I had a visit from Sidney Broooks who wanted to talk politics. But it is a process that requires some caution, as he has been heretofore among the most misled into slaveholding proclivities. I also had a confidential conversation with a Mr John Norris who came to tell me of a certain Dr Holland, an agent here of the southern insurgents, and of certain disclosures of plans and connections made by him. It would appear that the government were on the scent and stopped him, but he had managed to elude discovery with the aid of a woman who concealed his papers in her bosom. He also disclosed his affiliations in New York, which matter I shall communicate to the Secretary180 of State. This man boasts of sending forward guns through Texas, and of the perfect acquaintance of Jefferson Davis and his clan with all that is done at Washington through the traitors left there, all of which must be taken with grains of allowance. It is not easy at once to purify a building which has been occupied and defiled for thirty and forty years. I suppose that there are still number of disaffected in the government offices. I was busy on my accounts which I put at last into pretty good order, although I foresee the difficulty in keeping them which will spring from the different forms of currency. I took a long walk with my daughter Mary in Kensington gardens. Dined by invitation with the count and Countess de Flahaut, the Minister of France at this court. He has long been married to an English lady or rather a Scotch one, and may be considered as almost domesticated here. He does not live at the Legation, which is here at Albert Gate, where the receptions have taken place, but at his Wife’s residence in Piccadilly were we went to dine. The company consisted of Lord Granville, Lady William Russell, Baron Bentinck, Countess Platen, Sir Charles and Lady Wood, Mr and Mrs Marjoribanks, Mr Arthur Russell and perhaps others. A very handsome entertainment. I was not particularly well placed, but fared very well. Home at eleven.