Washington Thursday 18^th
My dear Sister,
I commence a letter to day as I
have some leisure – finish when I get your letter
I received a merry letter from Fred a few days
ago which he will excuse answering as I
am now preparing to come home – I cannot defer
my departure beyond the 1^st of May if Augustus
does not come though I am very unwilling to
go home without him – I presume he is on his
way by this time – we shall hear nothing further
from him until he comes – Fanny is quite
sick again with one of the usual attacks –
fever and sore throat – I had hoped my
calls were nearly all returned but the last
two weeks has increased them to 60 – and
tomorrow will add to these – it is my last
reception – I shall then dismantle the parlour —
Saturday Mrs Nelson and Mrs Carroll took
tea with me and their husbands and Judge
Wayne Sunday Mr and Mrs Weed came – leaving
Harriet in New York – they are at the National —
They were here to tea with Truman Smith and
Mr Stanley – Monday evening – Tuesday morning

we went with them to Georgetown and visited the
convent about which I will tell you when
I come home – I then went with them to the
Presidents – after which they with Mr Upham
and Rufus King were here to dinner – I went
to bed so much fatigued that I could not sleep
and yesterday stayed at home to rest and take
care of Fanny – A committee including
some of the members of the Senate go next
week to South Carolina with with the remains
of J.C. Calhoun – Henry says if I were ready
he would then go North with me – I would
not hesitate a moment if Augustus were here.
I stopped here to read your letter which just
came – I am glad you are home again &
sorry Clara is going away before I come —
You dont know how much I want to see
you both – I have had no woman to talk
to since Frances left – to be sure I used to
tell Fred everything – but I am quite alone now
Henry has no time for anything – I am very
sorry Ann torments you all so – I have not
the least objection to her being dismissed imme-
diately – if you can find anyone else – I have
a new coloured girl here who I think will do
very well for her situation – but I have never
found any that are very reliable —

It will give you some idea of the management
of our man Charles, if you will tell Dennis
that the coal which he bought for the
summer is all gone – Henry often asks who
is to take care of things here when I am
gone –If Abbey were any better than the others
I would leave her but she is not – Dennis is
more trust worthy than any one I know at present.
I became entirely disgusted with Alicia’s proceedings
before I left and I presume Ann is no better —
I think sometimes a change of evils is agreeable
if not beneficial – If Ann stays with me I
shall insist upon her taking the same work she
had when I left —If I could only send Augustus
a letter to let him know I had left Washington
but this is impossible – Fanny seems so much
better this morning that I shall not send
for a Dr – I hope you received the Union
two numbers were sent – Henry wishes you to read
those debates – There was a disgraceful scene
in the Senate yesterday – Col Benton thought
himself insulted by Foote and rushed towards
him – Foote fled at first and then turned and
presented a pistol – They were separated by
the other Senators – I have as yet read no
report of the transaction – Tell Willie I am
very glad to hear he studies his lessons well —

Fanny says she always wants Willie when she is
sick – She went to the circus with Clarence
Monday – Clarence is very uncomfortable
most of the time but this is entre nous—Clarence went to Baltimore Yesterday – returned this
morning – Love to all at home
Your own
Sister
A severe headache must excuse this letter —