October 15th
Our wind continues today, made 260 miles. This morning spoke to Mary about something I did not like and she answered very rudely. She has not been at all pleasant lately, that is, toward me. She acts as if she could not bear to be spoken to about anything, and I am sure I hate to have to do it but she is so negligent and slighting at times that I have had to do it two or three times and then she looks and acts as if a dreadful injury had been done her. I am very sorry that this should be so as I like her very much and it is very unpleasant to have anything to do with a person that looks as sour as she does at present, but when I see things I do not like done again and again I will speak and try and correct her. Her greatest fault is forgetfulness, that is, I hope so, and that she is not willful in her omissions and commissions. I would mind this comparatively little if she could but be pleasant when I remind her of anything neglected.
Yesterday and today read considerable in my history of India. The proceedings of the company in India are really sickening; the poor natives had a hard time of it indeed; for the largest number of the Company’s servants, from the Gov. General down, seemed to think that their chief business was to enrich themselves and they did do it in all sorts of ways. Dishonorable and untruthful conduct was of no account in their dealings with the natives.