New York Monday 22^d 1838
My dearest Sister,
I endeavored yesterday to find
sufficient energy to write you a letter but did not
succeed — I took cold at Philadelphia which was
increased by my journey hither and I am now
laid up with a moderate intermitting fever which
I have so often had before — Henry's business detained
him at Philadelphia until Thursday evening when
we left for this city — took the Trenton rail
road as far as that place — crossed over 6 miles by
stage to the Camden and Amboy rail road which
carried us to Amboy where we took the steam
boat at 12 at night — left Philadelphia at 6
The fog was so dense that the Capt – of the boat thought
it hazardous to attempt crossing the Bay until
the rising of the moon — we therefore lay at the
dock until 2 oclock — then took the ou[ t ] ward
passage outside of Staten island — I think
Frances will be able to trace our route on the
atlas — it was four oclock when we arrived
at New York — the boat rocked and creaked
so dreadfully while we were crossing the bay
that I was much alarmed — the little boys
were both sound asleep in their births — I went
to the gentlemens cabin and awoke Henry — he
laughed at my fears, but came and sat with

my fear abated — It was 5 oclock when we reached the
Astor House — very dark and the rain falling in torrents
we all went to bed so soon as our rooms were
prepared — I awoke at 8 oclock with my cough
much increased — a stricture across the chest
and slight fever — it is now monday I am not
still unable to leave the house — but not confined
to my bed — have employed no physician — living on
water gruel and slippery elm tea — Henry and my little
boys are my nurses — we shall leave here as soon
as I am able to leave the house — You may im-
agine how impatient I am to be on my return —
I would prefer going immediately to Auburn without
visiting Orange County but shall be guided by Henrys
advice — I found one letter from you and two from Clara
I am afraid you are more unwell than usual as
your letter was evidently written in depressed spirits
I hope to get another before we leave town — My sickness
deprived me of an opportunity of seeing Washington
Irving and Mrs Jameison author of "Characters of the
Female Sovereigns" — We were invited to meet them
at Mrs Duers — Mr Duer called with his
daughter to invite me — he was with us at
Philadelphia – I like him much – something of the same
sort of regard we had for Col Mynderse
but he is not like the Col — We have many other
invitations out — of course I accept none — Mrs
Webb continues to be very polite and kind to me —
I do not think her little girls half as interesting as our

Fan but you need not tell Fan so — it seems to me
I never was so anxious to see you all — Henry is very busy
all the time — We found Uncle Cary here when we came
back from Philadelphia — he is now at that place
will return here to go h home with us — Col Stone
has just been here he looks haggard and care worn — is
much embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs — I read
yesterday a review of his book on Animal Magnetism
which I think he will not find very flattering
it concludes with a description of Mr Durants visit
to Miss Brackett given in his own words — It is in
the December No of the American Quarterly Review
I wish you would read it — it has satisfied me
that Stone was imposed upon — nothing is said now
about Animal Magnetism — I think it must
mortify Stone — We lived so quietly at Philadelphia
that I was sorry to return again to this busy
town — where all is bustle and noise — I have
not been in bed today and hope I shall be able
to keep up until evening should I be no worse
tomorrow I think we can leave here Wednesday —
It is cold today — I presume the river is not open
above Poughkeepsie — The boys send love — Henry is
dining out — if we are detained here longer than
Wednesday I will write again — your own sister Frances

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Ontario County
New–YORK
JAN 23