ds as if he
thought me demented, & making a low bow & ejaculating a long
Hah-hah retreated for the door. The story about the Dr. got
out and, partly by mine & I believe in part also by his
means, & alarmed all the story tellers who heard of it. A
few repetitions of the same dose to others impressed the
whole crew with a conviction that nothing was to be gained
by bringing such reports to me. The consequence was that
although Washington is perhaps the most gossiping place in
the world, I escaped its contamination altogether, and had
no trouble except such as unavoidably grew out of my public
duties; and although I had perhaps a more vexatious time
than any of my predecessors in that respect I was the only
man, they all say, who grew fat in that office.

I was happy to learn from my son John by a letter received
yesterday the high opinion he entertains of your discreet &
honorable bearing in the midst of the difficulties by which
you are beset. I hope he & Smith, [another son of Martin Van
Buren], exercise the discretion by which their course has
heretofore been governed, in meddling as little with things
political that do not belong to them as possible. They know
that such is my wish, as any contest there must necessarily
be more or less between my friends; and I shall be obliged
to you to give them from time to time such advice upon the
subject as you may think proper. Be assured that they will
take it in good part. You may, if you please, at your
convenience, return me the suggestions I sent you, as I may
have occasion to weave some parts of them into letters that
I am frequently obliged to write; the rough draft was made
with a pencil & is now illegible. Be assured that your not
using them occasioned me no mortification, as I before told
you it would not. You had a nearer & could take a safer view
of things than myself. Don't trouble yourself to answer this
letter as it requires none; only excuse me for writing you
one so unmercifully long.

Remember me kindly to Mrs. Bouck, & believe me to be

Very sincerely your friend,

M. VAN BUREN.

His Excellency,
Wm. C. Bouck.

In 1850 General and Mrs. Scott moved to Washington and Hampton was
closed for many years. They lived in one of the houses built by Count