Washington City
Feb 3. 1856
Mary,
I received yours of the 28th inst. I
received a line from you announcing the
death of Mrs Ringman & afterwards a paper
containing her obituary. Not knowing when
you was to leave for home I did not think it
best to send to you at S6. A but presumed Mary
would keep you informed of my writing until
I knew you had reached home.
In relation to the condition of the pecuniary
affairs at St. Albans you express the proper feeling,
that if there is anything justly coming to you
there you want it for the children, but do not
desire any trouble about it. It is true that if
Mr. Smith gave Mrs. K. to understand there was
property of his to dispose of & she made her will
relying on this, I think he will hardly say now
that there is little or none. But he may say so
& say also that he was unwilling to distress her by
so saying at that time.
I cannot but say that I have great
confidence in the integrity of Mr. Smith I believe
he will make a truthful exposition of the
business, but I think the business has been
conducted & the family establishments kept
up without any regard to economy, at
very great expense & the money has probably
not been kept either very well invested or
probably
very secure & ^ much of it is lost. It has answered
the great purpose for which money is wanted.
It has carried Mrs. K through life & supported
her with all that money could obtain.
As the business must entirely depend on the
integrity & conduct of Mr. Smith I think
it will be best for you not to be impatient,
sometime
but ^ write to your brother what you know
& how you feel on the subject & request
him to write you his views & intentions.
Mary, make yourself no way uneasy
or unhappy on this point. I trust in God
we shall get on in life without want &
that he will not see our children forsaken.
Keep yourselves as comfortable as possible
this cold winter & may you be preserved
in health.
I had a letter from Ellen this past week
& she says Francy has been troubled with
rheumatism but was getting better. I
presume you you know more than myself
on the subject.
I suppose it is my duty to go to
the reception of each of the Secretaries once.
I have received cards to them all but have
only been to the Postmaster Gen. because of the
cold. I have not been to the Presidents
reception, nor do I expect to go, as I have
called on him respectfully & that is all that
civility requires unless particularly invited,
to dinner or otherwise.
Yesterday to my great surprise Judge
Cutts came into my room. He is the only
man residing in Vermont who has called
on me this winter, except Mr Hall of
Brattleboro, who was here at the commencement
of the Session. Judge Cutts told me of the
general affairs of the vicinity &State. He has
gone down into Virginia to look to the affairs of
an aunt & says he will stay some days on his
return.
As Mr Banks has been chosen Speaker, we
shall now go to work, to which I have no objection.
I wish to be remembered to our kind neighbors,
as you see them, as well the ladies as gentlemen.
& now with love to you & to ours
I remain Your Affectionate
Husband
J. Collamer