My ever dearest wife

     Yours of the 28th Ult. reached me last night. It gave me great pleasure to hear from you and that you were all well. When you are well and comfortable in my absence it leave me much more ready to enjoy things and see what is to be seen.
I saw the great peageant of the inarguration today and it was worth the trip. There was in the Senate all the celebrities of the Nation. President Grant, Vice President Colfax, the Supreme Court with Chief Justice Chase and associate Justices, the Senators, the diplomatic core, with their court dresses. You would have been more pleased with the dresses of the Diplomatic members than any thing else. They looked rather fine among our plain dressed people. The gold lace

and Stars of honor, plumes epauletts and Stripes dimonds and almost every ornament made quite an imposing and elegant appearance. There was ease grace and brilliancy about it.
Then there was all our great Generals in full uniform. Gen. Sherridan, Sherman, Thomas Farragutt, Sickels, Howard Terry, Hancock and many others. The Generals in full uniform came nearer to the diplomatic core than any others. But the dress of Militare is to heavy and rough. It was that light, airy and elegant embodiment of the court dress. I must admit it made a fine show in the Senate Chamber.
The procession was the largest and most magnificent I ever saw. It was gotten up with much taste and was over a mile long. I dont think I ever saw such a crowd as assembeld to hear Grants Inargural. Not more than twenty persons heard it. He read it as he had it written

It is very good but quite short. No body in washington this evening knows who is to be Grants Cabinett. Nor will not before tomorrow. The Inarguration Ball is to come off tonight. Col Temple is here with his daughter and wants me to go with him. I do not know whether I will go or not. I was so near jammed to death to day at the Inarguration that I am tired of Jams. My opinion is that it will be as bad at the Ball to night. Never, never, was such as jam as there was today at the Capital during the Inarguration. Tickets to the Seante chamber where the most of the ceremonies were performed were worth $50.00 this morning. Gov. Brownlow furnished me one being entited to six as Senator. Temple is waiting for me and I must close. I will start home Sunday or Monday next. Gov Brownlow has not been in the Senate yet. I am well and still Sleeping with Parson Pearne I want to see you more and more every day and the children and home

I heard a little hand organ plaing home yesterday on the Streets and I was there in moment.

I remain ever devotedly yours
James M Meek

Excuse haste I have not time to read this over
     Goodby Lizzie for a few days God bless you

James M Meek