Wednesday Aug. 3^rd–1843
My dear Augustus,
I have tried in vain for the last
three days to find time to answer your letter which
came Sunday evening– I am now trying to write
by the light of a candle which I find rather
difficult– Last Friday your father being informed
that the Ex President John Quincy Adams was
on his way to this village, went in company
with your Grandpa and a committee of ten or
twelve gentlemen to Canandaigua to meet and
escort him to this village–They all returned
between 8 and 9 in the evening– The Auburn
Guards were out with a band of music and
the firemen with torches, all assembled at the
depot and escorted him to our house– the
effect was very pretty but my attention was
diverted from the procession when I saw an
immense multitude of men and boys climbing

over the fence and crowding the court yard without
showing any regard for our shrubbery or borders
Though the marks of their footsteps were visible
in every part of the yard the next morning, the
shrubbery upon the whole escaped better than I expected.
One of the Oleanders lost a limb but was not
materially injured– But this is a digression
The torch bearers entered the gate and stationed
themselves each side of the walk– Mr Adams
and his immediate escort walked through the
center ascended the steps where Mr Adams
after being introduced by your father addressed
a few words to the assembled multitude–
hoping promising to meet them again on the morrow.
He remained with t us that night– the next
morning at 9 oclock we all went to the first
Presbyterian Church to hear a speech from Mr
Adams in reply to an address from your father
He seemed much gratified by his reception in
the State of N. York having received similar marks
of respect in every large town through which he has
passed —

Your Grandpa Seward left his room for the first time
in 4 weeks and came down to see Mr Adams,
rode with us to the Church, was so much better
the next day that he rode 10 or 12 miles
and yesterday to our great astonishment they
all set out for home– Mother has been so ill,
be, evidently failing for a month past, and so
desirous to return to Florida that on her account
I was glad they concluded to leave– Julia too
had become very homesick and weary of our long stairs
I believe they will all be much more comfortable at
home – Your Father, myself and Fred accompanied
them nearly to Syracuse yesterday afternoon – they
were to go as far as Utica last evening – I
shall feel very anxious to hear how they get along–
I see Aunt Clara almost every day – she wishes
you would write more particulars about your
manner of life – Mr Inman, the artist came
yesterday Your Father and I are both sitting for
pictures– Willie says he wants to be painted– Clara
wishes we had your portrait– so do I– Did you see Mr
Weirs picture after it was finished– God bless you my
dear boy– Your Mother–

A letter from your Aunty says Miss Jane Bullions has
come to render them a long visit– Did I tell you that
H Underwood has become a conductor on the railroad
in preference to doing nothing– he has won the
Prison contract for tailoring and will not continue on
the rail road – All send love to you– Fred's
vacation commenced last week– he has gone to bed with
the tooth ache –
Augustus H. Seward
At the Military Academy
West Point–
AUBURN, NY
AUG 3