a:t. 26.] TO HIS FATHER. 63 



me, it is not unlikely that I may be in Washington 

 early next month. I think you cannot expect E. 

 and myself before about Thanksgiving Day, when if 

 she should have recovered we shall have one reason 

 more than usual for returning thanks to the Author of 

 all good. You did not, it appears, think it a matter 

 of sufficient consequence to say anything about my 

 contemplated voyage ; or to offer even an opinion 

 about the matter. Perhaps you thought that, like 

 most people, I only asked advice after I had made up 

 my own mind ; and you are not far from correct in 

 this supposition. Still I should have been glad to 

 know that you take some interest in the matter. 



As soon as anything is determined upon at head- 

 quarters I will let you know. . . . 



March 21, ISST. 



Since I wrote you last I have been to Washington. 

 I was there at the inauguration and for a few days 

 afterwards. We were not sent for by the Secretary 

 of the Navy, so we had to bear our own traveling ex- 

 penses, which were not small. When the secretary 

 chooses to convene us, which he seems in no great 

 hurry to do, we shall probably be directed to meet at 

 Philadelphia, or perhaps at New York. There seems 

 to be no doubt but that we shall be here imtil July. 



As they do not choose to advance us any pay yet, 

 money will be very scarce with me for a month or two 

 at least. My engagement at the Lyceum terminated 

 at the close of their year, that is, on the last Monday 

 of last month. So, although I occupy my rooms here 

 until the first of May, I draw no salary. 



