Letter. 8" x 10". 4 pages with 3 pages of content. Multiple folds. Postal mark from Washington and wax seal on page 4. A couple of small closed splits to the paper folds. Small hole margins pages 3 and 4 where the letter was opened. No loss of content. Letter is neatly written and mostly legible. Letter is dated December 9, 1839 and addressed to "Dr Charles W. Thomas, Philadelphia Penna". Parris writes his Doctor friend who is attending lectures in Philadelphia and wants him to come visit in Washington. Parris is surprised his friend is in "Quakerdelphia" attending the lectures "you appear determined at all events to obtain a correct & perfect knowledge of the science of Medicine, and if you do not make a good M.D. then I will never attempt to judge upon any subject." Parris expresses his regret for not writing sooner stating, "I have been driven "een-a most"? to death with work. The assembly of Congress always makes more work in the Offices, and I have had it night and day, Sundays not excepted, until I am completely fagged out." He adds "People in the North think Clerks in the Departments have a glorious time - only to strut the streets, and draw and spend their money." Parris also writes about filling another clerks vacancy and receiving a pay increase to 1200 but with increased workload. One of Parris's political views are also expressed in the letter: "You have heard what Congress are about - talking to tickle the ears of their constituents & pocketing a glorious fee of $8.00 per day for it. - I rejoice however to believe that the dawn is now approaching - that true Democratic principles will be triumphant, spite of chicanery of the Federal Governor of New Jersey, & his illustrious coadjutors." Parris eagerly wants his friend to visit Washington stating, "Now Charles, you are within one day's journey of the metropolis of the most glorious Nation on the face of this terrene ball - you surely will not think for a moment of returning to Maine without paying a visit." Parris tells his friend of all that is happening in the city and that Congress will sit until July "so you can see as much as you wish of it - you must visit with me Mount Vernon, and all the other interesting places about here." A. W. Parris name was found in a couple of Government documents online. He Clerked for the War Department on 1838 in the Indian Affairs office. He also clerked for the Governor of Wisconsin in 1842. Find A Grave website has a listing for Dr Charles W. Thomas, Camden, Knox County, Maine 1840-1872. Uncertain if this is the same person to whom the letter was written to.
