Washington City
July 8th 1848
Mary,
I did wrong to entertain myself or to create
in others a hope of being able to visit you in the
fore part of July when it was so uncertain, indeed
so improbable. That Windsor Case in Congress continues
as it was before, and cannot be left. The time for
adjournment is as uncertain as ever
July 11.
The much agitated question as to slavery
being admitted into the newly acquired territory
now constitutes the of conversation among
the members, and no time of adjournment will
be concluded on until a conclusion is made
whether that is to be settled at this session. It
therefore becomes daily more & more uncertain
I presume my brother George will be
at Woodstock at the State Convention on the
19th of this month & hope he may bring Lucina
with him to see you. I do not think it has
yet been quite as hot here as it was in July
when you was here, that is, it has not been so
so extremely hot so many days in succession. Rainy
days have intervened.
the Capitol
The long pole or mast on ^ near 100 feet long, with
a [fauthorn] on it, so large as to contain six men,
after being kept up about six months, has been taken
down, as it was considered dangerous, loosening
and weakening the dome by the strain of high
winds upon it & endangering the Capitol by the
attraction of lightning.
Making Presidential speeches has become extremely
dull in the house& indeed you know this is a place
too hot, fussy & sweaty to be endured with any
degree of patience in the summer; but I must
stay as well as I can, while my health permits,
and I do not know but I am about as well
as usual.
Ellen says she is to go to Mrs Peabodys in the fall,
very well. Franky has gone to as you have
have long desired. I hope it will do her good. Will
she be content there, without Catherine? Perhaps
she will if she thinks she should.
Mary, I wish to select something acceptable,
of reasonable cost, to carry to each of my children &
I request you to suggest to me what it should be
I
God bless you all, Good night
Your Affectionate
Husband
J. Collamer