Washington June 25 1842
My dear Friends, your letter of the 20th Inst has just
arrived, and I am very thankfull [thankful] for the information it contains,
that yourselves and so many of our friends are so comfortable as to
health. It is just about two months since I left home, and it may
be another before I shall return to Craftsbury. Such is the state of
the business that is absolutely necessary to be done before we can
leave, that no one pretends to designate the time when we can ad-
journ. It may appear to you, and others at a distance, that
Congress are not as diligent as they might be; and from the
amount of business still remaining unfinished, I should not
blame any, who are unacquainted with the obstacles which the
majority have to contend with, that should entertain such opinions.
In the House of Representatives, without enforcing the one hour-
rule and resorting to the previous question, nothing could be
brought about. Congress sits from six to eight hours every day,
besides considerable time necessarily spent in Committees. In the
Senate there is no one hour rule, nor previous question, so that
we have to sit out speech after speech for days, without the expec-
tation of changing a single vote. The opposition in both Houses
go almost to a man, in all important measures, against the major-
ity, who are declared to be responsible for the successful opperation [operation]
of the government. And the President is so jealous of the Whigs,
and has so many constitutional scruples, that he causes much
embarrassment to our legislation. He has kept our apportionment
bill until to day. He has signed it, yet has attacked that
part of the bill which
requires
the States to be districted, and he has filed his ob-
jections to it in the office of the Secretary of the State, which will probably
be in the next Madisonian
of monday.
This movement is probably done to concil-
iate the Locos, who strenously opposed the districting of the States, not be-
cause it was unconstitutional; but as opperating [operating] hard on many States who
elect by general ticket; of which description there are six, and all Locofoco
States. The President intimates that Congress cannot enforce this direction.
The House is engaged with the Tariff bill, which I believe they
will be able to pass, and probably one that may answer the general
expectation of the country. I am afraid that we shall be able to
get so high a duty on wool as many of our people desire; yet I think
we shall succeed in giving a protection to wool as high as the manufac-
turer can afford to pay for it, when their protection is only forty per cent.
The President is very desirous to repeal the Distribution act, so are the
Locos almost universally. I believe in the Senate to a man; we have in
the Senate also three or four whigs that go with us on all other subjects, but
are in favor of repealing the act. There is a small majority in the Senate
of as true men as ever lived. I believe the majority of true men in
the House of Representatives is also very small, yet it is confidently hoped
that there is such a majority. These are determined to tarry until
a tariff is passed, and they are also determined to save the distribution
act, even at the hazard of a Veto, which is threatened by the opposition,
but which I do not believe the President will dare to do, as the Tariff
and the continuance of the distribution will be provided for in the
same bill, and without the Tariff governement would be without any
revenue of consequence.
There is a rumor here that there is about to be another breaking
up of the Cabinet. I know not how well grounded, but something of
the kind is generally expected. It is said the President is about to make
a league with the oppisition [opposition]. That Mr Stevens is to be Secretary of State,
Gov Marcy secretary of war, &c. This may not happen, yet it is well under-
stood that there is considerable misunderstanding among the members of
the Cabinet. I have devoted a considerable part of this letter to the
public affairs here, part of which you may not find in the Intelligencer,
which is confined to things that have happened, rather than to such as
may or may not happen.
I am very glad that vegetation is recovering from the effects
of your late snow storm and frosts. I think after all Vermont has
escaped with as little injury as any of our Northern States: I saw a
letter from Ohio stating that the frost was severe there and that the
corn in many fields was killed; besides very much injuring the fruit.
I went round the public garden a few days since, upon examina-
tion. I find scarcely a flower that did not grow in your garden the
last season. The flowers are familiar but I have forgot the names
of many of them. The hollyhocks are in full blossom, among them
there are several varieties of double ones, of nearly all colors, and extremely
beautiful: if the seeds shall get ripe before I return I intend to bring
some. There are also a fine collection of Dahlias of various colors,
which are also in blossom. I have looked into several gardens,
but have seen none containing so extensive a collection of flowers
as yours and cousin James'. We have had plenty of Raspberries
both black and red; cherries in abundance ripe apples and peaches, from
Virginia, as well as pears. Oranges, pine apples, &c.
My health remains perfectly good. Give my love to Mr & Mrs Corbin, and Mrs
Clark, and to all our Cousins, when you shall next see them. I will send
you a verse before the next Sabath [Sabbath] School Concert. I miss the Concordance,
but shall find some verse which will be appropriate. I read one or two
chapters each night and morning. I began in the middle of Ezekiel, where
we were reading when I left home, and have finished the old Testament, then
commenced at Judges and have read that book, Ruth, the first book of
Samuel, and am now as far as the 8 chapter of the second book of Samuel.
On the fourth of July all the Sabath [Sabbath] Schools in the city will form a procession
and meet in a grove about a mile from my boarding house; if well I intend
to be there, and will give you an account of the procession, &c. It is
also expected the black sabath [sabbath] school scholars will also meet on that day;
if so I intend also to see them. It is said there are several hundred black
children who belong to Sabath [Sabbath] Schools in this city. I am glad to hear
that your young Fanchette is such a favorite, you must take good
care of it. By the way, have you traded with N M Lyon yet. I think
you had better, at almost any price; it will make your place a hundred
dollars better. I occasionally send you a document, which I hope you
will keep- I send every thing I can lay my hands on to some body,
which, altho' they may contain nothing of much interest will be received
as tokens of my remembrance. I wish you would give me the the [the] Christian
name of Mr Spragee, and also of Mr Wilson, on the Oliver Allen place, and
I wish to send something to them. I have sent a document to Caleb-
How goes politicks in Vermont? - are you going to let the Locos carry the State?
When you come from Court, let me know the state of the nation.
Accept, my dear friends, my most fervant prayers for your health and happiness,
S C Crafts
June 25th 1842