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Washington, Wednesday 16. March 1842
16. IV. Wednesday.
Mr
Dickens came into the house yesterday and took leave of
me, then intending to go immediately to Baltimore: but afterwards
changed his purpose, and went with Mrs Dickens last Evening in the
Steamer to Norfolk— Mrs Dickens had on
Sunday requested of me an autograph, which I had promised. I wrote it
last evening, and directed it to Baltimore—but it was delivered here
before their departure. William
Johnson dined with us and went in the Evening with
Mr and Mrs Angier,
Mrs John
Adams, and Elizabeth C.
Adams to the drawing-room; unusually crowded in
consequence of the presence of Dickens, and of Washington Irving, recently
appointed Mr Plenipotentiary to Spain—
William Johnson left the city, this morning with the early cars, for
Baltimore on his return home to Utica— Met this morning the select
Committee on the Smithsonian bequest— Present Adams, Underwood, Habersham, B. Randall, Truman Smith, and Charles J. Ingersoll— Absent
Houston, Bowne, and Hunter— The Bill reported by the Committee in February
1840. was considered and the first three sections debated, and
materially amended; adjourned to Saturday next at 10. A.M— In the house
Fillmore moves to postpone the further consideration of the general
appropriation Bill, to take up the loan Bill— Question made of the power
of the house to change the order of business in the Committee— The house
went into Committee— Briggs in
the chair.— Fillmore moves to postpone the appropriation Bill; and take
up the Loan Bill— Briggs decides the motion is not in order. Fillmore
appeals from the Chairman’s decision, which is reversed by Tellers, 92
to 76— Loan Bill taken up— Wise
moves to extend the term from 12 to 15 years, and starts a long debate—
Opposed on all sides—only 34 votes in its favour, one of which was mine—
Amendment offered authorising the sale of the stocks under par—another
copious debate; most inflammatory— Wise makes a venomous charge upon the
chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means— Caruthers, Pendleton
M’Keon, Underwood, Committee rise
and the house adjourn—1/2 past 3. The report of the Committee of
Elections in favour of Joshua A.
Lowell, was taken up, and the Resolution that he is
entitled to his Seat, adopted after an acquiescing speech, by Benjamin
Randall, and the aid of the Previous question.
