Washington City Feb. 3. 1856Mary,

Page 1

I received yours of the 28th inst. I received a line from you announcing the death of Mrs Ringman & afterwards a paper containing her obituary. Not knowing when you was to leave for home I did not think it best to send to you at S6. A but presumed Mary would keep you informed of my writing until I knew you had reached home.

In relation to the condition of the pecuniary affairs at St. Albans you express the proper feeling, that if there is anything justly coming to you there you want it for the children, but do not desire any trouble about it. It is true that if Mr. Smith gave Mrs. K. to understand there was property of his to dispose of & she made her will relying on this, I think he will hardly say now that there is little or none. But he may say so & say also that he was unwilling to distress her by so saying at that time.

I cannot but say that I have great confidence in the integrity of Mr. Smith I believe

he will make a truthful exposition of the business, but I think the business has been conducted & the family establishments kept up without any regard to economy, at very great expense & the money has probably not been kept either very well invested or very secure & probably much of it is lost. It has answered the great purpose for which money is wanted. It has carried Mrs. K through life & supported her with all that money could obtain.

As the business must entirely depend on the integrity & conduct of Mr. Smith I think it will be best for you not to be impatient, but sometime write to your brother what you know & how you feel on the subject & request him to write you his views & intentions.

Mary, make yourself no way uneasy or unhappy on this point. I trust in God we shall get on in life without want & that he will not see our children forsaken. Keep yourselves as comfortable as possible this cold winter & may you be preserved in health.

I had a letter from Ellen this past week & she says Francy has been troubled with rheumatism but was getting better. I presume you you know more than myself

on the subject.

I suppose it is my duty to go to the reception of each of the Secretaries once. I have received cards to them all but have only been to the Postmaster Gen. because of the cold. I have not been to the Presidents reception, nor do I expect to go, as I have called on him respectfully & that is all that civility requires unless particularly invited, to dinner or otherwise.

Yesterday to my great surprise Judge Cutts came into my room. He is the only man residing in Vermont who has called on me this winter, except Mr Hall of Brattleboro, who was here at the commencement of the Session. Judge Cutts told me of the general affairs of the vicinity &State. He has gone down into Virginia to look to the affairs of an aunt & says he will stay some days on his return.

As Mr Banks has been chosen Speaker, we shall now go to work, to which I have no objection.

I wish to be remembered to our kind neighbors, as you see them, as well the ladies as gentlemen. & now with love to you & to ours

I remain Your Affectionate HusbandJ. Collamer