the same rich exuberance of animal
enjoyment, the same roguish twinkle of the eye, and the same
indolence which characterized the fat Knight.

President Taylor's first and only message to Congress was transmitted
on the Monday following the organization of the House, December
24th, and the printed copies first distributed contained the
sentence, "We are at peace with all the nations of the world and
the rest of mankind." A revised edition was soon printed, in which
the corrected sentence read, "We are at peace with all the nations
of the world, and seek to maintain our cherished relations of amity
with them." The blunder caused much diversion among the Democrats,
and greatly annoyed Colonel Bliss, who, as the President's private
secretary, had superintended the publication of the message. The
message contained no allusion to the slavery question, but the
President had declared himself in favor of the untrammeled admission
of California into the Union, while, on the other hand, he did not
approve the "higher law" doctrine which Mr. Seward was advocating
as a nucleus for a new political party in the North.

Meanwhile, Henry Clay had reappeared at Washington as a Senator
from Kentucky, and occupied his old quarters at the National Hotel,
a large stockholder in which, Mr. Calvert, of Maryland, was one of
Clay's many friends. Although in his seventy-third year, Mr. Clay
was apparently hale and hearty, but showed his age. His head, bald
on the top, was fringed with long, iron-gray hair, his cheeks were
somewhat sunken, his nose had a pinched look, but his wide mouth
was, as in years past, wreathed in genial smiles. He always was
dressed in black, and from a high black satin stock, which enveloped
his long neck, emerged a huge white shirt collar, which reached to
his ears. He mingled in society, generally kissed the prettiest
girls wherever he went, and enjoyed a quiet game of cards in his
own room, with a glass of toddy made from Bourbon County whisky.

At the commencement of the session Mr. Clay requested that he might
be excused from service on any of the standing committees of the
Senate, and his wish was granted. It was not long, however, before
he evinced a desire to re-enter the arena of debate as a leader of
the Whig party, but not as a follower of President Taylor. Presenting
a series of resolutions which would consolidate the settlement of
the eight different questions involving slavery, then before
Con