New York 12 Sept. 1835
My dear Brother
I have your letter of the 6^th inst.
We rejoice to hear of your safe arrival and
are thankful. The mercies of this life are
so much like matters of course that we
often fail to see how dependent we are
and how much Goodness is shewn us. I
pray you let us not be among those who
have no heart to thank our Heavenly Father
for the merciful dispensations of His Providence.
Especially are we disposed to be grateful
that Sister Frances is so much better.
We reached our pleasant quiet house
this morning – found all things safe – but
in much need of the duster. We are to
make things all nice & clean in the first
place – and then to examine into & deliver
over the depository concerns & then to recieve
our parents on a visit – and then to make
a circle of calls – and then to upturn all
our little effects – and then to pack up and
ship them for Cincinnati. This undertaking
seems like a mountain – but it seems to be
my duty, all things considered to attempt it.
I think you had better send sister Frances
out to us to spend the winter. We shall lose
no time – but it must be some weeks before we can
get away.

Our Father has had one poor turn since you
left him, but it was of slight character.
He has been down with Mother & spent a
week in Jersey with Washington & the
company &c came home improved. He
talks much of getting off to the South
and I think it likely he will make it
out by and by. Proposes to take Lawrence
his man – (and mother of course) The
very idea of two such old feeble persons
undertaking a jaunt of four thousand
miles, fills me with apprehensions border-
ing on horror, with only a man to warm
thin blankets & heat their stews & pro-
vide them sick room comforts in case ei-
ther or both fall sick. Sun shine and
rain are scarcely more certain than that
they will be ill – only think of being dependent
upon the unwilling charity of a great puller
horse, & the tardy & unfeeling senses of
clerks jaded down with work – for even little
persons, so repeatedly wasted by the invalid &
the infirm. My dear brother I think you
should have thought long & deeply before
you advised them to such a course. I
do not see the necessity you speak of that they
should spend the winter at the south or that

Father cannot ^otherwise^ expect to continue till spring:
on the contrary, I would think them both or
either more likely never to return if they go:
& it is mothers opinion, clearly, that father
appears as likely to go safely this this winter
^as^ any he has passed in many years.
I been to see Cornelia – she is very well.
I said little or nothing to her about Cincinnati
but all I could to remove her from the plains
of Great Sand Harbour. She came with me to
Phil & sat for her picture for me.
Much to my disappointment I find this
morning that Spencer has not touched
his copy of Sully – but promises me
it shall positively be done in 2 weeks,
perhaps in one – not a day shall be
lost in putting it with the others up when
they are done. The others only want varnish.
Father says Geo. is doing very well. Wells
his partner says he is not. Father has left
word for him & Tempe to come to Florida soon
Wells says he cannot go from home – but must
stay & attend to business. Dear me I do
not know what will come of the poor
boy. But Edwins cure worries me
more. I think he is about run out
in F. he has no longer much desire to
watch the moving of the waters – is careless

[left Margin] Did you see the newspaper puff of your Sully?

and inattentive & restless & will boult I
expect in some direction before long.
Give my kind regards to Frances.
Your unworthy Brother B.
I shall be anxiously looking for a letter
from you till it comes.
Wm H Seward Esq
Auburn
N.Y.
NEW YORK SEP 14
B. J. Seward
Sep. 1835