Washington Jan 1^st
My dear Sister
I wish you all a happy New Year
which wish I suppose will be as efficacious at
this distance as it would be were we near
each other. It is a beautiful bright morning
here I hope it may be at home . For the
first time since we have been here the
carriages are rolling along the streets as
they used to do in old times. Henry &
Fred & Anna & Fanny have been to the Presidents
to attend the reception of the Foreign Ministers
in the state carriage. Nicholas looking very
well in his livery and Henry ^also^ as a very tall
footman. Vosburgh however would not allow
him to open the carriage door as he was there
in his best coat for that purpose himself
The firing of cannons in the camps, (owing to my
ignorance) alarmed me (last night at 12) until
I was assured that it was on account of the
advent of the New Year. There must have been
concerted action as the reports succeeded each
other with great rapidity.

[left Margin]
I called to see Mrs Cameron

x

Margaret Cameron

Birth: 1804

one day this week
but must reserve this also.

[left Margin]
Send the spoons
to Washington.

[top Margin]
Fanny sends love to all
including Tripp

x

Trip Pet

Birth: 1851-06-13 Death: 1862

.

[right Margin]
Charles Worden

x

Charles Worden

Birth: 1830

& his wife

Unknown

& Lester

Unknown

have
all been here.

[right Margin]
Morris

x

Edward Morris

Birth: 1815-07-16 Death: 1881-12-31Certainty: Possible

is
also in the State
Department

Anna & Fred are now at 1/2 past 12 in
the parlour "receiving"– any number of foreign
ministers I should judge from the talk.
All seem pleased that the dispatch to England
was so well received by the people at home.
It has convinced me that the Americans have
more true greatness than any of those powerful
European nations which never fail to seize
every opportunity of tres spassing on the rights of others.
Mr and Mrs George Schuyler dined with us
yesterday. He has just returned from Europe
where he went to purchase arms. Mrs Schuyler
is agreeable without being assuming. I went
yesterday morning to see Mrs Bailey who has
just buried her son Frank 15 years old –
she is greatly afflicted. I also went to
see Mrs Schoolcraft who is, I think, insane.
He is still more helpless than he was – the
house untidy and comfortless – it was a sad
spectacle. I commenced this letter this
morning – it is now three oclock – the
reception is over and our folks have gone
for a drive. There were a great many
people here. All the foreign ministers or at

[right Margin]
This morning Isaac Hoppers

x

Issac Hopper

Birth: 1771-12-03 Death: 1852-05-07

daughter

x

Abigail Gibbons

Birth: 1801-12-07 Death: 1893-01-16

has been here to see me.


[top Margin]
I had a long talk with her.

least many of them, many army officers
some of note and some yet unknown
to fame. No refreshments were given, except
to the police officer who guarded the door,
& came in after the doors were closed. I went
down to see Mrs. Schuyler and sat in the back
parlour with the shutters closed. It was
a pretty tableaux. Anna & Fred constantly
receiving the guests as they were announced by
the usher, and Henry shaking hands generally
about the rooms. Some old acquaintances
and some foreign ministers with their wives
with the chief Army officer came in to our room.
The military buttons & epauletts added much
to the gaiety of the scene. Mrs Schuyler remained
being a daughter of Eve like the rest us,
until the reception closed - when she took leave
of me & afforded me an opportunity of escaping to
my room. She & her husband remained to Lunch
Fanny stayed in the room with us. We do not
go tomorrow as Henry said he might go with us
if we waited until Friday, though I hardly expect
it. Augustus withdrew from the house after break-
-fast and has not yet returned. I will now try
to sleep a little while.

Thursday morning - Your letter of last Friday reached
here Tuesday and yesterday the forks & spoons
came. I find our people use the large
spoons for soup and must have 24 will
you send 4 of those you found by Express
I am sorry to give you so much trouble.
The others will come up some day I presume.
Augustus spent the day in Baltimore - came
home in the evening. The Wells and Bates
part of the Cabinet were here last evening.
Mrs Lincoln has told Henry that she would
be pleased to see me. I will go there when
I come again but cannot now. I am worthless
to day and am putting up my things to go back.
Henry thinks he may go with us if he does not
Augustus will. Have you read "Cecil Dreem"
we have but Fanny wants it - will you get
a copy for her at the bookstore. The introduc-
-tion is written by Curtis in his happiest style.
Winthrop was an original thinker. I am reading
Count Gasparin's "Uprising of a Great People" and
will send it to you when I conclude.
I asked Mr Derby to send you a bound volume
of "The Foreign Correspondence". He inquires if there
is any thing else you want and will be
glad to send the same. He is to have his
daughters here this Winter. I have been in such
a perpetual round of company since I came
though I really see but very few that come here
that I forgot many things - among others an
interview with Charles Sumner about which I
will write in my next. We go tomorrow at 11
it will be better there for us both. I wish I could take
Augustus with me. Love to Clara & the children . Good bye
dear Sister.