At the Departments. The day was occupied at the House with the discussion and voting on the Bill for Star service deficiency of the P. O.

Went with Bro. Cummings to see the play of the Banker’s Daughter.

To-day was occupied by speaking only, no other business transacted.

Attended to Sacrament. Reading. Wrote to my son Abraham.

Was taken sick this morning and was compelled to lie down.

At the House. The States and Territories were called. Several resolutions and bills were voted upon.

Took medicine and went to bed early. Had an eventful night.

Met with the Com. on Ter. After the morning hour the House took up the Army appropriation Bill.

Bro. Cummings and myself went in the evening to a Concert at Lincoln Hall. Miss Emma Thursby and Mrs. Mr. Branson were the singers. Mr. Adamowski performed on the violin, Miss Anna Buck on the piano also Mr. Strakosch.

Called at the Dep’t. of Justice about Judge Dusenberry’s claim. Mr. Chase informed me it would be paid.

After the morning hour resumed the discussion of the Army Appropriation Bill. A disagreeable scene occurred between Mr. Sparks of Ill. and Mr. Clymer of Penn. The former accused the latter of lying. The words were reported to the House and he withdrew them.

After the morning hour resumed the consideration of the Army Appropriation Bill.

In the evening working upon my abstract of the Book of Mormon.

Mary Alice and Emily were sick from cold.

The children, especially Emily, were sick all night and their mother had no sleep. Emily had the croup and a high fever. Elizabeth gave her consecrated oil, honey and tincture of lobelia in equal parts, as well as composition tea. This morning, thinking that her fever might be due to worms, she gave her a few drops of turpentine in castor oil.

Day was occupied in private bills.

I spent some time in the Library, examining books to get points for my projected life of Nephi.

Emily still sick; Mary Alice is better.

The House occupied itself in discussing the Army Appropriation Bill.

In the Library again for some time.

Reading. Wrote to my wives at home. Attended to Sacrament. Emily a little better.

Attended meeting of Delegates. After the call of the Sates and Territories went into the Com. of the Whole on the Army Appropriation Bill. I have attended to pule malu [secret prayer] in the evening, on account of being more free from disturbance till this morning when I commenced to attend to it upon rising, being more convenient to me.

My wife Received a very interesting letter from our daughter-in-law, John Q’s Wife Annie

Attended meeting of Com. on Ter. The House took up and passed the Army appropriation Bill, after listening to a very able speech from Gen. Tom. Ewing, in defence of the Democratic policy.

I spent the time while the House was voting on the amendments in the library.

Had an evening session to dispose of bills on private calendar. Though the House remained in session till 10.30 p.m., but few were passed.

My son David’s birthday. He is nine years old to-day. We think and talk about the dear boy.

The Indian Appropriation Bill was taken up. During its discussion I was in the library Had an evening session to consider bills reported by the Naval Committee.

A repetition of yesterday’s business, evening session and all. Received a satisfactory letter from John Q.

Discussing the Indian appropriation Bill. In the Library.

Wrote a long letter to John Q.

Looked after plants to send home; also Com. on pensions respecting Roswell Scovill’s claim. The House continued discussion on the Indian Appropriation Bill. Accompanied my wife and children and Bro. Cummings to the Matinee at Ford’s Opera House. The play was the Pirates of Pensance and we all enjoyed it very much.

I was quite unwell through the night and this morning.

Attended to Sacrament. Went out with the folks for a walk. Wrote to Bro. Geo. Reynolds

Received letters from my wives Sarah Jane and Martha. They and their children were all well; also letter from John Q.

Call of States and Territories. Various propositions passed under suspension of rules.

Wrote note in my wife’s letter to John Q.

Met with the Com. on Ter.

The day was spent in fillibustering in the House over the Deficiency Bill.

In the Evening session pension cases were considered.

Fillibustering for the most of the day as on yesterday. Mr. McMahon in charge of the Bill withdrew his motions and to the evident disappointment of the Republicans; the House then went to the business on the Speaker’s table.

In the evening business from the Com. on the District of Columbia came up.

Sent home box of plants by Adams’ Express.

Col. Downey of Wyoming printed as an argument in favor of a bill which he had introduced for the appropriation of half a million of dollars for the painting by competent artists in the Capitol scences [scenes] from the life of the Savior – a blank verse poem of 15 pages of the Record called the “Immortals” and which he dedicated to Congress. He had copyrighted the poem. Mr. Garfield questioned the propriety of this latter proceeding and introduced a resolution to have it referred to the Com. on Rules. The subject was discussed. The resolution carried by a vote of 115 to 105.

The private business of the day was postponed till to-morrow in order to finish the Deficiency Bill.

Busy in the Library[.] In evening the House had a session to consider Dist. of Columbia business.

The House had a morning hour, during which reports of private bills from Committees were made. The House then went into the Com. of the Whole on private bills.

Reading. Wrote on my contemplated life of Nephi. Attended to sacrament.

At the Departments. After the call of the States and Territories in the House, the Dist. of Columbia appropriation was discussed.

At the Library.

Received a letter from my son John Q. in which he proposed to accept a proposition I had once made of letting my land to him on shares.

Attended meeting of Committee on Territories. After the morning hour the House took up the Trade Mark Bill. Wrote letters to Pres. Taylor, and John Q.

At the Land Dep’t. After the morning hour the House discussed the Revenue Bill. Had evening session to consider Dist. of Columbia bill.

Wrote to my wife Sarah Jane.

A very heavy rain storm. The House dispensed with the morning hour and took up the Revenue Bill.

Had evening session. It stormed so heavily and I felt so unwell from hoarseness that I did not attend.

Private Bill day.