Sunday July 2^nd – 1843
My dear Augustus,
I received your letter which I
had been long expecting, two or three days ago –
I have been ill or I should have answered it
immediately – I hope before this time your
examination is over and am in someting of
a hurry to learn the result – you will be pleased
I know to have it over – Pray write more particularly
where you are, how situated as regards a room
room mate &c – you must remember that all
these matters interest us. I have never seen
a locust what do they resemble? – Your Grand-
pa Miller has been very sick with influenza since
I wrote before – he was confined to his bed a number
of days – is now well enough to go out again –
I have been sick the last week with the same
complaint and am just well enough now to go
about the house again – Juliana was also

sick at the same time, and Willie, and now
your Grandpa Seward's turn has come – he
was very ill all night, is some better to
day – I fear you too will have the influenza
there are very few that escape – I hope you will
follow Dr Robinsons prescriptions as Willie and
I did – we got along much better than the others
Your Father coughs yet though it is nearly
three weeks since he had his attack –
Abbey went home on a visit two weeks ago she
does not return yet – I have many perplexities
in my domestic affairs to contend with all
which you would hear were you with me
as Fred does – perhaps you are glad you are
far off – I hope in time to get matters better
arranged but have no immediate prospect of
a favourable change – Fred and Willie have
gone to Aunt Clara's to dinner as they do every
Sunday – your Father has just taken the cars
for Utica to attend court there – will probably
be abtent absent most of the week – The roses

are all in bloom and the place is looking
much improved – the fences have been removed
between the court yard and the garden, the walks
covered with slate stone – a trllis trellis put
up to shade the well and its appurtenances
from observation – the carriage drive is now
on the North side of the house – many of the
new trees are alive and flourishing – though the
wind has blown down two or three locusts – one
of Mrs Hills finest trees was blown down last week
and the same storm killed poor little Jenny the
Canary – the girl who has the care of her during Abbey's
absence left them all out in a severe storm – Jenny
was drowned on her nest – Fred and Willie buried her
in the garden – Dick looks quite desponding – But
continues to sing though his notes were hushed for one
day after his drenching – Last evening a lad of
17 was drowned in the wall mill pond when he went
with a large company of his mates to bathe – I do not
recollect his name – it appears that he was not missed
until it was too late to save him – All these accidents
admonish us of the necessity of care and watchfulness
for "in the midst of life we are in death" –

The weather has been exceedingly warm for nearly two weeks
today it grows cooler – Much is said of the
Irish Repeal question – A large meeting here last
week was adressed without distinction of party by
C. Morgan and S. Goodwin –
I expect your Aunty out some time this week Fred
has fire works prepared for the 4^th, and Willie talks largly
of purchasing "serpents" and "rockets" – Write soon
your affectionate Mother –
Shall I direct my letter to the Military Academy
Augustus H. Seward
West Point
AUBURN
N.Y.
JUL
2