Friday April 20th 1838
And did you really think dear Henry that it
was a good and sufficient apology for not writing
to me that you had been engaged in public business
and could not find time. I had waited impatiently
ten long days, you letter came at last and caused
some bitter tears, but I foresaw it all when you con-
sented again to become a candidate for popular favour
and ought to have been better prepared, these are
hard lessons. I had heard by a stage passenger that
you left Albany Thursday evening and supposed
until I received your letter that you were in New
York. We have snow this morning three inches
deep, I am afraid my flower beds will not present
a very brilliant appearance this summer. Gus
is mourning the loss of his seeds. Our dahlias
came yesterday, there are a great many varieties
as our hot bed has been frozen we should have
gained nothing had they come earlier. We have
had rain or snow every day this week.
Yesterday Mr Lucas' donation party came round, the
day was unpleasant and my head 'ached too much
to go. I sent ten dollars. Pa and McClallen went
I believe it was not as generally attended as usual
Mrs Miller did not approve of it as she thinks
Mr Lucas salary sufficient for his support.
Tuesday Catherine Richardson and William Beardsly
were married. Pa was invited and went, the
company consisted principally of connections of the

two families, they were married in the morning
set out immediately on a journey, somewhere,
very wisely alone. Mrs Richardson sent us
some of the bridescake yesterday with which the boys
were much pleased. I sent this morning for
Mrs Theodore Hamilton to visit me but she had
just left for Rochester. I have called again
and found her at home since I wrote before.
I received a letter from Lazette Sunday, she
says nothing of her cough but writes cheerfully[ . ]
She mentions that Mrs Spencer has been quite ill
from the effect of eating pickles preserved in a red
earthen jar, the glazing you know is poisonous
we never use them. All the family were similarly
affected but less violently.
I called Saturday to see Mary Morgan, she
had that morning returned to Aurora. Cornelia
is sick with inflammatory rheumatism and
Mrs Pitney has been confined to her bed ten weeks[ . ]
I went into her room, found her apparently
quite comfortable though she says the Dr does not encourage the hope of her being any
better in a long time. I called at Mrs Bartletts to see Mrs Hamilton but found her
at the Dr's, went in to see Mrs Porter
who expatiated largely on the subject of help
Amy has returned to her. Mrs Hills has not
set out on her journey yet.
Mr Garrow has taken Peter Millers furniture
for house rent, I think this small business.
Peter and Freelove have gone to the American as cooks

the children a boarded for Freeloves work.
I think this an excellent arrangement for
them. There is a letter here for you
from your father, as there is nothing important
I will not send it, he expects you to be at
Florida some time in June to attend a meeting
of the Judges. I hope you are not to be away
from home all summer. I have seen nothing
of Mr Cary yet.
Out little boys get along very well with their
studies. I am more and more interested in your
protege Mr Sanford. I think he is a young
man of more than ordinary intelligence
but extremely diffident. We had a long talk
to day on the subject of Universalism to which
I think he seems a little inclined, this is
owing to his associations here, his mother
he told me was a Methodist. I invited
him to come and hear our Mr Lucas which
he promised to do. Augustus is engaged
largely in the duck and chicken line. Fred is
still vascillating between the baker and the author,
he has just completed a composition on "Insects"
for Maria whose examination takes place
this afternoon. Mary ann has gone with a
large company of Irish Emigrants to Illinois.
We were all glad to have her go, instead of
improving she had forgotten all she learned when
she lived here before. Laura is in her place
Clara and the boys send love. your own Frances.

William H. Seward
Care of the American Trust
Company.
New York.
AUBURN APR 21 N.Y.18 3/
S. S. Seward
April 20. 1838.