Thursday 27^th Nov.
You were indeed very kind my dear Henry to
sit up late at night to write me a long letter
after a day of excitement, but I have many
such evidences of affection and they never fail
to cheer me when desponding or to add to the
brightness of happier hours. Your letters if they do not
quite supply your place make the days of
your absence much less wearisome than they
would otherwise be. I am yet hoping and fearing
for our sweet little boy. I wrote to you Monday
the day after he had taken calomel, the next
night the pain in his hand returned and the
next, last night he did not complain but
was restless and kept that hand in motion while
asleep. If it pained him at all he had no rec-
collection of it this morning of course the pain
must have been much less severe than heretofore
I have not seen the Dr since Sunday, continue
the Iodine. I write you all these particulars because
I should wish you to do so were our situations reversed
not from a selfish desire to excite your sympathy.
I keep his arm and hand wrapped in flannel and contin-
ue to use the linament as the Dr directed. Fred
seems well during the day and is the same mirth-
ful little being he has ever been, he is somewhat
distressed at present about my not being well
enough to perform St Nicholas Christmas eve, has
concluded that he does not want quite every thing
he can think of but will be satisfied with what
his Ma gives him. Augustus in consideration of
the lamentable state of his books and toys after
the visit of Cousin Frances got a large wooden
box with a lock and key wherein he has deposited
the most valued articles and given Frederick and Maria
to understand that the box is not to be opened while
he is at school, preferring for the future to be an eye
witness to the ravages when committed.

I am sorry Uncle Weed takes the failure of the
good cause so much to heart, tell him his face would
be considerably shortened if I could impart to
him any portion of the happiness I feel in being
allowed to remain at home this winter, he must
not suppose I am glad you were defeated, this would
be the height of selfishness, or that I am indifferent
to my friends in Albany which would be very un-
grateful, but I do find the quiet of home so comfortable,
so necessary to me in my infirm states of health
that I cannot feel otherwise than happy when I
think of myself alone. Why is Tracy so depressed?
the result of the election did not disappoint
him as he had never calculated differently
and now that he has a new and bright tie to
bind him to the world it is strange that he
should seem dissatisfied, but you will say
this is a womans reasoning and I admit that
I am not very profoundly skilled in the science
of metaphysicks. Tell Tracy he must persuade
Aunty to come home this way next Spring that
I may see that boy of theirs.
I recieved a letter from Lazette on Monday
her failing to write was not in consequence
of a broken neck but the all engrossing cares
of housekeeping had prevented all were well.
Clary talks quite positively about getting married
and is actually arranging her wardrobe for
the occasion and talking of the guests to be invited
etc etc. I do not like to think much about
it but I suppose they only await my restoration
to a comfortable degree of health. I shall be
so alone, but I will not anticipate --
Sammy Compston says he has just heard of a town
in Massachusetts where there are but nine voters
all whigs!!! he proposes that we all adjourn
there immediately as Mary ann has not yet
recovered from her disappointment about the
election, she traces every evil to the fanciful influence
of Toryism, and never relates a piece of gossip

without concluding with “it is all because Mr A—
is a whig or Mrs B— ‘s husband is a Tory.
Old Mrs Field is here visiting us to day she says
Maria proposes spending a week or so here before
she goes to Camillus. I hope George will not
assail our gate. I have seen no other person
except Martha Miller who is very good but
exceedingly dull. Isaack has just returned and
the neice from Ballston did not come with
him to stay with Maria Miller . I suppose
Maria will be disappointed but I imagine not
very grievously. Blanchard, I mean Dr Fosgate
was here last evening. I had retired to my room
and did not see him, he imparted the wonder-
ful intelligence that the Abbotts were making
preparations for a party! Blanch as is
duty bound fancies every thing connected with his
betrothed as marvelously important.
Friday afternoon. Dear Henry I wrote yesterday
until compelled to go to bed by complete exhaustion
do not feel so well to day but apprehend nothing
serious Frederick’s hand pained him in the night
but I think with less severity. I hope the next
letter to be able to give you a more favourable account
I enclose a letter from Cornelia, she seems
to have fallen into the same error as our other
friends in believing us sadly disappointed in
the result of the election, but the supposition
is very natural. I must write a line to
Lazette, so good bye your own Frances.
Do say something in your letters about the
little boys they came running to me the other
day to hear what Pa said about them & you
had forgotten to mention them.

William H. Seward
Albany
Auburn Nov 29 N.Y.
F.A. Seward
Nov. 29 1834