New York 9 May. 1825
Honored & Dear Father
I received a verbal message by
Harry Jackson a few days since and a letter
subsequently by mail from you, which I
have omitted to answer untill now because
I hardly knew how to answer. The letter
is at the house (and I am at the Office). I
shall however have no difficulty in answering
from recollection. For the kind feeling
affection sentiments in contains, most sincerely
do I thank you. If a corresponding interest
in your happiness be any way acceptable as I
return, mine you certanly have - and very
much more you should have (than you bestow
by the whole amount of the many obligations
I am under to you for your kindness to me –
But I need not pretend my interest for you
will equal your solitude for me - children
never know nor mistrust the anxiety & interest
of parents for them, till they become parents
in turn.

[left Margin] My opinion is that the Engineers have come almost to a conclusion to adopt
the Kingston

x

Kingston, NY

route. This however is not certain - & 'tis' concealed from me & every
one else on acct
of getting cessions
of land - to build
the canal on.

[right Margin] The sharp shooting that must occur before this subject is settled. Gen Wickham

x

George Wickham

Birth: 1772 Death: 1845-11-16

must

On the subject of your kind purpose of taking Augustus
to the country, I hardly know what to say,. His cough
is a good deal abated - but not entirely subsided. His
strength very considerably improved. He generally
feels pretty well - plays about the yard when
the weather is suitable - & occasionally takes a
walk into the Park. But then his constitution
is exceedingly slender and his cough easily incre-
ased by slight colds - so that it seems like
almost an entire business to watch him - to keep
him from exposure & to regulate his rest. The
country air would unquestionably be serviceable to
him - and perhaps a few months residence there would
give him such texture and firmness of constitution as
the poor little fellow has never yet enjoyed. But
he will certainly be a great deal of trouble to
you - and the more so because your family
have not been in the habit lately of managing
children - and beside his mama already dis-
consolate perhaps too much so, would feel her
bereavement ten fold more sensibly. She has
found it impossible in his feelings to say yes
to the little fellows entreaties to "go to Grandpapas"
- but I think her good sense will always induce

[left Margin] lose some influence with our men some of the board - interest must therefore be made
here. Do not lisp the opinion I give - it will blow me out of water entirely.

her to comply with any measure necessary for his
health - and I know not that we can promise
ourselves that at any time he will be more able
to stand a ride to the country them at the
present. In a week he may be stronger - a little
cold may pull him down & render him weaker.
On the subject of the present prospects at Newburgh
it seems necessary only to add my sincere regret
to the apprehension you feel - and the more so
because I feel my confidence a good deal shaken
in attaining much here.
The efforts making are so
exceedingly strong that it
terrifies me. I however shall not be beat off
the ground - when the proper time comes I shall
muster stoutly about one and make a most po[ w ] -
erful effort - and if I fail I should still have
the consideration left of omitting nothing which
should reproach me of negligence - the committee
will join the Engineers in a day or two - perhaps
be absent, 10 or 15 days - and on their return will go
into an election - previous to which I think it im-
portant to have father go out to Gen Wickham
& to make interest for me with him & if you

[left Margin] Would it be of any service in our Newburgh scheme to have me go up
and attend to it - ? - Please write me. I was going to say but I hope we
shall have the pleasure of seeing you here before our board
choose their officers.

come to town, something of the kind must be done
- I have not room to go into detail.
Hon. S. S. Seward
Florida
Orange Co
N.Y.

e I requested Mr Wurts to call &
see you (he has gone to meeet Judge
Wright already. Pray dont men-
tion the opinion I give of their
determination almost to adopt
the upper route. Hone will
prevent it if he can unless it be
palpably wrong.

e Our board here this moment
appointed ^a com.^ to meet the engineers
at Goshen on Sunday next. Mr
Hone. Mr Boulton (the cash^r)
and probably Mr Lord. So Mr
Boulton I shall give a letter to you
& recommend him to your hospitality.