Sunday June 24^th
My Dear Henry, I have just finished writing a letter to Cornelia
and a note to Lazette not feeling well enough to walk up to see
her. Yesterday Caroline Miller was with us all day. I was not
well and as walking increases my indisposition I did not go
to Lazettes, spent a part of the forenoon in distributing chloride
of lime about the house. Last evening there was a meeting of the
citizens at the Exchange to take into consideration measures
to be adopted for the preservation of the health of the village
The resolutions and directions are published in a circular signed
by Humphreys, Smith, Bradford, and Pitney. Of course they do
not vary in character from others of the same nature.
The excitement about the Cholera still prevails. Dr Rudd
preached and read prayers on the subject this morning.
I went to Church the Court house was full and very uncom-
fortable how much more & more I miss our dear little
Church. The little competition for the best seats reminds me
of Tallmadge and McLean. The Mrs Throops of course
appropriate what they consider the best. this does not
interfere with me at all as the places they have chosen
are altogether too conspicuous to suit me, but there is
evidently a struggle for the high places in the synagouge
Caroline and Clary went again this afternoon I staid at
home and took care of the little boys. the Sarahs both
went of course. Whenever I correct Fred for any misdemeanor
he always says "nice Ma" Teddy loves ma" by way of settling
the difficulty as soon as possible. he appears to have unbounded
confidence in his powers of persuasion. Augustus and his Grand pa have just departed for an evening ride. Serene is here & I

go down and see her. Teusday night. My Dear Henry
I had no more time to write Sunday evening. I went down and
found Serene and Harriet Hughes, soon after Burgess and Beardsley
came. Beardsley brought your Saturday's letter they all remained
here until 10 oclock and then after reading your letter to Grandma
I retired. Serene talks all the time about the cholera. I beleive
is rather more afraid than I am. I think our village will
be in a tolerable cleanly state if this excitement continues.
all the drains &c are undergoing a thorough purification.
the prospect of a fine openes the eyes of the people astonishingly
to the state of their premises. We hear almost daily of cholera
somewhere in the vicinity but I h take little heed of these reports
Yesterday afternoon I went up to Lazettes and staid until dark
she is much better but her cough is still troublesome. thinks she
will be well enough to walk down here soon. When I came home I
found Grandma with a lengthened visage and withal not very
cordial in her reception of myself. This was soon explained by her
telling me that Augustus was very sick, had been vomiting two or
three times. I said I presumed he had eaten something to occasion
his sickness. she hoped this was all but doubted exceedingly
the probability of my explanation. I found upon enquiry that
he had eaten unripe strawberries and currants in large quantities
I carried him up to bed and he slept well all night & awoke quite
well this morning. This afternoon Maria, Debby and George took tea
with us. they have just gone and it is now almost ten oclock.
Saturday a letter came to you from Cornelia which I will copy in
the morning. Will you remember and send to New York No 6 Spruce
Street for the little box Cornelia sent there. Mrs Burnham is still
living. Dr. J. Wood and his bride have not returned. say this to the

Mancius' if you see them as an apology for my not calling.
June 17^th
My Dear Brother, It has been so hot to day that I could not think of
writing and this is my apology for coming at the 11^th hour to acknowl–
edge your letter of the 4^th Inst. I am sure I should as I always do
feel very thankful for your letters knowing as I do how much your time is
occupied. I wish you could so arrange your affairs as to have a little more leisure
Your good Frances scarce knows she has a husband & the little boys cannot re-
alize that you are nearer to them than Grandpa. But you have heard our
dear Mother say, 'tis a long lane that has no turn. I hope Father and
Mother will tear themselves from their laborious duties & visit you, it will
I ardently hope restore our Mother to health. I envy you the pleasure of her
company do write when they arrive (as George says they are going) how
Ma is, I fear she will sink under a worn out constitution into an
early grave, the thought is too heart rending, I have so sweetly cherished the
hope of one day having her come and see us and enjoy her kind hearted
benevolence. Our poor Polydore I have been so afraid of having
my worst fears realized for him, I almost dreaded to see a letter from
Florida. Locke wrote me on the 3^d Inst. in a subdued and resigned
style. poor girl I feel for her misfortunes. Our little boys are now
quite well. Fanny grows and Gus flourishes. poor child he is tanned
like an Indian. as yet we have kept clear of measels whooping cough &c
We have nothing new or strange here except that the good folks believe
from the excessive heat that the comet is to fulfill the prediction & burn us
all up. baby cries I'm going to finish in the next. love &c &c your Sis
L.C.S.
Wednesday morning. My Dear Henry I am more than half sick this morning so
I will not detain this letter to write any more to day. hope to hear from you
this evening. Tell Tracy that he knows that I love him very much without
my ^it^ writing down in a letter. therefore I shall do nothing of the kind.
your own Frances

William H. Seward–
Congress Hall
Albany
Auburn NY
Jun 27