Washington August 14, 1841
Dear Father
Your letter was received in due time. I was very sorry
to hear that you had the misfortune to meet with another accident, by
way of the horse and carriage. Among other news from home I learn
that Rev. Smith is about to leave the town and society to go to
Mount Vernon. Who will supply his place. I also saw an account
in the paper of the fourth of July celebration in Portsmouth.
Nathaniel Walker informed me that Abby road up in company with
Mr. Nutter - and Elisa Ann. Had a pleasant time I imagine.
I must write to Abby soon. I received a letter from William Apalachicola,
am happy to hear of his good success and hope in due time he will be
quite independent. He says "of John and Charles I have not had the
slightest news from since I left Portsmouth"-Sailed from Ap. about the 12
of June and expects to be in N.Y. or at home the last of Sept.
I finished my Job in the Treasury Dept some time since and have been
attending to my studies. Do not know that I shall obtain any more employment
whatever. Have seen Daniel Webster he having no imployment to offer me
has given me two good letters. His Department is small but few clerks.
Says every hole and corner is filled - and that I cannot expect that
he can make work for me - But is willing to favor me with his letters if they
will be of any service to me - One of his letters was addressed to the sec of the
Treasury - Telling him he hoped that I might be appointed to a $1,000 desk that
was vacant. T. Ewing said he had someone in view to fill it, and as for
temporary imployment I have had a good share. I am from N.H. a Loco State
they see too many N.H. people which do not favor T.Ewing or Webster eather
In fine there never was a worse time to get imployment than the present -
The Whigs found no place vacant. There has been but few removals in
Washington and hundreds seeking office - And those who have poor families
to support - T Ewing took it into his head to favour a few of his friends

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who had laboured for him and the party - a Saturday or two since.
Thus removed a dozen of the Loco Clerks he left the city for Baltimore
on Business - On Sunday the dozen clerks with their wives and friends
were running too and fro with their long faces on. By the way T
Ewing on his return on Monday found the Loco clerks again at work
And the Whigs again standing idle all the day long. The Whigs in Washington
cannot get even the penny. A few weeks since I had an interview with
President Tyler - Saw him by himself, had quite a chat. He is
a real gentleman. I informed him I had received letters from Webster.
He wish to know if I was married - Said it was the worst thing that that a young
man could do to take an office here in Washington - Suitable for older men
who have a poor family to support, and who has no business trade or pro
fession to do it by - Said he could not with consistency give me a letter
to obtain temporary imployment for it would be opening the door and
his letters would soon loose their worth - But was obliged to leave little things
with his C to whom he referred me. Could I have had imployment all
this Summer I could have returned home in the spring with a hundred or two
dollars in my pocket, but as it is I shall be obliged to call on you for Some
next winter for I shall attend the lectures this winter and get my profession
The Lectures commence the first of November - I have been boarding with
a Mrs Walker this summer very good family. A Mr Kelly of Concord and
his son is boarding here - I have paid $150 for board since I came into the
city - Congress is still in session - will adjourn in two or three weeks.
The Bank Bill having passed the house and Senate Is still in the
hands of the President - the great question is what will Tyler do with
the Bank Bill. Has had it a week or more -
I received a letter from Charles last week - notes that he receives more
letters from me than from all others beside - On his return from New
Orleans he was thrown from a horse flat upon his back, and for 1 or 2 weeks
could with difficulty walk - having bruised the muscles of his back

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and hips. Since then he has been doing more or less, sometimes charging
$5-10-15 and sometimes nothing per day. Very hot in July - his sickly
season had not commenced - He says to me "Select me a lady and
I will call & make the offer of heart and hand as I call on you next
spring on my visit home - for home I will go or else get married".
I have also received a letter from John - He writes "All I am worth
in the world is now due me from the U. S. and I expect much difficulty
in getting it. Since the discharge of the Brigade I have been at this place
most of the time sick and all the time out of money - and I dislike to
borrow" I think he has obtained his pay ere this. Hon D Levy a delegate
from Florida - with whom John is acquainted says John had better
visit the north for his health - The War goes on as usual - says William
has sailed from New Orleans ere this. It is strange that they can never know
where William is. I mail a letter and paper to both John and Charles
this day - all Franked. I received a $5 bill from Charles He wished
to take a Washington paper the N.I. $2 the year which I shall forward
to him Weekly. - Six per cent discount on his bill buy little it being [--?]
money. You perceive that I can do nothing for John at present and
that Washington is the last place to go for business - I was in hopes of
getting an appoint't and offered to John this fall - I think John will
see the want of some trade or profession - I contend that every young
man should have a trade profession or farm - And it is now time that
Thomas Iva was learning his trade.
With respect to the course that I shall take - Cannot tell till I graduate
With respect to going into the Navy I should like it were it not that I should
be obliged to spend every cent and thus never have a house or home.
I think I will see Drs. Washington of this city who is one of the examining
Committee of the candidates for the Army and Navy - The Den'ts use the
forceps and not the key. I do not trouble myself about politics.
A letter or paper would be received with pleasure. Believe me to be your devoted &
Affectionate Son Warren Parsons