Variable day. The news of this morning confirms the unfavorable vision of last week in a degree. McLellan has certainly met with bad fortune, although he is not totally defeated. The prospect is then that we shall have another year of the way, and very possibly foreign countries will come in take a hand. My position is of course rendered more and more critical. I can only fervently pray for strength to enable my back to bear the burden and that by no hasty or foolish act of mine the severe trials of my country may be increased. Wrote several letters, and spent a large part of my day in driving around the remote parts of the city returning visits. We had to dinner Mr Thayer, Consul at Alexandria, Mr Pakenham, Miss Joy, and Mr Appleton. After which Mrs Adams had her usual reception. About an average attendance, mostly of Americans. After they left, we received the mail, and I was up some time trying to gather the details of the newspapers.