My Dearest Sister,
I am quite anxious about you
as your letter is now two days behind its time
but I will hope that you y have been deterred
from writing by nothing more serious than the
extreme heat of the weather. The most important
event which has occurred here since I wrote last
is the visit of Henry Clay – he came in town
Thursday about 5 oclock and was our guest
for the night together with his son and waiter
Charles, who was by no means an unimportant personage.
When he came in town he went immediately to the
American where he was addressed by Bronson in behalf
of the committe and to whom he made an eloquent
reply – this you will see in the Newspaper. His son
came here to tea with William Beardsley and a Mr
Wood one of the Syracuse Committe who were in waiting
to accompany Mr Clay to that place – his son is a young
man of 20 no way extraordinary in appearance or
ability. Mr Clay came about eight oclock and

[top Margin] Angelina Briggs

x

Angelina Briggs

Birth: 1810-10-01 Death: 1841-04-24

has a
young daughter

x

Angelina Briggs

Birth: 1840-07-29 Death: 1845-05-17

.
Mr Lucas

x

William Lucas

Birth: 1799 Death: 1839-08-25

continues
very ill – they feel
almost discouraged
about his recovery
it is said that
he has the dropsy[ . ]

x

Supplied

Reason: 

I have opened my
letter at the request
of Maria

x

Maria 

to ask
you if you know
anything about the
10 shillings which has
disappeared from my
needle book – you
may remember hearing
Clara & I talking about it
one day – Maria think
you may have deposited
in some more
safe place.
The boys

x

Augustus Seward

Birth: 1826-10-01  Death: 1876-09-11 

Frederick Seward

Birth: 1830-07-08  Death: 1915-04-25 

wish to
inform cousin Frances

x

Frances Chesebro

Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24

that two balloons
ascended from
the garden
Teusday evening
which spectacle
they witnessed
in company with Mr
McClallen

x

Hugh McClallen

Birth: 1791-09-07 Death: 1860-11-16

[ . ]

x

Supplied

Reason: 

the remainder of the evening was occupied in receiving the
gentle folks who called upon him here ladies & Gentlemen[ . ]
I saw him a few moments in the North Room – his
manners are very conciliating but not quite as easy
as I expected – he is much older than I fancied. Our
conversation was of course commonplace – he said he
did not anticipate the pleasure of me an introduction
to me & enquired how old my babe was whether it
was a girl or boy &c – he was evidently very much
fatigued. I begged him to return early without ceremony
which he did withdrawing himself from the company
at half past nine. You can imagine what an exertion
I must have made to go to the breakfast table (I
have hardly yet recovered from the effort of it) but I felt
unwilling to y lose any opportunity of seeing him & Clara was
unwilling to do the honours alone – he said little
at table was extremely hoarse with speaking so much
in the open air – he seemed to talk with so much
difficulty that I refrained from addressing him as often
as I would otherwise have done. I crawled into bed
as soon as I left the table but in half an hour
was summoned to receive the adieus of the father
and son they were going to the prison and at nine
oclock were to take the cars for Syracuse. Upon the

whole I was not more than half satisfied. I suppose great
men are always hurried through the world in this way
without much time to devote to forming acquaintances, with
women especially. He was at Canandaigua did you
see or hear of him? Now for myself and Willie. Although
I gain strength and am able to go about the house I have
lost my appetite have severe pain in my breast [ particulary ]
after nursing Willie. I have much less nourishment for
him and he is more hearty than any of my other children were.
You know Mrs Dean who from her own account always had [ pail ]
of milk can make no allowance for me. I feel [ sometime ]
very much disheartened and fearful that I shall be obliged to
wean my little boy which I cannot think of with any [ composur ] .
I have tried the bottle but he is unwilling to take it. Can
you give me any advice – I have thought of consulting Dr Thompson
but am every to day hoping to regain my appetite and think
then I will have more nurse for my boy. I wish every day
when I look at him that his Aunty could see how fat and
playful he has grown – he makes us all love him more every day[ . ]
Thursday – no letter from you yet. I do hope this coll cool
Mrs Dean day will bring one. A letter from Henry written
Teusday morning, says, he is just leaving for a northern
excursion through the counties of Washington Warren Clinton
Essex Franklin St Lawrence Jefferson & Oswego – from
thenc re home by the way of Syracuse – he was quite unwell
when he wrote – says Jennings and Marcia will return next
week – Henry is accompanied by the Adjutant General
I wish it was Blatchford. Catherine is dismissed – Harriet
takes her place – Lucinda does the work below stairs. Henry of course
writes in great haste thinks he will be home next week. I will
not keep my letters any longer but hope to hear from you
tonight certainly. your own Sister Frances –

[top Margin] Mrs Dean will leave Teusday[ . ]

x

Supplied

Reason: 

I have just sent Augustus to see
if Mrs Benedict

x

Mrs. Benedict

is ready to take her place[ . ]

x

Supplied

Reason: 

We can
almost see Willie grow.

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
AUG 2