Washington, July 3 1842
My Dear Friends, Your very acceptable letter of
the 27 of June, was received last night, and I am very
thankful to learn by it that you and our other friends at
Craftsbury are in their usual health once more. I have had
such unfavorable accounts of Mrs Clark and cousin Marys health
of late, that I have been almost afraid to hear from them, lest
the information might cause sorrow rather than pleasure. I have
just returned from meeting in the city. I have not missed one
Sunday since I left home of attending meeting. I usual [usually] attend
in the Representatives Hall in the Capital, where the members of
Congress usually attend, and one of our chaplains, or as it frequent-
ly happens some clergyman of distinction who happens to be here
preaches. Two weeks ago we had the President of a College in Georgia
for a preacher, and a week or two previous the president of
a college in Tennessee, both fine preachers. To day Mr. Slade and
I attended meeting in the city about a mile from our lodgings.
The people in Washington are a church going people, they have
many places of worship, and all very fully attended. Among
these are four or five societies of blacks, who are very regular in
their attendance at meeting, and I am told that many are religious
and live very exemplarily.
Tomorrow being the fourth of July, the Senate will not sit.
I intend, if the weather shall be pleasant, to see the Sabath [Sabbath] School
scholars, who will meet and walk in procession through some
of the streets of the city. I am also informed the black Sabath [Sabbath]
School scholars, of which there are several hundred in the city, will
meet in another part of the city. I intend if possible to see them,
I am informed that there
are
many fine and bright scholars among them.
You will see by the Intelligencer that both Houses of Congress are
in mourning. On monday last the death of two members of Congress,
one of each House were announced. They both died in Virginia where
they had lately gone to try the effect of a change of place. Mr. South-
and was the presiding officer of the Senate, and discharged the du-
ties of his office for three or four weeks after I came here. His body
was brought here on Monday, and was buried on Tuesday last. His
funeral was attended by the President, and all the heads of Departments,
and the members of the Senate & House.
It is not unhealth here at this time although the city is crowded
with strangers from every part of the United States. The weather of late
has been very warm, so that I have been obliged to abridge my walks
very consideraby [considerably], yet I remain perfectly well. You ask me when
I expect to return to Craftsbury. It is certainly a difficult question
to answer. A few days since I thought we would be able to leave
here about the middle of August. We had been making good progress
in a Tariff bill, which I thought we should be able to pass, giving such
protection as should meet the seasonable wishes of the country. We passed
a provisional bill passing the duties as they then were for one month
to give time to provide the general bill: and so cautious were we
lest the President might not approve of the bill, that a section was
added postponing also the distribution to the States of the proceeds of
the sales of public lands, which by the existing laws should be
made on the first instant, to the first of August. But notwithstanding all
our precautions Mr Tyler has veto'd our bill. This act of the President
has put both Houses very much out of humor. The bill was returned
to the House of Representatives, where it originated, and the House have
spent three days already in discussion without coming to a vote on the
bill, and will probably spend some more yet. In the mean time the
Tariff has not been taken up. This veto has occasioned the loss of one
week at least. The friends of protection, and the friends of distribution,
who by the way are not in all cases the same persons, are determin-
ed to stay here until an effective tariff of dutise [duties] shall be digested,
and also to contain a repeal of the proviso in the distribution act,
and be submitted to the President; and if that also shall be vetoed,
as we expect it will, I think we shall pass as good a tariff
as we can, and go home. The President is determined that no
distribution shall be made to the States, and such is the state of par-
ties in Congress, that we cannot get two thirds of either House to
pass the bill. So that I consider that the avails of the public
lands are lost to the States, at least while John Tyler is President.
The Locos almost to a man are against the distribution, and gen-
erally against protection; and although they applaud the veto
they despite Tyler, and have no thought of supporting him for
the next Presidency. Mr Van Buren, or Mr Calhoun, will probably
be their next candidate. In my next I will give you a
verse as to [to] be read at your next Sabath [Sabbath] School concert.
I enclose a miniature print of President Adams, on which
he has done me the favor to write his name. The likeness is a
very true one, and I presume you will be much pleased with it.
I have obtained one for Mrs Corbin & one for Mrs Clark, which I will send
them. Give my love to our friends and accept much for yourselves
S C Crafts
Nathan S Hill. Esquire
Craftsbury
Vermont
S.C. Crafts
July 3- 42