James got home safe though covered over with mud and dirt, horses and carriage up to their very ears. He got home about 4 oclock on friday. You were led into a sad mistake by Mr Bayard respecting the roads. I traveled them once in a similar state, and therefore have a greater dread of them. I told some members of Congress, that as they were not very usefully employed at present, in order to keep out of mischief they had better think of mending their ways, and I know not of any that called more for their attention than those which lie between this City and N. York. We had a full, rather than a crowded Drawing room on friday. Many inquiries were made after you. Several ladies said they should certainly have called upon you previous to your leaving Town if they had known of your going, amongst the number, were Mrs Read, Mrs Lee, and Mrs Lystone, and I should add Mrs Hamilton Harrison.1 on thursday Mr Bayard made a very excellent speech upon Livingstones resolutions, and on friday Mr Marshall a most masterly one, both of which I hope will be published. Yesterday Congress met to decide upon the resolutions. Nicolas spoke half an hour in support of the resolutions. Some federal members not expecting the vote to be taken until a late hour, were out amongst them Dana, Champlin, Huger, Brace, but the resolutions were negatived by 61. to 35. tomorrow I suppose we shall have the names in the papers which I will send you.2 It is said by those who heard Mr Marshall, that his speech was a full and decided eulogium upon the administration of the government, and the purity of its measures, that he also proved himself a great Lawyer in the Discussion. I am at a loss, to conjecture what the next 168 popular topic will be, the Bankrupt Bill I suppose will be used as one engine as soon as the Presidents approbation of it sanctions the Law, then the Taxation and Judiciary Bills will afford food for Faction3 Last night and this forenoon we have had the greatest fall of snow which has come this season, not much wind so that it is level, but I cannot say I am glad to see it. I shall be anxious until I learn that you got safe to the plains. How does Caroline bear her confinement for such it must be to her, having been accustomed to a wide range. You and I think much more than we say. It is the duty of every one to strive to be content, in whatever state they may be placed, and to be useful as far as their abilities extend, we see but a little way before us the curtain is draped between us and the future, “or who could suffer being here below”4

Love to the Col / Your truly affectionate / Mother.

I received Your Letter with those inclosed from Berlin. I thank You for the entertainment which they have afforded me. those for Berlin arrived at a very fortunate time. I gave them with Some, which I had written, to the Prussian Consul who is returning immediatly to Berlin and who promissed to deliver them himself—1

I have delayed sooner replying to your Letter, that I Might have it in my power to request You to consider this House as your Home when you visit this city. I have a Bed at your service. Mrs smith who has been with me untill last week, has now gone to the Jersies, and 169 tho we give a Rent of two thousand seven Hundred Dollors a year for this House, we have but one spair Chamber in it, which we can offer to a Friend. the Rent is a very great imposition, but advantage was taken, of their being no other House in the city to let, So well calculated to accomodate the President, and the owner of the House very obligingly doubled the Rent upon us, when we came into it, refusing at the same time to make those repairs which, he ought to have considerd indispensable—2 necessity knows no Law, and we have been obliged to submit.

The Roads are just at present so very bad that I should rather advise your waiting untill April when they will probably be more setled. I do not see any prospect of Congress rising untill June. Mrs smith experienced so Much inconvenience in going to the Jersies, that if I could have form’d an Idea of the travelling I should not have consented to her leaving me.

I congratulate You upon the safety of mrs Helm, and upon becomeing a Grandmamma.3 I hope she is recovering from a situation which made me shuder when I read it— will not one of the young Ladies accompany you. Philadelphia is very Gay, tho I consider myself as very fortunate, in not being under any necisity of joining in the Parties, except in my own House. I am too old and infirm to go into public, and tho I have a high relish for society; one may be much in company; without what I term society—

Present me kindly to Your Family.

I am with sentiments of Regard / and Esteem Your &c