Jan. 30 [ 1816]

Dark and trying scenes still agitate my mind  Many things have occurred of late which render me unhappy Some of my friends have been betrayed by those whom they least suspected and are in trouble  But so delicate is my situation and so very intricate the case that I know not in what way I can be useful to them without out endangering my own reputation  I wish if possible to assist them  But above all things to "keep my conscience void of offense towards God and towards man"  Other friends of mine have been injured