Regular entries, with news of the wars in Europe and elsewhere in North America, along with updates on farming. Also daily weather observations. Duvall seems to have been a Federalist, or at least mostly anti-war. He lived at Springfield in the First District of AA Co., as determined from the election results given in Oct. 1813.

10 April 1813
The news per this post is that some British vessels of War, off Annapolis, have taken some Balto. privateers, Letters of Mk. & many Bay Craft. ...

13 April 1813
All is confusion at Annapolis. The Bank & Records sent out of Town and the people moving out with goods furniture &c & I expect it will be much worse if Balto. as 8 or 10 British Men of War are off West River bound, as it is supposed, to Annapolis & Balto...The militia ordered out to the Bay Shore, Annapolis &c &c....

24 April 1813
...The House of Lords & Commons unanimous for a vigorous war with America & considerable force to be sent immediately. The British Ships continue up the Bay & I heard much firing to the NE to day. It is said they have landed...

27 April 1813
Nothing from the B fleet for some days that be depended on. It is a most distressing thing upon the Poor to be called from home at this season. [for militia duty?]. Many families must suffer severely. Provisions very high in Balto. Corn & Oats $1.25 per bushel. So much for a war and is it said that Adml. Lord A. Beauclerck is arrived with a considerable force and that 5 sail are gone up the Bay but I cannot conceive what so many vessels can go up for. I have no idea that they wish to burn Balto. tho' it seems to be the opinion of many that the destruction of Balto. is the object. It is natural to suppose that if we persist in sending a great force to Canada that Adm. Warren will do all the ham he can in the Chesapeake &c &c & perhaps may destroy our Towns. He sent 150 Prisoners to Annapolis a day or 2 ago.

8 May 1813
The news per this day's post is, as I expected, that the British have burnt French Town and Havre de Grace, the Stages &c. Also Col. Hughes's Cannon Foundry &c., the French Town packets burnt & part of William Stumps building...we have not yet got the particulars, these are dreadful times.

10 May 1813
It is now said the fleet is all past Annapolis & gone down the Bay. It is strange kind of warfare to destroy these Villages. It looks like being afraid of Balto. I cannot help thinking but something must be doing between Mr. M [?] & Ad. Warren or the ships would not have left their station, a few days must determine it but certainly a Truce must have taken place. The D.'s say there is F fleet on the [?].

18 August 1813
There is great confusion in Balt., Annapolis, & the Fed. City &c. It is reported that 25 sail are coming up the Bay & that the Regulars are ordered from Annapolis to the Fed. City, that St. Michaels is threatened & from 30 to 40 Barges were in Patapsco. This is the effects of a war with a naval power & the only one that could hurt us.

28 August 1813
...The Fleet is  now nearly off the Clifts, all gone from Kent Island. I cannot conceive what they can be moving for at this time, when the Equinoctial gales may be expected, perhaps they may make a harbour in the M. of Patuxent or go to Potowmack again--or perhaps fresh orders may be arrived from England, but we shall soon hear some accounts of them. It is said they have taken all the cattle, horses &c &c and many negroes.

17 June 1814
Have just heard that the British have burned the warehouses at Benedict, Magruders & Lower Marlboro & about 1600 [?] I loose 3 hhds. it is thought they will burn Pig Point tomorrow, if so I must be a great sufferer. say about 2,000 $, many houses at the above places, & lower down are burned by the same....I have not heard from Barney for some days. The British must ultimately destroy the Flotilla. The expense of defending is enormous, and very unfortunate for Calvert County in loss of stock &c. Besides tob. and provisions very scarce.

22 June 1814
Reports of a Truce for a Peace per a Flag to [?]. The Flag was altogether on acct. of Prisoners, there is no news by this Post except great exertions by the British to the East in destroying vessels in Port & out, all along the Coast, & they have been too [severe?] & full & it is thought much property will be destroyed in consequence of private property being totally destroyed in Canada.

27 June 1814
The British are off H. [Herring] Bay and have taken a number of Bay craft the owners moving Tobo. from Tracey's [Landing], and the Militia collected in force. Barney got out of Leo. Creek & is got to Nottingham. I am fearful it will bring the War in our District. In that case I will move to Frederick or that way, to be some distance off, and wait till Peace, a change of Air I think would be of service to me at this season of the year. Have just heard that 10,000 British troops are arrived at Halifax...

July 1814
More descriptions of the British landing in southern MD and burning and raiding.

3 August 1814
The British off Plum Point. Our troubles increasing. Wheat from 50 to 75 cents per Bushel. A fine time to pay Taxes now due.

6 August 1814
The news by this post is that the British continue destroying Tobo. and carrying off blacks from Calvert County...

13 August 1814
The news by this post is that both fleets are out on the Lake Onta. Nothing of consequence from the Armies except that an engagement was momentarily expected. No official acct. yet of the Battle of the 25th ult. which is very extraordinary.

20 August 1814
The news by this Post is from Falm. As late as the 8th July great talk of Peace in Eng., but it seems they are determined to let us feel [in Maryd.?]

24 August 1814
Gen. Ross burnt the Presidents House, the Capital, Navy Yd. & all the Public buildings this day. We saw the fire from Mr. Steuarts Hill. This will be a severe stroke against the Democrats. Barney wounded...this must be a durable disgrace to this country. Dr. Murray's son wounded in 3 places. He is carried to Balto. Armstrong ran away. Winder resigned. Alexandria under contribution. Geo. Town to be defended by Munroe. All the houses round the Capitol destroyed. Gov. Bowie's loss estimated at $20,000. Dr. Beans is a Prisoner...

27 August 1814
I had no newspapers this week nor do I expect any next. The Fed. City in great confusion and the same at Balto. & Annapolis. Alex. gives up all Publick property and all Tobacco & flour & I expect G. Town will do the same in spite of Munroe. I wish to God an end of this unnatural war.

1 September 1814
Is very fine pleasant weather. The enemy nearly all round us & up and down the Patux. & in the Bay and at U. Marlbro. Gone from P. Point down to Nottingham & Benedict & En. Shore. Annapolis Bank sent to Frederick. Ann. nearly deserted. It is said the force in Balto. exceeds 25,000 men & increasing fast but it is said they want confidence in their offices and that they are much divided in parties at present.

9 September 1814
No news for some time, but few papers published this way, and what is strange, there is no Electioneering going on yet here.

12 September 1814
There is altogether gone up the Bay 55 sail of vessels, besides barges. It is said part of them are gone as high as Head of Elk and destroying all in their power & we have no particulars. I cannot help thinking but they will attempt Philadelphia, if all have passed Baltimore, they did not pass Baltimore but landed and Gen. Ross was killed which I expect will stop all proceedings against Balto for the present. ...
 

Other reports with news of the war from New England, etc. as well as reports of British activity on the Bay into October