting at 11 o'clock , and heard a sermon from Pastor A. I Hayden. It seems almost impossible that he could be the same man to whom I listened with so much reverence 25 years ago. Doubtless we have both changed but it certainly seems to me that he has dwindled very much in intellectual force. After the meeting, finished Madcap Violet. It has many of Black's present peculiarities but I think it is faulty in construction. Black has a tendency to indulge too much in minute descriptions of landscapes and trees and the like. We do not always need to have the weather and landscape described when any event is going to take place. At seven o'clock I received a note from Burke that he had returned from Aurora to see me. Went to his house and remained until 11 o'clock and had one of our old fashioned visits. His tendency to gloomy views is increasing upon him. I do not know whether anybody can essentially change their natural bent of mind. It is very important that he keep clear of his father's danger but I fear he will not escape it. March, MONDAY 19. 1877. Brother Joe drove us to Garrettsville in a sleigh, the snow falling heavily on the way. Took the morning train for Cleveland. Dr Robison & his man met us at the Depot and took us to his house. A number of Cleveland politicians called on business. Crete and I did a little shopping and at 4.50 in company with Dr Robison and wife and Dr. Streator we took the train to Mentor and were driven in a double sleigh to Dr. Robison's farm house a mile west of Mentor Village where we spent the evening pleasantly in conversation and Euchre. Retired at 11 o'clock. March, TUESDAY 20. 1877. Took breakfast at seven o'clock and soon after Dr's Streator and Robison, Mrs Robison, Crete and I drove to the farm where we spent several hours in examining the house and making arrangements for putting it in order. We concluded to build a small addition in the rear so as to make a sufficiently large family room. Drove back to the brow of the hill with the two Dr's and discussed the drainage of the swamp and the arrangements for the hydraulic ram. Returned to the Dr's for dinner. After dinner went again to the farm and made further studies of the situation and determined to what point I would move the barns. Back to the Doctor's in the evening a good deal tired. Played Euchre for a little while and went to bed at half past nine. March, . WEDNESDAY 21 (see Wednesday 14.) 1877 March, . THURSDAY 22 (see Thursday 15) 1877 March, FRIDAY 23. 1877. Awoke on the Southern Central road not far from York. Read Daniel Deronda for an hour or two. Arrived at Washington at nine in the forenoon and found the family all well and a vast mass of letters awaiting me. Spent nearly the whole day in reading my mail, but dictated some letters. The throng of office seekers began to pour in again as great as ever. March, SATURDAY 24. 1877. Dictated a large number of letters, but was interrupted all the time by the crowd of office seekers. If the opinion that men hold of themselves and their own merits were true this would be a world of very great and virtuous men. Called at the Treasury Department on some business in the afternoon. In the evening at nine o'clock Crete and I went to the Sandford corner of "G" and 18th Street, where a large party witnessed a series of Tableaux Vivants. The finest of all was in Kate Sprague as May Queen of Scots. Her statuesque acting was superb. Returned home near midnight. MARCH. SUNDAY 25. 1877 Attended church and listened to a very dreary sermon, with a monotony of emphasis on important words. Read Daniel Deronda in the afternoon. The story is developing strongly and shows a powerful grasp on the part of the writer. This is the first of George Elliots novels I have wholly read. In some way I have been repelled from her not withstanding the general array of praise with which her articles have been received. I am trying to study the cause of my feeling on that subject as I read. In the evening a large number of friends called and kept me up until a late hour. MARCH. MONDAY 26. 1877 Dictated letters and resumed work on my Louisiana argument in the Electoral Commission. Called on the President with Regent Bowman and also on the Secretary of State. Bowman desires to be Minister to Mexico or to Austria. Who does not desire some office? It would be a comfort to find community which was content to stand on its own foundations. A kind of madness seems to pervade the public mind in regard to political office. Silas Raymond of Grand Rapids, formerly of Hiram, called and spent a portion of the evening. Judge Black came and drove me to the Ebbitt where we had a long conversation on the political situation. He believes that the Democratic party is stronger today than ever before in its history. He says a vast majority of the brain and wealth of this country are in that party, and he says it without a wink. He will never understand that negroes are any part of the actual political force of this country. March. TUESDAY 27. 1877. Continued working off my mail and finishing my Louisiana speech. The day was dismal outside but it could not dampen the ardor of the office seekers who came separately and in droves. It is surprising how many insist on having me read all their papers and recommendations. Papers that tell the same stereotyped story, many of them doubtless written under duress. I can read between the lines the disgust of those who wrote them yet by a curious fiction the recipients of such letters come to treat them as spontaneous expressions of public approval. In the evening played Bezique with Crete and read Daniel Deronda. I have not stepped out of doors all day. It is hard to keep up ones enthusiasm in the midst of such self-seeking as now prevails. I should have mentioned that General Manning of Nashville called in the evening and gave me his views of the President's policy. He does not feel very hopeful of the outcome nor do I. I fear party lines cannot be obliterated by generosity. I hope I may be mistaken. March, WEDNESDAY 28. 1877 After reading my mail and seeing about a dozen people I escaped from the house and ventilated my soul by getting away from the crowd. Went to the Public Printing Office with the manuscript of my Louisiana Speech and made arrangements for printing both it and the Florida argument. Returned at 11 and dictated letters until two. Interrupted as usual. It has occurred to me to try the experiment of finding a psycological interest in the people who call for aid to office. One man this morning said if I would endorse him for an appointment, his member of Congress would vote for me for speaker. His notions of quid pro quo were evidently borrowed from a counting room Another said if I would get a certain man appointed Chief of the Secret Service that man could certainly make me Speaker, for he could bring the know nothing vote of the House to my support. My informant insisted that the know nothing party was still in existence in full blush, lyng back like a couchant lion waiting to spring when the time comes. Of course ready to spring if this fellow is made a detective. "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." I went by appointment to see Senator Dorsey in regard to the political situation. Thence went to General Schenck's where I visited until a late hour. March, THURSDAY 29. 1877. Dictated letters and partially read the proofs of my speeches in the Commission. Called at the President, at half past two oclock and found he was closeted with Wade Hampton on the South Carolina question. Had a long conversation with his Private Secretary Rodgers and also with Capt Lee for many years Private Secretary to Governor Hayes. Called at General Boynton's office and had a long conversation on the situation. He believes I can carry the speakership but I doubt it. He thinks the letters of Foster to Gordon and Ellis in reference to the Southern Question have injured him with the Republican Party. In the evening Crete and I called at Mr Sumner's and visited with them and with John Q. Smith. Smith grows upon me as a man of fine sense and wide reading. I told him I had always felt a great distance between myself and the President. Intimate as I have been with Governor Hayes for many years I have not yet been able to regain that feeling of familiarity that I am sure he would be willing should continue between us. I must try to overcome the feeling in part. It must be that there is an inate reverence for authority in me. I remember how awful in my boyhood was the authority of a teacher. I would not have hesitated to fight with a person older than myself. But if that same person became my teacher in the District School I should have been shocked at the thought of a conflict with him. Returned home at half past ten and retired at half past eleven. March, FRIDAY 30. 1877. Dictated letters and received calls. This day has been mainly a duplicate of other days near to it until evening, when at six oclock Crete and I went to Judge Knott's for dinner. There were present Dr Hopkins and his wife and Daughter Louisa. Prof Henry and Dr and Mrs Lindsay were also there. We had a pleasant dinner with interesting conversation. Later in the evening, Frederick Seward came in and made the conversation very agreeable. Crete and I returned a little after ten o'clock in the bright moonlight. Harry, Jimmie and Mollie had been to Gilfillan's to a children's party and came home about the same time Read Daniel Dorunda. This volume drags upon me. There is too much philosophizing in it and that rather of an obscure sort. Still the book exhibits great power - Retired at half past 11. March, SATURDAY 31. 1877. Dictated letters and received callers until ten o'clock when I drove with General Boynton to the Arsenal Grounds to witness the review of the Artillery under General French. The President and his family, the Secretary of War and General Sherman were present. The weather was fine and the troops maneuvered well. Returned at 11 o'clock and continued with my correspondence until two o'clock. Called at the President's but found him engaged with Wade Hampton. Had a long talk with Rodgers his private secretary in regard to the Southern policy. In the evening Colonel Rockwell called and staid until 11 o'clock. We visited and played cribbage. April, SUNDAY 1. 1877. Finding I could not sleep last night I got up and read Daniel Doronda until half past two when I retired again. After breakfast read mail and Daniel Doronda until half past ten when Austin Blackman and his wife of Cleveland called and went to Church with us and returning staid to dinner In the afternoon George W. Steele of Painesville came and took dinner with us. He stays with us as our guest. He comes to secure the appointment of his brother Horace to the Collectorship and I shall do what I can to help him, but he cannot know how difficult it is to carry a measure of that sort through with all the pressure of public affairs upon the President and the rest of us. Called with him in the evening on Senator Sherman and talked over the matter. April, MONDAY 2. 1877. Dictated letters until ten, when, by appointment I went to the Ebbitt House and met Senator Matthews. We drove to the Capitol and went into a Committee room where we spent three hours in a general and special discussion of public affairs. He is disturbed about his standing in the party and I think is disturbed about the Senatorial Election next Winter. He told me that his ambition did not lie in the direction of the Senate but he wished to be appointed to the Supreme Court — that had reason to suppose he would receive the appointment when Judge Dwayne resigned which he thought would be before long. The drift of his whole conversation was evidently to ascertain whether I would be his antagonist for the Senate. He favors me being a candidate for the Speakership and says he will do what he can for me and believes it can be carried. Came home at two oclock and worked on my mail and with callers until evening. Crete and I went to Colonel Rockwell's to meet Clarence Smith and wife and Gilfillan and wife and we had a reunion of four members of the Class of 56 and had a very pleasant evening visit lasting until midnight. April, TUESDAY 3. 1877. At half-past nine o'clock went to the Ebbitt House by appointment and went thence with Matthews to the President's. We had a long interview with him on several questions of policy of appointment. The President believes we can organize the next House and is willing to favor internal improvements in the South, including the Southern Pacific Railroad if that will bring Southern support to the Administration to make it worth while. Discussed the Cleveland Collectorship and also the appointment of McLain to Nassau. In the afternoon Major Swaim came He stops with us. In the evening Rockwell, Gilfillan, Smith and wives, Dr Hopkins and wife, Judge Nott and his wife and Archie Hopkins and Miss Ransom, were our guests for three or four hours and we had a pleasant visit. Did not retire until after midnight. April, WEDNESDAY 4. 1877. At half past eight took breakfast with General S. C. Boynton at Welker's for the purpose of conversation in regard to the organization of the House. He says that Wade Hampton will aid in organizing a Republican House and that the conferences which have lately taken place between him and the President have included that subject. Made arrangements for further inquiries on the subject. At 11 o'clock went with George Steele to the Treasury Department to see Sherman in reference to the Cleveland Collectorship. On my return home several friends had called and were waiting. At half past one o'clock went to the Attorney General's office to introduce Major Pettibone of Tennessee. Returned home at two and dictated letters. April, THURSDAY 5. 1877. This day has been like its recent predecessors so far as my work is concerned A large part of it was spent with Mr Steele in the effort to secure the appt of his brother Horace to the Collectorship of the Cuyahoga Customs District. At one p.m. Swaim Steele & I went down to Miss Ransom's studio and took her and Crete to lunch. Crete is sitting for a portrait. I left Steele and Swaim at the Studio and came home to work with Rose. Dictated letters, and made arrangements to print my address on the life of Miss Booth. In the evening at 7 dined with Mr. Evarts in company with Kasson and S. [Chaud?]. Mr C. had just opened his new home on Mass Av. near Sen. Bayard's. Evarts is the grandson of Roger Sherman, whose name was the only one signed to all the four following documents. The Declaration of the Cong. of 1774; the declaration of Independence; the Articles of Confederation; and the Constitution. Sherman was fifty-six years old when he signed the declaration in the Carpenters' Hall. Evarts, his grandson, was fifty-eight years old, when just one hundred years later he delivered the centennial oration in the same place. In the course of our conversation Evarts shared this suggestive topic: "In a Republic what political motive is an adequate substitute for patronage?" This is the central difficulty that underlies the Civil Service. April, FRIDAY 6, 1877. Letters, visits, applications filled the day. Called on the President with Mr Steele, but found him away. It is possible that Howe will get the Collectorship. An article in the Philadelphia Times, pretends to give the substance of a correspondence between Russell [?] and myself, grossly misrepresenting us both. I cannot imagine where it comes from. An article has also appeared stating that Foster has written a letter to me declaring to be a candidate for Speaker. The rush of newspaper talk in reference to the Speakership is getting to be very absurd and annoying. The various schemes which are brought to me are curious and amusing. It is now generally know that I am a candidate, though I do not have much faith in the ability of the Republicans to organize the House. It will however be a test of the sincerity of the southern Democratic supporters of Hayes' policy to know whether they would give him an administration House. If they do, he may succeed. If not, his friends north will not tolerate a continuance of his southern scheme. April, SATURDAY 7. 1877. Went to the Departments in the morning, then came home and dictated letters. The number of callers on political matters, especially appointments was perhaps larger than usual. A. S. House of Warren came and took lunch with us. I went to the State Dept. and consulted Seward in reference to House's citizenship. Called at the Treasury on my return, and saw the Secy in reference to the appt of Horace Steele. During the week have had a long contest over the Cleveland collectorship. House was appointed, but Steele should have been. In the afternoon and evening, corrected the manuscript and proofs of my address on Miss Booth. Col. Rockwell came and stayed until after midnight. He & Swaim and Crete and I had a pleasant visit full of reminiscences. Retired at half past 12. April, SUNDAY 8. 1877. Did not attend church but remained at home with Major Swaim and George Steele. Not many people came during the day and we spent most of the time in visiting and resting At seven in the evening Steele left for Ohio having failed to secure the appointment of his brother Horace. Swaim and I accompanied him to the train. April, MONDAY 9. 1877. Went to the Capitol to settle up odds and ends of business also went to some of the Departments. A large number of people came to see me. Dictated letters and began clearing up and getting ready to go to Ohio. In the evening Major Swaim went to dine with General Van Vliet. I called on McCreary Secretary of War and had a long conversation on the political situation. A good many people are calling on me to show how the House can be organized for the Republicans, but I doubt if it can be done at all. Swaim returned at ten. I was tired and retired at 11 o'clock. April, TUESDAY 10. 1877. Today was mainly a repetition of yesterday. The office seekers getting wind of the fact that I am soon to leave the City crowd in in unusual swarms to get what little juice of influence there may be in me. April, WEDNESDAY 11. 1877. Dictated a very large number of letters and then spent a part of the day in paying bills. In the evening called on Ben Halliday who said some vigorous things about the Speakership. The usual crowd has followed my steps today. I shall be glad to escape them. April, THURSDAY 12. 1877. Did several days' work today, in closing up my season in Washington And at 7-40 p.m. our whole family including Martha Mays, Mary McGrath & Mary White, took the B&O RR train. Maj Swaim left at the same time by the Pa R.R. On our train we found Gen Sherman & his family en route to St Louis and, occupying the Directors' Car, all by himself was Senator Thurman, who was on his way to Columbus O. to try a law suit for the B & O Co. He invited us into his car, where we spent a pleasant evening. Retired among the mts. of W. Va. April, FRIDAY 13. 1877. Awoke not far from Barwood, where we took breakfast. Spent most of the day in Senator Thurman's car - he & Gen Sherman & I playing Pedro. At 5 p.m. we stopped at Shelby & took tea. At half past six we took the C.C.C. & I train for Cleveland & arrived at 9-30. Mother, Mollie, Harry Jimmie Crete & I went to Dr Robisons, & the rest of the family stopped at the Forest City House Dr R. & wife were in Mentor, but we were very hospitably entertained by Heg & his wife. April, SATURDAY 14. 1877. Crete and I spent the forenoon shopping & at 11-15 the whole family (except mother & Mollie who went to Solon) took the train for Mentor, where we arrived a little after twelve, & went thence to the farm home of Dr Robison, half a mile west of our own. After dinner Crete and I went with Dr R. to our farm, and found the carpenters & painter at work putting the place in order - the barns have just been moved to the rear - the waterworks are nearly done - but the general state of chaos opens before us a fine field for work and contrivance. We commenced work, and put up a few beds on the second or roof story. We returned to Dr. R's in the evening and all spent the night there, except that Harry [Monha Maylo?] & Mary White staid at our new home. April, SUNDAY 15. 1877. Spent the day in rest and visiting with the Doctor. He and I went to the Disciple Church at Mentor, and listened to a very short sermon from Mr Moore of Painesville. April, MONDAY 16. 1877. Spent the day at the farm, setting the house in order, and setting up the tank to receive the water from the Hydraulic ram. Completed the purchase of 40 acres, less 1 95/100 acres along the R.R. from George Dickey. and paid $1000, first payment @$100 per acre. Staid at the Doctors house as last night except that Mary McGrath staid at the farm. April, TUESDAY 17. 1877. Continued to work as before. Hired Mr Butler by the month. Bough a pair of gray horses & harnesses of Mr Pelton for $425. and put Bancroft and Butler ploughing on the lower field of the new 40. We all staid at the farm over night, our first night, with the whole family here. But Mother and Mollie are still at Solon. April, WEDNESDAY 18. 1877. Crete and I went to Cleveland and spent the day in shopping . Took dinner at Dr. Robison's and came home on the 4.50 p.m. train. Resolved to gut the old house in rear of the farm house and fix it up for a Library. Purchased lumber to fix it up. April, THURSDAY 19. 1877. Purchased one ton of Clifton Springs N.Y. plaster for land and had it hauled from Depot, and stored in barn. Both teams hauling and carpenters at work on Library. An occasional office seeker called but the coast is so clear compared with Washington that I have a near and strange sense of freedom. Trouble with wash pipe from tank and am trying experiments to rectify the difficulty. April, FRIDAY 20. 1877. Work similar to yesterday. Crete & I went to Painesville to get groceries & other supplies. The President has removed Deacon Boles from the Willoughby P.O. for the sake of giving the place to Capt Eddy, a member of his old Regt. 23rd O.V.I. This was unwise; for it violated the first principle of his Civil Service rules, and will make him trouble as a precedent. Halsey Hall & Mr and Mrs Somerville came to see me about an Italian Consulate for Mr S. Halsey stayed all night. April, Saturday 21. 1877. Stove man came from Willoughby & put up stoves and pipes. Halsey went on early train. This evening Dr. Robison brought me a mare (Kit) harness and buggy which he purchased for me of Mr Allen for $300, and by a subsequent arrangement the price was reduced to $280. The mare has quarter cracks in her fore feet, but is otherwise a valuable animal. She is fleet and gentle. This evening Mr Stocking came from Hiram with a load of furniture & books. This brings my old desk which I purchased twenty years ago. I close the week quite sore with lifting and and a good old fashioned feeling of physical [?]. I am letting my mind lie fallow. I presume it is best for me, but I feel like a miser over the passage of any day which does not bring intellectual growth. April, SUNDAY 22. 1877. Dr Robison & I attended Church & listened to another short sermon from Mr Moore. Crete was too tired to go. Rested, & wrote letters. April, MONDAY 23. 1877. Tried experiments on a new machine for sowing grain broad cast. Bought 29 bushels , 11 pounds barley of George Dickey, for my 14 acre field on his 40. The field is ready for the harrow Bought a double drag - 72 steel teeth Shall sow grass seed with the barley and try to make meadow of the field next year. Never before, for many years has the weather been an important factor in my daily life. It is now a constant element in my plans. April, TUESDAY 24. 1877. [Dr. R. and I attended Church and listened to another short sermon from Mr. Moore.] Rested, and wrote letters. Got in most of the barley, but the broad cast machine was not properly gauged, and when the field was half sowed, we found we had been putting in more than 3 bushels to the acre. The remained we has sowed by hand. Bough 6 bushes more of barley. In all put in nearly 34 bushels. I fear it is too thickly sown on upper half. Sowed 200 pounds of plaster to the acre on the south half where there is some clay. I tried the drill but the old corn stalks in south half clogged the teeth and we could not use it. On the north half the soil was so soft & deep that the wheels of the drill sank in & set the teeth to far into the ground April WEDNESDAY 25. 1877. Came to the conclusion that the escape pipe leading from the tank to the barn yard roll at the elbow - subside the tank an inch above the upper edge of the orifice inside, and when the flow ------- ceased the column of air from the top of the elbow to the ground became imprisoned by the rising water, and thus prevented the flow. Dug up the pipe and lowered the upright about two inches, bending it downward at the front of exit from the tanks. I was pleased to find that my theory of the case was correct; for the flow at once became constant. The barley field was finished today - harrowed and rolled - after the seed was in. April THURSDAY 26. 1877 Set the men ploughing the Eight acre field on old farm, below R.R. for oats - Drove with Dr R. near to Paineville looking for mich cow - In the afternoon laid flooring in Library --I find the old pleasure which I felt 27 years ago, when I learned how to lay flooring -- April FRIDAY 27. 18777 Went with Dr. R. to Willoughby to make some purchases, and to find a milch cow -- Ploughing continued in the oat-field Work on the Library and garden - The citizens here have been urging me to take part in what is called the "Murphy" movement -- It seems to be a modified form of the Crusade. It belongs to the Moody and [Saukey?] type of things - I am unwilling to become a part of it. Though I heartily approve of wise measures to restrain the evils of intemperance - To avoid being misunderstood, I attended the meeting held in the Methodist Church by Rev. Mr Bailey, and near its close spoke a few moments in the general question of temperance - but saying that any legislation was futile which went beyond the public sentiment of the community -- April SATURDAY 28. 1877 Went to Cleveland and spent today in shopping, except that Dr. Robison and I drove to East Cleveland to visit Dr. Sheater who is ill -- Retuned by the 5.p.m. train -- Paid off my carpenters, who have finished the library -- except some small work about it - We have now reached a point where every day's-work tell in favor or order - Chaos must precede [?] April SUNDAY 29. 1877 Dr. R. took Crete, in his buggy & I took mother in mine to Church - where we again heard a brief sermon from Mr Thore. After dinner, Dr. R and I drove to Mr. Carrolls where we made a pleasant call-- In the evening wrote a large number of letters. April, MONDAY 30. 1877. Made final payment on the gray team At eleven o'clock Dr. & Mrs. Robison and I went to Painesville and met Mr Allen of Cleveland at the Depot, who went with us to Storrs and Harrison's Nursery to select fruit trees and Evergreens - The day was exceedingly cold. On our return, made some purchases at Painesville, had Kelly shod and came home about five p.m. I have retained two Carpenters to do the finishing of the Library and make some further repairs about the place - It has been snowing and sleeting by turns all day. Bancroft & Butler have been hauling tile & manure - May, TUESDAY 1. 1877. Mr. Allen spent a portion of the day with Crete laying out our grounds and locating trees. S.P. Wolcott of Kent called to see me, and had a pleasant visit. Weather cold - with some snow. Strange May day. I remember that we had quite a heavy fall of snow, twenty-eight years ago, about this time, when I was at school in Chester - Frans hauling manure from the old site of the farm - Brought chamber set from Depot Wrote letters in the Evening - I am sadly in need of Rose to help me. May, WEDNESDAY 2. 1877. Busy with many details of repairs. Teams still at work on the manure & stumps. Harry made a hen-house inside the old woodshed which we had moved into the orchard Devereaux pulling out trees and plants Crete and I occupied our chamber for the first time. May, THURSDAY 3. 1877. Took the 7.42 am train to Cleveland & found Chas Foster awaiting me at the office of Amos Townsend. Spent an hour with him on public topics. At half past Eleven, met Hon WH Upson at the Forest City House by appointment to discuss his candidacy for the Governorship. Also met Halsey Hall in reference to his private affairs. At 1. pm. took dinner at the Club, given by Amos Townsend. Present Foster Upson- Horne, Pettingill, Edwards and myself. After dinner, went shopping until 4-50 train when I came home to Mentor. Had the eight acre oat field harrowed, and nearly all sowed. Fear the ground is too wet. May, FRIDAY 4. 1877. At home nearly all day at work in the Library and grounds. The old man Barnes made a mistake in the length of the Library porch, which was very provoking. It cost more than half a day's work to rectify it. It is very hard to get a carpenter to vary from his standard notions of work. Wrote several letters in the evening and went to Mr. Aldrich's with mother and Crete for an evening call. I should have added that I went to my neighbor's, Mr Wheeler, & bought a ton and a half of hay, at $12 per ton. After my return from Mr. Aldrich's I spent some time in stating to the family the antecedents and causes of the Franko-Russian War and its probable effects upon other nations. May, SATURDAY 5. 1877. Bought a common milch cow (red & white) nine years old of Mr Terry for $50. I got 2 Durham cows and one Durham calf 6 mo. old V.P.R. for $200. I want milk enough for our own use this summer & for over winter butter and I want to lay the foundation for a stock of good cattle by-and-by. In the evening paid off all the carpenters but two and paid off all hands generally except Bancroft & Butter. I am not a little disturbed at the rate of expense which seems necessary. But I hope to see the outgo reduced before long. Bot. of Esq Esty today, a [?] mower & Reaper for $75. Published note $175. Dr. R paid $150 for a similar one, but a Buckeye. May, SUNDAY 6. 1877. Crete Mother & I went to church and afterwards spent some time reading Draper's Conflict between Science & religion - It is a powerfully written essay, very interesting; but Draper always impresses me with the suspicions that his generalizations are too broad to be altogether safe - His sketch of the campaign of Alexander and of Alexandria is exceedingly well done - I must read Gibbon, which I have never done in full. Dr R & wife, & Ben Sampson and wife called and spent the afternoon - Late in the day Geo W. [?] & M. Harvey, Messrs Kilborne & Smith called and stayed to tea - May, MONDAY 7. 1877. Resumed work with a smaller force of carpenter - All the old set gone but long - old Mr Barnes. AT 1 pm. Capt Henry and N.B. Sherman came to visit me and specially to tell me that Cowles was aggrieved because I did not do more to secure the [?] mission for him. I was so much disturbed at the prospect of a break in our friendship that I went with these two friends to Cleveland to see Cowles but found he had gone to Washington. Spent the night at Dr RobIsons on Sapener St - May, TUESDAY 8. 1877. Spent the forenoon shopping and selecting doors for my Library book cases. Was detoured some time by political calls, but got to the 11-15 train, and at 12-15 p.m. was at Mentor Station where Harry met me me. Large mail awaiting me and much other work. May, WEDNESDAY 9. 1877. The eight acre field for corn next the woods was completed today, ready for the marker. Bancroft plowed the meadow on the hill behind the farm. Fencing north side of highway & clearing out yard. Have worked too hard today and am lamed by it. Dr. R called in the evening in company with Northcott, and staid until 12 1/2 May, THURSDAY 10. 1877. Ground for corn next the woods is nearly ready - Went to Geo. Dickeys and arranged for getting seed corn Butler hauling manure from old barn site. Long finished moving picket fence through old orchard. Dr Streator came and he & Dr. R. went to Little Mt. At 2 p.m. Judge Pettis of Meadville Pa came to see me, & spent two hours detailing the history of Crawford Co. politics as a preface to his request to be appointed minister to Brazil or Consul to Rio. In the evening, Crete and I spent two or three hours at Dr. Robisons in company with them & Dr. Streator Home at 10 1/2 p.m. May, FRIDAY 11. 1877. Old Englishman dug post-holes Long & mate made lane fence Barnes finished library porch having consumed seven days work on it - Bancroft and Butler planted eight acres of corn next to the woods on the old Dickey farm - Devereaux hauled out manure and [?]. I did all sent & miscellaneous work and aided Mr. Barnes to make a watering trough for the barnyard. I am falling behind my mail, which accumulates despairingly for a man without a stenographer - May, SATURDAY 12. 1877. Put the two teams to hauling rails away from the barn field to make it ready for corn and potatoes. Two carpententers commenced to cover the barn. Two others worked on the picket fence on the west side of the orchard after having finished the fence on the west side of the lane. Dille whitewashed the road fence and the old man Barnes filled up shelves and hung hinge-windows in the dairy cellar. Harry and Jimmie went to Painesville to visit Geo. Steele's boys, Martha driving them down & bringing the carriage back. I wrote 30 letters, and kept general oversight of the work. Mother Rudolph came in the evening train, and Martha went to the Depot for her. In the evening I drove to Willoughby & got the old Englishman to come Monday and sod the yard. Home at 10 p.m. May, SUNDAY 13. 1877. At 10 a.m. Dr Robison came with his double carriage and took Crete and her mother & me with him to church. As the sermon was not very awakening, I spent a portion of the time in inventing a combination cipher which I think would be very effective. It consists of a circular plate smaller than the fixed one upon which it revolves with the alphabet upon each, one arranged in regular the other in irregular order. The letters of dispatch are translated from one wheel to the other and the two may be set upon any combination agreed upon by the parties. After church wrote and read and rambled. May, MONDAY 14. 1877. Resumed work all around, on farm & buildings. May, THURSDAY 15. 1877. Bailess finished the barn floor and floor of cow stable. May, Wednesday 16. 1877. I am hurrying my second cornfield that by the corns, to get it in this week if possible. But there is so much pulling down & hauling, it makes the work slow. May, Thursday 17. 1877. Father Barnes makes slow progress on my library cases, but he is doing the work well. The [?] fence is approaching completion. Covered up the old barn and well near the front gate, by pulling a flat stone across it about four feet feet down, and earth above. May, Friday 18. 1877 A day of miscellany Partially read proof of my Century of Congress for Atlantic Monthly. May, Saturday 19. 1877. Settled with hands for building fence & library & also for fugitive farm labor May, Sunday 20. 1877. Attended the Church with Crete & mother. Burke preached an able sermon - quite in contrast with the average sermon of the day. In the evening he & I visited at Loomis' his cousin. May, Monday 21. 1877. Brought two stoats to fatten Kept general oversight of farm affairs and repairs. Burke left. May, Tuesday 22. 1877. Made contract unto Burroughs to hew timber for Horse barn at 3 cents per foot. May, Wednesday 23. 1877. [Crete &] I went to Cleveland to attend the Missionary Society. I spent the night at Dr. Robisons with Emett, Jones & Streator - Meeting of [F?] [Edie?] Cowles was [admitted?] - May, THURSDAY 24. 1877. Amended the state Missionary Society at East Cleveland and presided in the P.M. Home in the evening May, FRIDAY 25. 1877 Crete & I went to Storrs and Harrisons nursery, below Painesville for shrubs and flowers. May, SATURDAY 26. 1877. I had a very busy day in preparing for my journey to Mobile. In March last, I was retained by W. Butler Duncan in his suit against the Mobile and Ohio R. R. and now he writes me that it is set for the first Monday in June. I dislike to work this southern trip at this season, but it is a very large case, and if I win it, I should have the largest fee of my life. Father Rudolph came this evening May, SUNDAY 27. 1877. Harry & Jimmy drove me to Painesville where I took the 8:20 am train for N.Y. Found J. C. Ellis on the postal car, and feeling so nearly ill from my cold, he sat me in his car where I caught several hours of sleep, till we reached Buffalo. The day has been a hard one. Retired in Central N.Y. May, Monday 28. 1877. Reached NY via Hudson River R at 7. Took breakfast at the Brevoort House - Shopped a little and took the 9 am train for Washington, still suffering severely from my cold. Reached Washington at 4-20 and soon after was welcomed to our home on [?] by Mr and Mrs Touhay - Bath, calls & bed - May, Tuesday 29, 1877. Went to the [State] Arlington, where I met Amoss Townsend Halsey Hall & Mr Somerville & daughter - Arranged for an interview with the Pres. & Secy of State, which was held later in the day - Called at several of the Depts & dictated many letters to Rose - Made a busy day. May, Wednesday 30, 1877. Made a busy day of it in dictating letters and calling at the Depts. In the afternoon spent some time with Secy McCrary in the Mobile Case. He has not studied it much - and I can get but little aid from him. Took leave of the pleasant Touhay family - and at 9-10 pm left for N. Y. May, Thursday 31, 1877 Arrived at N.Y. 6 am. Breakfast at the Brevoort House until noon. At one pm Mr. F. N. Bangs of N.Y. bar, who is to be my traveling companion to Mobile & Associate in the suit. Called, and drove me to the Central Park where we lunched - and returning called at his house on 55th St. Returning to the Brevoort House, we found Sam Ward could not go with us - So Bangs & I left at 5 p.m. by the Pa RR Took late tea at Philadelphia. June, Friday 1, 1877 Awoke at Pittsburgh where we breakfasted. Thence by Panhandle RR to Cin taking dinner at Columbus and supper at Cincinnati I spent the day in a further careful reading of the papers in the case we are to argue. At Columbus I replied through the Associated press, to the forged letter of Pres Hayes to me. It was enough like the genuine one to deceive others & embarrass me, but was a forgery in every line June, Saturday 2. 1877 Awoke as the train was nearing the Cumberland River at Clarksville. Not far from where Col. Rodney Mason surrendered his command to the rebels. Breakfast at Erie and at 11 am arrived at Humboldt where telegram met us from Duncan to await his arrival from Memphis. We took possession of his Directors Car, and we enjoyed a luxurious bath and lunch. I wrote to Crete & rested till four when Duncan came & our train left for the south on the Mobile & Ohio road. We passed Corinth in the evening which I had not seen since I marched my Brigade out of it for Decatur, 15 years ago. June, SUNDAY 3, 1877. Awoke among the cotton fields of Central Mississippi and soon after noon we reached Mobile and took up our quarters at the Battle House - Our rooms are large and pleasant; but being on the North side will be warmer than if we could catch the breeze from the Gulf - P.O. [?] and got no letters from home, until late in the pm. In the evening Duncan drove Bangs and me about seven miles down the shell road along the bay - A delightful drive among the live oaks and magnolia trees. I found myself severely attacked by diarrhea and Judge Brady gave me a small bottle of Dwight's Cholera Medicine which checked it - Wrote letters home & returned at 11 p.m. June, MONDAY 4. 1877. Our lawyers met at the office of Hamilton & Bro. for consultation - I favored the consolidation of the three suits in case the opposition would be ready to go on. Court met at 12, and after some preliminary skirmishing, counsel were heard on the condition of the pending litigation, which was not concluded when the Court adjourned. In the evening we held another long consultation at Hamiltons. Wrote letters home after it was over - and spent the remainder of the night sweltering under mosquito bars. June, Thursday 7, 1877 Andrews made a long and rather tiresome argument but he put many of his points in an adroit way which may have impressed the court more than would appear at first sight. He was followed by Hoadly who spoke more than two hours. He has more force and more sustained logic than Andrews. I suspect he has a passion for Extreme positions. He seems to delight in discovering a startling and unusual view of a case. It was so in the Electoral Commission & is so in this case. Bangs began his reply in fine style and showed himself an effective master of the facts of the record. He spoke about an hour when the court adjourned for the day. Our party dined at Dr. Puys and then Bangs & Duncan went calling I shut myself up in my room and worked on my argument till far past midnight. June, Friday 8, 1877 Mr. Bangs resumed his argument at 10:30 am and closed at 12:30. In many respects he is a remarkable man. He has a clear and forceful perception of points, and presents them with clearness & force. I think however he lacks intellectual perspective. Judge Hoadly followed for a few moments, devoted chiefly to citing authorities; and I closed the case in an argument of an hour and a half. Part of it I did quite satisfactorily. But some of my authorities I had not so fully digested as to handle them with ease, & such force as satisfied me. But I believe I struck the right line of thought that had in it the essence of the case. At the end the Court informed us we should have the decision in the morning. In the evening, Duncan, Bangs & I called at Mr. R[??] & also at Col. Irvins. Hotel & abed at 12 M. I think we shall win our case. June, Saturday 9. 1877. Had a long interview with Judge Woods on the general political situation & on the question of federal appointments South. Also a short social call on Judge Bradley previous to leaving At 10 a.m. we went into Court to hear the opinion of the Judges, on our case. But Judge Bradley announced that he would not be ready until Monday next. Many gentlemen called to see me after the adjournment. Among others, Judge Bruce and General Herndon. At 12.20, I took the train for Montgomery, and after a hot & exceedingly, disagreeable ride, alleviated only by a long and interesting conversation with Mr Reynolds late Minister to Bolivia, I reached Montgomery, where I took supper, and met Mr Geo. A Sheridan for a short time, & then left by the North & South R. R. for Nashville. June, Sunday 10. 1877. Awoke at Franklin and saw the Lord's day sun shining still & calm upon the fields where so many brave men went down thirteen years ago in the battle between the forces of Thomas & Hood Took breakfast at Nashville, & now after leaving that place, commenced a long letter to the family which I did not finish until we had nearly reached Cincinnati. There I posted the letter & took lunch; and at 8-20 pm, took the train for Washington D.C. via the Marietta R.R. June, MONDAY 11. 1877. Awoke just as we were crossing the Ohio at Parkersburg. Took breakfast at Grafton dinner at Cumberland and arrived at Washington 7:20 p.m. During the day read about 200 pages of Wallace's Russia. Stopped with Mr. and Mrs. Touhay. 1227 I St and after supper, called on the President in reference to the appt. of Edwin Cowles to the Swiss Mission - He said he had already appointed Hamilton Fish Jr. Called on Sec McCrary and reported the progress and result of the Mobile trial. He said my services should command $20,000. Home, bath & bed. June, TUESDAY 12. 1877. See next page June, Tuesday 12, 1877 Called at the Treasury Dept and had a brief interview with the Secy Gen Boynton then drove me to the R.R. station, and at 10-10 am took the train for Ohio via Ball, Harrisburgh & Pittsburgh. Read Wallace during the day. It is a book of immense detail and has cost great labor. I am surprised that an author of such thoroughness says nothing of the organization and character of the Russian army Took supper at Altoona June, Wednesday 13, 1877 Reached Alliance at 3 am. Wrote letters, read Wallace, and walked until six and a half am when I took breakfast. At 7-20 took the train to Cleveland, whence, at 11-45, took train to Mentor, & reached house 12-30. Crete & the three boys had not yet returned from Hiram but came in the late afternoon. The frame of the Horse barn is up, and the work is progressing finely. My crops have gained great ground in my absence & the hands have done well. I have been absent 17 days and of that time, spent eight days and nights on the train. Spent the afternoon & evening in visiting & reviewing the state of my affairs. Also aided Dr. Robison in raising his 30x80ft barn. Thursday 14 Spent the day in overhauling my immense mail & adjusting my accounts. June, FRIDAY 15. 1877. Have declared war on dock - and have set two men at work in the orchard Meadow to dig it out by the roots - My regular force of hands are putting in their whole time in cultivating the corn, which is looking well - The rafters were put on in the Horse's barn today. I have overworked myself & am lame & tired - The library is grand & nearly ready for occupation - June, SATURDAY 16. 1877. Spent the day in supervising work & improvements on the farm - In the evening Harry Saves came & spent several hours in visiting. June, SUNDAY 17. 1877. Took two carriage loads to church and listened to a very good sermon from Harry Jones This is the first time that all my children have attended church at the same time & I think it is the first time that Harry Jimmie & Mollie were really interested in a sermon. Jones & Robison & wife dined with us. Many friends called in the afternoon - Jones delivered an address on temperance in the evening, & I followed him in a short speech June, Monday 18. 1877. Dr. Robison, Jones & I went to Willoughby in the forenoon; on my return, wrote a large number of letters. In the afternoon the [service?] party went to the mouth of the Chagrin River, and procuring a boat went out on the lake & caught a fine lot of fish. Home at 9 p.m. June, Tuesday 19. 1877. Worked at odds and ends of farm affairs, and correspondence until 5 p.m. When I took Crete, Mother & Mollie with the light wagon & gray horses and started for Burton via Chardon en route to Hiram. It was the first time, I [have] ever started off on a long drive with my family & my own double team. Reached Burton at 8pm and spent the night at W.J. Fords. June, Wednesday 20. 1877. At eight and a half a.m. started for Hiram, taking Johnny Ford with us. Arrived at Hiram a little after ten. Stopped at Father Rudolphs & at eleven, met with the Board of Trustees & held a long session. The financial affairs of the College are in a critical condition; & I am troubled about its future. Attended the sermon of the OIive Branch in the evening & Prof Murray Pres Hinsdale J. H Rhodes & I made a few remarks. Spent the night at Rudolphs. June, Thursday 21. 1877. Attended meeting of the Board of Trustees at 8½ a.m. Commencement Exercises in the Church at 10 because of heavy rain. Dinner at Cousin Phebes. Under the tent at 2.30pm & listen to the address of Prof Monroe of Oberlin, on the political needs of our time. Visited old friends for an hour, and at 5½ started with mother Crete & Mollie for Solon. In Aurora, were caught in a heavy shower & stopped at a Mr Carltons near the Aurora and [?] line. Reached Sister Mary's, at half past eight p.m. where we spent the night. June, Friday 22. 1877. Visited Sister Hily, returned to Larabee at at 10a.m. left for Mentor, with Mother Crete, Mollie & Sister Mary We went via Chagrin Falls [Che] Russell Chester & Kulland. Stopped a few moments at the old Geauga Seminary where Crete & I were students 28yrs ago, and where we have never been since. A desolate, deserted place; but to us, full of precious memories. There we first met. Arrived at home half past one p.m. and found my desk overloaded with work, and much to be done about the farm. I am oppressed with an undefinable feeling of sadness and irresolution. June, SATURDAY 23. 1877. Went to Painesville Early with Dr Robison & met Dr. Streator at the train. We drove with him to his farm in Perry, and visited until 3pm, when we came home. June, SUNDAY 24. 1877 Attended Church read & rested Streator with us. In the p.m. found that my lower corn was nearly destroyed last night by frost. Put new boys and self into it with sheep shears, and clipped the frosted stalks, to let it try again It don't seems as though it could amount to much. June, MONDAY 25. 1877. Commenced haying. Sent to Painesville for materials for hay rack. Harry & I got a load of corn from Geo Wheeler. June, TUESDAY 26. 1877. Had Hay Rack made, and got ready for getting in my first hay. A day full of all kinds of work. June, WEDNESDAY 27. 1877. Haying and Cultivating. Building and Repairing. June, ThURSDAY 28. 1877. Sister Crete and I went to Cleveland and Mary went home. Crete and I spent the day on shopping and settling bills. Home in the evening. June. FRIDAY 29. 1877. Haying & [?] hauling In the evening, Hinsdale & wife came, and spent the night with us. June, Saturday 30. 1877. Getting in hay. Pitched on two loads am. & found myself drenched with perspiration. [In the evening Hinsdale and wife came to spend the night with us.] In the forenoon Hinsdale came and I went to Painesville to purchase paints and oil for Horse barn. Heavy shower en route. July, SUNDAY 1. 1877. Attended church and listened to a good discourse [from] by Hinsdale. In the p.m., drove to Bakers farm above Willoughby and visited two hours. Thence home and called at Loomis'. July, MONDAY 2. 1877. Spent the day in miscellaneous work, and laid the general plan of our address for the Court. The central idea is that feature of our government which [?] reserves a portion of sovereign power to the people themselves. I shall specify the character of that power, and its influence as an educating force upon our people and government. Hinsdale [took] & wife took the [train] [8]7-47 a.m train for Cleveland. July, Tuesday 3. 1877. Pushing farm affairs and commenced a new set of shelves in my library, because I found a surplus of books. Made some statistical study for address on the 4th July, Wednesday 4. 1877. In the forenoon wrote my notes of an address on the "Reserved rights the people." At 12.m. went to Burridge's Grove and at 2, addressed about 5000 people. I spoke an hour and a quarter, quite satisfactorily to myself so far as the discussion of my theme was concerned. But in too high a key for my throat's good. Capt Henry & wife, & Capt Rudolph came at noon & took tea with us. RR Cannon & wife & C R Harmon and wife of Aurora came before noon, & all but Mrs Harmon spent the night with us. July, THURSDAY 5, 1877. Hoarse from cold, and overstrain of my voice yesterday. Day full of callers. Carmen & Harmon & their wives left us about noon. Bancroft cut & shucked the wheat on the south side of the road, about 7 acres. July, FRIDAY 6. 1877. Went to Cleveland and paid some bills. Engaged Pomerene, a stenographer, and dictated to him 44 letters. The accumulation is so great I am quite unable to catch up. Home Evening, lame shoulders from blow of car. July, SATURDAY 7. 1877. Haying and cultivating. Went to Willoughby with Dr Robison, and purchased groceries for family and fly nets for horses. Carpenters absent from horse barn. July, SUNDAY 8. 1877 Family attended church Moore spoke. July, MONDAY 9. 1877. Ploughed the garden crop, and got the boys at work upon their [?]. Haying & cultivating in the field. Father Barnes on library shelves I wrote 15 letters. In the evening, played Croquet with Crete Martha & the children. July, TUESDAY 10. 1877. Visited the puncta laboris and made some modifications in the order of work. I find myself [called] compelled daily to resist the slovenliness of my farm lands. [?] & Butler mowing lane & [?]. Moses in Middle field of corn with cultivator young [?] Repaired laundry table. Wrote letters. Addison Randall of Hubbard came in reference to the P.O. in that town. Children & their friends played croquet on the lawn late in the afternoon. Mother Crete and I called at George Dickey's in the evening. Carpenters worked on horse farm during the day. I went, with [?] to Daniel's barn, to examine some pattern stalls. Also I went to Dr Robeson's to get his turnip seed sower. A busy day, and a good feeling of weariness which will help me to sleep. July, WEDNESDAY 11. 1877. Bancroft & Moses got in the wheat I pitched on one load while Bancroft mowed the grass on the roadside. Hired Mr. Rutland to put in the turnips, and kept the other men, Sutter, Smith & [?] [?] at the corn. Took the children into the garden, & spent one hour among the weeds. In the evening Mother, Crete & I called at Mr. Sawyers & Mr. Radcliff's. On our return, Dr Robison and Mrs Northcott came and stayed about two hours. It has been a hot, growing day. Work has been progressing on the library and horse barn, & Delle has been painting. A correspondent of the Cincinnati Inquirer called to interview me. I did not give him much. Politics seems very remote from my present life & thought. July THURSDAY 12. 1877. Set the men to field early, Bancroft to mowing in the meadow this side the R.R. south to [Cradling?] the [meadow] orchard grass [saved?] for seed, Moses to plowing the potatoes, and the others Butler & coachman to hoeing them. Put in a good hour with the children in the garden. [?] barn & Library progressing. July, Friday 13. 1877 Pushed the haying & hoeing, and had Rutland continue work on the turnip field. The weather is fine, and we are rapidly finishing the work. Bancroft is mowing the last meadow, that below the Barn. July Saturday 14. 1877. Have put an additional force into the corn which badly needed hoeing. Finished haying. Except a little raking of leavings in the lot below the Barn. At 6 pm, send to the Depot for JH Rhodes & wife, & Capt Henry & wife, who came to visit us. Spent a pleasant evening with them. July SUNDAY 15. 1877. A very hot day. All the family remained at home except for me. I went with Dr. Robeson to the M.C. Church to attend a funeral In the afternoon, Capt Henry and [?] went to [?]. In the Evening we had a long visit full of reminiscence. July MONDAY 16 1877 Thrashed the wheat today, & measured out 114 bushels, one half of which is mine. The rate per acre was 17 1/2 bush. I hope to better this by fertilizers another year. Played croquet and visited with our friends. At six pm took them to the train for Cleveland. July, Tuesday 17, 1877. Bancroft commenced reaping the barley - the other men calhorted the corn & finished hoeing it, July, Wednesday 18. 1877. Bancroft reaped Barley. Moses went to Painesville for lime I worked on miscellaneous farm & office matters preparatory to going to Cleveland. This barley crop was sowed April 24 & 25 July, THURSDAY 19. 1877 Went Cleveland in the morning with Crete and Mother. Spent most of the day shopping & dictating letters to Pomerene. Crete & mother returned to Mentor evening train. I remained in the city. Dr Robison and I took a at H.B. Paynes Spent the night at Dr. R's. July FRIDAY 20. 1877 Dictated letters to Pomerene during the forenoonm until 10 o'clock, when I completed some shopping & went to the Cars & reached Mentor, at half past 12. Found there had been a very heavy rain here last night. Barley far too wet to go into the barn. Had it turned over. In the afternoon Crete and I visited Mr. Radcliffes & took tea. A large number of old Hiram friend were present. July, SATURDAY 21. 1877. The day was devoted to getting in Barley. In the afternoon, Aldrich lent me two men. We got in about 15 loads in all. Five still in the field. I have some doubt whether it was sufficiently cured. Authorities hereabout differ on the point. In the morning the Dr. & I got the Drill to the Depot, & shipped it, to get a better one. I wrote some letters during the day; among others, one to Bangs in N.Y. sending my bill ($20,000) for services in the Mobile & O RR suit. Several friends called (in the) among them Rev. E. P. Ingersoll of Brooklyn. Hung the lamp in my library, and got fairly moved into it. July SUNDAY 22. 1877 Drove to Church with the Grays & Kit. The boys were delighted with the new harness for the grays, & went, perhaps more for the going than for the Church. At five o'clock with the grays & Kit, took the family to the Town Hall where we met Spencer Munson and wife, Prof. [King?] Atwater and wife, and thence drive to Hopkins Point on the Lake Shore, and watched the sun set. Home at 8 p.m. - a pleasant drive. The Dr. went to Cleveland to watch his interests in view of the R.R. Strike, which is the most extended and dangerous this country has yet seen. Pittsburgh has suffered greatly in life and property. I have no doubt the R R men have been unjust and oppressive to their Employees; but the form in which the contest presents itself leaves us no choice between suppressing the rioter and the rule of the riot. The events of yesterday, bring strongly to mind McCaulay's letter of 1857 - and makes me question whether my answer to it in the Hudson College address of a few years ago. July, MONDAY 23. 1877. Put two teams to hauling the balance of the barley. Nine loads were brought in today in addition to the 13 of last week. Today's haul is in fine condition - and I should feel well about the whole if it were as dry as the rest. Father Barnes has assumed Weed's job, and is slowly at work on the Horse barn. The interview of "Hanson" of the Cin. Gazette with me has filled the papers with talk, mainly in [?], and I am receiving an unusual number of letters. Many callers this p.m. The strike has widened its circumference very much since yesterday - and in some places the state military have been [?]. Query: Isn't the strike the legitimate offspring of the paternal theory of government? If we raise up a generation of men to believe that the object of protection is to give laborers better wages, don't they feel, when times are hard, that they have a right to take good wages by force? Studendum est. July, TUESDAY 24. 1877. Put the men to raking up the scattering barley, and cutting the seed grass in the northwest meadow. I wrote a large number of letters, and went to the mail. In the p.m. set Hal and Jim to the barley field to rake with Cub. I put on battings upon the new house - raked some and read and wrote. I ought to be preparing a speech for the Cleveland Convention, but am in no mood for it. July, WEDNESDAY 25. 1877. The strike continues, with but few signs of immediate abatement. In the afternoon Crete & I in company with Dr. & Mrs. Robison went to Mentor plains and got a nice lot of cherries. Home at half past eight p.m. July, THURSDAY 26. 1877. I made some study for a speech before the Cleveland Convention; but somehow I am strangely disinclined to intellectual work. The farm draws me off. I have the general plan well in mind; but I have no inclination to write. Have commenced twice but don't please myself. In the evening sent the boys for cherries. The Democratic Convention at Columbus yesterday made one of the most dishonest & demagogical platforms I have seen for many a day. An honest and courageous response on our part ought to defeat them; but I fear we shall lack both sense and control. July, FRIDAY 27. 1877. Weather very hot, & I find myself quite unable to do any satisfactory work towards writing a speech for Cleveland. I have delayed it so long, that I doubt if I shall write it, at all. The men finished cultivating the lower corn & commenced on the Middle field. In the afternoon, Mother, Crete and I made calls, at Clapp's [Burridge's?], Vials and Shoemakers. In the evening, a large number of friends called, among them Gen Hagen who spent the night with us. He has been detailed by the President to visit the Russo- Turkish war fields & study the military methods of that war. Gen Stanly has preferred Charges against him, growing out of his testimony on the Belknap case, and he Hasen wants me to go to Washington and defend him. July, SATURDAY 28. 1877. The day has been so very hot that I have been able to do nothing in the way of hard work. The men nearly finished cultivating the corn field on the South end of the Geo Dickey farm, & late in the p.m. hauled in the timothy seed grass. Towards evening, Crete and I went to Dr. Robesons, and I bought a brood mare and colt, and a Durham cow, value ($23?) The [?] cow is a failure for milk, and I shall fatten her for beef. I should have mentioned that Gen Hagen left for Cleveland by the one pm train. I learn, this evening, that I was chosen one of the delegates from Lake Co to the State Convention. The anti- Garfield men sought to control the choice, but failed. July, SUNDAY 29. 1877. Attended church, and on my return home, after dinner, took a long stroll with Crete over the farm. At 5 p.m., Dr & Mrs. Robison came, and Crete and I went with them to Martin Carrolls, where we took tea. Home at half past eight. July, MONDAY 30. 1877. Had a pit dug for the Privy and brick hauled for the foundation. Bancroft reaped the oats. Kulland and Couchman continued the mulch. I made some little study for a speech at Cleveland, but determined not to write it; for I do not know what will be shape affairs will take, and I may feel compelled to dissent from the action of the Convention. I.H. Rhoads came and spent the night. July, TUESDAY 31. 1877. At seven Mother, Crete , Mollie, Rhodes & I went to Willoughby. Thence to Cleveland after spending an hour with Crete, shopping, I went to the Forest City House. The City was filling up with delegates, preparing for the convention of tomorrow. After transacting some business I took dinner with Crete, and she took the P.M. train for home. At 2 p.m. I went to Foster's room, at the Kurrand by invitation, and went Senator Matthews, Gen Cox & about 15 other gentlemen to Consult in regard to the platform; I was distressed to find that Matthews was in favor of letting down on the financial question. I would not abide by any action of the Convention which did not hold on to the old faith on that subject. I was willing to try bi-metallism but only by a new adjustment of the two metals. At half past three we took an excursion on the lake. On our return, visited Foster & Sheldon. In the evening met the delegate from the 19th Dist for Consultation, & late resumed the Consultation at the Kurrand House. Retired at Forest City House at 12 p.m. August, WEDNESDAY 1. 1877. Delegates from 19th Dist. met at 9 am Forest City parlor, and nominated Committeemen &c. They were very cordial towards me, and made me a member of the Committee on Resolution. Convention met at 11 a.m. in the opera house. My name was received with flattering applause. At 12, went to the Court House to meet the Com on Resolutions. They made me chairman After three hours work, we succeeded in agreeing upon the resolutions in reference to the Administration, & to silver. At three, a committee [?] upon me to inform me that I had been chosen permanent chairman of the committee, and I regused to go, until my Dist. Delegation should seek a substitute to the Com. on Res. At half past three, I went to the Opera House, & found the Convention had just adjourned until 4 & await my arrival. Went to a Restaurant to get a bowl of milk & brown bread, my only dinner, & then to the Opera House. I was very well received, and spoke ten minutes more successfully than I expected. I think I gave some help to the Convention in the way of courage. Presided until have past nine pm. when the Convention ad'd sine die. I spoke a few minutes on the public square, visited Foster & Sheldon & went supperless, to bed. August, THURSDAY 2. 1877. Breakfast at half past Eight visited many friend. Shopped a little & took the 11-15 am train home. On the whole the convention did far better work than I expected. For myself, have never been so well received by the state. I think it very doubtful about our carrying the state; but if we do, I think it not improbable that I may be chosen Senator. E.V. Smalley of the N.Y. Tribune came home with me & spent the afternoon and night. I found the masons here, at work on the privy and the back porch of the house Drove to the P. O. in the p.m. to show Parker the letter from the P.O..D. discussing him. I am annoyed at the necessity for a change in the office. Many friends Called in the Evening, among them, Drs Streatir & Robison. August, FRIDAY 3. 1877. Miss Mays took Smalley to Painesville to catch the Early Express train East. I put the battings on the East side of the farm. I kept the masons supplied with materials for filling up the back porch & paving it. Visited the fields where the ditching is going on. Got in all my oats except one load. The whitewashing of the barns & fences is going on in good shape. On the whole, the work is in good condition. In the evening, Crete & I went to Dr. Robison's, and sent three hours with the family & Dr. Streator. Nellie Larabee is here. August, SATURDAY 4. 1877. A day of much miscellaneous work. The masons finished the paving of the back porch. The whitewashing of the barns and fences went on well. Also the ditching. I found the water failing in the Ram, & had the best ditch extended 12 rods. to Delle's line, & this seems to give enough water. August, SUNDAY 5. 1877. A very hot, uncomfortable day. Went out to see the fields, and staid until it was too late for church. Dr Robison with me. The family went with the grays. My fields are almost burning up with the heat. The responses of the press, in reference to the Cleveland Convention, are on the whole quite favorable. The notices of me, are all I deserve. The tide of public opinion which has so long been disturbed by counter-currents is now pretty decidedly set in my favor. After all, considering the Ebb and flow of popular feeling, it is difficult to keep up ones respect for the thing called public opinion, though perhaps, taking long periods and large numbers. it may average not far from right. But it is frequently most unjust to individuals. August MONDAY 6. 1877. Spent the day in clearing up around the house & barn. Had stone hauled from the orchard meadow - and made a bridge to to the cowstable door. Had pales hauled to support the stack. [Sent Bancroft] In the evening Crete, Martha & I went by the Conneaut Accommodation, to Ashtabula, where I delivered a lecture by the Ashton Co Teacher's Association. I spoke an hour & a quarter, & had the close attention of a large audience. Spent the night at the hotel, & an hour's talk with political friends. August, TUESDAY 7. 1877. Home by the early train. Spent the forenoon in preparing the straw stack for sustaining the heavy weight which is to come upon it [In the afternoon, Dr. Robison & I covered the tile of the back porch & workhouse with water lime cement.] by placing heavy poles under its sides, & supporting them by heavier posts set in the ground and leaning inwards. At noon, J.G. Americus of Cleveland came, to aid me with my correspondence. I dictated about fifty letters, & kept the farm work going. In the evening the threshers came to be ready for mowing. Post office row raging in Mentor. August, Wednesday 8. 1877. This has been a very busy day at the farm. Before noon, Pomerene & I had finished 70 letters; and for the first time, since I came here my desk is clear. At half past five, the threshers came, and at eight p.m., the grain was in bins. The 7 1/2 acres of oats gave me 375 bushels. The 13 acres of barley - 440 bushels. The grass seed amounted to 7 bushels. The spotted Ky Cow had a heifer calf today, making three blood heifer calves now on the farm. Pomerene left on on the one p.m. train. I am well tired to night & fit for sound sleep. The hot weather is injuring the corn very much. August. Thursday 9. 1877. Busy with preparations for leaving home until noon when Harry drove Crete and me to Painesville, and we took the 3 p.m. train East en route to Quebec. Reached Buffalo in the evening and spent the night at the Clift House. My heel because very lame - seems like a stone bruise. August FRIDAY 10. 1877 Took morning train from Buffalo to Lewiston, thence by steamer to Toronto, & Toronto Boat for Montreal. Night on the lake. Commence reading Andree de Tavernay - the first of Dumas novel I have ever read. August SATURDAY 11. 1877 Awoke at Kingston, & soon were among the [?] Island which we passed 19 years ago Arrived at Montreal at 5-30 p.m. & in half an hour were on board the City of Montreal for Quebec. Lame heel still troublesome. August, SUNDAY 12. 1877 Arrived at Quebec 6 a.m. and in half an hour were at the American Consulate, where we are to visit our friends the Howells - Spent the day, resting & visiting - Mr Howells - Victoria & Amelia - and Henry here at home - sweet, good and frugal people -- August MONDAY 13. 1877 Crete & I spent some time shopping & home out towards evening Bad heel - A number of citizens call on me August TUESDAY 14. 1877 Spent part of the day shopping but made several calls - Had a doctor to examine my heel. He called the trouble perasretis -Spanish minister called in the evening - Also the French Consul General August WEDNESDAY 15.1877 Wrote & visited in the forenoon - and [then] in the p,m. Crete, Victoria & I went to the heights of Abraham & took lunch with Mrs Ross - Where there drove us to her country house five miles up the St Lawrence -- Her life is a curious romance -- Back to the Consulate in the evening -- August THURSDAY 16. 1877 Day was full of work finishing shopping -- writing letter to preparing to leave - Telegraphed Ohio State Committee that I cannot keep their appointments next week -- In the evening left our friends took the Steamer Quebec for Montreal Commenced reading Reade's Woman Hater August FRIDA 17. 1877 Arrived at Montreal too late for the N.Y. train, Drove to Montreal - Shopped -- visited the Cathedral - and at 3 p.m.took train for the south - Tea at Pittsburgh - Passed west side of Lake Champlain as night fell - August, SATURDAY 18. 1877 Reached Brevoort House at 7-30 a.m. After breakfast, went shopping, and at 5 p.m. took train to Washington. August, SUNDAY 19. 1877 Reached Washington at 6-30 a.m. and stopped at our house, with Mr & Mrs [?]. At noon, we called on Col Rockwell. In the afternoon we drove to the Soldiers home and Called on the Secy of War. Home on the Evening. August, MONDAY 20. 1877 A very busy day at the Depts, and Capitol. Found the Cin. Commercial of 17 & 18 denouncing me for my views of the silver question & demanding to be "hooted from the stump" This determined me to speak at once, & telegraphed Gen Robinson I would keep his appts for me We took the 7-40 pm train for the west. August, TUESDAY 21. 1877 Awoke on the mountains- & reached Pittsburgh at 8-30. Breakfast at the Monagahela House. Read [?] & worked on a campaign speech until 1 pm when we took train for Cleveland, & at 10.30, thence to Painesville, where we arrived near midnight & were met by Harry & Moses with the grays. Home at near one in the morning. August, WEDNESDAY 22. 1877 Spent the day in reviewing farm affairs & laying the plan of Campaign speech. At noon Pomerene came, & I dictated 50 letters & began a speech. August, THURSDAY 23. 1877 Devoted the day to to dictating speech but was much interrupted by callers, & farm affairs. In the Evening James Mason & wife & two daughters and one son, came & spent the night. Pomerene & I worked until near midnight. August, FRIDAY 24. 1877. Letters, & speech & farm affairs until one p.m. when I went to Cleveland and gave my speech to the Leader & Herald [wher] by whom it was set up in type & I read proof. Dined with Edw. Cowles. Took 7 pm train for Columbus in company with Capt Henry & Gen Robertson the latter of the Leader. August, SATURDAY 25. 1877. Reached Columbus at one am & stayed at the Neil House the remainder of the night. Took the 9 a.m. train to the Hocking Valley Road, & arrived at Athens at noon. At one p.m. Matthews began to read a printed speech, & read 2 1/4 hours, without a cheer. West spok 40 minutes, & I followed about an hour. I found many expression of personal friendships from leading politicians. I have taken ground in my speech will not be popular with the masse of our party, but I hope they will see its wisdom by & by. Bought Michael Strogoff & commenced to read it - the first of Jules Vernes books I have read. August, SUNDAY 26. 1877. Reading & writing. Dined at Ex Speaker Grosvenors with Judge West & Stanley Matthews. Thence drove to asylum for the Insane. At 4 p.m. took train for Marietta where I spent the night. August, MONDAY 27. 1877. Took seven a.m. train for Caldwell where I was met by the Committee & a band. Made a short reply from the hotel porch. After dinner Dalzell & Mr. Foster drove us (Robertson & myself) to Sarahsville where I spoke an hour and a half in the Tobacco Warehouse to a large audience. Seven members of Co D. 42 O.V.I. called to see me. After dinner, we drove to Whigville, where we stopped at Mr. Lemax's & took tea & went thence to Summerfield, where I addressed about 1500 people in another Tobacco warehouse. At the close, 11 42nd men came to see me. Spent the night with Robertson & Dalzell at Mr. Philpots. Heard some curious stories about the public confessions of the Free Methodists at this place. One man confessed to the crime of arson & delivered himself up to the law. August, TUESDAY 28. 1877. We drove back to Caldwell (14 miles) where after dinner, I took the cars for Cambridge 23 miles distant which occupied 8 1/2 hours. Stopped at the hotel, & at took tea at Capt. Farrars my old [chief &] aid-de-camp, though he was away in St. Louis. In the evening, spoke one hour and three quarters in the hall. Hon. L. Daufind came from home to see me & keep me from abandoning my appts in [?] County. While with him I recd a telegram from Gen Robinson that Cal Carter would take my place there. Retired and slept three hours. August, WEDNESDAY 29. 1877. AT 1-40 a.m. took the train for Monroeville & slept until 8 a.m. Breakfast at Monroeville & thence to Elmira where we arrived 9-45. Stopped at the Beebe House and at 10-30 attended review of the 42nd Regiment. Spoke in the hall in the p.m. to the members of the Regt & people. In the evening made a political before a large audience on the public square and at half past nine Maj. Swaim & I ([who] he came here to meet me) took the train to Mentor, arriving at half past eleven. Jimmie had come to the Depot to meet us, but the mare Kitty, broke away & ran home. Swaim & I walked up, & found no harm done to the horse or buggy. August, THURSDAY 30. 1877. Swaim & I visited & overlooked the affairs of the farm. Went with Dr Robison to see some white wheat. The Clawson in the farm of Mr Hopkins, of Willoughby Plains. In the evening, Mrs. Hawley & her daughter Mrs. Stevenson of Detroit came & spent the night. August, FRIDAY 31. 1877. Superintending farm affairs & meeting with our guests. In the evening, had a long interview with Maj. Swaim in reference to a paper he has prepared on the question of whether the President has power to appoint or order General Court martials. Swaim holds the negative. September, SATURDAY 1. 1877. Mrs. Hawley's daughter, Swaim & I started for the morning train & were half a minute too late. Swaim & I drove Kit in the buggy to Cleveland and took the 1-40 train to Alliance & thence, after waiting three hours we took the train to Canton. Swaim went on west. Maj. McKinley (member of Congress) met me at the Depot & took me to his house. After tea, went to the hall Opera House & addressed a very large audience for one hour & three quarters and was followed by Col. Carter of Louisiana. Several gentlemen called on me. Spent the night at Maj. McKinley's. September. SUNDAY 2. 1877. Attended the Methodist Church with McKinley family. After church, called on W.T. Barcom & family with whom I boarded in company with J.D. Cox at Columbus in 1860 & 61. Several friends dined with several friends at Maj. McKinley's. At five p.m. the Major & another friend drove me to Massilon where we called on Hon. Robt. H. Folger. I spent the night at Capt Hicks. September MONDAY 3. 1877 Capt Hicks drove me to the Tusscarawas Valley Depot at 7 a.m. & I reached Cleveland at 10-30, having read en route about a hundred pages of Michael Strogoff. At eleven I started in my buggy for Solon stopping on the way at Caleb Morgan and at Uncle Thomas'. Reached Solon about 3. Went to examine Sister Hittie's House, and found it in a ruinous state & in danger of falling. Contracted with Jno.Thompson for one hundred dollars to build her a house two stories high18x26. Arranged with Marenns to make the foundation and do the hauling. Went to Orange, taking Hal with me, & spent the night at Cousin Henry N. Boynton's where we spent the night. September TUESDAY 4. 1877 At 9 a.m. Henry & wife and daughter joined us and we went via Orange Center, Mayfield and Willoughby to Mentor. Had a pleasant visit with cousin Harry, and went over many of the roads we had travelled in our boyhood. At Willoughby we called on W. A. Lillie whom we had known twenty-seven years ago. Reached home about half past twelve, and spent the afternoon in farm affairs and in visiting. Dr. Robison & wife called in the evening. September, WEDNESDAY 5. 1877. Henry & family & Crete and I went to Hopkins for a look at seed wheat. Went also to the shore of the lake. On our return, stopped at Mr. Clark and got some peaches. Returned home at half past 12. At mid-afternoon Henry & [to] wife left. Attended to farm affairs & read my mail. September, THURSDAY 6. 1877. Took the 7-45 am train to Cleveland, went to Hubbell & Co. & purchased the lumber & doors & windows for sister's house. Thence to the P.O. to see Bro Joseph, & thence to Lockwood's to get nails and other hardware for the house. Returned to Mentor on the 11-15 am train. In the p.m. sent Moses for seed wheat, Bancroft ploughing the old barley field. I let the job of plowing the Ram lot to James Barnes [for] and burning all the stumps & rubbish for $45. September, FRIDAY 7. 1877 Started the new Champion drill & got in about two acres, on the south side of the road. I am putting into the field about 250 lbs of bone phosphate and 175 lbs plaster per acre. At noon it commenced to rain, & I stopped the sowing. In the afternoon, went to Dr. R's to try a new plow, the Robinson chilled plow, & bought it from Roberts of Orange. Rainy & dreary. Home at work at my desk in the evening. Had the men work in the barn cutting the clover hay in two & preparing one end of the mow for the slicks in the lower fields. September, SATURDAY 8. 1877. Set the drill at work early in the south lot. Put in 250 pounds bone phosphate, and 125 pounds of plaster to the acre, & served arch each acre, 1 1/2 bushels of white wheat. (The Clawson) and six qts grass seed. We finished the piece at 8 p.m. The drill showed just 12 acres by its indicator. In the evening C. B. Lockwood and wife came, & spent the night with us. September SUNDAY 9. 1877. Attended Church, wrote letters read, and made some additional preparations for the Campaign Have concluded to commence cutting corn tomorrow, though I fear it may not be quite ripe enough yet - September, MONDAY 10 1877. Attended to farm & mail in the fore noon and then took the one p.m. train to Cleveland, & thence at 3-35 for the West - arriving at Clyde at six - In the evening addressed a large audience - & was well received - Received a telegram from Gen. Robinson, chairman of the State Cent. Rep. Committee asking me to hold joint debates with Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton - Accepted - Spent the night at the hotel. Kept by a son-in-law of Mrs Rose whom I knew in Columbus 17 years ago - I might to have added above that after having a few shucking the corn near the barn and I concluded it was too green & postponed for a week - September, TUESDAY 11. 1877. At 9 am by mistake took the wrong turn and stopped at Carey, where I wrote & read two hours. Met Chas Foster for a few minutes. Took the 2 p.m. train to Toledo & thence by 5-30 pm train to Warren, where I addressed a court house full. After taking tea at John M Atwaters, my cousin Capt Geo. Garfield came from Bryan to meet me, and at [that] one hour after midnight we took the train to Bryan where I stayed with Cousin George. Towards morning was sharply attacked with diarrhaea. September, WEDNESDAY, 12 1877. [Martell] Visited among my relatives at Bryan until 11 am, where Messrs. Pratt Auger & my cousin Amos Letcher drove me to Montpelier 12 miles, where I spoke an hour and a half. Then drove back to Bryan & took tea at Cousin Amos Letchers. In the evening addressed a large audience in the Opera House. Speech well received. Spent the night at Cousin Wm- Letchers. September, THURSDAY 13. 1877. Left Bryan at 8 a.m. arrived at Toledo - 10-30 - Dined with Maj. Lawrence Hopkins - son of Pres Hopkins - and at 5 p.m. took the train to Perrysburg - Stopped at Judge Short's & took tea - In the evening, addressed a large meeting in the Court house and at 10 p.m. took a freight train to Toledo - & stopped at the Oliver House, where I wrote letters & read for several hours - preparing for the Pendleton debate - September, FRIDAY 14. 1877. Worked at the Oliver House, until 3 a.m. when I took the sleeping car for the East and arrived at Painesville 8-30 - & thence went by livery team home where I found all well - I spent the day in reading my mail and overhauling farm matters - Bancroft has got in the wheat on the south part of the old barley lot - and is now drilling in the rye on the north half - I did not go to Fremont today, mainly because I was not invited. I don't know that the omission was intended - I don't know that special invitations were given. But I determined to be on the safe side - September SATURDAY 15. 1877 home at half past three and Thoses drove me to the 4-15 train at Mentor - At 8 I reached Clyde & thence went to Renton where I arrived at 11 - and stopped at a little hotel near the depot - At 2 p.m. went to the Depot to see the President & his suite who were en vente to the south - The President Gen Rosecrans & Secy McCrary spoke a few moments - I have not see Gen R for many years, and was not now near enough to speak to him -- At 2-15 we addressed about 2000 people on the public square The wind was against me; some carpenters were hammering on a roof just behind me; and this with the roar of wagons in the street made it very hard to speak, and I grew more hoarse that I have been in all my previous meetings -- I was not well pleased with my speech - Went home with Gen [?] Robinson and was most hospitably introduced to his pleasant family -- Retired early and read Chuzzlewit in bed for an hour -- September SUNDAY 16. 1877 Awoke in the early morning with a Kept the house nearly all day - & at Gen Robinson's suggestion kept myself on scalded milk & bread -- In the afternoon , drove with Gen R to his farm -- & called at Gen MB Wolkens - but he was not at home Spent the night at Gen Robinson's. Read Chuzzelwit after I went to bed - September, MONDAY 17. 1877. Gen Robinson's son drove me to Dunkirk, ten miles by the pike, where, at 9-35, I took the train for Van Wert & arrived at noon Wretched dinner at a wretched hotel. Read Chuzzlewit all the time I could steal away from callers. Miss Z. Palmer my Yosemite travelling companion called. At 5 p.m. I went to Mr Recters, a Disciple, and took tea. In the evening addressed a large audience in Melodeon Hall. Chuzzlewit & bed. September, TUESDAY 18. 1877 Took the train at 8 a.m. and arrived at Bellefontaine, at 12 where I was met by Capt. Hutchins and a dozen members of the 42nd boys Co. K. and dined with them at Hutchins house, where we had a pleasant visit. Thence to the Courthouse where I spoke nearly two hours with very marked effect. I have rarely made more impression upon an audience. Then Judge Lawrence drove around the town, in company, with Capt Henry, and to his own house where I took tea. In the evening attended Col Carters meeting who made an exceedingly able speech. Spent the night at Judge Lawrence's. September, WEDNESDAY 19. 1877. Left Bellefontaine at eight in company with Mrs Col Carter of New Orleans who is going to Columbus. I arrived at London at noon and found the Rep Committee awaiting me At 2 p.m. addressed a large audience in the Courthouse & did well. Dr A H Underwood drove me around the town for an hour. Took the 8:40 pm Train to Columbus, accompanied by Mr. Carpenter of Pomeroy who came from that place to ask me to speak in Pomeroy next Monday. Arrived at Columbus 9-40 and stopped at the Neil House I should have mentioned that at London I saw Rufus Ingalls - mothers cousin - who lives at West Jefferson September, Thursday 20. 1877. After breakfast, went to the State Library and worked on materials for the Pendleton debate until one pm. At 2, Gen. Robinson Mr Guerin and I drove via the State agricultural College and North Columbus to Westerville, visited the fair, took tea at Dr. Audins' and at 7-45 I addressed a large audience in the Chapel of the Otterbein University. Pres Mr Thompson, who is the Prohibition Candidate for Governor. The speech was very well received. Returned to Columbus and stopped about midnight at the Niel House. In the night was attacked with severe Diarrhea. September, FRIDAY 21. 1877. Slept until 9 a.m. Took for breakfast only scaled milk & toasted bread, as Gen Robinson's remedy for Diarrhoea. Spent the forenoon in the State Library, working up materials for the Pendleton debate. Repeated my breakfast for dinner, and at 7 p.m. took the train for the north. Read Chuzzlewit with deep interest on the road. At Galion was greeted by the Gen. Squad and escorted to the hotel. At 7-45 address on Opera house full, about 1200, with probably more effect than at any other place, except Bellefontaine, [?] at the hotel, after the meeting. Finished Martin Chuzzlewit, which I have greatly enjoyed, though I have been compelled to read it by snatches while riding in the car and after returning at night. The story is very skillfully constructed, and the plot kept up without flagging. I do not concur in the angry criticisms made upon Dickens for his treatment of the American people. Of course it is exaggerated, but not more so than Sairey Gamp, Pecksniff and his other unlovely English characters. September, SATURDAY 22. 1877. Was awakened at half past three and took the early train to Cleveland arriving at half past seven. Called at the P.O. & Bank and on Hon Amos Townsend. And took the 11-15 am. train for home. Read mail looked over the farm affairs, and at 4-20 p.m. drove to the town hall and registered for voting under the new Registry act of Ohio. Came back by the Depot to get Crete who returned from St Louis where she has been with her mother. Dr. Robison came in the evening. I have stood the week's work better than any other, so far as my voice is concerned. I have no doubt the summer in the open air & active exercise has been a great help to me. September, SUNDAY 23. 1877. Attended Church, and spent the afternoon with Crete and Mother, at Dr. Robisons. It is a lovely day, & I begrudge all the time that the public demands at my hands, but which I wish to give to the family & farm. Messrs Ritezel & Thompson came from Warren to see me in reference to meetings in the District. Read & visited with Crete until a late hour. I can never be thankful enough to her for her love and high character. September, MONDAY 24. 1877. Worked on Pendleton debate and farm matters until noon when Mother Harry & Jimmie went with me to the depot. Thence to Cleveland. After a few hours of shopping Jimmie returned to Mentor, & at 7.30 p.m. Mother Harry & I took the train to Columbus where we arrived an hour after midnight & stopped at the Niel House. September, TUESDAY 25. 1877. Arranged for Mother and Harry to go to Zanesville by the noon train where they are to visit our relatives the Ballon's. At 8-40 took the train for Lancaster, Mr Pendleton on board. Arrived at Lancaster at 10, and stopped at the hotel being escorted by a band. I went with Pendleton & at 2 opened the debate in the town hall which was crowded. I spoke an hour making an attacking speech upon the character and opinions of the Democratic party. I purposely omitted the silver question in my opening, being sure that Pendleton would open the fray if in my reply. He spoke nearly an hour and a half, but hardly attempted a reply to my points He made almost his old campaign speech. I replied for half an hour & as I think, effectively. That seemed to be the general opinion. Dined with Col. E. B. Andrews. At 8 p.m. Pendleton & I were serenaded at the hotel, very pleasantly The town was illuminated with fireworks. At 9-20 we took a freight train (P & I) and reached Columbus at midnight. September, WEDNESDAY 26. 1877. Spent the day in Columbus writing letters, and examining some Life Insurance statistics in the state library. At 4-50 took the train for Urbana, and was met by the Rep Committee. In the Evening, addressed a good sized audience in the Courthouse - and made an effective speech. My voice is holding up unusually well this season - partly, I think, because of my summer's work in the farm. Spent two hours after the meeting in the room of Hon Jus. F. Gowey, who gave me the sad but very touching story of his marred life and of the miserable insanity of his young wife. My heart is very full of thankfulness to-night for the sweet noble wife God has given me. Spent the night at the hotel. September, THURSDAY 27. 1877. Took the train for Springfield at 9-20. Gen Keifer met me & drove me to his house, where I made a more careful study of the deposits in State banks, private banks & savings banks, for a point in the debate. At two p.m. went to the opera house where a large audience was awaiting Mr Pendleton & me. He opened the debate in a speech of one hour, following substantially the line of his Lancaster speech I replied to him point by point, & I think effectively, & then spent my last half hour in a general arraignment of the Democratic party. He replied half an hour making some effective hits, but did not shake the strength of my reply to his affirmative points. To the superficial hearer, the one who has the last word is victor. I am quite content with the two debates. I have not surrendered my position on the silver question though I have modified my opinion since last year so far as to think it wise to try the bimetallic standard. Mr. P. & I dined at Gen Keifers, with several friends of both parties. The debates have been personally kind & courteous. Sat up until an hour past midnight. September, FRIDAY 28. 1877. At one oclock a.m. Mr Pendleton and I took the A & W. W. R. R. for the north, and went to bed, after a pleasant chat. At 5-45 I was awakened, and at 5-53 arrived at Ashland, where I was received by an Artillery squad and Capt Bushnell, my old comrade of the 42nd. Went to his house and slept until eight, when I took breakfast with a number of invited citizens, Dr Cowan, Democratic Ex M.C. among them. At one p.m. addressed a large Audience -- the opera house -- Took tea with Mr. Beer, Rep Candidate for Senator. In the Evening listened to an interesting speech on local politics by Mr Grosscup. After he finished, I spoke an hour. Spent the night at Capt Bushnell's. The meetings have been wonderfully successful. P.S. I ought to have said at the beginning of yesterday, that my friend Gowey & I called on Col James, a brother of Judge James of Washington & had a pleasant visit especially among his many books. September, SATURDAY 29. 1877. Took the train at Ashland at 6 am. Stopped at Russell where I took breakfast at 7- 8 am took the Inscarawas Valley train for Cleveland, and arrived at 10-30. Found Crete at Dr. Robison and after a little shopping, at one p.m. we started for Solon by a livery carriage, and arrived after a lovely autumn ride - at Sister House. Inspected the work on her new house, which is nearly ready for the plaster. Took tea at Sister Mary's, & returned to Cleveland by rail at 7 pm. Rep Committee met us & drove us to the circle on the west side where I spoke an hour to about 5000 people. Miss Ransom, Crete and I took the train for Mentor, arriving at 11-40. Moses met us with the grays. We found all well at home. September, SUNDAY 30. 1877. At home [nearly] all day except that we attended Church twice to hear Harry Jones preach in the p.m. at Mentor and in the evening at Willoughby. He elaborated the thought that Christ is God, only by inheritance, which seemed to be a rational view. October. MONDAY 1. 1877. Spent the forenoon in farm affairs, and at one point, Miss Ransom and I took the train for Cleveland. Spent some time in business; among other things ordering paint for Sister Hitties' house. At 3.45, Jimmie and I took the train for Earlville, where we were met by Messrs Lukens and S.P. Wolcott, who drove us to Kent, & on the way gave me the points which J. F. Cary made in his recent speech there. Supper at the Hotel. Many friends called. Some fanatical Greenbacker's proposed to attend the meeting and ask questions. The Hall was crowded and I made a speech almost wholly on finance. I was better pleased with it as an argument than any I have made. Found my next meeting is to be at Chardon, & that I must go by carriage. I drove with J.C. Bentley and other friends to Ravenna. where Jimmie, & I spent the remainder of the night at Halsey Halls. October. TUESDAY 2. 1877. Was awakened at six, and after breakfast, at about seven, Isaac Williams took Jimmie and me in his buggy to Burton 22 miles. He drove by the Lime Kiln road & Rider street to Hiram, and stopped half an hour at Hinsdale's. Jimmie remained to visit our friends, and [?] and I went on to Burton, where a Mr Bailey of Parkman, (a Democratic farmer) took me on to Chardon arriving at one pm. At half past two I spoke in the Opera House to a not very large audience. But my speech was well received. Took the 4-20 narrow gauge RR for Painesville (Hon G. H. Ford with me) where Lillie Steele and her father's man Henry drove us home to Mentor. A party of young people were at the house. After they were gone, Martha Mayes told Crete and me the story of joys and about her love engagement and Dr Todd October. WEDNESDAY 3. 1877. Worked at mail and farm affairs, until noon - (looking over the farm with Ford and visiting Dr Robison's.) When we took the Eastbound train, Ford for Painesville & I for Geneva - I stopped at the Fuller House, visited friends, and at 2 1/2 commenced a speech in the town hall. I spoke nearly two hours, and satisfied myself better than I have before except at Kent. Took the 6-13 p.m. train for Mentor, where Crete and Dr. Todd met me and drove me home. Mrs Sarah Jones (nee Lornphear) was awaiting me, anxious to read a poem on the 1st Napoleon for my criticism - and to discuss the universe generally. I excused myself as soon as I could, and retired at 10 pm. October, THURSDAY 4. 1877. Crete and I arose at 3-30 and at 4 a.m. Moses drove us to Mentor Station, where we took the 4-15 train for Cleveland. Spent an hour at the Depot with Brother Joseph, & at 7-15 took the train for Warren, where we were met by the Co. Central Committee Henry Ward Beecher joined our train at Leavittsburg and stopped at Warren. Harmon Austin met Crete at the Depot and took her home with him. I went to the Thompson House. Took breakfast with Mr. Beecher, after which he was serenaded by the band, and called out by the people. He made a short speech, closing with a brief but forcible plea for [?] money, and then went on to [?] At one pm, Judge West went to the town hall & spoke two hours - an exceedingly able speech. I followed for half an hour and Chaplain Williams, in the mean time spoke in the public square to those who could not get into the hall. Took tea at Harmon Austin's: & in the evening spoke two hours in the hall. I made a strong speech; but for some reason I did not feel that I made a very strong impression upon the audience. Perhaps they were already sated by the able speech of Judge West. Spent the night at Austin's. I should have added that Jimmie joined us at Garrettsville. & stayed at Austins over night. October. FRIDAY 5. 1877. Breakfast at Austins, &, at 8-30 Crete took the narrow gauge road for Painesville. At nine, Jimmy & I took the train for Ravenna, and went to Halsey Hall, who drove us to Frank Ford's farm to see his Aldernay cattle. Then took dinner at Hall's and took the 3 pm train for Akron. Arrived at 5 and stopped at the Empire House. After tea, a large number of friends called and discussed the political situation & told me of the Greenback and Labor mania in [?] An anonymous circular was distributed early in the evening attacking me on the silver question, and abusing me generally. I spoke two hours to the Opera House full. and devoted the time to the finances & the panic. And made a more than usually effective speech. Many friends called at the Hotel after the meeting, and were greatly pleased with the discussion. Jimmie & I retired at Eleven. I should have added that Hon. W H Upson presided at the meeting. October SATURDAY 6. 1877. We took breakfast at 7 and went down to the Canal to let Jimmie see the way boats went through the locks, and, at eight a.m. took the train for Cleveland. Found Col Carter of New Orleans on the train, en route for Cuyahoga Falls. We arrived at Cleveland at 10-15; and after making some business calls took the 11-15 train for Painesville, where we were met by the Chairman of the Committee (Mr Lee) and were soon joined by Judge Taft from the Eastern train, when we drove to the Stockwell House and took dinner. At 2-30 Judge Taft was introduced to the Opera House full of people, and spoke an hour & a quarter, discussing the Registry law; silver and Resumption. He is clear and logical, without warmth or enthusiasm. I followed him about an hour and ten minutes and succeeded in showing more pleasantry into the speech than any other I have made. This 36th speech closes my campaign; and I came through in better voice & health than ever before. Crete, Mother & Harry came for me with the grays, and Capt Henry & Harry Rhodes went home with us. At 6-30 Mr and Mrs E. Cowles came from Cleveland and spent the night with us. I am very tired - but well. Our family all at home October, SUNDAY 7, 1877. Spent the day at home visiting with our guests and showing them over the farm and that of the Doctor. At 11 am Hon A.G. [?] of Washington came from Willoughby and spent several hours with us. Crete gave us a very fine dinner, and showed more than ever before the quiet serene power she possessed to do the right thing at the right time & in the right way. At 3 Mr. Riddle's nephew came from Chardon and took him away, and about the same time, Mr Cowles and wife left for Cleveland. Rhodes and Henry remained and spent the night In the evening I turned my attention to our affairs at home, in view of our early departure for Washington to attend the Called Session of Congress. Crete and I had a long talk over some social problems in which our own experiences were compared with [that of] some recent ones of our friends. October, MONDAY 8. 1877 Attended to farm affairs in the forenoon, and in the afternoon, Crete and I drove to Painesville, made some calls, and did some shopping, and at 5 p.m. called at J.F. Scofield's where we met my old friend (12 years with me in the Ho. Reps) Hon G.W. Scofield & wife & daughter. In the evening a reception was held, and tea was served to about one hundred friends - the principal people of Painesville. At half an hour past midnight, Crete and I retired having sent our team home, in order to let the family know we were going to stay at Scofield's. I ought to have said that before the company came, G.W.S. and I had a long conversation on the political situation. I have done all I could to keep the Republican party in line; but I am conscious of a spirit of apathy and dissatisfaction among our people that may bring us great disaster. The President's Civil Service Order has done much to disorganize and weaken our party strength. Our Republican Central Committee are confident we shall carry the Election, but I have never felt [con] much confidence of success. October, TUESDAY 9. 1877. Spent most of the day in overhauling farm affairs, and getting my lane ditch tiled, filled and a roadway upon it covered with sand. Went to the polls about two p.m. and found that not half the strength of the town had voted at that time. This forebodes defeat. Especially as the new epidemic of the Greenback & Labor movement is likely to carry a large number of men away from us. Mr Aldrich & wife, Mr Tyler & wife and Mr Morley & wife took tea with us. At six, Father Rudolph came to visit us. Later in the evening Mr Curtis of Kulland called on his way to Painesville to learn the election news. I told him I was in no haste to hear, for the news would do us no good. Retired at a late hour. October, WEDNESDAY 10. 1877. This day has been very full of work. The weather has been cold and rainy. I have started a little building over my water tank, & have given orders for the repair of the green house and for putting up eave troughs on the kitchen porch. The men have continued work on the lane road and plowed up half an acre of the meadow this side of the road to seed again with rye where the grass had run out. The news of yesterdays election have more than confirmed my worst fears of the result. I sum up the causes of defeat as follows. First. Usual apathy of the off year. Second. Effects of the Civil Service policy. Third. Dissatisfaction with his Southern Policy - Fourth. Judge West's speech on the evening of his nomination. Fifth, the greenback and labor craze. Any three of these were sufficient to defeat us. Spent the afternoon and evening in putting my papers in order for leaving home. Retired early. October, THURSDAY 11. 1877. Awoke at 1/4 past 3 and sent men to the depot with our trunks and at four oclock Crete, Harry, Jimmy and I rode to the depot and took the 4.15 train for Cleveland where we took breakfast at 6.55 and left for Shelby. At 1/4 past ten we went on the Director's car which had been tendered us by the railroad and in company with Foster and Mac of Sandusky and Hubbell of Michigan, we made the journey across Ohio in a very pleasant way taking our meals on the car. Retired at midnight in the mountains of West Va October, FRIDAY 12. 1877. Awoke near the Point of Rocks and at 8 o'clock finished our very pleasant journey and twenty minutes later were at our Washington home. I find the Democrats are as bitter and foolish [and] as they are jubilant over the result of their Ohio success. The serenade speeches made here last night by some of the party were bitter and extreme and showed great folly on their part. Spent the day in shaping and preparing to set our household [after] affairs in order. A large number of gentlemen called in the afternoon and evening. At eight oclock went to Foster's room where some twenty Republican members of the House were assembled. There was some desire to hold a caucus on Saturday night but I took the ground that we had better hold no caucus until after the Democrats made their nomination. Home at 10 o'clock took a bath and retired. October, SATURDAY 13. 1877 Crete and I went downtown and purchased carpets and arrange for taking up and cleaning old ones, and setting our house in order generally Members are rapidly arriving and the Democratic caucus for the evening is the absorbing topic. Gov Cox, Mr Monroe and I called on the President at two o'clock and had a general conversation on the situation. We found Foster there lunching with the President in the Library. I am satisfied that his six months administration have partially blinded the President to the dangers and criticisms of this course. It seems to be impossible for a President to see through the atmosphere of praise in which he lives. October, SUNDAY 14. 1877 Remained at home all day resting, reading and writing. Several people called. Among others General Schenck and Sallie. Went to Foster room at 5 o'clock to look after some election contests, likely to come up tomorrow. Soon after my return a Committee from the Pennsylvania Delegation called soon after my return called to say that some of their members, notably Errett and Kelley were embarrassed about voting for me for Speaker on account of my tariff, currency, and silver views. I told them I had asked nobody to vote for me for Speaker and did not expect to, and that I was unwilling to annoy my friends but I could not allow them to brand me with unsoundness as a trustworthy Republican. And so I concluded to let the party take its own course and nominate me if it wanted to. October, MONDAY 15. 1877 Attended the caucus at half past nine o'clock in the Hall of the House. The Pennsylvania movement against me dwindled down into silence; Kelly, Evett and two or three others of the Pennsylvania Delegation saying nothing, and so the vote was unanimous for me as speaker. After the candidates for the other offices were named the caucus discussed the Clerk's roll and appointed a committee of five members myself as Chairman and Hale, Butter, Conger and Williams of Wisconsin to examine the state of the roll and conduct any contest that might arise in the preliminary organization. Caucus adjourned at 11. Committee of five members met in the Appropriations Committee Room and listened to several cases and assigned them to different members. At 12 the House met and organized the usual way except that this is the first time the House had been without a Speaker when called together by the President. Every Democrat who voted, voted for Randall. Every Republican who voted voted for me. Randall received 149 votes and I received 132. In the drawing for seats I had the fifth choice and took my seat next to the one I occupied last Congress. Crete came at 12 o'clock and remained until we adjourned at 1/4 past five. In the Evening callers continued until 9 o'clock when I read a few chapters of Caesar and retired. October, TUESDAY 16. 1877 Dictated a large number of letters in the morning and aided in putting the House in order. Waited at home for the arrival of the Joint Committee appointed to wait on the President, but they did not come. At ten minutes before twelve went to the Capitol where I joined the Committee and we went in carriages to the White House, with the usual formal message. The day was spent mainly in contest of the right of members to be sworn in. In the evening helped the boys with their Caesar. At Eight o'clock went to Foster's room on "F" Street and spent two or three hours. Home at 11 o'clock and retired at 12. October WEDNESDAY 17. 187712. Letters in the morning. Went to the Departments later in the forenoon. House at 12. Contests for seats occupying the day. I took charge of the Pacheco case and got him sworn in. On the evening General John S. Mason and Major Eccles dined with us. After dinner a large number of friends called. We remained in the parlor until 9 o'clock Then I helped the boys in Caesar and then worked two hours arranging my papers and documents and cleaning away the debris of last Congress. October , THURSDAY 18. 1887 In the morning dictated letters. At ten o'clock went to the President in company with J. D. Cox in reference to appointing Baxter of Tennessee to the District Judgeship. Also joined the South Carolina Delegation in company with General B. F. Butter, to present the grievances of Captain Small and other Republican officer holders of South Carolina whom the revels are attempting to drive out of public life, by arrests and indictments. Thence drove to the Capitol to move the admission of two Michigan lawyers to the Supreme Court. Home at two o'clock. Spent the afternoon in dictating letters and cleaning out my library. In the evening went with Crete and the two boys to the National Theatre to hear Rignold's Henry V. The boys were greatly delighted with the play, especially its scenery and costumes. Home at midnight. October FRIDAY 19. 1877 The day was full of difficulty and miscellaneous work. In the evening at quarter [before] past seven o'clock Foster called and asked me to go with him to Sherman's were we found about twenty republicans and staid until 11 o'clock, discussing the situation. Great differences of opinion in regard to the Presidents policy was developed and the prospects of a division in our party were very strong Home at half past eleven. October , SATURDAY 20. 1877 Letters in the morning. Departments at eleven. House at twelve. Colorado case occupied the day. Home in the evening. October, SUNDAY 21.1877 Church at eleven. Alexander Campbell came home with us and took dinner. Rockwell called at one o'clock. At three Crete and I drove out for an hour in Orville Grant's carriage, In the evening helped the boys in their Caesar and read up the first book to where their lessons now are. Also read Plutarch's Caesar to revive my memories of the life. October MONDAY 22. 1877 Letters in the morning. At 11 o'clock went to the State Department with Shallenburger of New Castle Penn Dist. Thence to the Treasury Department. Thence to the Capitol. The Belford case occupied the day. In the evening Crete and I called at Governor Dennison's and Senator Blaine's. The Senator is very low. After returning home helped the boys with their Caesar. Retired at half past ten. October, TUESDAY 23. 1877 Spent most of the day in shopping with Crete and in preparing arrangements for putting the house in complete order. Spent a few hours on the Colorado case and think I have made some points which will be decisive of the merits of the Belford claim. October, WEDNESDAY 24. 1877 Dictated letters in the morning and at half past nine went with Crete to an auction sale of furniture where many things sold higher than their first cost. Went to the Capitol at 12 not expecting a debate on the Colorado Case. Hale and Harris had left town and sent word to their friends to postpone it. But Carter Harrison had prepared what he thought was a funny speech and he could not restrain his desire to deliver it. So the debate went on. His speech as a humorous performance was a total failure. I had left all my notes at home but I spoke making a new point in the debate, based on the 26th Section of the Revised Statute's. I think the argument was successful. After adjournment went to the Library and Examined the various editions of Caesar's Commentaries. Brought home some for reference in the boys studies. Spent the Evening in revising the notes of my speech. October, THURSDAY 25. 1877. Correspondence and departments in the morning. Capitol at twelve. Belford's case was finished and the vote taken at half past three. His credentials were sent to the Committee on Elections by a strict party vote, with the exception of Cutter of New Jersey, who voted with us. At six o'clock dined with Welles - son of Ex Secretary Welles, with three naval officers and Hale of Maine By invitation Hale and I went to Speaker Randalls and spent three hours with him in consultation concerning the Republican members of Committees On the whole he is behaving fairly towards our people, though he has not given us our proper proportion of members. Still he is doing as well as some Republican speakers have done by the Democrats. Home at half past eleven. October, FRIDAY 26. 1877. Called on Cox, Townsend and Foster, also, at the Presidents, State Department and Treasury. Had a conversation with the President on the Painesville P.O. He says there shall be no change as requested by Casement and his friends. He asks to see a copy of his letter to me. [On return home I sent it.] I took occasion to speak very plainly to the President in reference to some phases of the political situation. Especially this: that in his visit to N.E. O. & the south, he proffered pacification and good will, but no where spoke as though he did it as the representative of the people who elected him. He thus made his friends fear & his political enemies hope that he was acting as though he were not in alliance with his party. And when the south praised him, they dispraised his party. It would have been more just and more politic to have associated his party with his proffer of good will. I showed him a resolution which I propose to offer in the House, in case the Democrats open the subject, [and] in which I copple approval of pacification with a full recognition of the rights of all classes under the amended constitution. He approved it; but suggested the omission of one clause which might weaken it. At home in the Evening. Gen. M Cook Amos Townsend & several other members of Congress called. October, SATURDAY 27. 1877 Dictated letters in the morning. At Eleven, went to the Presidents with Hon Mr Pallard of Me. & introduce him. Then went to the Depts on business. Capt Henry & [?] Sherwin of Cleve dined with us at six. Many callers. At Eight, Crete and I called at Gen Schenck's and spent the Evening at Bezique and visiting. October, SUNDAY 28. 1877 Spent a pleasant day at home with Crete and the boys, until 5 p.m. when we called at Col Rockwell's and Gilfillans. On our return, found Capt Henry & N B Sherman of Cleveland awaiting us. They stayed to tea. Wrote & read in the evening. October, MONDAY 29. 1877 Letters in the morning. Shopping with Crete at Eleven. House at twelve. Five hours were consumed in the troduction of bills, about 850 being introduced. Then the Committees were announced. I am placed on the Ways and Means and on Rules. House adjourned at a little before six, no other being permitted than that mentioned above. At home in the Evening helping the boys in their studies Caesar and History and visiting with callers. There is still some hope that we may get through the session this week. October, TUESDAY 30. 1877 Departments in the morning. At Eleven o'clock met with the Committee on Ways and Means for the purpose of organization and preliminary work. Departments in the afternoon. Boy's lessons in the early Evening. Went to the Theatre with Rockwell and some of his friends. October, WEDNESDAY 31. 1877 Letters and Departments in the forenoon. House at twelve. The reading of the Journal occupied more than two hours. The call of Committees then began and when the Banking and Currency Committee was reached Ewing brought forward a bill for the repeal of the Resumption Act. On this there was some sparring and on an incidental motion we secured the ayes and Naes, which showed a majority of 22 who who were probably in favor of the repeal. The old soft money folly seems to have gained in strength since the last Congress. Our final defense will probably be a veto. I hold Hayes' letter of March 1876 as my last hope on that subject. Home in the Evening. Caesar with the boys. November. THURSDAY 1. 1877 Correspondence in the forenoon. Helped Crete to complete the repairs about the house. Went to the House at 12. The morning hour was spent in a struggle over the bill for the repeat of the Resumption Act. Ewing managed his part of the work badly and we were able to push it over the morning hour without bringing it up for decisive action. Helped the boys with their Caesar in the Evening. Concluded to go to Ohio tomorrow. Called on [?] and arranged for boarding the boys, Harry and Jimmy during our absence. Called on Foster and arranged to take charge of my pair with Waddell. Returned home and worked until Eleven o'clock preparing to leave. November, FRIDAY 2. 1877 Correspondence in the morning. At 10 o'clock Crete and I took the Baltimore and Potomac train for Ohio. I spent the day delightfully in reading the memoirs of Mrs Summerville arranged by her daughter. Most of the book is autobiography. I am ashamed to acknowledge that I know so little of this most remarkable Scotch woman remarkable alike for her womanly sweetness of character and her incomparable learning. She appears to have been one of the foremost mathematicians of the century, and is said to be the only woman in the world who mastered "The Mechanism of the Heavens", of La Place. November, SATURDAY 3. 1877 Arrived at Alliance at three in the morning. Continued the reading Mrs Sommerville until breakfast and at 7:35 took the train for Cleveland where, after waiting an hour took the 11:15 train for Mentor and reached home a little after noon. Found the family well. Bancroft had neglected many things on the farm. I feel greatly inclined to discharge him, if I can find a proper man to take his place! Spent the afternoon in overlooking farm matters. I should have added that Harry Jones came with us from Alliance and will spend Sunday in Mentor. November. SUNDAY 4. 1877. Attended church and heard a fine sermon from Henry Jones. The day was cold and unpleasant and I was not able to be much out of doors, but I overhauled my letters and in the evening we again attended church. Had another sermon by Jones. November. MONDAY 5. 1877. Spent the day in pushing forward farm affairs, hurrying up the husking and getting the Fall work forward. Towards noon it began to rain and the day ended a cloudy and a stormy one. In the evening about 25 of our neighbors gave us a surprise party and remained until near midnight. November, TUESDAY 6. 1877 Spent the forenoon looking over farm matters and at 12 went to Cleveland to settle a number of outstanding bills. Provided for the payment at the Second National bank of the interest on the farm notes. Too the 425 train for Solon. Drove to Sister Hitties and examined the work not eh new house which I am building for her. Found it nearly completed. Settled a number of bills and returned to Cleveland on the six o'clock train. Supper at the Forest City House. Went to Painesville on the 10:30 train and spent the night with J. F. Scofield Retired at twelve. November, WEDNESDAY 7. 1877 After an early breakfast Mr. Scofield drove me to Mentor. The weather being more settled I put the Huskers into the field , and arranged for ploughing the Ram lot, for setting out 50 forrest trees on the farm, and closed up a busy day. November, THURSDAY 8. 1877 Spent several hours in overhauling my papers and books and for leaving them for the Winter. Settled bills with workmen. Settled up with Bancroft and Hughes and left general orders for the Winter. Bought a yoke of oxen of Dr. Robison and had them brought to the place with a view of discharging Bancroft and hiring another man at a smaller price without a team. Mother went to Cleveland this morning with Mrs Robison and in the evening at 7 the whole family took the train at Mentor for Cleveland and spent the night at Dr Robison's. November, FRIDAY 9. 1877 Breakfast at Dr Robison's. Took the Baltimore train at 7 for Shelby where at half past ten, we took the Baltimore and Ohio train for the East. Telegraphed to my Cousin Aaron Ballou to visit us at the train at Zanesville where we had a brief visit with him and his family. During the day finished the life of Mrs. Somerville. November, SATURDAY 10. 1877. Awoke in the neighborhood of the Point of Rocks and at 7.50 arrived in Washington. Found the boys in good health and breakfast nearly ready. A vast mail and a large mass of accumulated work awaited me. Went to the House at 12 and very soon took part in the debate on the Army bill, resisting an amendt by Hooker of Miss to shackle the Army bill with prohibitions against repressing insurrections in the states. Home in the evening. Irvin fell down the back stairs and bruised his head and face quite badly. November, SUNDAY 11. 1877. Remained at home reading my mail and writing letters. Attended to Irvin for whom we had the Doctor. His stomach rejects food since the fall. Crete and I commenced reading the Life of Baron Bunsen. We also looked through the life and letters of Ticknor to find his reference to both Bunsen and Mrs Summerville. Also, through Greville's Memoirs for the same purpose. November, MONDAY 12. 1877 Correspondence in the morning. Called on the President and the Secretary of the Treasury on business, and went to the Capitol. Shortly after twelve debate on the Army Bill continued. I had read a long letter from the Secretary of War addressed to me answering charges and misrepresentations of Hewitt and others made in debate on Saturday. Hewitt attempted to reply and I replied to him. Home in the evening at miscellaneous work. Until late bed time Crete and I read the Life of Baron Bunsen November, TUESDAY 13. 1877 Correspondence in the morning. At 11 attended a meeting of the Com. on Ways and Means in which little was done beyond agreeing to a resolution for the final adjournment of Congress for the present session. In the House the Naval Bill occupied the most of the day. Two speeches however, were made on Ewing's bill for the repeal of the Resumption act. Home in the Evening and made preparations for a speech in favor of a resumption of specie payments. Am not feeling well and do not work as effectively as usual. November, WEDNESDAY 14. 1877 Dictated a large number of letters in the morning and made some studies of the Resumption Act. I am a good deal disheartened at the constant repetition of old Exploded theories which constantly reappear. McRay was right when he put down paper money as a popular delusion. Went to the House at 12 and listened to the dreary parade of these old theories until I was sick at heart Home in the Evening and work on Resumption speech until 8. when I went with Foster to Hubbell's house in "O" Street and spent the rest of the Evening. We are trying to organize some union of our friends upon an amend't which will cripple the anti resumption bill if possible. November, THURSDAY 15. 1877 Letters in the morning. Attended the meeting of the Committee on Rules at 11 o'clock. Soon after 12 the House resumed the consideration of Ewing's bill. The debate disclosed the most disheartening state of public opinion. Every old exploded dogma of inflation reappears with renewed strength. I fear that we shall ultimately be beaten by that side. I spent the Evening until a late hour in preparing for the debate. Expect to have the floor soon after 12 and shall do what I can to stem the tide of inflation. November, FRIDAY 16. 1877. Spent the forenoon in arranging the order of points in my speech and in verifying some the facts from British financial history. At eleven called on Secy Sherman. I learn the ground on which he bases his opinion that he can keep $300 million greenbacks in circulation after Jan. 1st. 1879. Went to the Capitol at 12. The morning hour was devoted to private bills. Mr. Hart of N.Y. spoke 5 minutes, gave 15 to Gen Anson McCook, and yielded the remaining 40 minutes of his hour to me. The House extended my time, and I spoke an hour & twenty minutes, in defence of resumption of Specie payments, and against Ewing's Bill. I used to much voice, and too much muscular force as usual, but I made the argument effective and clear, particularly in its historical points. At the close I was warmly applauded, and a large number of members came to my seat to congratulate me. It so interrupted the proceedings of the House, that retired to the lobby, and for a further escape. to the Barbers. I found myself a good deal Exhausted. Walked home with Senator Thurman, with whom I had a pleasant chat on various topics. In the Evening corrected the reporters notes of my speech; and retired an hour past midnight. During my work, I drank several cups of tea, in consequence, could not sleep & hence am at my desk writing this page at 3 a.m. Sadly. November, SATURDAY 17. 1877. Slept until 8 o'clock, but rose not feeling well. Worked on miscellaneous matters until 10 o'clock, when I went shopping with Crete. At 12 went to the House. Mr. Ewing expected to speak today but the morning hour and Appropriation Bills interfered and we were able to delay the mischief of the Anti Resumptionists for another day. The New York papers speak in stronger terms of praise of my speech than perhaps of any I have ever made. I am surprised at the number of men who have strong expressions of approval during the day. Donald Rockwell staid with Harry and Jimmie. November SUNDAY 18 1877 Jimmy awoke with a severe headache and ate no breakfast. At nine o'clock Harry went to Sunday School and fell down on the floor vomiting severely. He was brought home by Mr. Dungan in a very cold and comatose state. The Doctor was called and we put his feet in hot water and gave him a hot sling. He then went to bed. It seemed to be a very sudden attack of indigestion. It appeared for a time like a congestive chill. In the afternoon General Sherman drove me out into Maryland. We stopped at General Sprigg Carroll's place and thence to Mr. Rapley's about 12 miles from the city. Had an exceedingly pleasant visit with General Sherman. Returned about half past five. Boys are still better but suffering some pain. I should have added that my mail brought me a very large number of letters and yesterday brought me many telegrams congratulating me on my speech. One letter from Judge Strong of the Supreme Court is peculiarly gratifying. November MONDAY 29 1877. Worked on correspondence in the morning and at half past ten went to the Navy Department on business. Thence to the Capitol. The day was spent on the Paris Exposition bill. Cox made a carefully prepared speech devoted to witticisms, pleasant to hear but very uncomfortable for the man who indulges in it. I do not believe it is possible for such a man to have a pleasant reputation for good judgment. Home in the evening working at my desk and helping the boys in Caesar. This is my birth day I am 46 years old, and have passed the recognized meridian of life. For effective working power, especially for new work. I suppose I shall never be stronger than I now am. The years have come and gone so rapidly, and to me their flight has been so unconsciously made, that I am impressed when I recognize the fact that I am 46. For the future I suppose I must draw upon what I have accumulated in the way of intellectual stores to make up for failing enterprise and vital energy. November, TUESDAY 20. 1877. Correspondence in the morning. Met with the Committee and Rules at 11, but as no quorum appeared no business was done. The House spent the day on the Appropriation bills. Mr. Ewing failed to reach his resumption repeal bill. In the evening Crete and I went to the Ebbitt House and called on Major McKinley and his wife. They went with us to the President's The ladies visited Mrs. Hayes and McKinley and myself the President. Thence went to General Schenk's where we spent an house Home at half past 11. November, WEDNESDAY 21, 1877. Correspondence in the forenoon. My mails are unusually heavy now - some 30 or 40 letters a day some asking for copies of my speech. House at 12. The day was spent on the Deficiency Appropriation Bill. We prolonged the debate so as to delay anti resumption legislation. House adjourned at 1/4 before 6 without coming to a final vote in the Deficiency Bill. Home in the evening. Read the final proof of my speech for a publication in Pamphlet form. We are trying the experiment of taking the boys out of school and teaching them at home. This is their second day and they have done very well. November, THURSDAY 22. 1877. The usual work in the morning - In the House, Ewing attempted to get up his bill, but questions of privilege and appropriation occupied the day until 3 p.m. when Ewing got the floor and spoke an hour and a half. I never heard him before, and though disagreeing with him in toto, I had some state pride in his acquitting himself well. In this I was a good deal disappointed. He was heavy, and on the main, commonplace in his thought and expression. His speech was a rehash of his campaign speeches of the last four years. Much of it was addressed to the galleries, and tended to rouse the passions of the unthinking multitude against the laws need against the public credit. In the Evening, Crete & I went to the National Theatre with Mr & Mrs Rockwell and Col [?] & Dr [?], to hear McCollough in King Lear. His acting was effective, but the play is an unpleasant one. Except for the powerful writing of its author. Home at half past Eleven. November, FRIDAY 23. 1877. Departments after correspondence, and House at 12. The whole day was spent, (after brief speeches by [?] & Chittenden) in voting upon the various [?] [?] & the Resumption bill itself, which finally passed by 13 majority, a a much smaller majority than its friends expected to have when the debate began. Several members who voted for the bill, confess to me that they regret to be compelled by the wishes of their constituents to vote for it. In the Evening several friends called, and at eight p.m. Crete & I called on Mr & Mrs Frye and spent an hour. Homee at eleven, retired. I am weary of the long fight against inflation in its many forms, which seems as though it would yet carry the country. I cannot however, yet believe that the Senate will pass this bill; and if it should I feel quite sure that the President will veto it. November, SATURDAY 24. 1877. Dictated a large number of letters; went to the Treasury on business; called on Senator Matthews sent off some pamphlet copies of my speech; shopped with Crete and in the evening read and wrote. A heavy rain has been falling all day, and most of the evening. Martha & Mother & Harry and Jimmie went to hear McCullogh in the Gladiator. Crete and I retired at half past Eleven. I should have added, that during my visit today, Senator Matthews told me that he had no thought of running for the Senate until Hayes suggested it, that he replied it naturally belonged to Garfield who would probably be nominated at any rate. To this the President replied that could be amicably arranged. So after all, the public view is the correct one that Hayes inaugurated his candidacy. November, SUNDAY 25. 1877. In the morning read to the boys, Momsen's account of the Servile War, and the career of Spartacus, to fasten on their minds the representation they saw at the Theatre last evening. Church at Eleven. Harry had a feeling of faintness in the heated air of the church and went home before services were over. Jno Q. Smith dined with us at two. Several friends called. After tea Harry and Mollie played on the piano, and we joined them in several songs. Reading and writing in the Evening. November. MONDAY 26. 1877. A busy day. The House did not meet. Dictated a large number of letters and nearly brought up the arrears of correspondence which had accumulated during my trip to Ohio. Called on the President and on the Secy of State, the Secy of the Interior & the Secy of the Navy. Settled a number of unpaid bills. In the evening Crete and I called on Mr and Mrs Monroe and General Cox and spent an hour. The Senate has been engaged in a struggle over General Butler's case of South Carolina and will probably sit all night. November. TUESDAY 27. 1877. Correspondence. Depts. [House] - At 10 1/2 a.m., a meeting of the Com of Ways & Means, where a resolution was discussed to authorize all Standing Committees of the House to investigate anything they choose to. I opped this dragnet plan, as a violation of the rights of citizens, and intended only for party uses. But the thing will be done eventually. We were able however to get it postponed until Tuesday next, Home in the evening. Surprising number of letters in reference to my speech of the 16th inst. It seems to have produced more impression than any other I have made. though I do not think it so valuable as that of May 1868. It is quite impossible to say in advance whether a speech or a book will be popular or not. Herein is a physological mystery. November. WEDNESDAY 28. 1877. Correspondence in the morning - & at 10 1/2 a.m. attended a meeting of the Com on Rules. The Speaker wants to be permitted to appoint a new chairman of the Pac. R.R. Com. I opposed a change of the rule which fills vacancies by promotion. & puts new members of a committee at the foot of the list. But I suggested that the Com. in question had not yet been constituted; and the Speaker might be permitted to reannounce it. At his request I drafted a resolution to that effect. The Senate is engaged in a struggle, as to which party shall control it. The Republicans who have been in command for 16 years see their power departing, and are clinging to the shadow of what they once were. Home in the Evening. Read, wrote, & played "poor-pussy-wants-a-corner," with the children. November. THURSDAY 29. 1877. Spent the day at home. Cold and bright, the first touch of real winter. Read, wrote, played with the children, and enjoyed our home Thanksgiving. In the evening, began reading Little Dorritt, which is one of the reserves which I long ago laid aside for old age. Now that I have passed 45, I begin to draw on the collaterals. November, FRIDAY 30. 1877. Spent the forenoon at my desk, dictating letters. At twelve, went to the House, which sat but half an hour. Spent some time in the library reading the recently arrived English Reviews, & then listened an hour, to Pattersen in the Senate. It was a strange spectacle - the fierce glare of the flickering carpet-bagger - of the worst type Home in the Evening, at miscellaneous work. December, SATURDAY 1. 1877. Correspondence in the morning. Departments at 11. House at 12. General miscellaneous business but not much accomplished House took a recess until 10 oclock Monday. Home in the Evening reading and writing. Agreed to furnish an article on the financial controversy for the Independent. December, SUNDAY 2. 1877. At home all day except two hours in church George Alfred Townsend dined with us and we enjoyed his sparkling [conf] conversation very much. I gave him a note to the Editor of the Atlantic Monthly to whom he wishes to send a story. Read Little Dorrit in the afternoon and evening. December, MONDAY 3. 1877. Went to the House at 10 o'clock when Saturday's adjourned session was resumed. Nothing was accomplished. House adjourned, its first session sine die at 11.50. At 12 the new session began and soon afterward the President's message was read. In the main an able paper - particularly strong and satisfactory on the financial questions At six o'clock dined with Fernando Wood who wished my assistance in preparing a tariff and internal revenue bill. He has some high notions of what is possible in the way of reform. I promised to join him in a careful study of the subject but could make no pledge as to final action. After leaving Mr Wood called on General Schenck. December, TUESDAY 4. 1877. Correspondence in the morning. Committee of Ways and Means at half-past ten. Several reports were made and bills acted upon. Half an hour was spent in discussing the resolution for a general investigation. It went over to the next meeting. In the House but little business was done. Came home at four and read Little Dorrit until seven. The following sentence stating the opinion of the [?] in Marshalsea Prison, Chapter 8. is a fitting motto for the Greenback Party. "It was evident from the general tone of the whole party, that they had come to regard insolvency as the normal state of mankind and the payment of debts as a disease that occasionally broke out. At seven o'clock dined at Secretary Sherman's with Senators Anthony and Edmunds, Asst Secy's McCormick and Seward, General Dunn, Mr Bryan and Mr Hale. Home at half past ten. Read Little Dorrit until a late hour. December, WEDNESDAY 5. 1877. Correspondence in the forenoon. Called on the Secretary of War at 11. House at 12. The Senate not being in session the House did but little. Home at half-past five not feeling well. Digestion seems to be out of order. Made some studies of the geneological history of Watertown in relation to the origin of my father's family. December, THURSDAY 6. 1877. Correspondence in the forenoon. House at 12. Very little business was transacted and the house adjourned at two o'clock. Soon after returning home Orville Grant requested me to go with him to the Navy Department on business which I did. In the evening helped Crete with her Caesar lesson and read Little Dorrit. December, FRIDAY 7. 1877. Correspondence in the morning. Committee on Ways and Means at half past ten. Several private bills were acted upon and also resolutions - to adjourn and to distribute the President's message. Some discussion was had also on the resolution to authorize the Committees generally to make investigation. The Republicans opposed it in the shape in which it was presented and it went over with reaching any conclusion. Private bills were in order. I reported one from the Committee on Ways and Means and it was passed. Home in the Evening December, SATURDAY 8. 1877. Dictated letters and commenced on article on Resumption for the New York Independent. Visited several of the Departments. Spent ten hours with Judge Black. Went to the Capitol with him. In the evening at six dined with General Boynton at Welckers. The occultation of Venus occurred while I was at dinner. The last one I remember before this was in 1855, while I was in college December, SUNDAY 9. 1877. Went to church and heard another scolding sermon. Did me no good but rather made me angry. Home the remainder of the day and evening. Finished Little Dorrit. It is a very powerful story. The plot is constructed with great skill in the minor characters. I especially admire that of Dan Doyce, who is such a hearty[?] genuine Englishman. Of course, Little Dorrit is the character on which the Author has bestowed his greatest care. I still feel confident that Dicken's works would be much more effective if they were reduced about one quarter. His details and repetition are tedious in spite of their brilliancy. December, MONDAY 10. 1877. Dictated letters in the morning. Capitol at 12. Usual wash day in the House. In the Evening at half past 5 dined at Shellabarger's[?] in honor of his 60th Birthday. The invitation was received a few days ago from Mrs Shellabarger[?] as a surprise to her husband. There were present Blaine, Vice President Wheeler, Charles Foster, Jeremiah Wilson, and myself. A pleasant party. Home at half past eight. December, TUESDAY 11. 1877. Spent the morning on my article for the Independent. Met with the [?] on Ways and Means at 11 o'clock, where we continued discussion on the Joint Resolution for Investigation. The House accomplished but little beyond passing the Sunday Civil Bill. Home in the evening not feeling well. Resolved to abandon my article for the Independent. I cannot consent to write a poor article although I would be glad to earn fifty dollars. I have so lately gone over the Resumption question, that I [?] it drags now to go over it again and then the behavior of Congress the Silver Bill disheartens me as to our financial future. Read and played Bazique[?] in the evening December, Wednesday 12, 1877 Letters until 10. I visited the National Teachers Convention at the Congregational Church and being called on spoke about 20 minutes, pointing out the evils of over-study and over- building. My remarks were favorably received by most of the audience, but the Graded school men evidently took offence at my criticisms and Philbrick of Boston commenced to reply I did not stay to listen. In the House the Patterson Case consumed the day. I called at the Supreme Court room and saw Mr. Justice Harlan, new to his robes and to the bench. He has a fine presence a good head and ought to make an excellent judge. Received a telegram from the editor of the Independent saying it will be a devious injury to him if I do not send him an article, and I have promised to send it on Sunday next. December, Thursday 13, 1877 Correspondence in the morning. Then met the sub-committee on Ways and