Washington City
Dec 11. 1859.
Mary,
I wrote your mother last Sunday
evening but, have not yet recd. any
line from home. I shall expect one soon.
It rained here every day after my
arrival until Thursday night. On
Thursday, between showers, I found time
to call & pay my respects to the President.
I have recd. & answered the cards of
most of the Cabinet members.
On Tuesday
Wednesday
evening Mr. Dixon of Con.
invited the Repub. Members of the Senate
to meet the Connecticut Delegation at his
house
&
it made just a pleasant little
party. It being stormy I rode with three
other gentlemen & in front of Treasury
the coach axle broke off & prostrated
us in the mud. No one hurt.
Debate in the Senate goes on as
to John Browns foray & Northern com-
plicity in it.
Much angry speech making & occa-
sional voting for speaker goes on in the
House. The Galleries of the House are con-
stantly filled. Ladies in great numbers
come there in the morning & remain all
day & until night, day after day.
This house is slowly filling up with
ladies, so that the number has now
become quite respectable. I know a few
of them; members ladies.
I have been today to hear Dr. Garley.
He was very interesting to me & seems to
me to have really improved. His
Congregation meets in the Baptist Church
in 10th street, which his church is building.
Mr. Foot, Morrill, Wetter, & Rice are
all at Judge Chipmans & all expecting
their wives about the first of Jan.
I trust & hope that in your best
deliberation & if in enjoyment of health,
your mother & yourself & Frances may
make up the resolution to visit me this
winter. I think you will find this house
better than when you were here but as to
the female society I cannot so well [
]. Tell your mother I have
sent some more money to the Bank
so that she can call for what she
wants & I will send more whenever
wanted.
I am much urged to make a speech
on the John Brown matter, but I
think I shall not, at present.
Love to your mother
& you all-
Affectionately
Your Father
Monday morning I just recd. your mothers
letter of 10th inst. with much pleasure.
Mrs. Carter has raised her price & none
of the old mess have gone back there,
except Judge McLam. Though it is thought
Willard has increased price, I have not
found it so in my case. I have a large
room well situated & board for $17 per
week, which is less than I paid him two
years ago. Mr. Foot pays at Chipmans for
two rooms & board for two $34 per week &
I can have two good rooms & board for
favor at $55 to $60. That is, at same
price we paid before. The truth is that
good rooms, fit for ladies to occupy & good
board cannot be now had for less than
two dollars per day each in any first
class boarding house. Very nice rooms
can be obtained in separate houses &
board taken at adjacent Hotel for
less money. But this is inconvenient for
ladies & I will have no such arrangement
for my family. There are some members
do so with their wives at this house.
J. C.