Washington Saturday 6t
My dear Sister
I hardly know when I wrote last but
not since your good Sunday letter came –
I am glad you are having so pleasant a visit
from Mary Raines – Henry says you can tell Col.
Carpenter that he had anticipated his request
and had already written directly to the Governor
which forms the only individual exception to
a rule upon which you know he has acted of
not applying to Gov King in behalf of any of
his friends – Henry has finished his Kansas
speech – I am very glad, it is a good speech
and he is relieved by its conclusion – he
only waits a suitable occasion for its delivery –
Anna & Mr Wharton came last evening – a letter
from Fred had told us they were coming this
week – they came from New York and were both
very tired – Clarence and his associate counsel
a Mr Jencks of R. Island were & Mr Fletcher
were dining with us – Clarence came Thursday
and remains until next Tuesday – As we
have no room for him he is at the National
not very comfortable from his representation –
& indeed none of the hotels here are particularly
so –

Charles Sumner spent an hour or two here
yesterday morning having come to Washington the
day previous – He made particular enquiries
about you & Pisgah – seemed much
pleased when I told him you were talking
of writing to him to come & make you a visit
He says he is better than when you saw him
that his back does not trouble him now
I observe that he rises with much more
care than he did last Winter – Still he
seems to me less nearer entire recovery than
he imagines himself to be His face is unnatu-
rally full and flushed – It seems to me
that his physicians mistake in recommending
a very generous diet, but he is persuaded
it is all right as he is getting better with
the regimen they present – We had a
pleasant conversation of an hour – he told me
many interesting incidents of his travels – has
only come for a few days to vote on the
Lecompton Constitution –
Anna has with her a beautiful likeness
of Fred – a colored photograph – the forehead
and eyes are perfect – She says Fred keeps
well and poor Wilkeson keeps sick –
Caroline Schoolcraft is to come next week
having stayed longer in New York than
she at first proposed –

Evening – I commenced this letter
this morning hoping to write a full sheet
but having slept little last night, after
a drive this morning – I finished the day
with some neuralgia pains – which
obliges me to finish my letter or rather to
send it unfinished – Henry has taken Kate
& Fanny and Lady Napiers two little boys
to the Theater – Anna is down stairs
with her father – George has gone to
play whist with Harrington some where
after being up at the Capitol all night –
The House did not adjourn until after 6
this morning – spent the night voting &
quarreling – Keitt and someone else
had a fight for the amusement of
the house – Kate gave George his
breakfast at 2 oclock – I did not
go down to dinner or tea –
Poor Aunty Miller – she seems to have a dreary
path as she insists upon putting out all
the lights – Tell her I send love –
Love to Clara – your own
Sister –