TUESDAY 19 Another cold day. M. 19 early this morning, but the sun took the snow off before night. There does not seem to be any news in particular afloat but Warlike rumors are in the secession papers. The Cabinet does not seem to be a unit upon all questions and it may not hold [...]

MONDAY 18 Mercury down to 20 this morning with quite a cold wind, the day closeing with a snowstorm. It has been about as cold and wintry a day as we have had. Brother C R started for home on the the [sic] 3.10 train this afternoon. We have had a good pleasant visit from [...]

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1861. It threatened rain all day but none fell. Holly has been rather sick today, sore throat, cold, &c. Julia D[itt]o. Neither went to church. Uncle C R and the rest of us all went to Doct. Smiths in the morning. Bro & myself went over to the Island to hear Mason [...]

SATURDAY 16 A cool pleasant day. Brother C R went to Mt Vernon this morning with Maj [Bulkley?] & others. Retd about 4 o’ck. I wrote to the Sec’y of Interior in reference to Promotion. It is now understood that Mr Holloway of Indiana is appointed Comr of Patents. E G Allen of Boston in [...]

FRIDAY 15 A cool day, chilly wind, but not freezing. It is colder tonight, freezes some. No Comisr in our office yet, and no particular news about town. The great Gaines Lawsuit was decided yesterday by the Supreme Court which is the end of the Law. Over two Millions of property goes to Mrs Gaines [...]

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1861. A little rainy this morning, but the rain turned into snow about noon and it has snowed ever since, melting as it came until night when it covered the ground. It is not cold enough to freezze. Nothing new transpiring in the office. No removals or appointments there as yet. Was [...]

WEDNESDAY 13 A little rainy this morning but it cleared off and it has been rather a pleasant day. Pat office crowded as usual with strangers and the Number of applications for patents is increasing. No Comr of Patents yet appointed. No news stirring today, but the crowds at the Hotels continues very great. All [...]

TUESDAY 12 Fine day and quite warm tonight. The streets are quite dry. The City is quite full of strangers yet mostly office seekers I suppose. Not many removals have as yet been made in any of the Deptts. It is understood that Fort Sumpter is to be evacuated. It may be policy to do [...]

MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1861. It has been a pleasant cool day, comfortable out door with an overcoat on. A great many people in the office today. Office seekers are hanging on here in great numbers. Went after 3 o’clck with Bro C R & Maj [Bulkley?] to the Navy Yard through the shops and on [...]

SUNDAY 10 Rather a cold day but no frost, a cold wind. Went to Trinity Ch (Dr Butlers.) this morning with my old friend S Patrick. Bro C R, Maj Sol [Bulkley?] & Juliet also there. In afternoon, all went to Dr Smiths ch, heard a Mr Fish from Paris (France). He is trying to [...]

SATURDAY 9 A rainy morning but most of the day was rather pleasant. No particular news stirring. Spent an hour after dinner with Bro. at the office of Dr John W [Bulkley?] and his father Solomon [Bulkley?] talking of Williamstown people &c. Went down to Willards with Bro. and from there to the “National” to [...]

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1861. Rather a cool day but cloudy with indications of rain at night. Shepherd Patrick of Norwalk Ohio called upon me today. I showed him round the office. This Evening was the first Levee of Mr Lincoln at the “White House.” Myself, Brother C R, and Julia went. The crowd was so [...]

THURSDAY 7 Somewhat frosty this morning, but a bright day. In the office all day. W VanMaster of Lyons called again. Went with him to the seed room and procured a variety of garden seeds, grape cutting, tea plants &c for him. Bro C R and also Julia were at the office today. Went with [...]

WEDNESDAY 6 Worked busily in the office all day but had numerous “Calls.” Called, myself, upon Mr Kelly the acting Sec’y of Interior. The Sec’y [has] not taken his position yet but expected today. Wife & Julia called at the office for me just before 3 o’clock. I went home with them, C R T [...]

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1861. This has been one of the disagreable days of Washn cold, very windy and the atmosphere loaded with dust. It has not frozen, but warm clothing necessary. Brother C R tried to go to Mt Vernon but there was such a crowd on the Boat that he backed out for the [...]

MONDAY 4 This has been an eventful day in Washington. A Lincoln has been Inaugurated Pres of the U.S. His address seems to give general satisfaction. I stood near him and heard it distinctly. The crowd was very great at the Capitol, probably Thirty Thousand people stood before Mr L, and all were very orderly, [...]

SUNDAY 3 Warmer than ever today, quite oppressive walking. Went up to the Depot at 6 o’clock for the Baggage, walked there and back. Went to the Capitol with Brother and Judge D., but there was no Services there today as we Expected to hear Mr Stockton the Chaplin. Fell in with Chas and brot [...]

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1861. A warm summer day, quite uncomfortable in the sun. Brother C R Taft came this morning direct from Wmstown. I went to the Presidents with him and to the Capitol, was not much in the office today. Julia also came this evening about 8 o’clock with Judge Davis from Batavia NY. [...]

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 The weather has, today, been warmer still. No fire in the house except to cook with, and no fire in the office. The Patent office has been crowded with visitors and in fact the same may be said of the City generaly. I was down at the Hotels this evening, all crowded [...]

THURSDAY 28 Another Spring day rather too warm in the sun. I took the shady side in coming from the office. One Hundred Guns were fired at noon on account of the result of the Peace Contn by order of Genl Scott. Interupted a good deal today in the office, could not do much business. [...]

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1861. Weather warm, and air soft as May. The Peace Convention did not adjourn yesterday, but did today, Sine die, after voting for compromise resolutions which are deemed very satisfactory to all parties. At 1/2 past ten o’clock today most of the Govt Employees paid their respects to Pres Buchanan at the [...]

TUESDAY 26 Another fine day, air soft and warm as May. The “Peace Convention” adjourned today having passed resolutions which are said to be satisfactory to all except the extremists of both parties. Strangers are pouring into the City, and the Patent office is thronged from morning till night. Wrote to Julia today to come [...]

MONDAY 25 It has been a delightful day and the streets are nearly dry. Nothing in particular has occured in the City. Everything moves along as usual only there is getting to be a great crowd here. Called tonight with my wife on Mrs & Miss Butterfield at Willards Hotel. Mr & Mrs Lincoln were [...]

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1861. A very windy day and rather cool but not freezing. The mud is drying up in the streets. The Lincolns are all here and it is understood that satisfactory terms have been agreed upon for a settlement of the difficulties as far as the North and the border Slave states are [...]