30. Wednesday. Election Day ; very dark and cloudy ; wind S. W. No public dinner, no parade; the most miserable procession ever seen. . . .
June 2. Saturday. Cloudy and moderate. The marketmen refuse bills of the old emission for provisions ; the jurymen refused it at the Maritime Court, here in open Court; the Judge declined to take it: and yet this is our established currency, established by law ! O Congress ! O legislators! O money-makers all! what ails ye? This day Sheriff Chandler took Carlton on a warrant from the Inferior Court against him for a riot in breaking windows, etc., at the rejoicings at the taking of Burgoyne ; he was carried to the town house, and a justice was sent for to bail him, but he departed, and left justice, sheriff, and all in the lurch ; threats were given out at the jail that if he was to be com mitted the jail would not stand long. Mark the end ! . . .
9. Saturday. A fine, pleasant day. We have a letter from Jno. at Cambridge ; his chum ill, and he unwell. Mr. Goodale and [Mr.] Ward from the G. Court. The Court had written to the Congress respecting the currency, and can do nothing about it before they have an answer. A few weeks ago, who even held paper money not to be as good as silver were called Tories, enemies to the country. . . .
July 1. Sunday. A fine, warm day. Mr. Winthrop and Stewart and co. here. The General Court sit all this day, as we hear, upon matters of great importance, and relating to congress at Vienna, proceedings as to peace, etc. Last evening Mr. Ford was buried in the churchyard. Mr. Barnard prayed at his house and attended at the funeral ; the bearers were all dissenters, as I remember. . . .
8. Sunday. Very hot last night ; slept all hands with windows open, my honoured self on the floor. Mr. Higginson from Boston says that the bills of the new emission are to pass in payment of taxes at 178 paper for one silver dollar, or 11s. 3d. paper for six shillings in silver, and that the old emission passeth no more, not even for payment of taxes. . . .
16. Monday. Town meeting to raise more men, about ninety in all. Rumour that Gen'l Lee of Virginia is gone over to the Regulars. Church meeting adjourned to September 17th. . . .
20. Friday. We return to Salem with Mrs. Mason, and find neighbour Satchel greatly disturbed about his new chaise, which he lent me, Foster not having procured him one to ride with in my absence ; neither money nor concessions appease his piratical ire. From purse-pride, good Lord, deliver me, — and my prayer is answered.
