FRIDAY 5 Warmer today but a white frost this morning. Gardens are being made now and the Peach trees are blossoming. The grass is quite green in the public grounds and the trees are leafing out, and the City will soon assume a gay and beautiful appearance. Did not go on to the Ave tonight. [...]

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1861. This has been a cool pleasant day, just comfortable with a fire all day. My health and spirits are good. I feel better than usual at this time of year. I take a little cherry whiskey every morning, about half a wine glass full. Took a walk after dinner with Mr [...]

WEDNESDAY 3 Another pleasant cool day, fire in office during the forenoon. The work is pretty well “up” in our room altho we have no 2nd assistant yet. I am now performing the clerical duties in addition to my usual routine of work. Walked with Juliet this evening, got her pr Boots on 7th Street, [...]

TUESDAY 2 A fine day but a little cool, had a fire in the office nearly all day. One of the principal Examiners, A B Little was removed today, other removals are expected this week. Went after dinner with Mr John Vansantvoord to see [Preston?] King. We also called upon Gov Seward at his home [...]

The following material contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1861. This has been rather a wet drizzling day. Nothing new seems to be afloat. If all “Niggerdom” “Secedes” the great North and West will [...]

SUNDAY 31 Went out to church this morning. It was cold enough to wear my cloak. Family wer[e] all out but Julia who is unwell. She went with Miss Sallie to “St Mathews” in the afternoon. Chas and Sallie came up about dark from “Vespers” and spent the evening. Miss S. performed on the Piano [...]

SATURDAY 30 This has been rather a busy day in the office for me as I had to make out the monthly account, or Report. Some removals among the subordinates today. Many are trembling expecting decapitation. I think that the removals so far have been generaly judicious and such as ou[gh]t to have been made. [...]

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1861. A pleasant warm day, which has passed off much as others do when nothing in particular occurs. The office is thronged with expectants for office, and it puzzles the “heads” to find places for even a small portion of the applicants. Went down to the Express office this evening, Julia went [...]

THURSDAY 28 A nice spring day, bright & pleasant. We had a Comr in the office today, and a “green” Board of Appeal. The Pat office seems to be running into the ground under raw leaders. Took walk after dinner with wife and on our return found Chas & Miss Woodward who staid till 9 [...]

WEDNESDAY 27 A rainy morning, but pleasant by noon. It rained nearly all last night. We have at last got a Comr of Patents. Mr Holloway of I.A. was confirmed by the Senate today. Went down to the Hotels this evening. Strange and anxious faces yet crowd them. Called at the “National” upon Judge Ira [...]

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1861. Another warm pleasant day with some wind, rained some last night. At work hard in the office and very much fatigued tonight. Julia called for me from her school after calling upon Mr Alexander of the Seed Room and geting some garden & flower seeds. I did not go down to [...]

MONDAY 25 This has been a delightful day, bright & warm. Have been very busy in the office, doing the work of two Desks or the Clerical duties of the room in addition to my own from the removal of our assist. Went down to the “National.” Saw Carl Shurz the famous Dutch Orator. And [...]

SUNDAY 24 We have had a “march Wind” today in good earnest, with plenty of dust. I did not go to church in the morning. The Family went. I am not a great admirer of Doct Smiths Sermons. I wrote letters part of the day, one to S Patrick, one to Wm Van Camp, and [...]

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1861. Warm comfortable day today with indications of rain towards night. Nothing of note occured in the office. No Comr yet. A great many removals in the Pension Office, and a clamorous crowd ready to fill vacancies. The City is yet quite full of strangers. Despairing applicants for office are telegraphing to [...]

FRIDAY 22 A cold wind till near night, but a fine evening & bright moon. The Heads begin to drop in our office. Three assistant exmrs have been removed today, others will probably follow. Called with Juliet at Doct Everitts after dinner, then went on to the Ave alone and round the Hotels. They are [...]

THURSDAY 21 It has been a cold windy day. It snowed some last night, and we are now having about as much Winter as we have had. The indications are now that Fort Sumpter will be evacuated and perhaps the other Forts in the seceded states, and that there will be no War. But in [...]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1861. Cool again today, but not freezing. Busy in the office for two or three days on Steam gauges. Work in the office increasing this Month. Do not take much time now to read in office hours, am interupted much by frequent “calls.” Juliet commenced school with Miss Douglass today. The Boys [...]

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 [...]