Letter from Harriet Lane to Lily Macalester

First Lady Harriet Lane writes to Lily Macalester about the going ons of Washington D.C., her trip to Pennsylvania, Macalester's trip to West Point, as well as various bits of gossip. Lane also comments on several political figures, including Secretary of War John B. Floyd and Senator Stephen Douglas. "What think you of Douglas' pronunciamento?!!," Lane asks, presumably referring to Douglas' recent remarks regarding the Lecompton Constitution. Lane, who is President James Buchanan's niece, writes this letter from the Soldier's Home in Washington, DC. Transcript included.