March 11, 1812: Aaron Burr

For March 11, 1812, Aaron Burr in London wrote the following entry in his private journal:

        [March, 1812] 11.    Was up before 7, and at D.M.R.'s by 9. I had engaged to go with him to-day to Brunei's (Chelsea), as I believe I told you. He had not breakfasted. Gave him rendezvous at J. Bentham's, and went on to J. H.'s, whom saw a minute, and appointed to take coffee with me at 4. On to J. B.'s, where an hour alone. D.M.R. came. We walked to Chelsea, which, from my quarters, is about six miles. But look at your map. Was two hours at Brunei's talking over the shoe business. Home at 1/2 p. 3. On the way saw an affiche [Placard] on a window : "a metallic composition which would melt in hot water, and, on cooling, be again as hard as silver, at 16 shillings per pound." Bought a piece for 18 pence, and have tried it. All very true. It is with a composition of this kind that the police of France take the impression from the seal of a letter, and, after perusing the letter, seal it again with the writer's own seal.  Home at 3. Boiled rice for dinner. But, as J. H. has a very good appetite, bought half a pound of viande 8 pence. J.H. came at 1/2 p. 4. We took coffee, etc.; gave her my new metal to try if it would travailler . She has suffered no sort of inconvenience from the fracas with le frere,  which relieves me greatly. Escorted her home, and then to Graves's. Perhaps I never told you yes, now I remember, I did, of the pledging my gold repeater and a medallion watch to Captain J. for 25 pounds, payable on demand. He called to-day on Graves for the money. Now, shall I sacrifice them for 25, or try to redeem them? They would readily fetch $200 in the United States, which is about double this 25 pounds. Yet, if I should make out to redeem them, I may be obliged to sell them at still greater loss to get off. Must decide in the morning. Graves told me also that I had got into the London papers; but in what way he did not say, nor did I inquire. On that subject I never manifest the slightest curiosity. Home at 8, and have been a full hour, with the aid of my little attendant, hunting for mykeys. At length I dismissed her, and after searching in every probable and improbable place, knowing that I had them when I came in (for I had taken a pencil out of my trunk, and laid it on my table), I resolved to dress myself again, being in my nightgown and slippers, come in as from abroad, and endeavor to go through the same motions; so put on my boots, my  cravat, coat, and waistcoast, and then took up my hat to sally forth out tumbled the keys!  You see what important avocations occupy the time of Gamp.'