Washington City
 Dec 12. 1858
Mary,
I recd. your note of the 8th inst.
 last evening & was pleased to hear you 
were all well. I desire to hear from home 
at least once each week, even if you 
have no news to write me. I however do
 not insist you shall perform this every
 time yourself. Mary & William can
 write. Tell Lizzie to try her hand in a 
letter to me. 
My pen is probably little better than 
yours & I wish Mary to take from a box 
of bright pens on my table, in my room,
 three or four pens & inclose them in next 
 letter to me, that I may see whether I 
can procure any such here. 
I have had little to do but it has


rained most of the time since I came 
& I have therefore not been out much.
I have been to the Pension Office & called 
on the President & have received his 
card of invitation to dinner next Tuesday.
 I will write you about it when it
 comes off. 
I have not been to Willards but 
intend going soon. Mrs Foster & Mrs 
Wood are at present the only ladies I 
know there. Mrs Hatch does not come
 this winter & he says their child is no 
better. Mrs. Spinner is at Willards.
The Capitol presents the same ap-
pearance as when you was here. No more 
seems to be done externally & the same 
amount of rubbish, stone & litter around 
it. Internally more is done & it looks as 
if the new Senate Room might be
 ready to receive us in the course of the 
winter. You know however that I regard 
our present room as the best. 


I have just recd. a letter 
from Frances. All well at Cambridge & 
she says 
Henry 
is not only well & growing but is 
really interested in his school & improves in
 his reading. 
Rain, rain. Love to you &
 ours & respects to friends & neighbors. 
Affectionately
Your Husband