Washington Aug. 14. 1842
My Dear Wife,
I have just written a
long letter to Gov.
Davis, from whom
I have received a second before I had
answered his first. Wrong -- I admit
and contrary to his habit, but I doubt
whether he ever had to write as many
letters as I have, at this Session -- es-
pecially during the first four months
and now they crowd upon me again,
from the anxiety of people to learn
what is going on -- what will be done
&c. -- to all which enquiries I give
from necessity most unsatisfactory
answers -- you at a distance, can
tell almost as well as I can. I
have also written a long letter
(my first of any length) to J.C.M.
from whom I have recd one, expres-
sing an earnest desire that I shd
attend Commencement. I have
an earnest desire to do it -- on
account of my absence last year --
the favorable opportunity it would
hallowed spot, at the 200th an-
niversary from the first Commence-
ment -- the interest I shd take in the
first meeting of the society of the alumni --
and the desire I have to be present
with my family
to congratulate James & his Parents
on the honorable termination of
his College course. But "Woe is
"Necessity is on me" -- I am under
its law, and must remain or
depart, as events -- not my own
will -- shall determine. If pos-
sible I shall start on friday &
be at home in the course of sunday --
but if we find there is a prospect of
doing anything -- I shall not be
able to quit before Sunday or Monday
or (I don't know how long) af-
terwards. And much as I want
to go home & be with you -- I wd
gladly stay --most gladly & make
any sacrifice in my power, which
would prevent the wide-spread ruin
which it seems to me must follow, if no revenue or tariff bill is passed.
If that can be done (and I am
not wholly without hope that it
may) I shd go home to Mass, with
much more pleasure, and be
able to give a much better account
of our doings. If nothing is done -- fare-
well to H -- C prospects in the
northern & middle States. The
veto -- the infamous veto is recd. I
see is recd with huzzas -- streaming
of flags &c. by the self-stiled, ex-
clusive friends of popular & con-
stitutional rights! The Whigs -- part
of them at least, will consider
all as a mere contest between
Congress & Tyler -- that Clay is at
the bottom of all! &c. &c. -- and
that we are sacrificing the ta-
riff for the land question. They The people have
been so accustomed to violations
of the Constn since the time of that
Tyrant -- old Jackson -- that they
have lost their sensibility to the
subject. Every thing -- even the
Constn is cast into the caldron of party politics. If I should -- [there --
Mr. Appleton has just called in
& talked (not very fluently) about
the vetoed bill -- striking out the 27th
section. (Do you understand it &c.)
that I have forgotten what I was
going to say.] When I do go home,
I shall want to be at home -- at rest -- at
peace. I shd abhor being
toted about to men's meetings of
any sort -- such as collations to the
Baltime. cadets & such like august
occasions. [He was?] Above all
save me from political assemblages.
Even the multitudinosity (that's a
bang-up word) of Commencement
would lessen my enjoyment of
the day. But I must close, my
dear wife. I need not say that
I am well, and that I rejoice that
that precious blessing is enjoyed
by you all. Tell Leverett that
I abhor & dread young men's water
parties. Soon after I went to Salem I
came as near as possible being drowned
with a dozen others --