Washington July 13th 1842
Pliny M Corbin, Esquire
Dear Sir, My letters from home inform me
that you and cousin Fanny have lately made a visit
to your friends in Craftsbury, and that it was a very
pleasant one to them. I regret very much that it did
not take place when I could have participated with our
friends in the pleasure of the visit. But as Providence had
ordered differently, I must submit. I hope, Sir, that you will
find it convenient to repeat your visits to the place of your
birth at least as often as once a year. So much appears to
be due to your connexions [connections] and early friends who reside there;
but particularly to your parents who are growing old, and will
soon be missing from that circle of kindred and friends that
have ever met you with so much affection and pleasure.
I was very sorry that it was not convenient to have called
upon you on my journey to this place. I had taken a passage
in the mail stage in order to arrive at Albany in season to
take passage in the evening boat to New York; I had no time which
I could spare; and I very much fear that I shall be so situated
that I must forgo that pleasure on my return to Vermont. I
expect to be in company with those who, after a long absence,
will be anxious to get home to their families. The time when
we shall adjourn is not yet fixed. The state of business
before Congress is such that it is not likely we can leave here
before August. It may appear to those at a distance,
that more dispach [dispatch] might be made in the public business.
Such were, in some measure, my views before I came here.
But this is not the case. I have never known a public body,
not even our Vermont Legislature, more industrious and, apparently,
more anxious to finish the business they were sent to perform, than
than the majorities of both Houses of Congress. The Whigs have every
embarrassment to contend with. The Locofocos oppose all the great
national measures, and when any measure of interest is forced
through Congress, it has to encounter a new opposition from the
President. We are at present engaged in maturing a system of
duties, both for revenue and protection; and I expect we shall be
able to pass through Congress a bill that will, if permitted to go
into opperation [operation], accomplish both those objects. But we expect
when passed it will be vetoed by the President. Such is the
general opinion here. But the Whigs will do their duty, and if de-
feated, the consequence must fall where it ought.
I inclose a miniature print of Mr Adams, which is a very
exact likeness, with his autograph, which he has been so kind
to place above the print.
Please to present my affectionate regards to Mrs Corbin and
family, and to accept the assurance of my sincere friendship
and esteem.
Saml C Crafts