Washington City
March 5. 1849
Mary,
I have this day attended the
inauguration of Gen. Taylor as President.
The concourse of people was immense but
all passed off [Word] & without accident
About 7 o clock this evening I recd. a note
from J. M. Clayton calling me immediately
to the Presidents house, now possessed by Gen.
Taylor, and I went and on going into the
Presidents drawing room he directed me to
go to the office. On my arrival there I found
J. M. Clayton of Delaware, Sec. of State, Mr. meredith of
Penn, Sec. of the Treasury, Mr Ewing of Ohio
Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Preston of Virginia
Sec. of Navy & Mr. Johnson of Maryland
Atty. General, that is, those gentlemen had
been selected by Gen. Taylor for those places
in his cabinet.
Mr. Clayton, the Secretary of State
elect then informed me that Gen. Taylor
had selected me for a place in the cabinet
with the Office of Post Master General.
These appointments will be presented for con-
firmation to the Senate tomorrow and we
shall immediately enter our duties. So you
see I cannot return to you immediately.
I was some time in consultation with those
gentlemen before returning to my quarters and
it is now late in the evening and I can say
no more. I will soon write you further and
more definitely, probably tomorrow or next day.
With my love and blessing to you
all good night.
Your Affectionate
Husband
J. Collamer