Washington – Sunday Feb 24^th
My dear Sister,
It seems finally decided
that Frances and Willie are to leave here
one day this week – what day will
depend upon the company they find – I
shall miss Frances very much one is
very much alone when they have no
female friend in the same house – I
hope Frances will be able to persuade you
to come to Washington with Clarence if
he comes and if he does not Fred
will come for you his father says he
can spare him for that purpose one week.
Both Clarence and Mr Blatchford wrote to Henry
in a manner that indicates their belief
that Clarence coming here is a sacrifice
to the conscience and comfort of Henry
or Fred or both. As Henry had no
object in view except the improvement
and gratification of Clarence himself he
is not willing to be so construed – He
has written as much to Mr Blatchford

and leaves it for them to determine whether
he come now or at some future time if
he comes at all – This need not interfere
with your visit – Frances will tell you how
much more pleasant it is here now than
in mid Winter – though I wish you to
come then too I would prefer that your
first impression like my own were received
in an agreeable season – Our little Fanny
has been so unwell this week that I have
been out but little – she is tolerably well
again – went down to breakfast this morning –
There is just at this time such an influx of
visitors from our state that I find all
my calling hours devoted to them – Frances
has very wisely declined all invitations
to attend parties this last week – her cold
is wearing off though she coughs still –
Weed is here again – Friday evening Henry had
a small supper party – I think 8 guests –
among them was Foote of Mississippi –
he and Magnum were eloquent on the subject
of the dissolution of the Union – The entertainment
consisted of stewed terrapins fried oysters
and roast ducks – with all varieties of wine
I went to bed and left them at the table

As they did not assemble until 9 oclock
I did not see them – Next Wednesday
16 members of Congress are to dine with us
and the remainder some time the week after –
Charles has been engaged in his capacity of
Carpenter in elongating our table – the china
necessary is to be hired – I might just as
well have come prepared to entertain any amount
of company as it is impossible for Henry to
avoid having them – Mrs Rufus King and
Mrs Watts Sherman are here – Mrs Sherman
and Mr King called Friday – Mrs King was
sick – there were somewhat more than a
dozen other New York people here the same
day – No very interesting debates have
engaged the Senate for the last week – Mr
Calhoun is to speak this week if he is able which
is a matter of doubt – Col. Benton and Mr Webster
are both expected to speak on the California
question as will Henry by and by – Mrs Sackett
talks of going home with Mr Weed some
time this week – I like Mrs Sackett very
much and shall be glad to renew our
acquaintance at home – No news from
Augustus yet – I cannot dismiss the belief
that he is on his way home – it is now
three weeks since I have had a letter –

Willie is much elated with the prospect of going
home – I am only sorry that he will lose
his lessons for some weeks to come should Fred
not go home – I am much troubled about your
eyes – I think you ought to use spectacles – I
am obliged to do so when I read newspapers in
the evening – there is danger of a permanent
injury to the eye in taxing it at our time
of life. If you see Mrs Pitney say to her I am
much obliged to her for her letter – Remember me
to Mrs Porter when you see her – also to Mrs Miller
Will you engage Miss Bennet to sew for me
as early as the middle of April – Abbey will
not come home with me – she is to stop in Albany
for three or four weeks – The time of my
coming will depend somewhat upon Augustus
but I think it will not be later than the
middle of April – That we can talk about when
you get here – Monday – I have kept my letter
until to day that I might say when Frances
would leave – She has decided to go with a
party who leave here Wednesday – She thinks
they may reach Auburn Friday but I think
not before Saturday – Love to Clarence
your own Sister –