MHS Collections Online

H. Reps. Thursday. July. 17. 1840.

For the first time, my dear wife,
I have neglected writing home at least
once in two days. A letter was due to you
yesterday -- but as I was well -- & had nothing
new to say, & was in a state of lassitude
from the continued heat of the weather,
which disinclined me to make the smallest
effort, I neglected it. The House is at
this moment in a great state of confu-
sion, and so will continue to the end of
the Session. There is less propriety of deport-
ment than at any time before. I have
heard persons say that in a long voyage
they become tired of every object around
them -- animate or inanimate -- It is some-
thing so here. One feels a sort of nervous
irritability. This is a poor account of our
celebrated House of Representatives of the People,
isn't it? But I can't help it. There is however

one exception. The objects without the
capitol -- the beautiful scenery is as beauti-
ful and interesting as ever -- Familiarity
does not lessen the interest with which
I behold it, as I look upon the distant
Potomac, and upon the beautiful
yard, with its rich dress of green -- its
fountains, & its shrubbery, ornamen-
ted with dahlia's & other lovely flowers.
Delighted I shall be when the moment
comes to leave it all. And it is rapidly
approaching. Fanny Eisler, the fa-
mous danceuse is setting the good people
here all agog. The theatre is crowded,
notwithstanding the heat of the weather.
Ex Presidt Adams & grave Senators
attend. I shall not go. She has visi-
ted the gallery of the Senate & of the House,
& came from one to the other, with a train
of attendants. She is a good looking woman --
I was not pleased with the introduction
into our Country of opera dancing -- I
do not pretend to more propriety of conduct
or soundness of judgment than my neighbors -- I hope I am not squeamish -- but
I had rather not encourage the exhi-
bition by my attendance. They say the atti-
tudes &c. are beautiful -- that one ought to
visit the theatre on such occasions, as he
would a gallery of statuary &c. -- but
I think I shall not see such an exhibi-
tion of living statuary.

The Committee on elections have just brot
in a report in favor of the administration
members. This causes much excitement.
The report & evidence is very voluminous --
There is scarcely time to read them during
the Session -- It presents many nice & dif-
ficult questions -- And yet it is suspec-
ted that they will go on at once &
accept the report.     Many members
are about, attending meetings -- elec-
tioneering. The whole people seem to be in
motion. I have been urged to attend a
County meeting in Loudon Cy Virga. on
Saturday -- but I cannt go -- I don't want

to go any where but home -- By the
way I have not made my duty
calls, but will try to do it before I leave.

There is some little talk of eaking out
the Session -- but I do not believe it will
be done. I shall, if possible, start on tues-
day morning & hope to see you on thurs-
day morning -- if I don't go untill wed-
nesday, of course I shall not be at
home untill wednesday.