Albany Dec 30 ^th – Wednesday
My dearest Sister, I improve a few leisure moments
before breakfast to commence a letter to you uncertain
when I shall find time to finish it – We have already
commenced preparations for New Years – the next two
or three days the house will be in such a state of
confusion that it will be impossible to write or think
any where — it is a beautiful bright morning – the sun
throws his brilliant rays into the windows of
our saloon, hall, office, or bedroom just which
you please to term it as it is at this time
used for of all purposes — graced with three
writing tables full of books and papers at
which Henry Blatchford and Mr Randall preside
through the day and a portion of the night
Then Henry’s bed is made upon the lounges which ^and^
continues to ornament said apartment until eight
oclock in the morning – the present time – Mary ann and

John are both actively engaged in endeavoring to bring order
out of confusion – the attempt seems rather hopeless but
I suppose will be accomplished – Clarence is here spending
the holidays - he and Fred purpose going to Troy this
morning in pursuit of doyles for me which are not
to be found in this ancient city – The man Leddings
was hanged yesterday – inside of the jail as you will
see by the journal – Sunday afternoon – the dreaded
season has gone by with just about as much tumult toil and
trouble as I anticipated – While I was writing Wednesday morning
the mail came bringing me a letter from Clara and Gus
saying Pa and Gus were on the road — I immediately proceeded to
pull down two bedsteads and put up two in place of them the
usual process – Blatchford was moved to Miss Browns room Miss
Brown & Mary to the wee bedroom off from the hall – a bed
made for Gus and Clarence in Miss Treelers bedroom which I
intend occupying when you come – Gus however has persisted in
sleeping in the trundlebed in our room up to the present time —
The spare bed room was in reserve for Mr Jocelin the artist who
was expected about that time. At eleven I issued forth in a brisk
snow storm to get some carpeting and some china – the boys
were cheated out of their ride — Henry went out in the sleigh in
the afternoon and about the time I expected Pa and Gus he came
home bringing Mr Blatchford Sam – trunk – coonskin and all – he
is here yet – the artist is in consequence at the Hotel awaiting
a vacancy – Sam then took the boys with the sleigh and went to the
depot – At this most desirable time when I was suffering torture
with nervous headache — waiting tea for our friends and
anxiously expecting the return of the sleigh – Mrs Horner and
Eliza came round to spend a social evening — The cars were
detained by the snow storm – did not get in until nearly 8 oclock
but they came finally all well – by this time Weed and
two or three others had arrived – very agreeable – I succeeded
in getting our folks to the supper table before nine leaving the
Horners in the care of Henry who felt that every moment not employed
in correcting proof was an hour – They at length departed
and I gathered my four boys together and went to bed too sick
to sleep — The next day all was confusion – Bill Taylor was

helping John and Eliza helping Ann – all applying to me for direction
the hall carpet was taken up the furniture removed and a table
prepared for the bands who were to come at 12 at night
I was sick and glad to get to bed early – Clarence and Fred sat
up with the gentlemen – the music was certainly very fine
much more agreeable than when I was on the same floor – We
were awakened by day light with another band before the door
who were to be refreshed — I wish you could have seen the hall
floor when I got up in the morning — At nine Henry went to
the Capitol attended by the Lieutenant Governor and his aids to
take the oaths of his office — Sam went for Miss Bullions
I made my toilette – gave directions to the servants for the day
and joined Margaret in the parlour – I think the day
went off upon the whole rather more quietly than the year
previous — but it was very fatiguing for us all – I was
so ill that I was obliged to leave the room and go to
bed at ½ past two – a violent snow storm having commenced
the company dispersed earlier than usual – One old man
came in to see me from Rensselaer county he said he had
voted the Whig ticket 50 years — he was 73 years of age
I tried in I vain to learn his name – Miss Bullions was
so polite as to inform me that I had not had calls from all
the citizens whom she expected to meet, and manifested
considerable disappointment in not seeing all her acquaintances –
This days intercourse satisfied me that she was just the person
you represented her – a number of small occurrences brought me
to this conclusion — I think Sam if he has ever been in a mist sees
clearly enough now – He asked my candid opinion – I gave it with
some hesitation fearing I might wound his feeling, but he said he had
made the same discoveries before — – She is very beautiful but that is
her chief attraction — At 5 oclock we dined – I was somewhat
refreshed and went through the dinner tolerably well – our guests were
Gov Bradish – Chief Justice Nelson – the Chancellor – Mr Blatchford – Rufus
Spencer Benedict and Rufus King – who were aids to Henry through
the day – Col Cameron (of Troy) and Col Austin (R. Kings brother in law)
who officiated in the same capacity in my department – and
[ yound ] Mr Nelson – I found the Chancellor very agreeable and was not
sorry that by a breach of etiquette he took the Lieu-Gov - place on
my right hand at table — Gus would not come to the table – Clarence was
nothing lost — Miss B- went home at 8 oclock – I retired soon
after – the boys were all glad to go with me —

your letter written last Sunday never reached me until last night
I direct this to Auburn – and must now close to write to dear
Clara – Love to Frances your own Sister –
You have not told me whether I shall send the silk I purchased
for you to Auburn — I hope when we get related that I
shall become acquainted with Sam's cousin Angie whom he likes so
much and think resembles you — A propos — I did not write

[right Margin]
intelligently about priest Hopkins — it was Miss Mary not Mary Ann
who courted him
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn
Paid W.H.S
ALBANY NY
JAN 3