Washington City
Dec 3. 1848
Mary,
I accomplished my journey here in
the manner and in the time I contemplated.
I reached Boston between 7 & 8 of the day I left
home, but did not go out of the house that
evening, & started at 7 next morning for N. Y.
where I arrived about 8 oclock in the evening.
I went to the Pruing House, usually &
kept by the Howards. It is certainly a nice
house. I found Capt Simmons & Lady there
who said they intended to be at Woodstoock
to Thanksgiving & therefore are probably there
when this reaches you. I called on Mrs Phelps
on Thursday, who was not very well but said
she would go shopping with me next day, and
that was as well for I could as well leave
for Philadelphia in the afternoon as in the
morning. I looked around some with my
friend Mr. Nichol, on Thursday and on Friday
morning Mrs Phelps went with me and
after visiting & examining, she took
me to [Seaman] & there selected a cloak.
Mr Seaman, with whom I have been well acquainted
in Congress, undertook to see it forwarded by express
to P. I hope it will safely arrive and be satisfactory
This is the same place where I selected silk
drapes last summer. In the afternoon of
Friday I went to Philadelphia in company with
a large number of members, and on Saturday
we came on here with a crowd. I have come
to the same house (Mrs. Ubricks) where I last boarded
more than a mile from the Capitol & will once
more try the walk. Three of the old mess are here &
some more are soon to join. I arrived here last
night almost nine and am fully well, have been
to meeting, not to church, though. I find the
[Missing Line] [There Was of Her]
church close by, (Rev. Mr. Pink) with his wife
& daughter.
I have unpacked my trunk and do
not find that I have lost anything, not even
my glasses, but one thing I forgot and that
is the key to my box here. It was on the ring
[Word Wrod Word of my bank & other sent part fall]
when we went to St. Albans I took my trunk
key off the ring & that is the only key I brought
away. I must break open the box.
All is quiet here & I think the session
will be a quiet one & still until the last part
of February when the seekers for office under Gen
Taylor shall come on. I have a different
room from the one I had last winter or Summer
otherwise it would seem as if I had hardly been
absent at all.
Tomorrow the House will meet but as [all]
the Speaker and other officers of the House are already
appointed there will be nothing done but to
have a lottery for seats.
So now with my love to you & our children
& our children - Good night
Yours Affectionately
J. Collamer