Florida 17 Mar 1841
My dear Francis
After lamenting our great misfortune
and bereavement we would simpathise &
at the same time rejoice with you –
The anxiety and fatiugue you must have
suffered during the illness of our dear
Augustus must have been extream, but
we rejoice with you that he still lives
We received a letter from your
beloved Henry dated off West Point –
on Saturday afternoon on his way home
from New York – The letter was hand-
ed us by our friend Mr Fairchild
on Sunday morning – who stated that
the Gov had a very painfull sore
hand - carried it in a sling and could
scarsely write, but was otherwise
well – About this hand we are very
uneasy and anxious to hear – When
he came home he had a small pimple
on his hand – He complained of it, squeezed
some blood out of it but refused to make
any application to it – By taking cold
in their sores [ Spascilation ] some times
takes place and they become dangerous

Please to inform us as soon as possible the situation
of this hand – My dear Child we are uneasy about
your dear husband – We fear that he exerts himself
to much, that his labour fatiugue want of rest and study
will be to much for his constitution – We think
moreover that he is not carefull enough of his Cloth-
ing that he does not dress warm enough – He should
certainly put on a good thick soft buck skin shurt
next his skin – very thick firm [ surge ] drawer’s heavy
woolen stocking quite over his knees and over shoes
Then a thick fine heavy homespun suit of black Cloth
lined through and made large enough to set
easy over his under clothing – I urged him to this
course when here last I feared without success –
He is now near forty has a son almost as tall as himself
It is high time he lay aside those unsafe suits for those
more substantial warm and safe ones above described
Besides they would become him infinitely better
and his appearance would be more appropriate in
them – Albany is very cold, you my dear child are the
only one that can have influence on him and induce
him ^to^ take care of his health – I know the extent of his
corrispondence and oppressive business & therefore forbear
writing when ^I^ would wish to do it – But after the great
bereavement and misfortune I am extreamly anxious
to hear what disposal he is making of the charge and
agency of his Land Office concerns – I hope he may
find an able honest trusty hand to confide this to

The tale stroke has aded new caires & anxieties
Augustus and Clarence are orphans indeed
with the late Sickness in your family the constant
crowds of company and your delicate constitution
with the addition of those children we fear the
fatiugue will be to heavy for you – The spring
is advancing the season will soon be fine shall we not
fondly anticipate that you will bring the children &
make us a long visit before you return to Auburn
Visits of this description from the remaining few that
are left is the only enjoyment we can expect – confined
to my room I have little ease day or night – continued
coughing and my brest sore and painfull I am
truly worn out – Your dear Ma is feble & reduced to
a shaddow but goes day and night – Julia Ann took
the Measels while Jennings was sick had them dangerous-
ly bad they have left her feble with a cough and
able to do but little – Our Man John has gone
home today we fear dangerously sick, thus our
troubles continue – This letter I believe is more
appropiate to Henry than your self but for the
reasons I mentioned it is addressed to you –
Now my dear Frances will you be good enough
to answer it – Let us know how Henry and Augustus
is, how you all are, what is doing at Albany – whether
Judge Miller will come and bring you all down
before he returns to Auburn – Give our love and af-
fectionate respects to all friends Adieu Saml S Seward

M^rs William H. Seward
Albany
hMr Seward March
1841
Florida
March 17