17 March 1854
Fri. 17 Pleasant, or would have been but for the wind—Reading & waking A.M. wrote a long letter to General J Shields, Senator from Illinois, on the subject of the "bounty land law of 1850: the substance of the letter was the same as that I wrote last year to Hon. J Clemens. It would be singular if to my individual exertions the law should be so modified as to extend the bounty to thousands who have been unjustly deprived of it—but yet have made no efforts to have the act altered. I guess there is little danger though of my effecting anything—having no political influence and commanding no votes—Walk after sick supper—went to bed unwell last night So awoke in the night with the worst kind of a diarrhea—sick to-day