Thursday May 24^th 1838
My dearest Henry,
I recieved a long letter from you
yesterday morning written at Florida last Saturday
were it not almost a week since I have written
I would defer it yet another day wearied and
vexed as I am in spirit. Every thing goes wrong
this morning, my white washer has disappointed me
Harriet has made a previous engagment and cannot
assist in house cleaning, the rain prevents many
necessary operations, and last and most vexatious
Peter has robbed the hot beds of the most thrifty
plants and distributed them among his countrymen
I have little doubt that half my dahlias will
be disposed of in the same way. If Peter could
be kept out of the garden entirely it would indoubtedly
be more flourishing. He takes the whole management
upon himself giving Nicholas directions in as author-
ative a manner is though he were actually Nicholas
superior. Nicholas does not speak often but this
morning when he saw Peter disposing of the plants
which we had all been watching so long his mouth
was opened and he made the communication to me.
Recollect I do not expect any thing but sympathy in
answer to the relation of these greviances. Peter will
and must always make a part of our household
until Pa dismisses him, of which event there is not the
shadow of a probability. I am glad Nicholas is a patient as
he is, he does all the work while Peter takes all the credit to

himself. I wrote a few lines to Frances Tuthill the other
day but felt that I could say nothing which would
afford her either pleasure or consolation. I feel for her deeply.
I recieved a letter from Lazette yesterday, she is not
so well as she was during the cold weather I hope
you will write to her. Isham and his bride are
said to have gone to the east, Connecticut I think, to attend
the wedding of his brother. The morning after their
elopement Seymour went to Frank Hamilton and asked
him if he was willing to go and see Mrs Beach
and communicate some of the particulars of the marriage
he (Frank) having been accessory thereto. Frank went
to see the mother as desired, her first enquiries
were, how was Christina dressed and what refreshments
did you have? a number of similar questions followed
evincing a wonderful degree of maternal solicitude.
Frank came away satisfied that he had not been
instrumental in breaking any hearts. As is usually
the case the majority of the people are in favour
of the fugitives. Beach has returned from New
York, I presume he will not take it quite as moderately
as 'Stone' does but perhaps he will be wise enough
not to make a great noise.
Have you seem the 'Palmyra Letters'. since they have been
published in volumes. Sanford is reading them for me,
there are many more than appeared in the Knickerbocker.
I find them exceedingly interesting but they are evidently
the production of a Unitarian or an inexperienced
Christian. Beautiful as our religion is represented to
be no allusion is made to Jesus Christ as the Readeemer
the Saviour of a sinful race, he is spoken
of as a teacher of morality, one who came to reveal
the certainty of a life beyond the grave, nothing more.

We are very curious to know who is the author. Do
ask Clark if he knows. You have been gone
seven weeks, how many more must be added.
This long rain is bringing vegitation forward finely
I wish you could see how charmingly every thing
looks. Almost everything which we transplanted last
Autumn is living. The Hyacinths have bloomed and
faded, the tulips are in flower, the Polyanthus'
still show their pretty yellow faces, the Honeysickles
and Woodbines are putting out innumerable leaves
and the snow balls promise an abundance of blossoms.
Well you will run away from home so you cannot
expect to enjoy any of these pretty things.
The plaister casts came Tuesday but are badly
broken. I think the boxes must have been
carelessly handled as they seemed well put [hole]
The gardner was severed in twain while the flower
girl escaped with the loss of one arm and the
brim of her hat. I sent for a man who
is engaged in making similar casts, in the
Exchange buildings, he has taken them to his shop
and thinks they can be mended so as not to
injure their appearance, he said they were so
extremely thin that it would be almost impossible
to remove them any distance without injury.
Mr Perry called some time last week and said that you
had requested him to take charge of a box, which box never
came to his lodgings while he remained in the city.
You will have left Florida before you recieve this letter
so I will not say my love to your dear Mother.
Gusy talks often about writing but does not bring it
to pass, his ducks occupy the whole of his time when
not engaged with his studies. I hope when I write again
it will not be so hurried a letter. Your own Frances.

William H. Seward
Care of the American Life &
Trust Company. New York.
Auburn, N.Y.
May 25
hFrances A. Seward
May 24, 1838.