Our correspondence is slow in becoming mutual. The great uncertainty of receiving letters by mail has made me believe that my last has miscarried. I am sure you would have been attentive to our agreement had not this been the case. As I was the first to write, and my leter not having been received, I feel it my duty to proscute my engagement.

     I am now at the metropolis of our country and the grand scene of political contentions. However, I do not know that I can offer you any news; but in case my letter should reach you before the public news papers of the present date, I will mention the most important subject of debate now in Congress.

     Mr. Chase appeared the first of the month, in obedience to summons, & made his answer. In this he mearly denied the truth of every charge against him and prayed for an extention of time to prepare his defence. He declared that it could not be done during this session of Congress. He stated reasons which, I thought, could not be denighed—such as the precarious state of his health at this season of the year, the importance of the subject, and the difficulty of procuring counsel which the infirm state of his health would require. But his enemies, impatient to get rid of him, would not grant his request. On the fourth of February they will renew his trial. You may suppose the issue when I tell you there were twenty one members for present trial, & only nine for postponement. A Judge is not more independent than a doorkeeper!

     Another question before Congress is—the recession of Columbia. Should the district of Columbia be returned to Maryland-Virginia, would not this recession be a breach of the constitution?

     Another question before our wise Congress is—whether every free man in the Town of Alexa. shall be allowed the right of suffrage. If I am not mistaken a right like this would be attended with innumerable ill consequences. Thus go the times.

     I anticipate the pleasure of seeing you here during Judge Chase's trial. With compliments to my acquaintances in Phia I tender you my warm esteem. Your Ob. Svt.