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 [...]
SATURDAY 23 Another pleasant morning but rainy towards night. I had numerous calls today in the office from NY friends and two or three letters requesting me to attend to business for the writers. Mr Lincoln arrived today by the morning train direct from Harrisburg without stopping in Baltimore. It is said that a dispatch [...]
FRIDAY 22 This has been a delightful day, rather cool, but pleasant. The celebration of Washingtons birth day called out a grand display of the Military of the District in the morning. The U.S. troops paraded afterwards by themselves. The order for their appearance in the morning with the Militia was for some reason not [...]
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1861. Nice, bright, cool day, a bracing air, and I have felt unusualy well, but I attribute it (partly at least) to a good cold bath this morning. I cannot get along well without a good wash, all over in cold water and a thorough rubbing with the flesh brush or a [...]
WEDNESDAY 20 It has been a pleasant bright day. M. 36. Rain last night and the Streets wet. Doct G P Eddy of Lewistown NY called upon me today, old friend. I was glad to see him. My old friend J C Smith of Canandagua NY, formerly of Lyons, spent the evening with me and [...]
TUESDAY 19 Rather a cold day. M. just below freezing with cold wind. Nothing in particular now attracts public attention. Mr Lincoln is slowly moveing towards the Capital and is expected here on saturday next. The Inaugural Speech of Jefferson Davis, President of the “Confederate States,” was published here today. The Peace Convention get on [...]
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1861. The forepart of the day was bright but the air cold and chilly, the latter part cloudy, windy and cold, freezing a little. Gov Polk of Missouri was in our room this morning. He is M.C. now. I was introduced to him. Mrs & Miss Butterfield were also at the pat [...]
SUNDAY 17 A very pleasant morning. M. 40. Colder the middle of the day and quite a snow storm in the afternoon. Went to Church in the morning with wife & Boys, heard Doct Smith preach. Sunday School performance in the afternoon. Wife & Boys went. Myself and Willie staid at home. Took a walk [...]
SATURDAY 16 A delightful and bright warm day, but muddy in the streets. Worked pretty busily in the office today. Prof Rogers was in with a working model of his Steam and air Engine operating upon the principle of the “Jefford Injector” for Steam Boilers. In Rogers Engine the Steam took in a current of [...]
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1861. This has been a peculiar day as regards the weather. Sunshine and rain alternating all day with high wind and threatening Cloud occasionaly. No particular news. The Peace convention will not I fear amount to much in the end. As it regards the question of Slavery, I think, it & Congress [...]
THURSDAY 14 This day has passed off much as others have of late, nothing very startling having occured. J C Wright, a member of the “Peace Convention” from Ohio, died yesterday. His funeral took place in the Hall of the Convention today. We attended the Musical soire of Miss Douglass this evening. A great crowd [...]
WEDNESDAY 13 The Presidential votes were counted in Congress today without any disturbance which had been heretofore anticipated, but Genl Scott had all things ready. The Dragoons & Flying Artillery men were standing by their horses all accoutered, ready to mount at a moments warning. The Prest Elect is now on his way to the [...]
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1861. Have had rather a busy day of it and it has been quite warm. Packed Julia’s trunk and then went to the Pat office. Went up to the Navy Dept by request of Chief Engineer Saml Archibold to inspect some Drawings and Models of Engines, Valves, &c. Went to Express off [...]
MONDAY 11 It has been warm and pleasant today but is a little rainy tonight. Business in the Pat office goes on as usual and is now increasing. Went down to Willards and met my old friend J C Smith who is a member of the Peace Convention from NY. The Hotel is or appears [...]
SUNDAY 10 Warm spring day and very pleasant in the street. Went to Ch. with wife this morning. Doct Smith is something of a “fossil” in Theology, but is eloquent and earnest and a very industrious man, has preached in the same church (4 Presn) twenty one years. Took a walk with the boys round [...]
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1861. Mercury 20 this morning and the weather is quite moderate. The public mind seems to be much quieted and all seem to expect that a settlement will be made betwen the north and the border Slave States at least, in which case the “Cotton States” it is thought will ultimately come [...]