Bargain Town N.J. 13th Feby
Monday
My dear Frances,
Your long & kind letter of the 29^th last was
rec^d per last mail, I do not answer it this soon because I
have anything to tell you that will be new or interesting
but thro’ a selfish motive, hoping it will induce you to
write soon again, we do love to hear from you & regret very
much that you have suffered so much during your stay
at Albany, but everybody has had the influenza I believe
we have had the coldest & most uncomfortable winter, I thought
how much I had praised our mild climate, that if you
could have seen us gathering around our fis fire this winter
it would have been a flat contradiction.
I have had the satisfaction of living alone for the last
month, Mahlon has been on the Beach, I returned from
New York a week or more time to tarry awhile Augustus since
he recovered from an attack after we first reach’d home has
been very well, grows & has a fine color, and is altogether
the most mischievous child ^sometimes^ Ever existed - we can scarcely
live with him - I tie him sometimes whip &
scold forever, he is perfectly good tempered or I should
despair - I think if you could make up your mind
to spend a few weeks with us next summer with Freddy
& bathe him in the Salt waters it would do him great good
now do we should so much enjoy a visit from you
& I want to see the Boys" ten times more than ever
I suppose poor Grandma thinks the winter will never
end & the Judge too thinks the time long -

I am heartily glad you have a Sister who can write
you, I have not heard one syllable from Florida
since I left there, tis too too bad, will Henry go there
this winter, you will go of course before you return
Do you board at the same house where we did & have
you those rooms, I can see you quite at home,
the Hopkins very happy to have you so near
You will remember me to them if they enquire after us -
they were very attentive & I think good folks
You will not if you do not make haste to get well -
have any chance of knowing anything of the pleasures of
the Court or how Her Ladyship (Mrs. Throop) entertains her
company this winter, the Tracys I suppose you have with you
& Trumbull Carey - I occasionally see their names in print
I am glad you came down this winter it makes it so
much pleasanter for Henry but it is much pleasanter for
ones self if they must be sick & have the tooth ache to
be at home -
Did I write you, Mr. Piatt is married to Miss Hanmon of Conn. Uncle has first sent me $200
for a set of plates, I am rather afraid he will lose
the vice Presidency. But I shall use my influence of
course do write me again, do, love to all Mahlon
would join me if he knew I was writing -
Ever yours affectionately
L.C Canfield
Mrs F.A.M. Seward

[left Margin]
Cornelia
15 Feb 1832