Sunday March 11^th – 1837
My dear Sister, I intended to write the moment
I reached home but have found it impossible
until this time – We found the sleighing toler-
able as far as Waterloo where we remained
all night - reached there at 1/2 past 6 oclock
the damp snow which continued to fall had
by this time made us rather uncomfortable
I thought it better to stop - found all the
family at Birdsall’s well – Mrs Fosgate’s
health is better than it was last summer –
the children are all pretty and rather interesting
except Serene’s who certainly possessed the
fewest attractions – Mrs Fosgate manages them
remarkably well – Cornelia and Elizabeth were
very active about the house – Cornelia seems
to possess all the stability of a girl of 24 – I
should think Serene would find her a treasure
she sleeps with Sam – Frank sleeps with his
Grandma – I had a warm room to sleep in –
every thing comfortable – Mrs Fosgate seemed
very glad to see me – She made many
inquiries about you and wishes very much
to have you come and see her – They write
to Serene every day – her letters contain
glowing accounts of the fashion and gaiety
at Washington – When I came home I found
a letter from her to me – it is principally
occupied with an account of the duel

which had just taken place – she said she should
write to you in a few days – I had hardly
had time to warm myself when Charlotte (is that
her name? I had actually forgotten) Moses made
her appearance – she staid all night – a few
moments more brought Maria Miller she staid
all to tea – Charlotte is a beautiful girl not
remarkably intelligent – she had been a[ t ] Doubledays
since Wednesday – Betsy sent abundance of love
to us both and wishes us to come and see her
which we must try to do so when you come out –
Clara has decided upon housekeeping but not upon
a house – there are two over in the neighborhood
of the academy but she does not like to be
so far away – they talk of Capt Chase’s house and
keeping boarders if he will rent it, but he
wishes to sell – I will give you the earliest
information that is disicive – Mary leaves us
tomorrow – I came home just in time – yesterday
we went to Throopsville in pursuit of a girl
found none – I came home with a severe head
ache which still continues – While at Throopsville
we called upon Mrs Clary – she was glad to
see us after her manner – there was a sister
of the Dr’s staying there from Jefferson County —
Among other things I had to call upon Mrs
Benedict from Albany, who is at Beach’s
they had been at our house while I was away
we stopped on our way to Throopsville – They
return to Albany Monday – that was their son
with Mrs Spencer – he is with his mother —
I have been to Church this morning which has

somewhat increased my headache so if this
letter is not very intelligible you must
not think I am crazy yet – Jane Penny
came to see Clary while I was gone – she says
your disease is all owing to your mind not being
at ease!!! – there is something new for you
I do not think now the discovery is made
that it is worth while to send for Dr Rosecrans
I wonder what new gossip is afloat now – Clara
not exactly understanding the drift of the observation
asked no questions and they will never say
such things to me, so I suppose I must remain
in ignorance — But as I am not quite satis-
fied on this head I prefer that you should consult
the Dr, it may be, as his reputation is great
that he can “minister to a mind diseased”
Seriously my dear sister if you cough continues
one week longer I do insist that you see Dr
Rosecrans – debilitated as you are by previous illnesses
I am fearful that disease may settle upon your
lungs – you know the experience of all consumptives
they all begin with a slight cold – a slight
cold trifled with too often leads to serious consequences
you have not the strength of constitution left to overcome
such things that you had three years ago – Jane
Yates’ eyes have been relieved by bleeding – the Dr – Hamilton
supposed the weakness to proceed from a fullness of blood
in the head — you complained so much of this
may it not have some effect upon your eyes?
I hear nothing from Henry - shall not venture to write to
him again as I expect him to pass through Auburn
this week — I shall be sorry that I have not written if
he does not come – we found very little sleighing on
the north road from Cayuga — Nicholas drove across

the ice — Fred and I walked over the birdge – I am lame
yet — Harriets Frances has been sick but is better
Tell Frances that the cake is not eaten yet
I think it has been reserved for Sunday — your own
Sister
Clara thinks you had better be bled
Mrs Alvah Warden
Canandaigua
hMarch 11 1837
AUBURN
MAR
12
N.Y.