Thursday afternoon
My Dearest Sister, We have toiled through the
week so far and I have found a few minutes
to write to you — Your letter came with Maria
on Monday I was very much obliged by both.
Sarah departed the next day after finishing
the washing – Maria seems to be very good natured
does not work at all as we do but is much
better than no one — George Seward left us
Teusday he enjoyed his visit at Aurora very
much – The methodist clergyman went this
morning and we are once more alone the
first day since my return — I have not yet
got the house regulated — Did George tell
you about the coming of the whole conventio[ n ]
or a number of them to see their candidate
you never saw a house in greater confusion
I washed the next day nearly six dozen
glasses — The procession was quite imposing
in its appearance — I should think nearly 60
carriages and many on horseback who went
from the village to escort them in — They
rode past the house and saluted Henry
(who stood in the front door) by bowing
and waving their banners of which there
were a great number — I could not refrain
from tears when I saw one so honoured whom
I love so much and whom I know to be so
deserving — After they had dined at the American
they all walked over here and took a glass
of wine — both rooms and the hall seemed to be
full — they stayed but au a short time as
a meeting had been appointed at the Church
to which they all adjourned – I told Henry

he had had glory enough if he did not get elected.
I do not think there was ever more enthusiasm man-
ifested about a cause or a candidate – letters
of congratulation from all quarters no one
seems to entertain a doubt of success but Henry
himself and he is determined not to consider
the result as any way certain — How often
during the past week have the words of Cowper occurred
to my mind — “O popular applause! What heart of of man,
Is proof against thy sweet seducing charms —
The wisest and the best, feel urgent need
Of all their caution, in thy gentlest gales &c”
I am sometimes tempted to exclaim — “O spare your idol
&c” — but Henry stands the test nobly and a I
admire him more every day —
The next day the ministers came and the delegates
continued to call — all this of course makes
us much trouble but I would not admit it
to eMiss Bissel when she said to me the other
day “your new honours make you a great deal
of trouble dont they”? —
William Boardman was one of the delegates from
New York — he was here two or three times last week
he said that his mother and Mary ann were
nearly ready to accompany him but he came
one day too soon — he then expected them to
come on in company with another gentleman
but they did not come and he thinks now
they have relinquished the journey entirely —
I should be very glad to see Mrs Boardman
and felt for a few moments very much disapp-
ointed — but on reflecting I could not be
sorry they did not come last week as it
would not have been in my power to have
made their visit as agreeable as I should
wish — Augustus has a son and Columbus a
daughter or vice versa — I dont exactly
remember — Friday afternoon — I have just been
down to see Mr James of New York who boarded
with us at the American — he made particular

enquiries about you — it is nothing but “tingle
tingle” with the bell as Grandma said last
New Years — Henry came home last night from
Geneva where he went Thursday — I have been
ironing all day and am exceedingly weary — E.
Andrews is here making a ^calico^ dress for Clary
Elizabeth Burgess and Marthy Miller have just
called and I am hurrying to finish this letter
before any one else comes — How very sorry I am
that Brown is going away from Aurora — you
will feel more lonely than ever tell me when
and where he is going — he interested me very
much — I shall long remember the last evening
I was at Aurora and the memoirs of M.
Chataubriand— Maria seems pretty well con-
tented and we think will learn our ways —
She expects her sister here next week and
wishes to find a place for her she is then
to leave Mrs Herring — Saturlee says you
talked some of coming out this week but you
have not come I perceive — can you come
next week? — Clary and I thought some of go[ ing ]
to Miltons next week to see ostensibly to make
a visit really to see if there is any prospect
that one of the girls can come here this winter
should her presence be desirable I think if
we go we will try and persuade one of them
to return with us and stay a week or two —
by way of experiment — I believe that Clary
will be married this fall I do not know
but this month — Hugh is impatient and should
Henry get elected it will be no time for marrying
then, otherwise I should endeavour to keep her
a little longer — It will be a sorry day for me
when it does come I do not much like to think
of it — but if it makes her more happy I will strive
to banish selfish regrets – If you can come next week you
must say so and we will stay at home it will make no
difference with us and perhaps we cannot get away at all
do come if you can – The little boys talk over their visit with much pleasure – Fred has a little cat

(a toy) which he is very anxious to submit to cousin
Frances inspection — Kiss Frances for Aunty and
tell her I hope she will know all those notes
when I see her – All send love — your own Sister
Frances —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Aurora —
AUBURN, N.Y.
Oct 4
h Frances A Seward
Oct. 4