Trenton, Jany. 4^–, 1842.
My Dear Madam,
Your very kind letter came
to me at Newark, where I have been since
the adjournment of the Legislature, for the
purpose of attending the medical lectures
in New York which I have done nearly
every day during the recess. I am now here
for the pur attending the Court of errors,
which convened yesterday & will sit 3 or 4
days. The Legislature will meet on the 11^–
I am astonished to hear that Augustus Seward
has acted so unwisely. It was news to me as
I read it in your letter. I find too that rumor
has not confined herself to New Jersey, in her
dealings with me. The worst is it is all
groundless. I am not engaged to be married, un-
likely to be. I cannot make up my mind on
that subject. Perhaps I think of Miss Bleecker
as often as any. She did make a most
favorable impression upon me, & if I thought
I could marry her, I would try. You told her
once, that I wrote about her. Do call & tell her

so again. I shall rely on you for a character!
I was at Worcester, early in Nov. Dined at
Gov. Lincoln's & was treated with all possible
kindness. It is a good family & Miss L. is a
good girl, but somehow or other, I cannot get
sufficiently interested in that quarter.
They have gone to Boston, to pass the winter.
I am told that Miss Bleecker is the only daughter
unmarried – that her father is old & will
hardly suffer a gentleman to look at her for
fear of losing her. If he will give her to me,
& insists upon keeping her himself I will
promise not to take her away. You will
think I talk very foolishly no doubt, but
I do feel as if I could love Miss B. – more
than all the world beside. I would be glad
if you would write to me again, and
say something about her.
I heard from my boys lately. They were very well
& in a good & safe place, at May's Landing, our
chief town of Atlantic. Has Saml Blatchford
been at Albany recently? I met him in New
York some three weeks since, & troubled him
with a small matter of business, growing out
of our trip to Boston. I am sorry that various
causes prevented me from attending to it
earlier. The political world seems all in
confusion. I hope something good will grow
out of it. For myself, I am as much used up

as Van Buren was in 1840. But I don't care a
rush. If the same question should come up
a thousand times, I would do as I did, even
if it made Pennington Governor as often.
It gives me great satisfaction to know that I am
sustained by the wise and good. I have no taste
for political life. But, to be happy once evermore,
in domestic life, I do most earnestly desire.
This day is the sad anniversary. For three years
I have been a stranger to happiness and peace.
Heaven grant that I may yet find both.
My truest regard to Henry.
Affectionately Yours,
M. D. Canfield

Canfield
M^rs W. H. Seward
Albany,
N.Y.
TRENTON N.Y.
5 JAN
hDr Canfield
Jan 1842