Albany January 27th 1834. My dear sister, How strange it is that just at 10 o.clock at night
when Frances has gathered herself into bed with her convalescent little Fred and
left me alone till morning it should come into my head that I can write
to you and cannot do anything else. Our little boy has been sick quite sick
of a bilious and obstinate fever but he is better now and no longer gives us cause
of alarm. Augustus continues well thank Heaven and Frances and myself
about as usual. The Carys great and small are always well. Birdsall
is slowly convalescing for the second time. We all apprehend a relapse which
if it come will be fatal. He does not yet sit up. He is prepared we think
for the worst but is now indulging hopes of recovery, his sister with her
husband unexpectedly arrived today. The Tracys are both well. Mr T.
is becoming a sound man ^in his health of course^ . You inquired in your last letter to Frances about
the rumored change of his politics. Neither she or I or any of us can tell
you about this without some words. It is this; he feels and believes that
the Anti Masonic party in this State are so effectually subdued that
they cannot now organize if ever. He looks forward as we all do with
the hope that McLeanof Ohio may be brought forward as the oppo-
sing candidate against Van Buren and with such demonstrations as
will satisfy the Country that he will get the votes of Pennsylvania and
Ohio. He is willing to receive our nominations. Tracy is determined to go for
him if circumstances indicate that it will be of any avail. If not the
election in this state must go by default. A case which I do not
believe Tracy hopes for. But if it shall happen appearances indicate
that Tracy will then be willing to go in with the party if he can do so
without any great sacrifice of his own principles. It is just at this
point we all differ ^from him^ being determined that we can in no event go
for the Kinderhook politician without such sacrifice which

we are predetermined not to make. He looks at both issues – we to only one.
So far as regards matters here he is altogether with us and consistent
in all his votes with his past action in the Senate.
We have had no matters of much general interest in the Legislature
except the resolutions of the Regency concerning the deposites. In the As-
sembly we of the minority had nobody who could raise a voice. Our
good honest ten of whom Salmon G. Grover is the most Talented and
efficient grieved that it was so and despondingly turned to us in the
Senate to save a general default. Tracy and I differed where of course
we would differ on the question of policy not of principle. He thought
it most prudent not to raise a show of opposition which would be
every way unavailing but to Keep the Regency party organized. I
thought that it was a matter of personal responsibility and we had
no right to suffer the opinions of our constituents to be suppressed while
we had the power to command a hearing. Of course he decided not to
speak though vehemently urged and I to speak though earnestly
urged by him not to do so. I was vexed with the Regency and spoke so
boldly (unprudently it would have been to any other set of men) that when
I was through they were very sore and I was astonished at what I had
done. Of course I looked forward to their answer with some apprehension
that I was not to get unscathed out of the scrape, but Providence interfered
in my behalf. Sudam the only man really to be feared was sick. Ed- nonds had recollections or some other cause for declining the encounter.
Maison a new member from Dutchess commenced an answer so coarse
and low that both his friends and mine had little sympathy for him
when he fell in an apoplectic fit. Still the majority felt they had
a right to their revenge but had not the champion to obtain it. In

this stage of the business Dodge took up the matter for the honor of the
party. When he had finished Maison had got well enough to
speak his speech and we had one which disgusted even the coarsest
appetite of the Regency men. Strange as it would seem Dodge had made
so foolish a speech and Maison so vulgar a one that my offences were
all forgotten and when I came to reply to their personalities I had
all the feelings of the Jackson men in the Senate and lobby on my
side. So I got out of the scrape thankful for an admitted triumph
where I anticipated a very different result. The good People here are hav-
ing my efforts printed in a pamphlet. I will send them to you with
those of my opponents if they appear in the Argus
All this about myself? Yes, but what else could I write. I have been
day and night for the last ^ten^ days writing and thinking on that subject
(not myself) but the bank deposites: the labor is now off my hands
and I breathe again.
Georges order has come for the removal of Pow[ er ]
sanctioned by all the Jacksonmen is Cayuga. I believe it will
succeed. I care little about it, the more they turn each other
out the better. Porter will be here soon and perhaps may give
a different face to the affair. Goodwin has become according
to his account of the matter a general beau – but I am now
invading Frances' province – and must leave these things for her
to tell. Handbills have been received by myself and
others exposing George's alleged offences against some command-
ment, the number though not the nature of which I forget.
Acknowledge I have sent you one letter in a year and believe if I
could have time I would send many. My love to Frances.
Your sincere Henry.

Mrs. Alvah Worden
Aurora
Cayuga County.