Washington City Jan 19. 1846Mary,

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I have recd. letters from Mary and Edward and it is with great pleasure and I hope, with gratitude to God I learn that you are preserved in health, but regret that you could not keep or find some other girl, as I fear the effect of work on yourself.

My own health is quite as good as usual. Mr Foot whose wife is now with him, is sick. He has been somewhat alarmingly sick but is now apparently very much better & will I presume resume his seat in the house in a few days. One of our members, Mr Taylor of Virginia died suddenly yesterday morning. He had been unwell a few days & very unexpectedly died, as it now seems, from a disease of the heart. His funeral is attended tomorrow in the Hall of the House of Representatives. I had not heard that he was sick until I heard of his death.

Last Tuesday I by invitation dined at the Presidents. These Presidential dinners are great occasions & especially to us to whom they are new, as Capt. Tyler did not have them. The members are invited with their ladies. There was present

about 25 gentlemen and 12 ladies. We are invited at 5 o clock and were all in the parlor by half past five but did not go to the table until past six. The Presidents Secretary (Mr. Walker) his nephew, is master of ceremonies. The ladies are each severally assigned to the care of a particular gentleman, other than their husband between whom is an introduction for that purpose, and each gentleman is told when to take seat at the table. The President takes his seat at one side of the table in the middle and his lady opposite and the gentlemen with ladies take seats as ordered each side of them and at each end are seated the gentlemen who are without ladies in care. I was by Mr. Walker assigned to take charge of Mrs Darrol who was there with her husband Mr. Darrol of Pennsylvania, an accomplished lady, & directed to take seat at the left hand of & next to the President. This brought us to a conspicuous position at table but the lady though modest was entirely unembarrassed which gave an assurance & support and all passed pleasantly. The table is about ten yards (30 feet) long and at least two yards wide mats are placed on the table but the dessert is on the glasses, wine, plates knives and forks & spoons. The meats are on a side table carved by servants & flatter passed to each who helps himself. First soup 2 then turkey, birds, and then a great succession of dishes. Then dessert of ice cream, Charlotte Russ fruits & nuts. We were at table about tow hours. On returning to parlor coffee was served & all left in a few minutes, being now nine o clock. I have thought you might

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have some curiosity on this subject & therefore have written more fully upon it. There was nothing peculiar in the manner of the parlor or table which could embarrass any gentleman or lady of the most plain and simple manners. I think not half the ladies there spoke half a dozen words while there, but were all talked to by Mrs. P and by the gentlemen who had them in charge. I was the same day invited by President Adams a second time to dine with him but of course declined.

Mr. marsh & Mr. Foot, & ladies were invited to the Presidents for Friday last & Mr & Mrs M. attended.

There is here a Mr. Chipman a member from Michigan & his wife. He last summer obtained a divorce from his wife & this woman was a witness on that occasion against his former wife, was (as is said) a hired maid in his family & immediately after the divorce he married her. This story has followed them here and the ladies decline her acquaintance. There has been some speculation how would be treated at the Presidents, as all agreed they must be invited. On Friday they were there and it had been much inquired what shall be done by the lady assigned to be led to the table by Mr. Chipman & what gentleman is to have the honor of gallanting Mrs. C. As it was not known when they were to be there, Mrs. Darrol told me she had been in constant fear that it might be her bad luck to have him for her partner.

When however the time came Mr. Walker very judiciously let Mr. Chipman to the charge of

his own lady and all passed off without offence. I have seen this lady once and she is a tall awkward thing with white eye brows and vulgar walk.

We have a chaplain almost blind, so much so that he cannot read. He repeats the chapters from memory. He is a young man of good taste and talent & delivered a sermon to day in the Capitol with which I was much pleased.

I put into the envelope of Francis letter a note to you in relation to some cards and await your order. Is there any other matter in the way of stationary or ornament which can obtain for you on my stationary account. You know I cannot obtain money for that. I must take stationary but may go into the city & buy my articles of & give order for its payment.

Tell Mary I thank her for every letter & especially such as for her last.

And now Mary, Good night with love to our children I commit you all to Divine Providence & his care and grace.

Affectionately YoursJ. Collamer