New York City
29 Jan. 1841
My dear Sister
Your letter of the 24^th and
an other from brother Henry of the following day
are received. For letters prepared amid cares
like yours and his, surely my thanks are emi-
nintly due. Be pleased to receive them.
Cards came to us at the Munford man-
sion, “Mrs Seward, at home &c” in an envelope
addressed in a lady’s hand to Mr Seward No 82 &c
& handed in by a hand not noticed; ^upon^ the evening
of the day we had moved to the Astor house but
^we^ happened to be in the Avenue, on a visit. The
style of the Cards were similar to bridal cards
& the first impression was, that Mrs Seward, meant
my Mary but then, who would take the liberty
of inviting us in a bridal party without our
consent? Was it a joke - or was there to be a
party at the Astor? all was mystery! no
one knew the hand writing! none could un-
riddle it! Until at length, it occurred to
Mary that it would be well to inquire of
Aunt Julia when lo, she had written the envelope
& all was explained! The Captain, Ferdinand
raised the laugh upon us - he had no ticket

and such a shouting of laughter as ensued
when it was discovered that none of us were to
be guests, more than himself, you never heard.
Even our considerate boy Augustusenjoyed it
exceedingly! Oh how happy we should be to
be with you - but it is impossible.
Nor am I able to obtain the least encourage-
ment that Auge can accompanying us in our
homeward journey as far as Albany. The health
of the mother is delicate - and the loss of Mary’s
society weighs upon her -and so it is that the
whole house concurs in the opinion that it will
scarcely answer to think of it: although Auge
would enjoy it - & as I think give you great
pleasure - She bids me say, as does her mama
& indeed her father, too, who if the ladies could
think it proper would I am sensible be glad
to have her go, that they are thankful for
your kindness - and must be excused.
I had hoped with confidence to have
closed my business with Mr. Duer by the first
of January - and made all my calculations
to take a short ride & proved at once on
our return homeward by Orange County.
But Mr. Duer’s trip to Washington & the
time spent in preparation for it, delayed
me. And were for 10 days past I have
had only one hour with him although I
have every day sit hours & hours in his
office. To day for the first in four, he
is here - but does nothing for me. Yesterday
I ventured to complain to in the hearing

of his board, of his delays - & now he appoints
to meet me tomorrow at 12: but as he is to
deliver his lecture on Tuesday- the proposition
of which has detained him most of the time
at home for two weeks past, I have little belief
of seeing him. But I hope to have it all clo-
sed- and acceptably closed in three or four days
more - and I will thank you to say as much
to Henry for me if you pleasee.
We must I think make a little stop in
Orange - but it will be short - I will
however keep you advised of ou progress.
and advise Henry of my success. Mary
is growing anxious as well as myself
to [ adv ] ance & she wants much to see
y[ ou ] [hole] ned I am happy in the belief
tha[ t y ] ou will enjoy & love each other.
Please say to Henry that Mr. Duer
has called me aside to assure me that (H.)
is misled about Tallmadge- that the charges
against him in matters of record & will
be all published, if the appointment is made
and Duer gives the opinion that Tallmadge
will be driven from the Branch by the force
of public indignation in three weeks if he
attempts to hold events here, and
with it all, Duer confesses, that the fault
in the first instance is with the people
for electing him senator.
Remember me affectionately to Mr. Samuel
to your Fatherif there - & to the children
& gratefully to my brother. Yours as ever
B.J. Seward.

30th Jan.- as I expected, Mr Duer
pushes me aside for more important business.
Mrs. Frances Seward
Care W.H. Seward
Albany
NEW YORK JAN 31
Jennings Jan 29^th
1841