Schlesinger Library

[12]

[March 154]

"It is here in the home that most men & all women's chiefest duties lie."

After dinner called on Mrs. Pendleton, who said she call in her Carriage (the one made expressly for President Pierce) & take us ["X" in the left margin] to the President's, on Tuesday A.M.

Called also at Gerrit Smith's & spent the evening had a delightful conversation. Mrs. Smith is a most splendid woman, plays beautifully on the Piano & sings most sweetly. I was charmed with her, Several gents came in, Dr. Brittain of N. York among them, a circle was formed, & Mrs. Smith sang & played to [woo?] the spirits - but all in vain - nothing wonderful manifested.

Mrs. Smith said he wished to share with us in the pecuniary loss of our meeting & insisted on my accepting a Bill which I afterward learned to

[13]

[March 154]

["X" in the left margin} be a $20, Bank note, Expressed himself very glad that Mrs. R. had come to Washington. Gov. Talmadge of Wisconsin accompanied us to the St. Charles _ The wind has blown very hard all day, & the air been very cold, ice was found quite thick in the A. M.

March, 27.

Weather moderated but still cold, After walking about two miles, visiting fine printing office the Bill Printer, & Bill Poster, I returned & with Mrs. R. visited the Patent Office, the most ["X" in the left margin] remarkable curiosities there were the Sword, Cane, the Coat, vest, breeches of Gen. Washington worn at the time he resigned his Commission, his Camp Chest - with its appurtenances - Tea Pot, Coffee Urn, Pepper dish, Salt _ tea chest, Grid Iron, tin kettles for cooking [tea?], also the writing desk used by him during all his Campaigns - there too was a bit of the old tent cloth - ragged & dirty