My work was lighter today than usual, as I had received no Despatches to answer and had no subject to originate. So I went out to return a few visits which had been paid in my absence. I found several had gone, the one I regretted not seeing being Mr March. The day was fine and I took a walk with my daughter. We had to dinner Mrs Durant and her little boy, and a Mrs Carpenter who brought letters from the Wife of Mr Wells the Secretary of War. This lady is the Wife of an officer in the Navy who had been at sea since the breaking out of the troubles. She states herself to be a Virginian who has sacrificed her property and slaves by adhering to the government. But she finds herself here in search of her husband, and not finding him, thus giving her situation a rather equivocal character. She did not impress me favorably.