Rose at five; a pleasant morning; found the breakers still more than I
expected. On the road to Jamaica terribly vexed by mosquitoes; stockings
coloured with blood. Several farms for sale; overstocked I guessed with
these terrible insects. Got breakfast near Jamaica. Washed and took a
little refreshment. Set off in one of the stages and arrived at New York
a little before 12; called on R. Crook but did not meet with him. Walked
into Broadway was asked 2/7 for cotton gloves; purchased a book of
psalm-tunes for 1 dollar. Went to see the great hotel building in
Broadway; about 100 men at work, most of them Irish. Went with J. D.
through the register office where an account is kept of all the titles
(to estates?) and mortgages. Rode to dinner in one of the stages, the
usual charge 6_d._ but a quantity of tickets may be purchased at half
price. The distance of the stage about two miles; experienced great
inconvenience from the excessive itching occasioned by the mosquito
bites in the morning. After dinner we set out to see James's horse;
found it not well and no wonder, the stable in a cellar; the stalls
narrow; a suffocating spot; then walked across what is called East River
to see the dry docks; the ships are placed upon a frame, and then by
means of an endless chain wound up on to the shore to be repaired. The
tides here seldom vary more than three or four feet; on our return found
Jackson and his friend Ingham; they stopped two hours laughing and
talking all the time.