Romulus 7^th Sept
My Dear Henry, Lazette has just gone to ride with little Fred
Augustus has gone with the boys to Aunt Patty's and the time
is so still and inviting that I cannot resist the inclination
I feel to write you a few lines though my other letter has
hardly yet left the office at Ovid. When Robert went up
to the village to carry it he returned with
Auburn Sept 15^th
My Dear Henry, You will hardly believe that I have not had
time sufficient since the commencement of this letter
to bring it to a conclusion until this day but it is even
so. I am once more home again and although we have
company who engage most of my time I will steal a
few moments while they are out as I fear you will think
we are all sick or dead. I will commence again at Romulus
when Robert just returned with a letter from you in which
you announce the departure of the Tracy's and complain
of loneliness. We had then been at Romulus one week and
the night before Worden came over to see Frances, had busi–
ness the other side of the lake crossed in a horse boat and
got to Ezra Lewis' where we were about 11 oclock at night
I was in bed but Lazette was up with little Fred who was
quite unwell. I did not see him until the next morning when
he addressed me as familiarly as if we were the most in-
timate friends. Of course I replied but we had no conversation
when the family were not present. he remained until nearly noon
Lazette took little Fred and Frances and went with him to Uncle
Ezra's. he appeared very much engaged in distributing Antimasonick
documents. he told Lazette that his sister Abbey had been

to their house to make a visit. during her stay Warren made very free
with the house. quarreled with Harriet because she left home to
attend the funeral of old Phillis and finally concluded by put-
ting her out of the house after a scuffle in which he tore her
dress almost off from her & knocked down his sister who
interfered. Harriet went immediately down to Wordens office
and he advised her to go to George Rathbone and enter a
complaint for assault and battery, which she did. this
is Wordens story, which i find on coming home is essentially
true as Sarah has heard it from Harriet. it is generally known
in the village, a dignified piece of business. I am so glad Lazette
was not at home at the time. Frederick was sick all the time we
were from home I was alarmed about him sometimes and should
have written to you and told you all about it had not Lazette
persuaded me to wait one day and see if he would not be better
My Dear Sis I do not know what I should have done had she not been with
me to cheer me now and then. Sarah took no part in the care
of Fred we had every thing to do ourselves and both of us washed
the skin all off from our fingers. Lazette insisted upon giving him
calomel and as the Dr advised it I consented though I was
unwilling he should take it until we came home—he was very
sick the day he took it and Lazette made me go to bed while
she took the whole care of him she said she was very much afraid at
one that he would go into a fit. Since that day we have given him paregorick
but he is not quite well yet though he plays about the house and
is very much better. In the mean time I wrote to Clary to send
for us as soon as the next monday without fail. The last five
days we staid at Lewis Millers and Aunt Mary did every thing
in her power to to make us comfortable although she had at that
time a family of nearly thirty. Last Friday Monday night I
got your last letters of two sheets written on your return from
Orange County. I am glad to see by Tracy's letters that he has as yet

^escaped^ the violent illness which threatened him. I suppose ere this you have
been to Norwich and I hope found him restored to his usual health
I need not tell you how many and bitter were the tears I shed over the
lines you sent me which contained so beautiful an expression of
feelings I have long and I trust not vainly endeavoured to smother.
it is more than idle to indulge them now. The first two lines only
will ever express my sentiments at least when you are so far away
"I know that he loves me, I could not live on } On Teusday afternoon
With the love of a thousand if his love were gone"} while we were visiting
Mrs Schooley Edward came in a gig for the purpose of seeing us
home. we thought strange that our fb folks had provided so small
a conveyance for seven souls but concluded of course it was some
scheme of Pa's — the matter was thus explained by Edward. I had written
home to Clary to let Thomas get Maxwells wagon and come after us as he had
been somewhat disappointed in not coming with us. I left a note to Maxwell
with her and all the necessary directions. When the time came Pa unfortunately
overheard some conversation on the subject and of course said that it would
not answer at all, no matter about Thomas' disappointment he would
undoubtedly break all our necks if he was permitted to go. So Edward
was dispatched in the gig with directions to call at Mynderse's and announce
our intention of spending the next night with him. then to go on to Ovid
get a wagon to bring us and our baggage to the Falls and on Thursday
we must take the stage home provided Mynderse did not send us in his
carriage. this would be altogether the cheapest and best mode. I do not
believe any one else could have devised a similar plan. In the mean time
Worden met Thomas in the street and hearing of his discomfiture sent him
on in Noye's barouche with another man to drive. Edward to return with us
and Thomas to drive the gig home. altogether our ride home was made rather
a ridiculous affair. Thomas the barouche and driver came about three
hours after Edward. The next morning we all started for home were obliged
to retun by the way of the Falls though the roads were very bad to tell the
Colonel we could not stay there all night. we got there about two oclock.
Gus rode behind in the gig with Thomas feeling quite large. They were all very
glad to see us at the Colonels. Miss P [ Seeley ] got us tea and dinner at four
and we arrived home at 7 oclock considerably fatigued with the ride.
found Pa had departed for Baltimore the day before. Herietta Kasson and Mrs Warner alias Sally Hitchcock and her little boy here on a visit. Henrietta after

a sojourn of some weeks in New York has returned with all the newest fashions
and thereby makes herself about as frightful a figure as I should wish
to look upon every part of her dress made in the extreme of the mode. I shall
send this letter now and commence another tomorrow I cannot say half I
wish in this. your own Frances.
Auburn NY
Sep 17
William H. Seward
Congress Hall
Albany
Frances A. Seward
15 Sept. 1831