Sunday Feb 3^rd
My Dear Sis – I am sick and weary this night but must write you a few lines to let you
know how glad I was to hear last evening of your safe arrival at Albany, which
was more than I expected from the inauspicious Commencement of your journey. you
know old Jack used to say it was very bad luck to turn about after once starting[ . ]
Poor Jane Warden died this morning at 6 o clock, of course I have been there and busily
employed ever since, as to that matter I have spent most of the last week with them.
Altho’ Jane was no favorite of mine yet her death together with the greif of her sisters has
made me quite sad. I never saw friends so attentive to the wants of another as they have
been to hers and altho’ she has been as capricious as a spoiled child no wish has remained
ungratified that was in the power of human beings to comply with.
The events of the last week with me have been already related or nearly so. On
Monday I was sad enough did not even see the stage that you went in, it must have
passed before I came home. In the forenoon Jennings called to see me and
and related the mishaps of your starting in a hurry without cloaks[ , ] lunch or key.
in the afternoon Clary came up here no better in mind than myself and we called
to see your cousin Harry’s wife (as grandma calls her). I think her a very pleasant
sensible woman and think I shall endeavour to know more of her when I have time
from there we made a call at Leonards then Clary returned home and I to bed
at an early after thinking I would give a great deal to know what prog-
ress you had made in your journey. Tuesday I spent at Leonards. Mrs Dr. Smith
issued cards that day on common foolscap paper for a party in the evening
Worden went, of course it was rather a ogrish affair something like the entertain-
ments given by the late governor’s lady. The blancmange was in a liquid state
and smoky coffee supplied the place of wine after the nuts. Mrs Smith is too stingy
to give parties. The next morning Wednesday M r & Mrs Meritt sent a large letter
requesting the pleasure of M^r . A Warden and Lady’s company at tea that evening.
I suppose the lady was me but I did not go being rather dull from walking so
much of late. Worden went and said it was very pleasant with something

to eat and withal to drink. Miss Durington seemed to be the lion or lioness of the evening.
She dresses very grotesque and talks nonesense very loud. Meritt and his wife appear[ - ]
-ed strange as it may seem very well and played the host and hostess to the great
satisfaction of their guests. Clary told Bronson that night that Willard had ac-
tually offered himself to Maria Harris but she had not yet given him ans answer did
you ever see such a sinner? she believed it and has probably circulated the story
quite extensively before this time. Clary has about concluded she like Mak best ^he^ had on
such a nice, clean shine shirt at Meritt’s. And the other one does make such work
calling. I have not seen her since Thursday. Pa was much better then and
pretty ago I thank you. How they are now I know not probably no worse or I
should have heard. Clary said the last time I saw her that I must tell you she did
not think she should find time to write to you this winter. She did nothing but cook
for the gent. They are so lonesome without the little boys that they hardly think they
have any family. Tell Gussy his aunt Clary has his little book yet but cousin Fan and
I intend to read it through this winter. Frances has discontinued going to school since
Miss Ray sent in a bill of eighteen shillings for one quarter. I thought I might as well
send her to the first boarding school at that rate. She says I must tell you she has
been quite sick two days since you left, but is now quite well and ragged as
I do not get time to sew and stich. I am going to Leonards before my bed
is made in the morning. In addition to see the use of my troubles my boy
Bill saw fit to run away one bright moonlight night ^with Wordens best boots on his shanks^ (The very day you left)
After stealing my gold chain (of ma’s) and several other things and has not yet
been heard of. Betty Butler and her son reign in his stead, but Theodore does
in my sight which induces me to think their sojurn will be a short
one. How much trouble I do have housekeeping if Mrs.Chase did not actu-
ally starve one to death and if it did not cost more than we could ever
pay to board at one of the public houses I would never attempt it again[ . ]
What an edifying letter this is all nothing but complaint. Next time you
shall not see a word of it, but tonight I am amazingly out of conceit
of the world. And am so sleepy and tired I can hardly keep my eyes

open and know Leonard’s folks will send for me before I get my breakfast
and so I cannot send this until Tuesday if I do not finish it tonight,
which will be a disappointment to you as I told you I would write every
Sunday. Tell Henry I will send those letters the first opportunity[ . ]
I am glad you are so well pleased with your house, and hope by this time
you feel quite at home. Kiss the dear little boys for their aunty and
expect a better and longer letter from me as soon as this funeral
is over. your own sis Lazette.
Stephin served the ballot on me in court. most lawyer like, about 3. o clock in
the afternoon. just as I had commenced the argument of a contested mother
this showed his brother up as Dick Smith says[ . ]
Miss R had on a pair of Sleeves only. She appeared very much as you may suppose
the ass in the semphony did “Crouching down beneath two brothers” she evaded
some awful blunder, as I heard Gus Kellogg & Bronson say next day what it was
I dont know. It was some unspeakable thing”

William H Seward
In Senate
Albany
NY
Auburn Feb NY
Lazette Feb 8. 1833