THURSDAY 19
Foggy morning but warm during the day. No particular news today. I have been in the office as usual. The boys have been up to the Presidents most of the day. The two Lincoln boys were here after them. They did not return till dark. I have made a wooden model of my Portable Door fastener this evening. Prof Sparks called and brot Julia a French Book. She has spent the evening at Mr Hartleys. I called there with the Prof and staid an hour or so. People are very anxious to know the contents of the dispatches rcd from our Minister, Mr Adams, in reference to the Mason & Slidel affair.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.