Washington Dec. 7th 1819 My dear Eunice I arrived at Washington in good health on the 5th  at night, and not until to day have I taken lodgings - Mr Richard  and myself, after examining nearly all the boarding houses on  Capitol hill, have at last concluded to take our old room at  Capt. Burches, being satisfied that we could do much better there  than at any other house - they have concluded to abate  something from the price exacted from us the last year.  Congress met yesterday in the new hall which is splendidly  fitted up - but from the constant and continued echo, it is  nearly impossible to hear distinctly any speech - Mr Russ  of Hartford called upon me and presented me a letter of in- troduction from Eli, which letter I enclose to you - He ap- pears, as represented by your brother, to be a very amable  man, and so far I am pleased with him - I have en- quired particularly respecting Eli's prospects at Hartford,  and learn, with much satisfaction, that they are very flatter- ing - having as much practice as he can attend to and  more, as well as prompter pay than at Farmington - I have  not as yet drawn any of my pay - but next week I will  transmit some money to you which I know you will soon want - You may inform Mr Corbin & Mr Clark  that the best pork is selling at Albany & New York for