7/14/58 Washington 20th Sep At this particular conjunctions when minutes is at hand, and all the interesting connected with it full in prospect;_ Whin too, the of popular opinion aare soon to and organise the great Political arena on which the context in to rage The imagination in wakened to an excited interest the feeling are ready to spring in unison with the magnitude of the subject and side in the or partially may dictate_ Adam or Jackson. Rarely has it been that our Nation yet young in the experience of political has been so agitated with with any single topic as this of the next Presidency. Pt in indeed a question which ought to challenge the session interest of a great people on whose suffrages alone it is to them: Yet it is somewhat surprising that the great excep of sympathy on animosity which is evinced in almost every parlour kitchen in the country, should be felt by men whose interests are so remotely affected by the that it might almost be termed a question of pure abstraction with them. But don't is Sept. 20th 1827 Politics Farmer quit their plough or their sickle. Mechanics thorn by their tools, & merchants neglect their books to become politicians_and or the Presidential Candidate who to them is as the man in the moon But we must take things as they are. To enjoy the blessings of a free government, we must endure the ranting dogmatism of electioncesing eloquence _ and rest contented in the position that "Error of Opinion may be safely tolerated when Reason is left free to combat it" Mr. Adams is the incumbent of Office and accordry to all precedent then should be some story of disagreement him & the American people on great principles too , are an exception be made in his case to the rule of reelection for eight years. But Mr. Adams has political made Mr Clay dies of stats_ with his former adversary and reached the presidential chair by the and party. This constitutes a mighty fact which, however justified by circumstancy, will be reviewed by the map of the people on a political bargain, and therefore condemned as political Stimulated by a set of politicians corruption all of whom are anxious for any change in this exciting state of things, with this hope of personal advantage from the turn of tide, the popular sentiment is excited to an extraordinary degree and in spite of the high qualities of Mr Adams as a Statesman, his long experience in National & foreign relations - his well stored mind and his energetic character, The crude Soldier with only honesty & patriotism his promises, to rage most political was with him and perchance rise triumphant on his downfall The opposition rank, on the floors of Congress are rife with talent of the first order: And in the Senate they have lately been reducted by numbers sufficient to make their vote the preponderant one. The content will be then for Most obstinate, and it would not greatly take on to predict a final success to the of Jackson. It is a growing cause. Each day brings forth new testimonials of theirs, and important accessions of suffrage an developed at every election too. it in said at length taken sides is spoken of as candidate for the vice presidency on the Jackson ticket Sept, 20th 1827 Politics (Mclean) Judge Mcleans, the Postmaster Genuine who has hitherto acknowledge only neutrality is condifently believes to be in feeling, friendly to the Jackson cause, and perhaps will not much longer conceal it Few men now enjoy more popularity than Judge McLean. He is now unsophisticated in the political diplomacy and has therefore never committed himself in such a way as to afford ground for public animadversions. With all the lights of other men's experience therefore before him, With a creed of pure popular of chracters With ambition that aspires to tenets for his nothing short of highest, and with a modest sympathy of manners which makes him easily accessible to all men, he occupies an important great position in the arena and with favorable fortune may one day find himself a principal competition The accession of for the ultimate prize Judge Mclean to the Jackson Party is therefore a circumstance of some considerable moment It identifies him with that great political division of the community and at the same time gives strong Countenance to the principles on which that division is formed as a party. It leads us to believe that in spirit of all objections against this election of a mere military hero to civil there are little weightier reasons why the disciplined statesman & incumbent of Office should be Popular infatuations are cannot this placed suppose this to be. Grave men like Clinton Mclean cannot be influenced by the eclat martial exploits But in Jackson, it is evident they see the lesser evil While they acknowledge the awful precedent which this election would create_the portentous imitation of all former Republics whose liberties have fallen sacrifice to popular enthusiasm in favour of successful leaders, these politicians join with the popular in tolerating the alternative encountering the hazard than endure that coalition of Office which at least, resembles Corruption, and as such, more seriously threatens the purity of the permanency of our institutions than would the open election of a military chieftain Friday 28th Sept 1827 The General, accompanied by Brown departed day before for Annapolis, on a visit of inspects to that post. The return to morrow make an execution soon to Point also. It is long since I was there and I feel anxious to review Those with which one of the most interesting & important passages of my life was associated agreed with the General, although I cannot see that his health is decidedly impaired from the time he left Washington he March last. If he keeps along without failing, it will be as much as can be nothing expected. The critical state of the political atmosphere has not lost its influence on the General too. If the be that Gov Clinton has with Mr to defeat the prospects of Mr at the next election, it will anger the most unequivocal signs as to the side that N York will take in the controversy. Already the General sees these things with some disquietude, because they not only disappoint his own speculations & prospect, but disprove the prognostications which he has to confidently made. Great results are and time will long unburden itself of them painting I have recently taken a great fancy to likenesses & drawing heads. of this place in quite an in this branch of water colouring Knowing that a little be of great service to me. I took 2 or 3 of wood some weeks since & have profited so much by this that my style is able to gather improved & my knowledge of the art greatly enlarged. These exercises are very agreeable to me but they consume so much time that I am unable to decide whether I do rightly in devoting my hours to such ordinates a branch of accomplishment. It is very pleasant however to have portraits of our firends and I feel that the of the skill requisites to take them at least a valuable requisitions. Wednesday October 3rd 1829 acting General The Gen is sick to day_ His old attack of dressings_ God grant it may prove nothing Col. Jones who has long been promising himself the luxury of a Country excursion took horse to dau and left me in charge of his assumption Office. In this transient of Official dignity I feel more practically aware of the prerogatives which attach to my situation the authorizing aides Leave as Acting Genl's when so ordered by their chiefs I slide into the routine of the office with a good deal of ease and should like to discharge its duties a long time. En avant however is my My biles have not left my face yet motto So alas! to my beauty! I scarcely dare appear before decent people my cheek is so disguised diet and exercise_ Constant and no indulgency_ Such is life! OCt 16th Tuesday acts Col Jones has not returned, do ever since I have been apediciously engaged in the duties of Gen dept. Within this Period, a very important order has been of such The change the stations of the Regiments responsible talks of assigning all the companies to this new stations therefore devolved on me such things are more pregnant with flame than praise because, the querulous are noisy and the satisfied, quiet. However, my name has gone forth in an imposing attitude and if destruction consists in nature, I shall not have laboured in vain The Genl's health is good again. The weather gets cool & one office are warmed with fires. Tomorrow we let out for Old J. Comfort, if nothing material prevent as I hope it may not, for these we have already been disappointed Day before yesterday I purchased 500 dollars woth of Back stock in the Back of the Metropolis I suffer still with though they have left my face for the present Tuesday 23 October Monroe On Wednesday the 17th the Genl accompanied by Brown left embarked on the Potomac for Old P. Comfort from we have returned to day. Our visit has been extremely agreeable as to weather and all other circumstances connected with it. We found the Battalion in fine order and the state of the common generally creditable to the excellent officer who presided ours it. The Band gave us some most exquisite music and the Thespian Corps entertains us with a fine exhibition in their new theater. On every account, Old P Comfort ought now to be as the most desirable stations among the Regiments The order for Reg exchange had reached Monroe the very day we arrived there and we formed much excite ment prevailing among the officers in consequence the grumblers' who denounced Old Point before, now relented and offered every if they could be permitted to stay on that "Land bank" So selfish are all our opinions: so measured ought they to be recruited 26 oct The Mr East's I found very much the same as formerly, and emphatically so. This latter is matter of regret where there are so much room for improvement Col. E. lives liberally, at an annual expense of perhaps 5000 dollars. He drinks champaign every day and sees much company. Mr E has always been used to luxury and every species of gratification which wealth could command, and which every is to character on a woman of polished education & story one is apt to laments. What the results of ease & affluence on such a mind, are evident as usual, in comparative imbeciles An ancient philosopher once observed that "after all, the only positives & satisfactory gratifications of life are the sensual one _ the pleasures of the table" I was surprised to hear Mrs Easte's repeat the same sentiment as her own!_It struck me the more forcible too, as I have often been willing myself to subscribe to it, though it reflect no on the dignity of our intellectual nation. But it is frequently felt to be true by many who are perhaps ashamed to confess its and I suspect by those who have highest pretenscious to intellectuals superiority; or at least, it is oftener found in this class than in the lower order who derive this enjoyments from this active & physical operations of labordinate life Friday 26th Oct (The Pleasure of life) Yet in my own experience I found reason to qualify the judgment of Mr E. by taking into consideration her circumstances & of living. of all, that 99 hundreths of the world are seeking for , she lacks the excitement incident to pursuit of any kind, and finds her little hours to roll heavily by her mind stimulated by no incentives, nor grateful for any novelty. One day with another papers monotonously and its adventitous event to furnish mental excitement enough to occupy a twentieth part of her time: The long residen is therefore all a blank, save only the periodical return of the time or hour. At Table indeed (while health last) the palate is cheerfully gratified; and this enjoyment unlike every other in the world ends in ample satisfaction such in the argument, and such has often been mine, but only when I have found my self in Mrs East's circumstances, no positive pursuits no decided occupations, no call for diligent & The man however who conscientiously acknowledge such sentiments may be considered as in adangerous way His mind is retrograding_His energies are relaxing He lives to eat_not eat to live Politics Monday 29th Oct 1827 Ebony & Topaz Surely the late visit of our worthy chief magistrate to the East must have bewildered his political sagacity or perhaps called back so many associated connected with his academicks days that fables & allegories mythology & nonsology assumed such the mental empire where worldly wisdom ought to reign undisputed Seriously_the Presidents Baltimore toast, and his long prosing "explanation" of it, reads but awkwardly in history and land still more awkwardly in the It was wide mothed head of political novelty altogether uncalled for & entirely puerile from beginning to end; Inconsistent with the character of the Past of the US. & incompatible with the ascension which draws it forth. Besides the expression of "living a bullet to the hear" of an genial is one which belongs to another century_Neither the refinement nor the moral character of this will justly so strange and so barbarous a sentiment In short, there are very few men who can daily discourse to such the times, feet & of these few our primal functionary ought at least to be one Tuesday 5th Nov 1827. Politics My official duties, together with the expense of this I incur in my portrait drawing encroach on the hour I formerly allotted to this little journal Nothing of consequence has occurred worthy of Particular record since my last date, unless we except the event of the political world "Ebony & topaz" have become parts by words and we about by the oppositions Editors with Few exulting glee of the friends of Mr Adams can applaud his task. though he himself & I am told is quite satisfied with it We shall hear from the election in New York in a day or two and this lean more to warn us of the final of the Presidential Question than has yet appeared. If Jackson get 10 of the Electoral votes of that State his election is almost certain; and the general opinion now is that he will even have a Majority of them If so far will to the Adams school and akk the Cabinet of the present administration Nov 9th Among other symptoms of the probable success of Jacksons cause, I wonder one which I regard as particularly decision I see in politics it is a cardinal maxim to cherish hope & proclaims fine auspices even of the hope should die and auspices vanish. So with the Genl my worthy chief. Strongly a friend to adorns he confidence has uniformly expected the most new evening a full reliance on the good sense of the people in his cabins and this country. who he said would not change an administrat tion without some great public counsel_Some fundemental difference in political principles believes the the governed. This crisis however, he said, had not avoid and in spite of the present effervescence in favour of Jackson, the sound & rational cause would ultimately prevail Latterly, I have some modifications of this presage to use the most moderate time An Occasional eulogium on Jackson's Patriotism and amor, a critique on Adams of judgment. Of the latter claps the late toasr of the President has finished the Gen with Politics theme of animadversion_ He regrets that so great a statesman should have exhibited so little knowledge of political fact; Condemns his vindictive humsn too, that could have prompted so barbarous a sentiment as speedy a bullet to the hear of a brave and Then I chivalric Officer; though a Briton perceive the gen seizes upon the grave character of the toast, without adding the ridicule due to the Ebony & topaz branch of it; which convinces me that his mind is seriously balancing on the subject and that should Adams fall in the impending contest the Balt. dinner will be freely quarted as a national if not merited cause of his miscarriage Luck Mr Lean learns to be in fine spirit. He has always been the most confiding friend of the General, and between them politics has ofcourse been the uniting theme of intellectual community. The Port Mr Gen however, has been suspected of Jacksonian though professing neutrality. He has been mmore unequivocal of late however & few could doubt that his speeches were anti administration_hence his cheerful confidence in the present "signs of the times" politics Saturday Nov 10th 1827 Today the news of the N York its elections have reached us and the result though not unexpected has saddened the brow of many a friend of the administration The Jackson ticket it is said will prevail in Albany, but in the west communities of the State majorities the administration is believed to have great I can scarcely suppose its possible that Mr Van Busen possesses individually such influence with his parts as to guide or control their votes on a question like this but rather that by working the current & shaping his cause with it he manages to ride along the surface of the stream & these at least the credit of a leader. In the cirty, composed all it is of the mercantile interest almost entirely. There must be a prevailing dissatisfaction with the introduction of the West India trade. The manufacturing policy is also adverse to the of their foreign trade Besides the existence of a large & preponderating majority of the old Bucktail party who hold together in _ so far at least they have succeeded Wash Monday 12th Nov Wedding The approaching nuptials of Miss McLean & Cap Jackson cause no small excitement with us as is to be Bridesmaid and my brothers one of the groomsman. New dresses and fashions are therefore the order of the day within and morning hours the blessings of the day abroad calls of ceremony Poor Euclines can in quite a dilemma as to her third Bridesmaid. Having lately arrived as womanhood and prossessing few intimate acquaintances in the city She had no one after Pamela on whom she could call for this service, incoming those little remarks from the gossiping word which any thing I is excite. So when it known that Sophia Ramsay was the chosen attendant, I heard it frequently asked. It is not strange that Miss R should have been invited as Miss ML's Bridesmaid Why I heard they never visited more than once and no intimacy or particular ever between them! " _ All this was accompanied by the congenial sneers which spirits to exhibit and so it falls out with our pretty, frank ingenious May she be happy_still! Birth Thursday 15 November 1827 Last evening a daughter was born to one Jiene Brocken brough and the mother to day is as well as could be expected Brock, whose dispositions in Languine and joyous,seems not so much exhilaration by this event as I believe he would have keen were he father of a Son instead. Luck is the preference usually entertianed by young husbands _ at least those whom I have known in the army Mr.B_ Now twice a grandmother in to day full of employment, and all the household are in a mood of congratulations on account of the auspicious events Miss Martha Haskins arrived yesterday from Philadelphia to prepare for enduring duties as Bridesmaid to Miss McLean. Pamela and the rest of us look forward to the 20th with much interest therefore, and I trust the eventful period may not prove a disappointment to us. Last evening Mrs.Towson gave a light Music Party. We were all much pleased with her entertainment Tuesday Nov.20th 1827 (politics) The New York Elections being indicative of the popular feeling with regard to the presidential question, have almost put the matter beyond doubt and secured to the Jackson cause the surest prospects of success. Indeed the administration now have no hope but in the probability of change in Virginia, but Virginia seldom changed suddenly and one short only is to elapse before the final be made. We are naturally led to ask in reference to this extraordinary development of popular sentiment What have been the principal causes that have operated with such decisive & unexpected results on the public mind? In what has the exciting administra a change tion offended, to superinduce so marked and in what here to fall considered the prevailing sense of the Community? These reasons may be recapitulated and when balanced with the objections which have been waged against Gen. Jackson they will not be found not wanting in one weight First Mr. Adams was elected by the House of This would always prove an Representatives! unfortunate circumstances in the political auspices of any President. The people are ever jealous of their proper prerogatives and disposed to regard with little complacen -cy, the sweep of any candidate who was his elevation to the Constitutional compromise alone, but more especially so, when this candidate like Mr. Adams had not the greater number of electoral votes in the first instance_ gained his election by the majority of a unit_ and counted in this majority some of the states whose sovereignty & vote were represented by a single It is trus that Mr Jefferson was individuals. who elected by the H. of Representatives but at that time the Constitution in regard to this subject had not received that modification which now separates the election from that of of President vice President into two distinct questions Mr.Jeffersons cabinet was well chosen and his political principles harmonised with the peculiarly active prejudices of the popular mind. Mr. Adams election has been disapproved by the people and subsequent Politics have conspired to Adam and alienates many who might otherwise have abided what seemed a necessary evil. 2. Mr. Adams was elected by the dried & inis pensible aid of Mr. Clay this party and Mr Clay received the appointment at No man of sense, versed in political experience can pretend to accuse either the Pres or his first minister of corruption or mismanagement, Yet many are free to admit that such a coalition, under such circumstances and by men so widely estranged from each other in political Sentiment was extremely impolitic and well calculated to incur the most decided popular rebuke. It furnished a great fact, which none could dispute and from this suspicion fact the natural conclusions found by the map of the people mere unfavorable. The violent changes of bargain intrigue & corruption, so acrimoniously urged by the opposition were heard with more complacency on this account and no reasons however wisely arrayed could counteract the impressions which these changes of political turpitude men calculated to make However loud and imperative may be the warnings of History against military chieftains, the apprehension of Mily despotism is by no means so great among our The people as the fear of political corruption one is an open and the other a secret foe. Popular effect suffrage is an antidote to the former, but the latter may insidiously infuse its darkest poison before the effectually applied same antidote can be 3.d Some of Mr. Adams' appointments have been unfortunate & Rufus King was sent to the cause of James when his health was confessedly too for the discharge of congressional duties, while those of diplomacy still more & responsible these recklessly under- -taken and as unrelatedly neglected. Mr King too was a magnate of the old Federal Party and commited with that party alone,_ Shows of influence and destitute of power. This with other appts. of a similar kind a disposition on the part of Mr. Adams to build up strength again amongst the Federalists whose party he had long forsaken but principles in many respect, he was thoroughly suspected of being a diciple! Politics 4th. The Panama Mission one of the principal original measures of the administration has proved an abortion In appointing ministers to the Panama Congress the President exercised what he believed to be his just prerogative, but in his message he proclaims the subject in terms of allegation repugnant to the popular & republican spirit of our institutions. The measure was not demanded so suddenly as to render a few months hazardous delay important to its success and it would have been rather far more advisable in the Executive to await the pleasure of the Legislature and execute their will than his pay make any assumption of prerogative which could The effect of this plausible be disputed as well of other similar proceedings has been to rouse some a general suspicion that Mr Adams is in measure the Monarchist he is accused of being, and in fact the public had seen in him more disposition to assent & exercise the full power of executive magistracy than to lean upon the legislative or popular pleasure as the guide of his actions. So far forth he has in effect set himself in array against the people In addition to these several objection raised against the present administration, it is proper to notice the summary measures of Mr Clay in changing the publiv pointing The cold and ungainly manner of Mr. Adams toward all who approach win _ The aristocratic pride of the family and their intimate connection with men celebrated in the act of the Essex just to & the Hailford connection! This nation cannot forget the raised impediments against the efforts of the Government during the last war by that some federal party when every patriot was called on by honour of justice to devote his whole energies to the public need and rescue the public dignity from insult. Mr. Adams' family is not popular at Washington. There is much of exclusiveness in the cause of Mrs. Adams with respect to her social relations and the other measures of the Household are not less particular in their own policy. All these together with the Ebony & Topaz toast, _ the loss of the West india trade & the heights house, of the skies, under the present chief magistrate less acceptable to the people than his Martial Competitor Wedding Washt. Saturday 24th Nov 1827 On Tuesday evening Capt Taylors marriage with miss McLean was celebrated at the Mansion and in the evening a large party assembled to offer On Wednesday the customary congratulations and Thursday evenings also the house was thrown open for the reception of Company though on neither occasion was the assemble to numerous or brilliant Yesterday (Friday) as on the evening of the wedding we also invited to dine at McLeans where the bride party was to be present! The feast was very pleasant and production of high social enjoyment Miss Haskings who came from Philadelphia to attend miss Eveline proved to be a young lady of polished education & respected attainments. I had formerly seen her in Washington but it was through some of her correspondents here that I received with high favourable impressions of her excellence & worth which I have for a long time sustained. She is not beautiful though her presence is inspiring and her person attractive She has been accustomed to good society and whilst in all her demeanor the manners & accomplishment of a lady Wedding Washt Saturday 24th Nov 1827 On Tuesday evening Capt Taylors marriage with miss McLean was celebrated at the Suese's Mansion and in the evening a large party assembled to offer the customary congratulations. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings also the house was thrown open for the reception of company though on neither occasion was the assembly so numerous or brilliant Yesterday (friday) as on the evening of the wedding we men also invited to dine at Suese McLean's where the bride party were to be present! The feast was very Pleasant and production of high enjoyment Miss Haskins who came from Philadelphia to attend Miss Eveline, proved to be a young lady of polished education & respectable attainments. I had formerly seen her in Washington, but it was through one of her correspondents here that I received the high & favourable impressions of her excellence & worth which I have for a long time entertained. She is not beautiful though her presence is imposing and her person attractive She has been accustomed to good society and whilst in all her demeanor the manners & accomplishment of a lady So much for To discover & define the more important attributes of her real disposition the qualities of her heart, the depth of her understanding and the temper of her moral sensibility difficult It must in another & a more be allowed thats with all the virtue which her friends through her concur in attributing to her She has not preserved & with the the naivete of original & unsophisted innocence. There is a dash of the "initiated" visible in her general conduct; and a love of admiration evidently formed one of her ruling passions. But these forcible are perhaps insep -erable from those very accomplishments which are so much valued in society & for the attainment of which nature must make many sacrifices to Art. Besides, who is perfect?_ Were we to wait until we meet with the Brave ideal of our imaginary creations, we should at once demonstrate our folly & our despair Miss Haskins is certainly a fair girl, but she acts like me, rather "engaged" already than desirous of the being so, and exhibits much of the nonchalance rosey nay almost of her who has nothing more to gain or to desire Wedding Party One of the incidents connected with the subject of the wedding, is, the pretended attachment of the fist groomsman to the lady of whom I have just spoken I say pretended because Tyler has exhibited such eager and attentions to this rich damsel that few disinterested observers can suppose them based upon real affection or a mature understanding of the lady's worth. He knows he has but a short furlough true, and would make up in industry what he lacks of time. He feels too that he is quite old enough to be married, and has probably gamed as in as his own consent to this particular match _ Still it is exceedingly problematical whether my lady worthy of high istics  the character as described to Miss Hawkins would revive these seriously hasty and officious addresse, as the sincere offerings of disinterested affection, _ I must be still mistaken in him, if she does, and as I would cherish of her the most favaourable opinion, I rest with the belief that Tyler with all his flattery poetry, and fine figure, will not succeed in the great pursuit he has this undertaken Wash. Wednesd 28 Nov 1827 Capt. Taylor, I tyler, my brother & several other officers left the today for old  Comfort. The past week has been a gay one to us, as our family have taken so much interests in the wedding of Miss Mc Lean, and has derived no small satisfaction from the circumstances of the occassion, so important to his & P's happiness I have also seen  this family this morning.  They arrived last evening and seem to be in good health. Miss has also arrived & the will be here tomorrow These are some of the of the coming gay and to my mind the vivid recollections of the winter (2 years since) when  Fawson & I revelled in all the delight of parties balls & sociables Next Monday congress will meet_ The Speaker will be elected and the strength of parties nearly ascertained. Warm is to be the contest _ Yet I hope not violent. In all our political variances I trust we shall never forget our national  Monday Dec r 1827 (politics) I have just returned from the Capitol and learned the important issue of the vote in the choice of Speaker. Mr Stevenson was elected by a majority of 8 votes over Mr.Taylor, thus evincing the preponderance of the Jackson party in the H. of Repres These are some deductions however to be made as many indiciduals were doubtedly influenced by other considerations that the Pres. elections, still as this was the principal object of party division it may be safely concluded that the administration will no longer have a majority in the House. Mr Stevenson delivered his address of the  with much dignity and gave favourable earnest of his future success in the discharge of the important duties about to devolve upon him. The old incumbant were severally app to the offices of  and on the perhaps we shall know who are to be to the House The Senate was Mr presiding quickly organised and the outstanding betweem the two Houses was passed. Committees to wait on the President for his Message were  severally appointed and then each chamber adjourned This has opened the twentieth Congress. Few sights on more august than to see such a body organised. the delegation from each state separately called up to swear  fidelity to the Constitution and Kiss the holy book in testimony of their vow! To observe the firmedly recognition of old numbers now meeting after their long separation and the occassional introductions of new ones to their compatriots in the great of Legislation! As one Country increases in power & wealth, so does one contemplation rise in when such a spectacle is presented as this,- the assembled wisdom of the Nation,- the delegated mind, of the American People Dec 3rd Monday (Fashion) Several days since arrived in our city the rich and (as some think) beautiful miss  She is the daughter of the Massachusetts Senator & cousin of the. I have seen her twice, and saving, some exceptionable traits of manner. I have been there for altogether pleased with her. She seems to have a spice of Romance in her composition,- loves poetry,- and has sufficiently of sentiment,- that which Miss Hawkins wants! I love enthusiasm when rightly tempered and this I think I see in the charming Silshee. If she is not too much a rotary of fashion,- If she has that rightly directed mind to prefer solid worth of character to specious or factitious distinction, then I shall record her as one of the most captivating & desirable of her sex/. She would then be the woman I could look - even better without her wealth - and almost lament that affluence had been her birthright But time will unfold much as the days roll on Reflection on Society Miss Hawkins I should judge to be about 22 or 23 years of age. and Miss Silsbee is but 18. Five years work on essential change in the manners as in the mind of a young lady, and of age this disparity is evident in the whole deportment of the two young ladies who now bear the belle in our City! Miss Hawkins wants the soft naivette and engaging enthusiasm of Miss Silsbee and yet the latter cannot boast the well disciplined and  mind of our Philadelphia damsel But must we Purchase social refinement & elegant accomplishments only at the expense of national graces? Must all Belles whose advantages in society have been to valuable, prove affected & sophisticated? A heavy price to pay for refinement! Yet it is not to be supported that the influences of wealth  universal gratifications of desire the flattery of surrounding advisers and all the associations of splendid life, can fail to operate upon the young mind and turn its currents of thoughts into not the most favourable for the creation Female education  or development of the best principles. To one bred in the City and taught to mingle in the gay scenes of fashionable society,  the world colours is presented in such and its purposes are as to disguise its true features & lend a factitious value & importance to things which are or ought to be comparatively insignificant to such an one Fashion is the oracular deity whose dictates are ever to be obeyed. Pleasure is the intoxicating delight of Honors dance, & revels,- adulation of gay & perhaps unprinci & conscious desert self pled then the vain complacency of eclat & distinction gratification For these sacrificed many of the finest traits of  in the pursuit of them natural Character and the real purposes of life are dictated or concealed. A woman bred in such scenes & imbued with such principles can never make a good wife to a military officer. Her lot in the Army would be one of privation and endurance in comparison with her former lucury & ease, and is easy to imagine the wretchedness which would ensue not  to her husband than to herself on a trial of domestic life in such circumstances Yet the life of a mily man is . He has often to appear in the courtly throng of elegant society, aswell as in the rude scenes of the camp or garrison, and would desire to see the partner lady like of his choice as well the accomplished to grace the festive hall, as the sensible matron to participate in the homely avocations of his military quarters It would seem therefore that an officer's wife should be the best & most sensible of women uniting all refined the elegancies of education to the pure virtues of unsophisticated mother. But as such in this would perfection is not to be formed it only remains for the rotary of Hymen to seek such a medium as will unite as many of the excellences of either character matrimonial as he can find alwaysbearing in mind that  alliance is one of compromise & forbearance and whenever defects or faults are seen that they ought at once qualified by a companion to be either concealed or compared with those substantial advantages which are conferred by the virtues with which they are accompanies Monday 10 December 1827 (Gens health) For three weeks the General has been suffering from the effects of a fresh attack of his complaint which was applied to his forehead exuded a matter which flowed down into his eyes and produced for the time much inflammation in them. Sicne that time the Gen. has recoverred drastically his health in every particular but this and now he feels more apprehension of a partial less of sight than of any other immediate effect likely to arrise. He is still unable to read a book or writing hence he is shut out of more than half his usual resources and thrown back upon himself & Emmee It is impossible for his to reaf all the time hence to him, nor would he desire it. many of his hours are insufferably tedious and even the pleasures that remain to him are all alloyed by the ever besiegeing reflection that this is but another warning - not of dissoletion for that eh does not dread but of  imbecility and  Health The most aggravating idea however which afflicts the Gen in his present condition is the  fear of becoming unfit to discharge the official duties of his station as becomes his own character & former fame. He would shrink from any course his however demanded by domestic necessities which would compromise his reputation as a disinterested patriot the dignity of or impact that name which is the proud & only inheritance he has to confer on his posterity of light so far as to be unable to read & examine papers would be to him therefore a sufficient reason for relinquishing the high responsibilities incumbent on him as commander of the Army although he is to his service he os surrounded by a faithful stagg, and might call any measure of external aid In the conjuncture his mind is not occupied by the most agreeable thoughts nor his feelings tuned to the most happy chord Whatever happens of sinister import therefore, however slight operated upon his nervous system & produces temper uncon genial to his own comfort or the happiness of his friends Tuesday 11 Dec 1827 Writing I mentioned to the general today what I have for sometime contemplated my intention to write the memories of his own life, when & material served. Although this is ground which has been already several times & feel confident neverthe less that something new may be said and several errors of former publications corrected, and if no other result arrise from my undertakings I shall at least derive the benefit of so much literary excercise and the praise of my friends for a  attempt Lt. Tyler is negotiating for a furlough to  visit France and especially the artillery school at for the purpose of translating the new work on artillery lately published by a commission attacker to that establishment. It is not improbable that Tyler will succeed, & if so, he will have intend on a carer which promises to him much reputation and perhaps recompense He is active, intelligent, & enteprising and  by a spirit of ambition which knows no  Friday 14th Dec 1827 Health The General's fears for the loss of sight have depressed his spirits so much for the last fornight that every hour has been to him, heavy and distrustful He conjectures that his family & staffs who are round him do not read aloud to him with willing hearts and therefore he hears them with mingled pleasures. This suspicion may be possible well founded in some degree because ot every day is really irksome to be bound down to some tedious  in which the reader has no interest however concious he may be that it givers entertainment to the invaded_ Yet the genl is apt to magnify these supicions & them creates for himself accumulated causes of discontent & . As to me I have not sufficient strength of lungs to read aloud now than 15 or 20 minutes yet I am by no means exempt on this accom from those keen adversions which often to cope the genl when he imagines we are not as devoted and confiding as he wish us to be While on this subject it may be well here to remark that on all these points the Gen & myself each other in eclations considerably different Domestic affairs from those which characterised our former intercourse. There the fault his (if fault there be, and such undoubtly he attributes  to me) ought to be decided by one less partial than either of us be on the subject. Both of us have altered perhapes, and both must experience a correspondign change of feeling. As an invalid the Genl is forced to think a great deal of himself and his own case a case as melancholy almost as can be imagined but irremediable & inevitable. Others cannot be supposed to be thinking of him & his suffering all the time however they may  sympathize with & compassionately them: hence he frequently feels as if we were indifferent to his happiness regardless of his comfort because we are not always innoccu[ied with the thousand out of doom topics which interest us, and devoted to his entertainments. However, Perhaps myself too exclusively perhaps. He is not entirely unreasonable ought to look though he expects more from his aids than he for in young men whom he has not bound by the graces of a winning & attractive manner, in a warm & devoted affection. He has praised & honored me and I am grateful & , but he has not the talent to secure that feeling of neither confidence and devotion which belongs to friendship subsisting between equals. His diportinent is grave & rigid his manner is magisterial & arbitrary and it is impossible for one however warmly invited to his confidence to forget his superiority this claim to  deference Under these circumstances it is easy to conceive the nature of that attachment which subsists between the Genl & his aids. Kindly & gave good satisfaction and have always been found to the genl doubtless by the most amicable ties but the former was influenced by his relationships $ the latter by a keen forecast to his own interests which added to motives of real gratitude & regard towards the genl constituted a very fine bond of union, which time will not probably sever But all who acquainted with human nature must admit that equality is the surest basis of real friendship: of the one party premminence in intellectual endowment is not so prejudicial wealth on the maintenance of friendship to as the superiority of official station But when this latter cases occurs in military associations and these among persons actually together under the same roof and around the same dire side the mutual attribution which ensues will be formed to always bear hardest against the weaker party Thursday 20th Dec 1827 Drawing Room Last evening was Mr Adam's first Drawing Room Many of our most brilliant & fashionable were absent partly because Mr Taylor gives a large ball this  evening & partly because it is considered by some as unfashionable to attend the first levee The Miss Crowninshields who have been here some 8 or 10 days were among the number of absentees as Miss Hawkins also whis cousin Miss Silsbee howver gave the light of her fair continuance &  Miss appeared to the frivioulous pretention that the fashiobnables not be seen at the  first drawing room Thus has our gay season commenced. Mr Clay gives parties on every alternate wednesday evening and Mr , when recovered from her present  indispositions will probably be company on Saturdays The Mis Cheves Nawness & others are all prepared to the gay of the Bean Monde and give eclat to the much Winter in Washington Friday 21 Dec Fashion Last evening we attended the sairee fo Mr Taylor which (as it was the first ball that has been given was  brilliantly distinguished by a full galaxy of our belles But such a crowd! Such squeezing and jamming such destruction to lace gras de naples, & then to pretend to dance! _ Many were the disppointed aspirants to a place on the floor though its space alloted to the was scarcely large enough to balance in Twas a burlesque upon dancing and but for the conspicuous ness of the positio nI should imagine that a sensible woman would prefer to be in any other part of the room. Distinction however is what we all aim at and it is perhaps excusable even in the best to wish for the place of honor & eclat The crowd however was excessive all complained of this and many had reason to complain. Some were wall-flowers who hoped to be belled and others, ambitious at least of some attention were perhaps entirely neglected a great  I never saw disappointed faces. Too much was expected in the first instance and too high value is set upon such things generally for time wisdom or happiness Friday 28th Dec 1827 Christmas holidays Congress have seen quite idle ruling the last week as they generally are during holydays. We may  not expect to see much business transacted by them until after New Years. Meanwhile the City has been gay, in spite of a month continuous rain which ti day seems to have ceased and the Sun our greatest  stranger at lengths appears again Mrs Clay held her first soiree on Wednesday nights. The party was brilliantly attended; Three large & elegant rooms were thrown open to the company and before nine they were all crowded. It seemed as if the hells of Legislations had pounded at all this tenants and Fashion had sent her richest representatives. In short it was a full & brilliant assemblage of our own choices to belles ; Washington never seemed more delightful We have today & tomorrow, the Orphan's fair_where the of yhr City attend with all their contributions to sell to such gentlmen as will by for the beautiful of the Orphan Asylum. More here after of thee Friday, 4th Jan 1828 New Year's day On new year's day the President's house was, as usual on these occasions thronged with all the beauty & fashion of the metropolis, - The foreign Diplomatic functionaries in full costumes, and many members of Congress. The day was very fine. The Sun , who had been our greatest stranger for the previous 3 weeks, shone forth on the new years day with a more brilliant from the very privation which we had so long been suffering. All the world seemed clad in . Mutual greetings passed cordially from one to another, and life itself seemed relieved of all its cares & disquietudes. Among the here Strongest whom I had not before seen, was Mr & Mrs Mitchel from S. Carolina, the sawn who were our fellow passengers from Charleston to Savannah last Spring, and with whom the Fenl & I were so much pleased. After the Levee, some of us adjourned by appt. to Mr Ramsays where we had egg nogg & cake The New Year's same good I had at Mr Blake's too and in the evening I attended a small party at Mr Pleasanton's. I scarcely remember to have ever passed a more happy day than the 1st of Janr. The lovely Miss Haskins was forth in all her charms, and her proud gallant Last evening  Madame Stuggens gave her first soiree. Miss Livingston was there and formed as usual the couture of attractions. All eyes followed her through mazes of the dance, which She threaded with so much grace, and all agreed that She was indeed a most extraordinary young lady I have attended no party where the ladies appeared better dressed. It was not crowded, - the room were well lighted (Which is every thing in these cases) and every lady looked elegant & fashionable Mrs Brown's party was on Monday, whiv=ch I had almost forgot to mention_ Tomorrow is to be the first of Mrs.Barbour's. So the season has opened, and, as yet, Fashion has taken the lead of politics Monday. 7th January 1828 Courtship On Saturday (the memorable 5th Janr) I found myself in that trying crisis, which all men experienced perhaps once in their lives_and surely in all the occurences & emergences incident to social intercourse none can be more important & interesting I had an interview with her, whose person & character had attracted admirations & fraid my attachment. It was  during a walk, which I managed to prolong until we reached the terrace of the Capitol, where I unfolded the state of my feelings and received the qualified but satisfactory answer which so nearly consummates my happiness now. I was romantic in deferring my declaration until we came to the Capitol, but when has imagination & poetry so much to do with our actions as in moods like this of mine? I would have prefered the Dome, which we intended to ascend but the day was foggy and the prospect of course shut out_ So at the foot of that magnificent Edifice, the Acropolis of American Legislation, received the happy annunciation that his hopes were fairly based and his feelings reciprocated When shall I forget the day Wash. Thursday - 10th Jany 1828 Miss H - left the city to day for Philadelphia in company with her uncle Mr. Augustus Richards for whose arrical from the West, she had been for some time waiting Thus after a of two months sojourn at the Past Master General's, has this excellent girl terminated a visit which has been the means of fixing perhaos my destiny for life, by presenting to my life that loveliness and worth which  comprehended my bear ideal in a womean. My acquaintance with her has been short but very act & word of her has been so uniformly correct, so ladylike, so lovely, that I cannot well be deceived in the life estimation I have formed of her, nor crossed I trust, in the halcyon hopes which I have indulged. To crown the whole, the Genl & Mrs B are both well pleased with my election and friendly to my purpose. They have ever been true friends to me & their counsel has ever weighed heavy at my heart. Ish not have been happy, had my choice been disapproved by them, for, hoewever infatuated I might be my  judgment would always have been insatisfied as long as it conficted with theirs, which never have had wash to doubt Courtship Last evening I enjoyed (at the McLeans) one of the happiest hours of my life. With that soul felt emotions which kindred spirit feel, when they commence together, and release in mutual confidence the sentiments of the heart The excessive delicacy of Miss B has caused one too little passages which gave me some uneasiness but at each eclair my  admiration of her increased and my deartion became more fixed. Her situation has been awkward & embarrasing in this city, and my attentions though well received have been rewarded so charily that for a long time before declaration & at some periods afterwards I have almost doubted of my success But in every conjucture she has deposted herself with the most admirable propriety she has felt that she ought to be made no committals while absent from her mother, yet being constrained by the emergency to indicate her feelings, she has done so in times delicately and so qualified in reference to her mother's will that even these stinted favours of hers have been more highly prized by me that the utmost profusion have been I felt proud on being informed that she had no fortune studiously for the imputation of mercenary motives I avoid_ My dignity was elevated & ennobled by the very disclosure Friday Jany 1828 Twenty six years of age! _ Well I ought vertainly to begin to think seriously of matrimony And so I do _ Having found at last, one whom I know how to appreceiate and who knows how to appreciate me, whose taste seems to be congenial with mine, whose talents and education render her a finished lady, whose family is one of the most respectable in Philadelphia, and whowithout fortune, possesses those very attributes of disposition and character which perhaps fortune would have impaired such a lady I have now found , and such to I mosy devotedly love. Every step of my courtship has been marked by some peculiarity of incident which was calculated to  the romance of the subject & give keen zest to the imagination One evening in her socials with all the Mc.L. family u present I had tied her handkerchief in knots while engross, I in conversation & during my deliverance of good feeling I tossed it from me towards miss H whose head it struck_she looked serious & reproved me, but I with that wantonness  which could only be excused on the ground of exhilerated spirit & Boyish feelings, took up the knotted handkerchief again and again threw it on her head. She went mourning I was so coldly by her and inquiry from her friend miss Stubbs, I found that my disrespectful conduct had gain serious offence and for twent four hours there never was a more miserable man. My deportment and my feelings, which had been previously  too much on non chalance now because respectful & guarded. I was remorseful and of condemned_My esteem & deference for Miss H increased the more I reflected on her just rebuke and dignified frown, and my ambition was alive to regain her favor and merit her approbation After two or three invitations, an apology & explanation on my part, restored me to her good will, and this gloomy cloud which for the time overcast my sould, was the cause of that increased admiration of her character & person which seem compelled me to unburthen my feelings and yield up my heart  I could sleep but very little during the night, so while rolling on my pillow before the break of day, we yet a gleam had my to enable me to write I had conned the full evening lines, illustrative of this event and the feelings it engendered_ The effusion I called retrospection as well to generalise the subject in order to defeat the curiosity of strangers, as to convinve her for whom it was intended, how sensibly these reminiscences had become impressed on my heart Ive seen the pelting pitiless storm Assault the tender Rose,_whose form_ Shrinking with its fears But low before the raging blast While every leaf was shedding fast The melancholy tears But the dark cloud soon passed away The sun beamed forth in brighter day And gladdened all the scene The Rose with renovated glow Shed sweeter, lovlier colours now Than if no storm had been Ive seen the Lightnings's vivid flash Have heard the breaking Thunder crash And felt the panic dread The nights Oak was scathed and risen And from the frowning face of Heaven Even Hope awhile seemed fled But when the tempest cloud had passed When Thunder's roar and Lightning's blast no more these terrors showered The Landscape's smile,_ the zephyrs balm Were sweeter in that hour of calm Than if no clouds had lowered 3 So with the fond confiding heart When disappointments withering smart Has ranked at its core; Should eyes it doats on once more smile  They chase each care each pain beguile and sorrows no more This piece, with another, I put in her allure when perhaps I shall often recur to it as the type of those deeply excited feelings which possessed me when it was written Another incident happened only these evenings since which gave me much trouuble. On taking my leave for the day I offered her my hand which she refused to take in hers. to decline However festidious her delicacy might be, I though a friendly salutation like was in her, most cruelly rigid, and after deliberating much over night, I concluded next day to remonstrate in writing  I not see her alone against so severe a repulse of my friendly approaches. This was the first note I ever addressed to her and I embraced the opportunity to embody one or two other topics connected with the genual subjecy This too was productive of a most happy  effect caused a new Fashion - Reflections  flow of feeling & confidence and over attachment to that maturity which renders a visit by me to Philadelphia as the next step to be taken in this delightful drama of love. What an odd compound is the human heart! How spontaneous, involuntary and uncountable are some of its feelings! My mind never had less to do has it with my impulses than in these conjunctures; never so shrunk from its sovereignty Well_ it was rumoured at the last Drawing Room that I was at last disposed of mortgaged &c though how any thing could have transpired on my subject so soon I scarcely know. But this is to be expected and my next study is how to own myself against the of my fashionable friends abroad. Our own house are prudent -& merciful!! Ive stole a march however and the battle has been fought all the neighbours have known of the movement. I went to the Huggwn's Soiree last evening & danced as much in right good spirits, but as for interest, it was all gone My thoughts were wondering towards Philadelphia though my outward attentions to my old female friend were as formerly in general & politic regards Wash Friday, Feby 1 1828 Theatricals I was one among the crowded audience at the  theatre last evening who had the good fortune to witness the extraordinary performance of miss clara Fisher fasand after the most fastidious criticism I am free to acknowledge my opinion that she is the most talented & engaging of the histrionic art that has ever visited our boards. Without being altogether beautiful she has a countenance of touching sweetness and features that are readily modified to all the changeful expressions which are required in dramatic representation. She is still a juvenal of sixteen & has not ofcourse attained to that full statrue which may be requisit in the personification of the higher characters but her judgement is as accurate her task as exquisite and her expression as intellectual as if she could boast a full maturity  of faces & experience. These qualities united to such perfect grace of movement and a voice so witchingly  in song, render her indeed the prodigy which for want of a peer the world have long since acknowledged her to be In the first scene of the Belle's stratagem Miss Fisher appeared so plain in costume and so simple in action that Theatricals _   Miss Clara Fisher it is doubtful whther a large portion of the audience were not disappointed in her. But no part could have been performed better because none could have been acted more naturally Any excess in apparel or in Acclamation would have violated the decorum which belonged to the character and the scene In the succeeding exhibition of broad farce she played the hogden girl to admiration and in the masquerade scene nothing could have been more delightful & captivating than the performance. The song I have fruit I have flowers was introduced with fine effect and sung with that peculiar task and sweetness which belong only to the most rarely gifted of the sex. It is a subject of serious regret that so much of the pleasure which miss Fisher's performance is always calculated produce should ever be alloyed by the exhibition of such vulgar as disgraced the comedy of the Belle's stratagem The task of the present age & certainly of the community is decidedly averse from such obcenity however garnished by with or disguised by equivocation. In the present instance feelings that had been called forth by tenderness and raised to extacy by that magic power of purity which seemed to beam from Enchantress well were often rudely dashed by some of those lewd &  passages which distinguish the comedy. Such passages will always revolt the ear of delicacy and call forth the deepest consideration where else might have been heard   -ifed applause. Whether this is due to the manager or to the Chief performer I know not, but no display of latents however brilliant can be altogether agreeable to a required audience, when passed through the obscene medium of a play like this. In the "Spoiled child" Miss Fisher again equalled the high expectations that had been formed of her. The song " then I'm doomed" was marbled with immitable pathos and so admirably accompanied with the appointment expression & gesture that nature seemed to have claimed Music for her peculiar spell of utterance. The audience were craft in silence & sympathy, and such was the fascination of th emoment that no one dared to exclaim "Encore" though all would have  the whole earning's Entertainment to have heard that song again On the whole Miss Clara Fisher must be considered as one of the brightest ornaments of the stage in any county the exhibits in instance of precacity of intellect & genius which  places her in a sphere far beyond the ordinary range of human Capacity, and entitled to the high reputation which has uniformly marked her course and crowned her efforts Tuesday 5th Feby 1828 Theatricals Last evening we went to see miss Clara Fisher at the theatre. She came out in shylock but without success. My former high opinion of her powers, was not raised by this exhibition though little could be expected in a girl so young, personifying a character so much the antithesis of her own. Her soft young visage could not be brought into the wrinkled & rigid  front of an ascetic  old jew, nor was her size sufficient But I found other in any degree of the character objections. Her conceptions were not always accurate and here she is directly vulnerable to criticism. In short she should confine herself to a different & more cricumscribed sphere, and her powers exerted within this pale exclusials would always produce a commodity effect & perhaps exalt her celebrity To day Mrs Wist & family with Mrs Brown & Mercer with myself in attendance, called on miss clara and found her with her mother & sister at the city hotel She appeared lovely & fascinating as ever. She comes highly recommended from Baltimore, and seems entitled to the respect of the best society Saturday 9th Feby 1828 Health To day the genl has encountered (or rather yielded under) another attack of his old disease, which affects  his head directly,- by parylizing his intellectual facilities his memory & speech and rendering him utterly unable to accomplish any business or attend to any  duty. In such cases it has been always the Doctors prescription to apply  medicine bleeding and all manner of depleting remedies but it is difficult to say how long the good general's in to withstand such incessant racking. He certainly is becoming more exposed every day to a return of these affections, and consequently his life is held by a still more precarious. I have become somewhat have accustomed to this state of things and so often expected the worst that the apprehension has become familiar to me, and I shall doubtless feel resigned to dispen tion that may occur. The family seem all to be event so too, yet the gen's death would be an awful  Portentious of important consequences in public as well as in private concerns Wash Thursday 14th Feby 1828 Health The General still continues the tenant of his sick chamber, though as we all think he is now decidedly convalescent Strong hopes are entertained that he may rise from this attack more effectually improved in his mental faculties than if he had not been visited with it partial The loss of his eye sight, by which he was prevented reading manuscript or fine print was an exceedingly grievous affliction to him, and unless he regained it after this, he wil be strongly induced to resign the command of the Army. Luck at least is the issue of many of his reflections and it is hard to doubt that he would be induced to take this momentous step rather than "trifle with his fame" by remaining an inefficient incumbant of the Office of Genl in Chief Every day of my life is more or less clouded by reflections like these, urged upon me not only by the incessant current of the General's conversation but by every association formed in his presence. Hope is therefore veiled; and Futurity seems pregnant only with impending tribulations, Even the most sanguine temperous will become depicted with no other anticipitaions to dwell on than those of adversity a leaf torn out here to the office here no more, for I found his end nigh and that night I continued to watch by the sick bed until 6 in the morning when I retired for a little . At 8 I was awakened by new tidings of alarm_ The General was dying_ His weeping family were of his approaching dissolution, and after a last visit to his bed side, they retired never to see him more. At 1/2 past 12 yesterday, the 24th of Feby, he breathed his last. He wore a tranquil placid countenance at  the latest moment, and such is the ecpression of it in dental. He departed by all appearance in perfect confidence of mercy from his maker to whom during the 2 last days he seemed to address all his soul. His family bear the terrible bereavement with becoming fortitude but who can measure the extent of this affliction?  O May God their them! protect and preserve. It is Heavenly Father to whom now they are to look for comfort, for with the good general departed all this means of support  Washington Friday 29th Feby 1828 On Wednesday the funeral of the late General chief took place at noon from the dwelling of his famile and the corpse was borne in Military protection to the public cemetery there near the Eastern Branch and deposited in its narrow bed. All that martial and civic pageantry could do to honor the last  of the dead, was displayed in this great occasion Public sentiment was highly excited in favor of the memory of deceased; the procession was of a mile in length: Most of the member of congress attended, the houses, being adjourned for the purpose, and in spirirt of rainy weather the sheets were filled with people to witness the sad & imposing ceremony. Seldom or never, in Washington have we had so large a funeral. Honor to the hero even in his grave every is the willing tribute of a generous people_  such is ours, and I trust their spirit will be unfairly represented in the halls of Legislation. has been a Motions already made by Genl Harrison in the Senate for Pension for Mrs Brown, but from some cause or other it was withdrawn and another substituted in its stead, granting to the the pay of Major Genl for the residue of the year. This though rather a pitiful allowance, would be for better than nothing, tough if the Bill should if a full year pay instead of the residue for the current year it would amount to more than 5000 dollars Motion's have also been made for reducing the Office of Major General. This is not a new subject It has been always supposed that the office as paid by the Case of 1821, was retained only through gratitude to Gen Brown, and now on his decease few expectations are entertained that a successor In this posture of affairs will be appointed I find my own interests much in jeopardy and  to seek out some eligible plan by which I can be retained near the seat of government Washt Friday 7th March 1828 Yesterday a special order was issued assigning me to duty in the Genl Dept Col. Jones is a man whom I hold in the highest esteem and as matters stand, I feel pleased to be employed under his auspice. My allowance as yet are only for fuel & Quarters though if my other plan for the government of the army is adopted. than assigning one of the Brigadiers to the supreme command, I shall do a my situation more eligible in this repect Speculation is still busy as to the great question of the succession. An office of high rank & sound judgment has said that the claims of Seat Gaines are newly balanced that as an impartial friend & each he could not decide between them. This is a singular state of things in Mily affairs, and even the President with all his family & all his sagacity is at a  loss to decide between the viral candidates no decision will therefore, for the present, be made Wash Saturday 15th Mar 1828 Nothing yet has been done as to the Major Generalcy Much talk of  Gen Harrison to that office and considering the actual posture of affaird I scarcely can say that it would not be the best policy. But Mr Adams cannot be brought I apprehend to fill Mily office witha  He has represented appointing Col. ever since he saw how angry the army were at that flagrant attack on their rights. The cases are not analogous however and it is still difficult to say what will be done in  the case arrived a few days since from Breville and will soon complete the necessary arrangements for the sale of furniture and the removal of the family from Washington. Such is the melancholy issued of every drama in life. Such often is the  termination of a mans career who lives to float on the sea of popularity & & dies leaving his family, also inheritance indeed of his fain fame but of indigenve & distress. Kirby however will do his best to sustain the destitute flock and God their Creator, I trust will be there preserver in every vicissitude Wash 22 March 1828  On the 18th I read a letter from Mr Which put the seal upon our further intercourses It was what I expected though it has been but very lately that I have been convinced how desperate were my prospects for matrimonial happiness God's will be done! I have yet a clear  though there may be some who think me to censure. Strictened circumstances,- a dependent family,- an itinerant professions, and a horror of poverty all deter me from undetaking any enterprise in which every step is irrevocable and every advance replete with peril. My late essay will be  always remembered by me as a most important & critical it was event of my life, pregnant with consequences whether accomplished or disappointed. I have been disappointed and experience gained will be deeply impressed on mymemory. Hereafter, I shall never step but with circumspection nor judge without light. I may not yet be aware of the danger or trouble which is to ensue from the present case. Yet again I say my mind conscience is clear, and my  is undaunted End of no. 5.