Auburn Nov 26^th
My Dear Henry, I write according to promise to assure
you that we are all as well as when you left home. I
have just finished a long letter to Harriet Weed which
I ought to have written some days ago — so I cannot see
to write you a long letter. Our winter has commenced
in earnest. I am obliged to write on a book in my
lap to get near enough to the stove to keep warm—
the snow is about an inch deep — it is snowing very
fast at present. Sunday — 27^th — Night came on so
suddenly that I was unable to write more Friday afternoon
yesterday I was too busily engaged in finishing a winter frock
for the little girl and then I thought I would wait until I
heard from you but I do not get a line yet — the roads
are so bad and we hear of so many accidents that I
am getting very anxious about you. We heard Monday
morning that you did not get away until 6 oclock how
sorry I was that you could not have had a comfortable
nights sleep before commencing your journey. We hear
nothing new except the report of the death of the old general
which I have not seen confirmed yet. Matty is to
be our next President it seems without any doubt —
it seems strange now that any one could have hoped or
expected a different result. Miss Conkling called
Wednesday — I invited her into my nursery as I was
unwilling to send her from the door a second time. She
is much improved in her manners — I should think quite
agreeable — she remained but a few moments — I feel my
mind disposed to show some civility to the Conklings but
hardly know how at this time. I do not think it very
probable that I can call there at all this Winter though

I all along intended to do so when you came home — when
you are away all things of the kind seem like great
undertakings. I am so extremely susceptible to the influence
of the weather that I dare not expose myself unless it
is absolutely necessary. I am still suffering the effects of the
last attack of ague and though I am sensible that constant
confinement to the house does not benefit any general health
I see no other way to escape the inevitable consequences
of exposure. The snow continued to fall all day yesterday
this morning the weather is much warmer, the snow
more than c a foot deep. Mary ann and Peter are the only
members of our family whose devotion induces them to go to
Church — Maria is sick — Laura is minus a cloak —
Pa is in his own room — Clary and McLallen in theirs
and I and my little ones in ours — the snow keeps Lazette
and Frances at home — no news from Worden yet —
Lazette spent the day yesterday with Mrs Goodwin in
company with Mrs Beardsley.
Tell dear Gus that Freddy has already
printed play bills for a theatre when he comes home
he says his lessons to me every day. I will write
a letter to him (Augustus) as soon as I can but
there are so few hours of daylight that I cannot
accomplish much. I hope he is a good boy and
quite contented at his new home.
I shall confidently expect to hear from you
tomorrow but will not detain this letter any
longer to say that it a letter has arrived. your own
Frances

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Person

Name: William Seward Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10

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F.A. Seward
Nov 23. 1836