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Dec. 23, Thursday. Completed my letters for Dr. Swartz and Mr. Paykull. Attended Congress.

Dec. 25, Saturday. Christmas. Went to Georgetown. Attended the Roman Catholic Church. Much insignificant ceremony; poor sermon, but excellent singing. Returned and dined.

Dec. 26, Lord's Day. Attended at the Hall. A Mr. Hargrove, of Baltimore, a Swedenborgian, preached. Gave his creed in part; not very exceptionable. President attended, although a rainy day. In the afternoon, attended at the Treasury. Heard a newly-imported Scotchman-pretty good speaker.

Dec. 27, Monday. Not much business done in the House. In the evening the Swedenborgian preached in the Hall, by particular desire. Though the Hall was very thin yesterday, it was very full this evening. Most of the members were present, and a number of ladies. He told us stories about Dr. Smith and T. Paine-a little about correspondencies. It was miserable, on the whole.

Dec. 28, Tuesday. Attended Committee and the Hall. Mr. McHenry's letters read. Wrote a number of letters in the evening.

Dec. 29, Wednesday. Little business. Wrote to General Putnam, Ephraim, and Temple.

Dec. 30, Thursday. Very little done in the House.

Dec. 31, Friday. Message from the President, early in the morning, on New Orleans business. Doors closed, and continued till late. Injunction of secrecy not taken off. This day, secured a Patent for Colonel James Burnham for making wadding for Ladies' use, and lodged a specimen with the Secretary of State.

January 1, 1803, Saturday. About 12, I went with Mr. Tillinghast in a hack to the President's, to pay him the compliments of the season. We found in the octagon hall, which seemed to be improved as a levee room, a large company of ladies and gentlemen; the Heads of Departments, Foreign Ministers, Charge de Affaires, and Consuls; strangers, members of both Houses, both Federalists and Democrats. Among

the ladies, were the President's daughters, Mrs. Pechon, Mrs. Madison and her sister, Miss Payne; ladies of members of Congress, and some very elderly ladies, whom I did not know. The entertainment was wine, punch, and cake. We went to Georgetown and returned to dine.

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[In a letter to his daughter, a fragment only of which remains, Dr. Cutler writes of this reception, as follows: New Year's day is always observed here as a day of festivity by the Roman Catholics and some other denominations. This year it was observed as a festal day in high style at the President's house. I went with a number of Federal members between eleven and twelve. As soon as I came in, the President applied to me for further information respecting the piece of wadding on his table, where it had remained from the time I left it, for the purpose of showing it to company; and the two samples of bed-ticking, which I had shown him, and which I had in my pocket-book. These specimens of American manufactures afforded the ladies much satisfaction, especially the wadding, which was, indeed, extremely neat. Their fertile imaginations suggested a great number of uses besides that of cloaks and spencers-such as quilts for beds, gentlemen's as well as ladies' weather-coats, etc. These specimens were pronounced much preferable and cheaper than that imported from Europe. The conversation was quite promiscuous, in small companies, some sitting, some standing. I can not omit to mention that, almost as soon as I entered, I observed the Attorney-General, in a distant part of the room, conversing . . She wore a head-dress like a white turban. I had sometimes remarked a very large cross suspended from her neck, but on this day I did not think to take notice. This circumstance led me to suspect that she professes to be a

*This lady [Mrs. Madison] was Mrs. Todd. She was originally a Virginian, and her family were of the Society of Friends. .. She has a fine person and a most engaging countenance, which pleases, not so much from mere symmetry or complexion, as from expression. Her smile, her conversation, and her manners are so engaging that it is no wonder that such a young widow, with her fine blue eyes snd large share of animation, should be indeed a queen of hearts.-Dr. Mitchell's Letters to his Wife from Washington (Harper's Monthly, April, 1879).

Roman Catholic, which is the religion of many of the principal families in Virginia and Maryland, and perhaps of more than half of this City and Georgetown. But Mrs. Eppes and her sister, as well as the President, have constantly attended worship at the Capitol during this session.

After we left the Levee room, as we were passing the great hall, I happened to think of the "mammoth cheese," and asked one of the servants in livery in waiting whether it was still in the Mammoth room. He replied, it was, and I might see it if I pleased. I went with a member who happened to be wishing for another look at it. The President had just told us, when we talked with him, that sixty pounds had been taken out of the middle, in consequence of the puffing up and symptoms of decay.]

Jan. 4, Tuesday. New Orleans affair-closed doors.

Jan. 8, Saturday. Paid our respects to Mr. Madison, in return for his calling on us. General Wadsworth, Mr. Tillinghast, and myself left our cards.

Jan. 9, Sunday. Attended in the morning at the Capitol. Mr. Laurie, a young Scotch gentleman, preached an excellent sermon. Very full Assembly. Many of the members present, and remarkably attentive.

Jan. 14, Friday. Did not go out. Had the severest attack of Asthma in the night I have experienced since I left home. Jan. 18, Tuesday. Attended Committee of Claims.

Jan. 28, Friday. Attended Committee of Claims. Presented Memorial to the House from the Merchants, Shipowners, and Ship-builders in N. Port, signed by 121. Committed to the Committee of the whole House, to whom was committed the Report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, and the repeal of countervailing duties, and was ordered to be printed for the use of members.

Jan. 29, Saturday. Congress did not sit. Dined with the President. Dr. Gant, Mr. Willard, Mr. Otis, Mr. Templeman, Messrs. Hillhouse, Van Rensselaer, Wadsworth, Tillinghast, and myself. Although two clergymen were present, no blessing was asked. President proposed to me to purchase for him $100 worth of bed-ticking.

Jan. 30, Sunday. Mr. Willard, of Portsmouth, New Hamp

sermon.

shire, an Episcopalian, preached in the Hall. Pretty good A rather labored and tinsel composition, pretty handsomely delivered. His figures well managed, voice good, and action very well.

Jan. 31, Monday. Doors closed on Missouri business. Invitation from Mr. Balch to dine on Saturday.

Feb. 1, Tuesday. Attended the House and Committee of Claims. Only common-place business. Finished my letters to Dr. Stokes (England), Dr. Swartz and Mr. Paykull (Sweden). Feb. 2, 3, 4. Attended Congress and Committee.

Feb. 5, Saturday. Dined at Mr. Balch's, Georgetown. Messrs. Hillhouse, Foster, John C. Smith, Dana, Goddard, Mattoon, Hastings, Davenport, Colonel Stoddard, and others. A good dinner. Retired early.

Feb. 7-11.

House.

Feb. 12, 13.

Attended Committee Meetings and at the

Very rainy. Did not go out.

Feb. 14-18. Attended Committee and Congress. Severe At the Navy Office did business. Snow 18

snow-storm.

inches deep.

Feb. 19, Saturday. House sat till very late. Felt much of the Asthma last night and to-day.

Feb. 22, Tuesday. Attended Committee and House. Extremely unwell. Unable to attend the celebration of the birth of General Washington. The morning was ushered in by the firing cannon at the Navy Yard, but it is not known to me by whose orders. It has excited much remark. Cannon were also fired at Alexandria. Colors were displayed through the day on all the frigates. At five o'clock, the Federalists of both houses sat down to an elegant entertainment at Stilles'. The Judges of the Supreme Court were invited, and were present, as were some other gentlemen. I had subscribed, and should with pleasure have attended as a duty, but was obliged on account of my distress with the Asthma to send in my excuse. Am informed that every thing was conducted with the utmost decorum and elegance. The toasts very sentimental. The company all retired at an early hour. I spent a dull and painful evening alone in my chamber.

Feb. 23-26. Unable to go out. Much pain from asthmatic complaints.

Feb. 27, Lord's Day. So much indisposed, did not venture to go to meeting. A Mr. Campbell, from Carlisle, Pennsyl vania (or its vicinity), preached. He was said by all the members I have heard speak of him to be the best preacher they ever heard. His text, "Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." His plan, to show the excellence of religion, and the importance of a truly religious character.

Mar. 1, Tuesday. Remarkably cold day. Attended House; much to do. House called members. Packing trunks. Settled with most people.

Mar. 2, Wednesday. House sat late. Came home to dinner. Packing trunks. Shall send one trunk to the Capitol, to the care of Mr. Claxton, the door-keeper, and leave one in the care of Mr. Speak, to be sent to Alexandria, to be put on board vessel for Salem.

Mar. 3, Thursday. Major Peabody, of Newburyport, came to me in the Hall, and informed me that Captain Carlton was at Georgetown. I went and put on board a barrel of flour, and directed Mr. Speak to send my trunk to go on board to the care of Mr. Allen Dodge, and paid one dollar freight for each. The vessel to sail to-morrow.

Did business at the Offices. House adjourned to dine, and met again. At fifteen minutes after twelve at night, the House adjourned sine die. The House very thin for some time before adjournment.

DR. JOSEPH TORREY.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 1803.

My Dear Sir:-Your last favor, of December 11, should have received an earlier answer, had not my leisure time been wholly occupied in transacting some private business which required immediate attention. In answer to your inquiries respecting Paine, I hear very little said about him here. You see by his fourth letter that his "useful labors" are to be suspended during the session. I have not heard of his being at the President's since the commencement of the session, and it is believed that Mr. Jefferson sensibly feels the severe, though just, remarks which have been made on his in

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