Washington City July 8th 1848Mary,

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I did wrong to entertain myself or to create in others a hope of being able to visit you in the fore part of July when it was so uncertain, indeed so improbable. That Windsor Case in Congress continues as it was before, and cannot be left. The time for adjournment is as uncertain as ever.

July 11. The much agitated question as to slavery being admitted into the newly acquired territory now constitutes the of conversation among the members, and no time of adjournment will be concluded on until a conclusion is made whether that is to be settled at this session. It therefore becomes daily more & more uncertain.

I presume my brother George will be at Woodstock at the State Convention on the 19th of this month & hope he may bring Lucina with him to see you. I do not think it has yet been quite as hot here as it was in July when you was here, that is, it has not been so

so extremely hot so many days in succession. Rainy days have intervened.

The long pole or mast on the Capitol near 100 feet long, with a on it, so large as to contain six men, after being kept up about six months, has been taken down, as it was considered dangerous, loosening and weakening the dome by the strain of high winds upon it & endangering the Capitol by the attraction of lightning.

Making Presidential speeches has become extremely dull in the house& indeed you know this is a place too hot, fussy & sweaty to be endured with any degree of patience in the summer; but I must stay as well as I can, while my health permits, and I do not know but I am about as well as usual.

Ellen says she is to go to Mrs Peabodys in the fall, very well. Franky has gone to as you have long desired. I hope it will do her good. Will she be content there, without Catherine? Perhaps she will if she thinks she should.

Mary, I wish to select something acceptable, of reasonable cost, to carry to each of my children & I request you to suggest to me what it should be.

God bless you all, Good night Your Affectionate HusbandJ. Collamer