Washington, 31st Decr, 1849.
MY DEAR DAUGHTER: Not long after my arrival here I wrote to Mr. Clemson and, among other things, requested him to say I would write to you shortly. I hope he received my letter.
If I have not written to you as frequently as formerly, be assured that it has not been caused by any abatement of affection towards you. It is to be attributed simply to the fact that I have been overburthened with writing—a species of labor, which you know, I have ever been especially averse to. I wrote during the recess between 400 and 500 pages of foolscap, besides carrying on an extensive correspondence, which I could not avoid. Under so heavy a pressure I left the correspondence with you almost exclusively to your Mother, Cornelia and your brothers. The two former, I know, have been very punctual and full in their communications.
Since my arrival here I have allotted most of my spare time to preparing my manuscript for the press. The discourse, or disquisition, (for I have not yet named it) on Government is finished, and is now copying. It is preliminary to the discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States. That is much more voluminous. The rough draft is finished. I propose to devote my spare time during the session to preparing it, also, for the press, and hope to have it done and copied before Congress adjourns. I do not know whether I shall put it to press as soon as finished, or not; but I wish to have it off my hands and ready for publication whenever I shall judge it advisable to publish. I trust when published they will do me no discredit, and that they will do much to explode errors and cast light on the subjects of which they treat.
I am truly happy to learn that you are all well, and that the children are growing so finely. They must be a source of great happiness to you. I know not any employment more useful and honorable than that of a wife and a mother superintending her household and the education of her children. By education I mean something far beyond what is to be derived from books. I feel assured that you ́are discharging faithfully these duties and trust you will find your reward in the character and conduct of your two very promising children when they come to act their part in life.
Your Mother and sister have, I suppose, informed you that the portraits to which you referred in your letter to me were long since received and that they are greatly admired. I think them excellent—good likenesses and well painted. Many think Calhoun's is the best likeness; but I find it difficult to decide which is the best
I am glad to learn that the same hand that painted yours and the children's has succeeded so well in executing the likeness of myself. I understood from Mr. Henry Gourdin that he had made arrangements to get a portrait of me painted by the Artist who painted you, and that it would be in Washington this winter. I had supposed it was the likeness to which you referred, but conclude that it is another taken by the same artist.
The question between North and South is daily becoming more and more menacing. It is difficult to say where it is to end. The South is more roused and united than I ever knew it to be; and I trust that we shall persist in our resistance until the restoration of all our rights, or disunion, one or the other, is the consequence. We have borne the wrongs and the insults of the North long enough. It is time they should cease.
My health continues as good as I could expect at my time of
life. All were well when I last heard from home. Give my love to Mr. Clemson
and the children.
* The text of this letter is derived from a copy kindly furnished by Mr. Hugh Calhoun Middleton, of Augusta.
