Saturday March 6^th
My dear Henry,
Our boy is so much better to day that
I cannot resist the inclination to give you the assurance
myself – he has had no relapse since you left us
and has to day been sitting up twenty minutes
The Dr still confines him to low diet – Dr McNaughton
has discontinued his visits – Mrs Simpson was called
away yesterday to fulfill a previous engagement – I
was sorry to have her leave quite so soon but we
get along toler very well without her – Augustus
can help himself much more than he could four
days ago – Fred was complaining yesterday but seems
as well as usual to day – Willie has a bad cold
I have just administered a portion of rhubarb to him
hope he will be better tomorrow – Miss Brown was
quite ill two days but is better again –
We received to day letters from Florida written
last Wednesday by your Father and Augustus – They

both speak sorrowfully but submissively of the death
of our lamented brother – His departure leaves a void
in many families which can never be supplied but
God required his services elsewhere and we must
acquiesce in the dispensation difficult as it is
to do so – I feel great sympathy for our Parents who
have followed to the grave their first born for his
young wife whose cup of happiness is so suddenly
dashed to the ground, for his orphan children
who have lost their protector, and I share with you
and his brothers the loss of an affectionate brother –
All must derive consolation from one source – the
“hand of the Highest” can alone apply balm to wounds
like these - – He never fails to answer those
who seek his assistance – I know that our dear
Mother has always been thus supported under heavy
sorrows and have no reason to fear that this support
will be now withdrawn – but these are sore trials –
God grant that she may not sink under them –
I am very sorry our Father is so feeble – may

he too be divinely supported – I trust Julia’s
illness is not serious – Pray write me as soon
as you can – I am sorry to learn that
Augustus and his Mother have returned to the
City before you came – I suppose this will
make it absolutely necessary for you to go
to New York – Blatchford I presume writes you
all that is new – I hear nothing – have seen
no one but Weed and Worden – The latter
since you left has commenced his old course
of conduct, but I will not trouble you with
this now – I feel so thankful when I look at
my dear boy and see him recovering from an
illness which had so nearly proved fatal that
I feel unwilling to be disturbed by these things
you have cares and perplexities enough without
them – Augustus hopes ‘Pa’ will not stay away
a great while – he is as meek and patient as
ever – I overheard him persuading his Grandfather to remain
until you came home – All send love, your own
Frances

William H. Seward
Care of R.M. Blatchford
New York
Florida Goshen
Orange County
ALBANY N.Y.
MAR 6
GOSHEN N.Y.
MAR 9
hF.A. Seward
March 6. 1841