My dear son,
We are finally at Washington in
our own house but without furniture – We
left home the 20^th of Nov – stopped one
day at Albany two three days in New York
2 in Philadelphia – Our party consisted of
your father, myself, Frances Worden, Fanny
Abbey and Dennis – Frances remains in
Philadelphia with her friend Mrs Mott
until we can make the house here comfortable.
We were two days at the hotel though
Abbey Dennis’ and Mary Coe (who is our cook
came with us from New York) came to the
house the day after our arrival – Our
furniture which left New York the 15^th
does not come yet so we are living
without any with two chairs a table
and half a dozen plates – I think
you would laugh to see the incongruity
of our housekeeping with four servants

and nothing to make them or ourselves
comfortable – We have a coloured waiter
or stewart as they are called here
and tomorrow I expect the 5^th in the form
of a coloured chambermaid – Dennis is
only a “temporary” when we get settled he
returns to Auburn - Frederick Willie and
Caroline Canfield come when he goes back –
Grandpa will probably come down with
John in about a month – Aunty Worden
remains with him that time – Should
anything prevent his coming Aunt Clary
will stay with him until I go home in
April – It is a cold day and the
ground is covered with snow so that we
are not now able to realise that the
climate is materially warmer than at
Auburn – I saw Col. Webbs daughters at
Washington New York at the Astor house –
Robert is there with his wife – the Col.
was in Washington at that time having just
succeeded y in getting the Mission to Austria
He passed through Philadelphia while we
were there in fine spirits, talking of his
sojourn in Europe – You may imagine

our surprise this morning on receiving a letter
from him saying he had that day sailed
and the evening previous was married to
a Miss Cram of N.Y. – Knowing how
highly I esteem his former wife he
deprecates my censure - I much acknow-
ledge myself too much grieved by this
indecent haste, to write the letter he
desires me to write to his daughters to
reconcile them to his ill timed marriage –
The young lady he has married has a
wealthy father and is but 25—
I am sorry he will not let me respect
him – I am attached to the children
for their mother’s sake – There never
were two daughters more devoted to a
father than his – how poorly he repays
their affection – I have only been
to Church since I came to this city except
to make purchases for the house –
We came over from Baltimore with Mrs.
Bliss the President’s daughter – She is very
agreeable – Your father says the
President looks unusually well –
tomorrow Congress convenes and receives

the message - which I suppose will reach
you soon after this letter – I shall get
your letters two or three days earlier
here than at Auburn – George Grier
Uncle George, Mary Seward and her
affiancè met us at New York – Mary
has thrown aside her mourning and is
to be married this month – Miss
Parsons school is established in the old
house and in a flourishing condition –
No teacher has yet to be obtained for the
boys department – Clarence went to
board at the hotel when we came
away until the return of Mr Blachford’s
family when he is to board there –
Our house will be closed when Grandpa
comes away – Fanny sends a kiss –
May God bless you prays your affectionate
Mother