Washington City
Jan 30 1849
Mary,
It is now Tuesday evening and I
have recd. no letter from home for some time
past and I did not write last Sunday mainly
on that account. We have had no mails from
the north since last Saturday owing, as I under
stand to the impassable conditions of the Susque
hanna River at House de Grass, being blocked up
with ice.
All here is going on very quietly and
very little show. The east room has been opened
but one evening this winter. Our boarding house
is very quiet also. The lady of Dr. Pine, Mrs. Rockwell
of Connecticut to our but Mrs. Nichol
of New York is expected tomorrow. Some rooms
are taken for the visitors who are coming to the
inauguration of Gen. Taylor. Here I cannot
but remark that I was annoyed this morning
by seeing in the Intelligencer of this day [evening]
a long list of names of Managers for the Inauguration
Ball my own name. Now although it is here perfectly
well understood that such appointments are made
without the presence, knowledge or consent of the persons
named yet I could not but think, what will the
good people of Vermont and my good Christian friends
[her] think of this. It is really wrong & annoying to
have such things done.
I recd. a letter last week from Mr Moon from
Montreal, where he is attending the Provincial Parliament.
He says Hannah came home from St. Albans a few
days after Mary came there and he expresses a wish
to carry them to Montreal for a few days this winter.
As much anxiety is felt and as much doubt
and uncertainty prevails here as to who is to constitute
Gen. Taylors Cabinet as there did at the commencement
of the Session. The California fever is prevalent and
the fear of cholera subsiding. We face now but one
month left of the Session and I shall be happy to
see it close & return home. My health is as good
as usual and if it continues I shall stay & see Gen.
Taylor inaugurated President March 5th & then
return as quick as possible.
So now with love to you & our children
I must good night.
Your Affectionate Husband
J. Collamer