Auburn July 3 1836
My dear Pa
Ma received a letter from
you last night. The cat that we thought
was Mr Hillswas Mr oliphants The night
after you went away he came here and went under
the house. Ma called me and I got up at 4 o clock
it was so cold that Ma brought me a cloak and
Snip and I watched till 6 oclock. After I went to
school Ma watched and when she heard the cat
trying to kill the kitten she knocked on the side
of the house and made him stop. they could
not get the cat or kitten out at last Ma sent
Peter for Sam Harris to take up the floor in the
south room entry when he took up the board the
cat flew out of the door and Lucinda sat down
on him and held him until Peter came and
choaked him but he bit and scratched their
hands very badly Lucinda cried because she
was a fraid the cat was mad and she would
have the hydrophobia. Maria was so frightened
that her face was white and Peter’s hands were
covered with blood. Altogether it made Ma cry
too the kitten is alive and well.
Ma We all want to see you. Ma and Freddy
Send their love. Your afftionate Son
Augustus H. Seward –

hMy Dearest Henry, I reserved the little boys letters
to send by George to day who it seems has been detained
a day by the celebration – the Dr came to inform me
last evening – the day has been unusually quiet – Isaack
sat up all night to keep the boys from their
usual sports and purposes watching again to-
night – poor man he earns his portion of the
spoils – My head aches and my nerves are
discomposed by the firing of the cannon but it
do not feel any disposition to abridge the enjoy-
ments of others for my own gratification I merely
speak of it to apologize for not writing much
that I would otherwise have written – Lucinda
lea[ ves ] Wednesday to go to Utica for an
indef[ inite ] period – we have not yet found
any one to supply her place – Harriet asks
me if you have heard from her father since
you left – I presume not – do not fail to
mention it when you do – your nice
letters for the little boys came this morning
they have considerably enhanced the enjoyment
of the day but their letters being finished
previously I believe the acknowledgement of them
is deferred until another time – Augustus has
been in the village much of the day but
promises to behave discreetly and come home occasion-
ally to assure me of his welfare once more you own
Frances –

William H. Seward
Batavia
Mr Humphreys –
hFrances
July 3. 1836.