Auburn - Dec 21^st 1836
My Dearest Henry, I devoted the time I would have spent
in writing to you on Sunday to writing to your mother which
I knew would be quite as agreeable to you. I wrote my
last letter Friday. That evening Pa and McLallen attended
a large party at Mrs Perry’s. Mrs Maria Miller was
also one of the company. I believe the entertainment
was not very extraordinary although the services of
half the ladies in the neighbourhood were put
in requisition. Pa danced four or five times once with
Miss Conkling. The Judge and Mrs Conkling were
gone to Bath. Worden has returned from Aurora
where he has been selling and otherwise disposing of their
furniture. I had a very desponding note from Lazette
this morning she says she is sick and does not
think she will return with Worden to Canandaigua
She wishes to go to Kimberlee’s but Worden thinks she had
better spend her time visiting! I wish she would let Frances
go with him and she would come here and let me take
care of her but this she cannot do and I do not
feel as if I could endure a repetition of last winter
experience. I received your Thanksgiving letter yesterday
your letters seem to reach their destination much sooner
than mine. I cannot thank you sufficiently to make you
sensible how much pleasure your letters afford me. Indeed dearest
when I am not suffering with nervous headache which of late
is about half the time I am cheerful and quite as happy as
mortals are permitted to be. “Fred" said I this morning as
he brought out a immense number of toys for the days
amusement. “Fred what do you want most at this time it seems
to me you have almost every thing” “I want Christmas to come”

was his reply. “Well! Christmas is almost here, now what can Ma do to
make her little boy more happy” “Why Ma I am as happy as I can be”
said the dear little fellow throwing his arms round my neck.
Childhood is indeed a happy season when children are not too
much restrained, how often when I look on the bright faces
of my little ones and think of their confiding affection their
purity and singleness of heart are the words of our Saviour
brought forcibly to my mind. “Unless ye become as little children”
Frederick has commenced a letter to his Pa when it is finished
I will write another envelope. Mrs Benedict was here yesterday
she gives me no encouragement about coming but back before
the middle of March, your own Frances.
AUBURN N.Y. Dec. 22
William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauqua County
F. A. Seward
Dec. 22, 1836