Thursday 18^th Apl 1833
My dear Child
Inclosed you will find a few lines written after my return
home and intended for mondays Mail but
long before that arive I had become so sick as to forget
all about corrispondence. I have been twice bled taken
severe Catharticks and am now only able to sit up a
few moments. I have recieved yours of the 13^th Instant in
which you propose setting out for A. the 16th I have attended
to the business referred to me and will explain it when I see
you in Nov mean time hope it may be satisfactory to
you. About 4 weeks ago I had a slight paralytick stroke
which very bafflingly affected my left arm and
am sick of life and now last evening I had a similar
one. I am now more anxious to get on the ocean than
ever as the change may dislodge this lurking disease
so sure to render a person miserable if not annihilate
them. I have not lately had a moments time to
read travels. But as far as I recollect of former reading
I approve of the Journeying you mention. On the
subject of your visiting Washington before our
departure I have settled it that you must go. The
facility of traveling is now so great that 4 days will
enable you to go return and converse very differently
on that little American Emporeum-The President
and heads of department. We shall want a few
American authors on subjects interesting to Europe
and of recent. And one or two books of Travels Greseums are minute and interesting but rather
lengthy. Carters I never thought as much of as
some. But of all this we shall have time to
confer. Letters of reference to almost all classes
of men I think highly important. It will be a great
facility to the Traveller in obtaining knowledge
of the improvements and Curiosities of
the Countries though which we travel
I expect Ma to be in New York when we leave
and to provide Company for her to Auburn
on our departure
S.S. Seward 8 May 1833