Owing to the uninteresting speaker yesterday I omitted going to the Capitol today, but took a walk round the city, which appears to be considerably improving. Monsieur returned to his room to day much to my pleasure as we shall immediately begin to look natural. We took possession of John’s room again and I am in hopes very soon to get about my usual occupations.

In the evening, we were invited to Mrs. Calhoun’s and accordingly went. As the carriage was only able to hold four Mrs. Sullivan was asked to call and give us two seats and Mrs. Chancey1 one. So that Abby and myself went with the first and Mary with the last. Hardly had we arisen from dinner however before Mr. Sullivan called. None of us dressed as it was a most unseasonable hour; I had to hurry on my things however, and jump in, with the most disagreable haste imaginable. Abby was just ready and we went off. Not more than a dozen or so had collected and I had the most stupid half hour that mortal ever knew. At length the house being pretty full the back room was opened and I danced the first dance with Miss McKnight. Then with Miss Sperry, a young lady from Philadelphia, to whom I was introduced by Mr. Sullivan for the sake of acquaintance. She was rather a lively and pleasant girl, affording me considerable entertainment as it is only to the disagreable usually that such introductions are necessary. Sometimes though a case of this kind happens. She has no striking beauty but rather a pleasant countenance than otherwise, expressed herself delighted with Washington and sorry to leave it so soon Tomorrow. From her, I went to Miss Selden, for it was impossible to delay any longer, and after some very pleasant conversation in a room where a little air might be obtained, we took a place in the dance. She certainly is the most entertaining girl as an acquaintance that I meet with. She has also a number of attractions which it is hard for a common person to withstand. I found dancing generally however a pretty dull business tonight so I left it off. I asked Miss Cranch in compliment. Three great Indians were there, very handsome men, at least one is and the others had been. There was also a young squaw, who was matter of great diversion to Miss McKnight for whom she appeared to have taken a great fondness.

I returned early with Madame having no wish to go with Mr. Sullivan as it is his plan to go as late as he comes early. We laughed considerably at the meanness of the entertainment and that he had spread part of it under his bed curtains. (The bed being taken away.) John and Mary did not get home till quite late.

This day, as we heard Mr. Clay was going to speak and answer Mr. Barbour who spoke yesterday, we, (all the family) went to hear him. He had commenced before we got there so that it was hardly possible to obtain a seat even for the ladies. John had something of a task and so had I, for there were four ladies to attend to, in a great crowd. After settling them, by dint of perseverance we obtained something a little like a place to hear but not to see. From what I was able to gather it was a fine speech, and put up with more argument than he generally condescends to use. He supported Mr. Hemphill’s bill and opposed Mr. Barbour’s motion of yesterday to strike out the enacting clause. He gave Mr. Barbour a number of slight dashes but nothing of the bitter sarcasm which he is so fond of using on these occasions. He argued the words of the constitution thus: “Congress shall have power to establish post offices and post roads.” In this he argued the word established meant to create and Congress had the power to make roads in any state or territory which it should think fit. This is about the whole subject of discussion as the other part insists that Congress has no right to do any thing but select the road on which the mail is to be run and assign post offices.

It is a question in which there is a show of reason on each side. And I am rather inclined to think myself that the words were intended as the Virginians construed them, but if so I think the constitution should be amended for at the time of the formation of the constitution we had no inland states to demand assistance in the way of roads or canals. Mr. Clay stated this argument and exposed the condition of the West, in a very handsome manner, and was commencing a very handsome appeal to the feelings when Mr. Barbour got up for the purpose of explaining away ostensibly, but really to break it up which he did. After speaking for about two hours and a half he sat down and the question was taken as to Mr. Barbour’s amendment and lost ayes 116. Noes about 80. Immediately after which the House adjourned and we went home. On the whole very much pleased indeed. Mr. C. is one of the first speakers in this country, in manner, voice, gesture and simplicity of language. The flexibility and variety of his tones is astonishing.1

In the evening, we did intend having an oyster supper, but were 43interrupted by Messieurs Connell2 and Blunt who came and spent the evening. So we were obliged to delay it.