Washington Feby. 11 --1825 --
My Dear Wife,
I have just received your letter and
you cannot tell how much pleasure it has
given me. I rejoice and am grateful, I hope, to
hear that you are all well. May you so continue
untill we meet again, in my own loved home.
Home
what delighful, multiplied, interesting
associa-
tions does that little word crowd upon the ima-
gination -- all that is dearest to the heart. Never
do we feel it's force so powerfully, as when far
seperated from it.
It has been my lot
to
tell you nothing pleasant, thus far. Poor Dr.
Handy's & wife's sickness have been the
only
events of which I have informed you. I am
now perplexed -- to the last degree. I know not
what to do -- whether to stay here -- or turn my
face towards
Salem and return upon the wisp
of the wind. Such is the state of things here,
that it is impossible to say when our case will
come on. It might have been tried yesterday or
today, for the Court have been literally beg-
ging for business, but Mr. Webster
would not
consent, because as he said of his engagements
stand before it will come on & then when ours
will come in course I know not. The real truth
is, I beleive, that he is not prepared in it. He
says he is not -- that it is one of the greatest cau-
ses ever presented to the Court etc. etc. Mr. Ogden
is to see him this afternoon, & I hope he will agree
to have some time fixed. I am inclined to think he
does not want the cause causeto come on at all.
He does not wish to lose it, & if that is not it's fate,
I will not predict again. To wait here a long time
is terrible. The place has no novelties to me, but would
be very interesting under other circumstances. The
City is full of strangers & people of distinction from
every part of the Country & is as gay as a constant
succession of parties can make it. On the evening
of the Presidential election I attended Mr. Monroe's draw-
ing room -- and such a crowd! You can form no idea
of it. Gen. Scott had his pocket picked there, with $800
in it. It occurred to me that it was a fine place for
that business. I suppose the new Presidt. will
have more ceremony as to the admission of people.
It was a very interesting scene. It was the last levee Mr. M. is to give, & there were the present Presi-
dent and his lady -- the new King and Queen -- Genl. Jack-
son, who a few hours before had expected to occupy
the Palace himself -- the Vice Presidt. elect -- Mr. Clay etc. etc.
all apparently in good spirits, & people paying
their respects to the present Queen & her that is to be.
How peculiar all this to our own Country. The
excitement that has so long existed & from which
so much was feared seemed to have passed away in
a moment. Genl. J. had many more smiles
than his successful rival -- whose muscles by the way
are not often relaxed with smiles. The Genl. many
say is really glad he was not chosen. I beleive he
will be amused at the joke of coming so near the high-
est office in the Country. His friends are however sadly
disappointed. A crowd of officers were already assem-
bled as office seekers. Mr. Adams to my surprise recog-
nized me at once, & I conversed with him consid-
erably on the subject of his election.
The debates in Congress are very interesting, &
at the bar of the Court are assembled, many of the most
eminent Lawyers from every part of the Country.
As to Ann Elizabeth -- I am sorry -- almost --
we have taken her away -- and I am sorry too I have said
it -- for it is done. My love to her. I should delight in seeing
her pleasant face.
Tell Caroline her letter is a
very good one. I thank her for it, & shall write one
to
Ann and her in a day or two. Dear
Lucy -- sweet budge --
she is before my eyes -- I wish it was the reality. Kiss her.
I hope I shall soon see her lovely face at the window as the
stage stops.
[Address]