Sunday night Jan 9^th
My dearest Sister, Henry has been sick the last three
days but is now getting better – he had one of his old
attacks – determination of blood to the head but so much
more violent than any previous attack that I was
apprehensive of a paralysis – he says the sensation
for a few moments was very distressing but it soon
passed off and left him so completely prostrated
that for two or three hours he was unable to sit
up in bed – Dr Williams cupped and gave him
some medicine - calomel of course – yesterday he
went down stairs once but was glad to get back to
bed again. To day he has been down twice — attempted
to write, but is still too feeble — I have no doubt
his illness was occasioned by severe mental occupation
without any exercise in the open air, close heated
rooms and much smoking — The Dr says a cold
and a disordered stomach – I think he has taken
cold since his indisposition commenced — he coughs
considerably – If I could keep him quiet I think

[top Margin]
Weed says the message gives general satisfaction has disarmed all cavillers
Worden said it seemed very natural to see Peter Miller

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Peter Miller

Birth: 1802-11-26 Death: 1851-09-17

at our home
I hope Maria

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Maria 

is more contented —

he would recover in a few days – but that is impossible
without his cooperation. To day he has talked an
hour with Weed another with John Spencer another
with King another with Worden and would this
evening have talked two or three more with Benedict had
I permitted him to come up stairs – We have had no mail
from New York in four days until this evening owing to the
destruction of bridges occasioned by the swollen streams of
water – the river is open for some miles below the city
but as the weather is now getting colder we have no prospect of
a boat – the water in the city has been very high so that
they went from the Eagle in boats – Debby and Miss Lord e
arrived on Friday – sent me your letter Saturday morning –Debby &
Eliza came round Saturday afternoon – Henry being sick they stayed but
a short time – I have made a mistake of one day but it is no
matter – Yesterday we were invited to meet them all at Mrs
Stanton's where Miss Lord is staying – – I am glad you are not
sick in bed as I feared you would be – Worden took tea with us
to night – Pa and Gussy have spent the evening out - Sam has
just come home from a visit to Mrs Lyman and Miss Spencer –
I wish when you do not wish him to see your letters you would
say so – he was so anxious to know what you said about Margaret
that I let him read it for himself so I fancy that business is
completed – he talks every day about writing to you – Have I told
you that he is not going home – The morning before Mr Blatchford left
he said to me – ‘when are you going to let Sam come home? I replied
that I had nothing to do with the affair the Governor and his
Secretary must settle that between themselves – Henry said nothing
neither did Sam – but his father immediately commenced making
arrangements for him to have his time allowed him as a law student
which Henry thought could be done at least some portion of it
I said his mother would be greatly disappointed to which Mr B—

replied “yes she will consider you responsible”– I disclaimed any interference –
and might have added I did not approve of boys making positive
promises to their mothers which were to be broken — Henry has never thought
he would leave – I did at one time – He has never exchanged a word
with either of us on the subject since — Now I want your advice – how
I wish I could talk with you about it — Henry has consented to give
up the dinners this winter if I will see company in some way – after
pondering it all over I have decided to give another party just
like the one I gave last Winter – It seems the only practicable and
rather the most independent course in as much as the ultra fashionable
ladies have already begun to hope Mrs Seward would not make
another “such a party” – I must write them and all the rest here
in some way or create great dissatisfaction in my own family – I
do not feel at all disposed to conciliate them by consulting
or accommodating myself to their fastidiousness – I propose to send out
my cards “at home &c” — They may stay at home if they choose
and will not be under the necessity of violating the truth by an apology
I do not care now if there is not a woman here – After this I
can make what selections I please they certainly will not include
those who are so much afraid to encounter associations from
which it is impossible for me to escape — What do you think –
am I right? I have consulted no one but our family who all approve
indeed Pa has always said, their not coming, was just the reason
why they should always be invited in this way – I wish to have
it over as soon as possible – this month if I can get my bed
room completed – Another difficulty is about the house –
Henry Yates is mean enough to wish to get from the state 1500
dollars a year for a house which he could not rent to a private
individual for 500 — Henry has referred the demand to the Committee
who wish him to take the house now occupied by Mr Dix which can
be had for 600 – the exchange to take place next Spring – I do not
like to move but do not feel inclined to humour Mr Yates particularly
as he is not very obliging about repairs – Henry says the house will be
inconvenient for us and require new furniture to the amount of 5 or 600 dollars
so the case is still undecided – I was in favour of removing last week
when during the thaw our rooms were all innundated with water
as usual – I feel sometimes as though I could take the cars
and run away from all things here to be with you and Clary one day
tomorrow the boys commence school – Gus wishes the first day over
he is more shy than any child I ever saw but I presume will be
benefitted by being here where he cannot avoid seeing people—
Jennings marriage is in the New York papers this evening – They

were married Wednesday – in Church – have gone to Richmond are to
return in 10 days – I do not know when they will be here –
Tell Frances that Willie is fat and white but will not let any
one touch him unless he chooses – sometimes he has a fit of kissing
which prevails for a season – then he may not kiss again in a week—he
likes Miss Brown who takes good care of him and has very good
judgement in managing him without making the least noise about it
I have never known her speak one impatient word to him since she came
If all my household were as meek and quiet as she and Mary ann I
should get along very smoothly — Harriet has secured Worden’s washing with
my assistance – Webb is still in town – I have seen little of him on
account of Henry’s sickness — Mr Jocelin goes on with his picture
I doubt its having a likeness — The clock has struck ten and Willie

[right Margin]
is nestling in the trundle bed where he and I sleep – Henry is very busily
engaged reading the D’Hautville

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Report of the d'Hauteville case : the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at the suggestion of Paul Daniel Gonsalve Grand d'Hauteville, versus David Sears, Miriam C. Sears and Ellen Sears Grand d'Hauteville

 Publisher: W. S. Martien Place of Publication:Philadelphia, PA Date: 1840

case – It is as interesting as a novel I think
Clara would like to hear it – shall I send the book with Weed’s permission
to whom it belongs – love to Clary – your own Sister
Henry sends love and
Sam always reproaches
me that I do not mention him –

[left Margin]
h

Hand Shiftx

Lazette Worden

Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03

Letter from my Sister
in 1840-41 —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn —
Paid W.H.S
Albany N.Y.
Jan 11

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PAID

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