Ho: Reps. June 11- 1841.
My Dear Wife,
Here we are -- "in statue quo" -- as when
I wrote last. The House has scarcely moved
an inch. "Abolition" is still the element of
discord. Mr. Adams has done us
infinite
mischief, by his course, & some opinions he
has uttered. He stated -- that there might be
a case in which Congress might inter-
fere with the Institutions of the South, -- that
is if there shd be a servile war -- That
they could not side with the blacks (that
is the inference made from his statement)
because the reprobation of God is on
slavery -- that the treaty-making power
might come in operation, & that then
Congress may stipulate for universal
emancipation.
This has set all
the members from the slave-holding
States into a perfect flame. Ingersoll of
Philadelphia made a cold-blooded
speech actually in favor of slavery -- or
by a new member from Lexington, Kenty.
a nephew of Judge Marshal -- a man
of most splendid talents. When he began
he was so tipsy that he could scarcely
articulate -- It was distressing -- but
he drank a good deal of water &
became sober as he went on & he
made a speech of extraordinary power
& eloquence. Parts of it were magni-
ficent. He was extremely severe on Mr.
Adams. This morning Wise began
a speech -- but he was so violent &
excited that in about half an hour he
fainted & was obliged to stop & the sub-
ject has been postponed untill tomorrow.
How unfortunate all this is. The opposi-
tion throw every obstacle in the way
of progress -- so as to give the appearance
of delay. Choate is making his
debut -- in the Senate -- with a crowd of auditors.
I have no doubt he will acquire do famously.
It is on the subject of Mr. Webster's correspondence on the McLeod affair. The mail is just
handed in, so I must stop and read my letters.
And I have read them -- one from Anna &
one from Caddy. I like your
selection of a re-
treat -- if retreat it may be called. It is a beau-
tiful spot on the borders of old ocean -- beau-
tiful. The musquitoes may be troublesome
--
You will be near home too & may
ride over and see our beautiful resi-
dence on our magnificent chestnut
Street. I hope you will find it pleasant.
Choate has done -- His speech
[illegible] is
considered as very good -- but I suspect
not better than was expected. Agnew
set out for
Niagara. Only think of
your Mother undertaking such a
journey. [?] R --
too -- a scamp --
No man, living or dead ever trea-
ted me so meanly, unjustly, scanda-
lously! I am sorry I have written these
words -- but I will not revoke them.
I saw Mrs. H. &
Julia yesterday --
They will not go today, as Mr. H. is not
well -- I trust however he will be very soon.
a very good girl. I never saw her look or
appear so well. The Speaker is doing
better. Very hot. I am well -- Prospects
of a short Session not good.