Washington
Saturday Sep 7^th —
My dear Sister,
It is a rainy Saturday — my
little girl and I are alone in the nursery —
Well you see this 31^st Congress has decided
in favour of Slavery — Pearce’s bill has
passed the house — those persons who have
been most active in raising a panic
are now saying the “Union is saved’
“The slavery question is settled’ — There
was all manner of vacillation in the
house previous to passing the bill — the
day before yesterday what was considered
a test vote was against the bill —
A reconsideration was obtained and enough
dough faces were found to change the
majority from 8 against to 8 in favour —
I shall not be surprised now if they
pass the Fugitive slave bill — indeed
no concession to the South could surprise
me after what I have seen —

[bottom Margin] Fred

x

Frederick Seward

Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25

is well & sends love

[top Margin] h

Unknown

My dear Sister

This is considered a triumph of the
Administration or as the Union pleases
to designate this the Filmore [ Wighs ]
over the Seward Whigs — The latter
at present in the house I believe count
about 7!! — I shall remember their
names — Henry is content that he
has done his duty — he has fought against
fearful odds in power & number —
I hope now there is a prospect of
an adjournment — the 1^st of October is
talked of but nothing decided —
I was very glad to get the letters
have read Augustus over a number
of times — somehow he seems to write
just what one wishes to hear — I sent
a letter by the Atlantic which sails
to day — I hope your sprained ankle
is better though I am afraid you
are not well as I think I would
have had a letter before this time —
I do not see any company in the
morning so I have the best part of

[bottom Margin] the fresh ^part^ of Henry’s

the day to myself – Henry occupies the
parlour for an office at present —
I only wait for a day for the adjournment
to be fixed to begin to prepare the house
to leave — We generally walk or ride
after dinner— Yesterday we went
to Georgetown and then drove on the
bank of the Potomac 2 or 3 miles
the most pleasant drive I have found
here – Mrs John Davis called while
I was gone — I was sorry not to see
her though I do not feel very kindly
towards her husband since he voted
for Pearce’s bill — The only lady
I have seen is Mrs David Hall — others
have been here when I was out and
I try to keep my arrival from being
known — it is too warm to be dressed
for company — Fanny goes to Mrs Halls
to spend the day Monday — The Kings
are here yet & Mrs Brooks — the former
called a day or two ago — I have
driven twice past the white house
it seems shorn of its glory — It is
wonderful how much the occupants
increase or diminish the attraction of a place

Mr Filmore sleeps on Georgetown heights
for health — Fanny occupies herself playing
with her wax doll and a little white
kitty which Mary brought home —
It looks quite lonely when I drive
past Mrs Merediths— I was sorry not
to stay long enough in Philadelphia
to see her — Lady Bulwer who is to
occupy the house is is at Newport —
I am sorry to miss Miss Bremer I see
she has gone West — Henry attended
a party given by Miss Lycch Lynch
and other ladies at the National
Wednesday evening — Miss Lynch is an
authoress and has accompanied Miss Bremer
in some of her travels — She has a bill before
Congress to obtain the pension of some
diceased relative — I wish I could be
at home with you this rainy day — has
Clara decided yet which Mexican blankets
she will take — she could not make
up her mind before I left — My love to
her & Willie— I am sorry to say Dr Pratt
has done my teeth no good — my mouth
troubles me as much as ever – I begin to
fear there is no remedy — He says the California
gold is alloyed with just about the proportion
of copper & silver used by Dentists —