About 12 o'clock Madam Iturbide, the widow of the former Emperor of Mexico of that name, called. I saw her in the parlour. She was accompanied by Miss White, the niece of the late Mr. General Van Ness of this city. Madam Iturbide did not speak English, and Miss White interpreted for her. Her business was to see me on the subject of her pension from the Mexican Government, which had been granted her on the death of her husband, and of which, in consequence of the existing war, she had been deprived. Her object was to have it reserved and paid out of the military contributions levied by our forces in Mexico. I gave her no distinct answer but told her I would see the Secretary of State on the subject, and requested her to call on him to-morrow. I do not see how I can grant her request. Upon the death of her husband she left Mexico, and has been residing for the past 20 years near Philadelphia, and has received her annual pension from Mexico during that period, until the breaking out of the present war, by which she has been deprived of it. She is an interesting person. One of her sons was a Major in the Mexican Army, was recently taken prisoner, and (is) now in the U.S. on his parole of honour. (Diary, III, 342)