The home letters, full of sweet air and peaceful views, were delightful to get in the dust and confusion of Washington, which, however, with all its discomforts, nothing would have induced us to leave. Among the letters of introduction which made our way simple and pleasant were those from Cousin Wm. Aspinwall to Senator Dixon and General Ripley (“a fine, blunt old gentleman”) of Connecticut, and to Generals Hamilton and Van Rensselaer, on the staff of the Commanding General Scott. Also to Generals Wool, Dix and McDowell, Admiral Wilkes and family, and the household of Mr. Hodge, a cousin of our good Dr. Hodge of Philadelphia. We imagined that our unctuous way to the good graces of the Commanding General was made by the gift from Joseph Howland of a number of very fine hams. These, cast upon the water, came home to us later in an invitation to dinner, which seemed rather to have the nature of a military summons, delivered as it was by a Colonel on the staff. We accepted with the mixed feeling which one must have who receives the “Queen’s Command” to an interview.
The hams appear in the following note:
Headquarters of the Army, Washington.
Dear Mrs. Howland: The Lieutenant General desires me to send his thanks for the hams sent to him by Mr. Howland. He considers them very fine indeed, to which opinion I beg leave to add my own.
Yours very truly,
H. Van Rensselaer.
