Westfield March 2^d 1837.
My dear Sister
I am certainly the luckiest dog
that ever ran unhung! Twenty times since I saw
Mrs Worden, I have been wondering upon what good
grounds I could write you a letter: and without being
being able to find them (although disposed to write
pell mell) my good brother has furnished me with
the very last pretext in the world for writing, – his
request that I should finish out his letter &
send it to the office. It is a pleasure to me to
have this opportunity to express my thanks to you
for your kindness to me during my stay at Au-
burn: and to assure you that I was never so
happy in your place before. I do not know
that your health is better now than when I have
seen you at home before – but you gave me more
of your time; or rather I taxed your strength
more in attentions to me; & perhaps trespassed on
your patience. But really, I could not well
help it. You never before seemed so much, my
sister before – never sympathized so deeply in my
feelings – never so stole a place in my heart:
and I ^now^ seem to be vastly better acquainted with you
than I have ever been before. May Heavens
richest blessing be yours my dear dear sister:
may you be long preserved, a guide to your
little boys, a comfort to your husband & a
blessing to the whole house; the Lord reward
you for all your goodness & love - & especially
to me, who am so illy able to requite you.

[left Margin] I cannot get over my regret that I came away without seeing Cornelia

x

Louisa Canfield

Birth: 1805 Death: 1839-01-04

. – so also
I parted from you & aunt Clara

x

Clarinda McClallen

Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05

& the little boys, in a hurried manner with only a
kiss apiece all round – Pray- kiss the boys again for good bye
& promise Aunt Clary that I will do better next time.

Well, I had, as you prophisied, three hours at Canandaigua:
one I gave to Mrs Mark Sibley (who drew out the table
for tea in five minutes after I stopped in & would not
let me go) one to Mrs Worden – & one I lost at the
stage house. Mr Worden walked up to his house with
me, but could not stay. He flirts a little yet, I think
- says he has a great deal more of the business of
the office to do than is his share & seems uneasy:
for which I am sorry – he seems in good business –
pity he is not contented. Calls Henry “Bill Sew-
ard,” by way of showing (entirely incidental)
feelings of equality. Little Miss ran &
told Mama that uncle Jennings had come – the
dear child – without the least suspicions that
I am ^not^ as much uncle to her as to Augustus
& Freddy. And why should I not be sure
my heart, like hers, says it is so: little Robbin Ruff-
head , in the play – if I only had money enough,
would be husband to every widow & father of every
child, and comfort to all the poor, in all the world
for ten miles round.
Mrs W. looks better than I expected to see her:
shows a little more age, like all the rest of us
but is, as I understood her, improving in health. –
More than ever – more than ever I was struck with
the intelligence & superiority of the mind of your
gifted sister. She promised me she would write
you – (one of the sweets of life – rendered sweeter to
you in your loneliness.) (I did not see uncle Carey)
I had one cold nights ride – but made safe &
tolerably comfortable arrival last night at 11. OClk

[left Margin] all hands here are making great recovering upon your residence here next
summer. The Lord bless you dear Sister – your unworthy brother. B.J. Seward

Harriet made me a nice little supper – & although
I slept sweetly (with my brother) I feel a little staid
to day - cannot write readily.) Harriet is delighted
with the letters from the little boys: and Henry read
yours & Georges, & rejoiced over them.
Henry showed me your letter from dear mother –
it is her own hand writing – dear mother is a lady
of the old school as this excellent specimen shows. I wish
you had eyes to write her in return – perhaps you may
very briefly. – I hope to go on tomorrow & Henry talks
of going with me to Erie: I believe he has business.
This afternoon I am to drive with Mrs Miss Grosvinor
& Mr Humphrey. – Oh how I wish you were of the party
- and my dear Marcia – my heart bleeds for her – but
in five days more – the Lord willing, I will restore
to her a poor renegade husband.
Mrs. Wm H. Seward
Auburn
New York
Westfield
Mar 3
N.Y.
hJennings Seward
March 3
1837