MHS Collections Online

Washington Feby. 26-1824.

My Dear Wife,

I wrote to my Brother this morning,
which letter will be received a day before this.
I do not write so soon again because I have any thing
interesting to communicate to you, but because the
act of writing is delightful to me, as it is connec-
ted with associations of all that is most dear to me,
& my letters will be welcome to you, my dear Mary,
for the same reason. I imagine you at this moment
in your the circle of Parents & friends, while and our
sweet children are sleeping so innocently -- while
I am alone in a large chamber scarcely finished,
the storm raging furiously without, & the wind
pouring in, in every direction. But sentiment is not
precisely the thing you would prefer from this place, as
you know that is an article I can deal in at home.

You will conclude that I am not at a
loss for occupation amidst scenes so new to me, at
the the seat of government of this great nation. There
is enough to employ & to interest one in the Court,
the Senate or the House -- especially one of my profes-
sion & who has seen a little of Legislative bodies before.
It is a great gratification of curiosity to see men of whom
we have heard much -- to find some dwindling & others
exceeding your expectations on approaching them. The
great object of curiosity in the House, John Randolph, I have not yet
seen, & I am afraid I shall not see him. He has not
been in the house this week, & the last time he spoke
he said it was his last speech. All consider him as
more sane this Session than he has been for a long time

& his speech upon the Greek question is popular here
as well as at the east. I heard Henry Clay yesterday &
he is the only good speaker I have heard in the House.
His voice is admirable -- his whole manner
interesting -- he is always prompt, & commands
profound attention. No matter how much of a bustle
there is about the house, when he speaks, all is hushed
to silence. Mr. Clay has lost ground this Session from
being supposed to be fishing (as we used to say at Col-
lege) for the Presidency. He has not the art to conceal
his art. He is undoubtedly a very able man -- but
there are great defects in his character, & I hope he will it is not becoming
a moral & religious people (as Mr. Quincy calls us) to
elect such a man to the first office in the nation.

I wonder how you would like Genl. Jackson
for President? Your Mother would be particularly
pleased with it. There is one thing in favor of his election,
-- he would soon put an end to the sufferings of the poor
Indians! He is in the habit of dispatching business in
style! I hope for the honor of our Republick, he will
not succeed. His chance is now thought best by ma-
ny, & people begin already to say that "black is not
so very black". It is best to be seasonable at such a time
you know, & I am going to be introduced to him tomor-
row, & then when he visits his eastern subjects we
may breakfast with him! I cannot describe to
you by letter the situation of publick affairs. Equality --
republicanism -- the sovreign people -- the people's rights --
what nonsense! It is all management & selfish-
ness & bargaining & intrigue. This simple Republican

government is becoming one of the most corrupt. There
is nothing but the bugbear of federalism that prevents
the people from rising in their indignation. The demo's
are in reality split to peices -- but the ghost of federalism
is perpetually haunting them.     You will think I
might have selected something more interesting than poli-
tics. I attended a great party on tuesday evening at
Mr. Calhouns and that was simple and Republican enough --
simple as to the entertainment, for there was scarcely any thing to eat, & republican as to the compa-
ny, for every body was there. There are very few hou-
ses here suitable for large parties, & Mr. Calhouns
is not of the number. The rooms are small and were ex-
cessively crowded. In the principal room was the company
were stowed, a little space being kept open in the middle
for dancing. Many of the ladies were elegantly dressed, &
among the rest our Salem fair ones, dazzling with red,
as if to give the lie to the line of poetry which dressed them
always in blue. They receive much attention, but the other
ladies seem to think, & I dare say do candidly think, that
their father's reputation for wealth has something to do with
it. By the way Mr. C. was very polite to me & introduced
me to many great folks. His manners are as dignified here
among them as they were on the throne or stage in our City Hall
when he clap'd Monroe on the shoulder. I am engaged
to dine with him.     It was my intention to write
a legible letter, & it is not my fault that I have not --
I bought stationary for the purpose -- but tho' my paper
cost almost its weight in gold -- my pens 3 cents a peice,
& I have mended atthem at every line -- it will not answer --
the paper is hard & oily -- the quills soft & the ink watery
to my great vexation

[Address]

[This page also includes some notes written in pencil listing topics discussed in this letter.]