Albany Jan. 23d
My Dearest Sister, Beardsley leaves here today or tomorrow
for Auburn and I purpose sending this letter by him as far as
that place. I received your Sunday's letter yesterday (Thursday)
and am very glad to hear you are alone and well pleased to
be so. I have no fear of your becoming a misanthrope
in as much as I make my own feelings a standard. I can
not remember the time when I did not feel more happy
alone than with company that was indifferent to me
and I always find it extremely irksome to make myself
agreeable to people of that description more than half
an hour at a time – but the case is different with you
you can talk and love to talk much better than myself –
with me conversation is always an effort when I am
not talking to people who interest me – and unfortunately
those who do, do not often come in my way. Now
dearest if you are not satisfied that I am the greater mis-
anthrope of the two I shall not try to convince you.
My little Freddy has been sick since Tuesday – a bad cold
and considerable fever – he has been in no way dangerous
and is now almost free from fever – he is very nice and
loves the Dr extremely. I have slept with him in Maryann's
bed. Augustus with his Pa and Maryann on the floor.
I of course have not slept very well and feel so stupid that
I am afraid you will not have a very interesting letter.
Freddy saw your letter yesterday and enquired if it was
from his Aunty Ma. I have sent you two or three numbers
of the Journal and shall continue to send them when there
is any thing at all interesting. The one I send today has
two articles on Henry last speech and one relative to Tracy
and Uncle Cary which I think will interest you. I have
had no opportunity of asking Tracy for an answer to your question

about his Van Burenism. I have never heard him say anything
on the subject but I know that he will not support
Van buren if the Antimasons have a candidate or rather if
John McLean is a candidate. I suppose the Antimasons
will have no candidate exclusively their own. You will percieve
that I am no greater politician than I used to be. I will
communicate the earliest information I receive on this subject.
I sent my last letter on Saturday
Sunday my cold kept me at home and I regretted very much
that this was the 3^d Sunday that I had lost Mr Welchs
sermon. Mr and Mrs Cary went all day – in the morning
to hear Mr Campbell and in the afternoon to S^t Peter's.
Beardsley came in after tea – and I left him and Henry
to settle a lawsuit and went to Mrs Cary's room.
Uncle drew the sofa close to the grate and made
me a nice bed with his cloaks where I slept until
nine oclock Walter and Sarah were writing. Aunty
was reading the bible. Monday Henry went to hear the
conclusion of Maisons speech or rather to hear Dodge's
speech as Maison had not quite recovered from his feint
Dodge talked all the morning not much to the purpose
the next day Maison concluded much as he commenced
Henry replied and the question was taken while Tracy
and Cary were absent not supposing the debate would
be brought to a termination that day. I suppose
you saw what was said about it in the Argus
I send yesterdays paper as an antidote. Dodge has
his wife and daughtere at the Temperance house – could
get no rooms at the American. I am to call the
first time I go out. I believe they do not stay long.
Beardsley has enjoyed himself so well that he has given
up going to New Haven – he was here last evening on his
way to Nortons' in pursuit of a pair of opera boots – his
going to Miss French's party he said depended entirely
upon his getting the boots – only think of that – he seems to
think that under the patronage of Throop Martin and
Goodwin he cannot fail in any matter of etiquette – weak –

I declined an invitation to Mrs Rathbones on Monday and to
Miss French's on Thursday evening. Mrs Cary did not go and
I have heard nothing of either party. My cold and Freddy's
illness have kept me at home 10 days. I have received
many calls this winter from ladies who have never called
before – all of this politeness I set down to Henry's [ crdit ] –
I must tell you of one of Henry's dinner party mistakes
last week he was invited to dine at Corning's (the Mayor)he sent at that time an acceptance but not being well Sunday
on Monday he intended to send an apology but this he
neglected. Teusday came just before Henry left the Senate
Barnard came up to him and insisted upon his going home to
dine with him unceremoniously, Henry forgetting the Mayor acceded
to the pressing invitation of Barnard and never recollected
Corning until he had finished his dinner – we think this
rather exceeds his mistake at Sanford's – the next day
he went and told Corning the whole story – he said that
Corning received his apology if it could be considered
one very graciously until he came to the tell him that
he had dined out – I told him I thought it was requiring
rather too much of any mans good nature to think a com-
munication of this kind could be acceptable – however he came
away with an invitation to come and dine at some other time.
Today there came to Henry from Auburn a handbill containing
an account of George Throops infidelity. I do think it an abom-
inable business independent of my regret about Mrs Hall.
It seems very wrong to me to meddle in this way with a mans
private affairs for political purposes. I wish I could tell
you that poor John Birdsall was decidedly better – he has had
a second relapse and is now very low – dangerously so – I
cannot tell you how much I want to see him and how unwilling I feel
to have him die without once more expressing my kindness to him. I put
on my hat and cloak the other day determined to go but Tracy came in
and opposed it so strongly that I could not – he said it would only injure
John and could afford me very little satisfaction. Tracy has been very
very kind to John and I felt no disposition to quarrel with him though
I was sadly disappointed – perhaps it was as well not to go for there
are so many others that think they have equal claims to the privilege
that there would be no end of calling. I wanted to go and stay all day – but Tracy
said I could do no good and any woman would be in the way. I did not

exactly agree with him about this but have now given up all idea of seeing
again a friend whom I so highly esteemed. I can hardly think of it
without weeping. The physicians are fearful that his lungs are ulcerating
and if this is the case say there is no hope. He is perfectly willing
to die and has suffered so much that he says if it were not wrong
he should wish to die immediately. Tracy stays with him constantly
and nurses him like a mother. Henry Weed and Cary go every day
to see him – his partner is here a member of the assembly – he
sleeps in the room with him.
Mrs Alvah Worden
Aurora
Mr Beardsley

[right Margin] Dont be alarmed about your boy I shall let you know if he is worse
again which we do not apprehend – your own Sister Frances –
a kiss for cousin Frances

x

Frances Chesebro

Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24

– Mrs Cary says 'have you sent my love? you must
never fail to do so'