Washington City
Jan 19. 1846
Mary,
I have recd. letters from Mary and
Edward and it is with great pleasure and I
[Word]
hope, with gratitude to God I learn ^ that you [are]
preserved in health, but regret that you could
not keep [Word] or find some other girl, as I
fear the effect of work on yourself.
My own health is quite as good as
usual. Mr Foot whose wife is now with him,
is sick. He has been somewhat alarmingly sick
but is now apparently very much better & will
I presume resume his seat in the house in a
few days. One of our members, Mr Taylor
of Virginia died suddenly yesterday morning.
He had been unwell a few days & very unexpectedly
died, as it now seems, from a disease of the heart.
His funeral is attended tomorrow in the Hall of the
House of Representatives. I had not heard that he
was sick until I heard of his death.
Last Tuesday I by invitation dined at the
Presidents. These Presidential dinners are great oc-
casions & especially to us to whom they are new,
as Capt. Tyler did not have them. The members
are invited with their ladies. There was present
about 25 gentlemen and 12 ladies. We are invited
at 5 o clock and were all in the parlor by half past five
but did not go to the table until past six. The Presidents
Secretary (Mr. Walker) his nephew, is master of ceremonies.
The ladies are each severally assigned to the care of
other than their husband
a particular gentleman ^ between whom is an introdu
tion for that purpose, and each gentleman is told when
to take seat at the table. The President takes his seat at
one side of the table in the middle and his lady opposite
and the gentlemen with ladies take seats as ordered
each side of them and at each end are seated the
are
gentlemen who ^ without ladies in care. I was by
Mr. Walker assigned to take charge of Mrs Darrol
who was there with her husband Mr. Darrol of Penn-
sylvania, an accomplished lady, & directed to take seat
at the left hand of & next to the President. This brought
us to a conspicuous position at table but the lady
though modest was entirely unembarrassed which
gave an assurance & support and all passed pleasantly.
The table is about ten yards (30 feet) long and at least
two yards wide mats are placed on the table
but the dessert is on the glasses, wine, plates knives and
forks & spoons. The meats are on a side table carved
by servants & flatter passed to each who helps him
self. First soup 2 then turkey, birds, and then
a great succession of dishes. Then dessert of
ice cream, Charlotte Russ fruits & nuts. We
were at table about tow hours. On returning to parlor
coffee was served & all left in a few minutes, being
now nine o clock. I have thought you might
have some curiosity on this subject & therefore have
written more fully upon it. There was nothing peculiar
in the manner of the parlor or table which could
embarrass any gentleman or lady of the most plain
and simple manners. I think not half the ladies
there spoke half a dozen words while there, but were
all talked to by Mrs. P and by the gentlemen who had
them in charge. I was the same day
invited by President Adams a second time to dine
with him but of course declined.
to the Presidents
Mr. marsh & Mr. Foot, & ladies were invited ^ for
Friday last & Mr & Mrs M. attended.
There is here a Mr. Chipman a member from Michigan
& his wife. He last summer obtained a divorce from his
wife & this woman was a witness on that occasion against
his former wife, was (as is said) a hired maid in his
family & immediately after the divorce he married her.
This story has followed them here and the ladies decline
her acquaintance. There has been some speculation
how [they] would be treated at the Presidents, as all
agreed they must be invited. On Friday they were
there and it had been much inquired what shall
be done by the lady assigned to be led to the table
by Mr. Chipman & what gentleman is to have the
honor of gallanting Mrs. C. As it was not known
when they were to be there, Mrs. Darrol told me
she had been in constant fear that it might
be her bad luck to have him for her partner.
When however the time came Mr. Walker very
judiciously let Mr. Chipman to the charge of
his own lady and all passed off without offence.
I have seen this lady once and she is a tall
awkward thing with white eye brows and vulgar
walk.
We have a chaplain almost blind, so much
so that he cannot read. He repeats the chapters
from memory. He is a young man of good taste
and talent & delivered a sermon to day in the
Capitol with which I was much pleased.
I put into the envelope of Francis letter
a note to you in relation to some cards and
await your order. Is there any other matter
in the way of stationary or ornament which
can obtain for you on my stationary account.
You know I cannot obtain money for that. I
must take stationary but may go into the city
& buy my articles of & give order for
its payment.
Tell Mary I thank her for every letter
& especially such as for her last
And now Mary, Good night with
love to our children I commit you all to
Divine Providence & his care and grace
Affectionately Yours
J. Collamer