Friday August 3^d 1838
My Dearest Henry,
You have hardly yet come to the end
of your journey still I am feeling as if it was time
for me to receive a letter. I had the headache
violently all of the day you left. Ann Eliza Dougherty
came along and took tea with us. She is one of the
most enthusiastic whigs I am acquainted with. I was
much amused with her account of the method she
took to get voters when you were the candidate for Governor
in 1834. I asked her how it happened that she was so
warm a politician as I never thought of such things
at all until after my marriage. She seemed to
think it was owing to her father having always taken
an active part in the affairs of the nation. Ann Eliza
is much more sociable and agreeable than she
used to be with me. Clara always liked her.
Yesterday I sent for Miss Benedict Miss Beach and
six or seven other young ladies with as many gentlemen
they all came late and seemed inclined to make a
regular party of it very contrary to my design.
Frank Hamilton said he was informed that the
invitations were very general - he hesitated about
coming on that account but happened to meet
Mrs Yates who set him right. I told him
he could not desire less to be in a large party
than I did. I believe the evening passed away

agreeably to all - for my own part I took some ether
to allay a violent headache which somewhat
exhilerated my spirits beside curing my head. I
was just felicitating myself on having at last
obtained so desirable an object when all very
fine projects were put to flight by a consulation
with Dr Hamilton who informed me that ether
not unfrequently produced apoplexy. The little
boys were very much afraid I had killed myself
that night. I had no apprehensions as the quantity
I took was very small - however I doubt the
expediency of resorting again to so dangerous a
remedy - the effect of the ether lasted until
about eleven oclock by that time the company
had all dispersed and I retired to bed - then
came on my headache with renewed violence.
I obtained but little sleep that night. Pa sat
in the room until the company departed and
seemed to enjoy himself - he had just returned from
Geneva where he went to day after you left.
Mc Clallen came back and took his usual place
at the table while Pa was gone - continues here
yet - he became very sick of boarding at the
American and concluded that he could not stay
there until October when they intend to take
your house if Cobb leaves it. I commenced this
letter Friday. Mrs Dean came in and spent the
afternoon and yesterday I had a return of headache
which prevented my finishing it - it is now
Sunday afternoon. I have been to Church with
the boys and Mrs Miller. The day is very
warm - we had the communion service. I came
home very tired and went to bed where I have
been until this time.

The following letter came to you this morning
W^m H. Seward Esq
My dear Sir
You are requested to
attend a meeting of the Committee, — "appointed
to confer with the Bishop, and designate the boundary
line between the two Dioceses into which it is
proposed to divide this" — in the vestry room
of Trinity Church Utica, on Tuesday the 21^st day
of August at ten oclock in the forenoon.
P.A. Proal
Acting Chairman.
Rectory: Utica 4^th Aug - 1838 -
I have no letter from Lazette since you left.
Clara has gone to Church this evening - she is [ not ]
at all well. I am sorry Goodwin has [ made ]
Weed look so cross - every one speaks of [ Weeds ]
stern expression of the picture. My love
to Marcia Jennings and family. I shall
look for a letter tomorrow. I had nearly
forgotten to ask your advice about a new project
of mine. Since I can go no further in Latin
without instruction I have thought of sending
for Roberts to give me a lesson in French once
or twice a week as my eyes will admit.
I have always been desirous of learning the language and
would like to be able to assist the boys - perhaps
the leisure and inclination may not again occur
tell ^me^ just what you think best. Our dining
room presents the most fantastick appearance
imaginable - the closits and doors are decorated with

all manner of strange figures according to the tastes of painter.
I think he must have come from the Mohawk region
the devises being purely Dutch - it bears not the most
distant resemblance to any wood that grows. I am
astonished that Munroe has not attended to it. I could
do nothing with the man he was stupid or obstinate
or both. I think of sending for Munroe in the morning
to see if he can devise any remedy but as dear Grand- ma used to say they will not pay much attention to
women in these affairs. your own Frances.
William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauque County
AUBURN N.Y. Aug 6
Frances A. Seward
August 3^d. 1838.