WASHINGTON, D. C.
December 7, 1865.
MY DARLING:
Thanksgiving morning before breakfast. So far I have no very decided feeling
about the life I am leading.
With my family here,
pleasantly homed, I would like it well. As it is, I find nothing very
gratifying in it and nothing decidedly the contrary. My quarters are well
chosen. I do not yet mess anywhere in particular. I eat two meals a day
wherever hunger overtakes me. I shall probably soon mess with Delano, Buckland,
Welker, and Hubbell—a quiet regular set.
My old college chum
Trowbridge and I naturally crony together a good deal. We called together at
Governor Dennison's the other evening. Miss Lizzie was alone. Her cordial,
unaffected manners, with some wit and a good disposition, make her a favorite
here. She said the Ohio set were counting on "Aunt Lu" to be one of
them with pleasant anticipations.
We called at
Governor Chase's. He is more fleshy, an improvement rather, and more free and
good-natured. He does not show any uneasy ambition—or rather, he seems to have
made up his mind that his political career is ended; that it is of no use to
worry about it, and yet that it is not by any means his choice. His little
daughter is not at all handsome, and no longer little, but she is natural and
kindly, perhaps bright. I saw no other of the family, but think Governor
Sprague's family are with him.
Mussey is soon to
have to be mustered out with his regiment of colored troops and then ordered to
report to his regiment as captain. He is under a cloud—such a cloud that one
hates to meet him or be seen with him. His unlucky military career has been
much ventilated since he rose so high, chiefly because he did not bear himself
"meekly" in his prosperity. Fortunately he seems not to feel or know
it.
Thus far the
noticeable men on our side of the house are Thad Stevens, Judge Kelley, and
Roscoe Conkling, and on the Democratic side, James Brooks. Stevens is over
seventy, sharp-faced, grim-looking, as Wilder Joy would have been if he hadn't
fattened as he grew old. The only blemish in his puritanical, severe appearance
is a brown wig. He is witty, cool, full of and fond of "sarcasms,"
and thoroughly informed and accurate. He has a knack of saying things which turn
the laugh on his opponent. When he rises everyone expects something worth
hearing, and he has the attention of all. You remember his speech on confiscation.
He is radical throughout, except, I am told, he don't believe in hanging. He is
leader.
Judge Kelley of
Philadelphia talks often; has studied rhetoric and elocution, and, I am told,
is theatrical overmuch, but so far his little short speeches have been
exceedingly well delivered.
Roscoe Conkling of
New York State delivers measured sentences in a grave, deliberate way that is
good.
James Brooks, former
Know-nothing leader, speaks pleasantly and is the leader of the Democrats; has,
of course, to talk for Buncombe.
Delano has talked a
little and is a good specimen of the lively, earnest style of Western talkers.
No doubt abler men
have not yet showed themselves Banks and others. The House is a more orderly
and respectable body so far than I had expected. The reading of the President's
message was an imposing thing. The members, all attentive, looked like the
thing we imagine. Mr. Boynton [of Cincinnati] was elected chaplain. Contrary to
my wish and preference, I voted for Bonte, Judge Storer's son-in-law, to keep
with the other Ohio members, but changed to Boynton, thus electing him before
the vote was declared.
Tell me all about
the boys and Grandma. My love to all. I shall want you to come back with me if
convenient to you. You will be in time for the sights.
