Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

I went to the Supreme Court and heard the commencement of the argument involving the Constitutionality of the State Bankrupt laws. Mr. Ogden opened the case in support of the laws, and Mr. Wheaton replied. It is a very important case. The day was terribly cold and we were much distressed by the account of a fire in Alexandria which ravaged half the place. We had an alarm here, but the danger was avoided. It was [in] a terrible place and as all the Washington force had gone to Alexandria, if it had not been prevented, this fire would have occasioned infinite loss.2 In the evening a dull party at Tayloe’s, to the bride, Mrs. Turnbull.3