Sunday Feb 11th 1844
My Dear Son,
Your last letter came just two days
after I had written which is the reason I
have delayed answering it until now – it
makes me unhappy to know that you are so
little understood by those who superintend
your conduct – I did not imagine before
I received your letter that you were
willfully disobeying the regulations of the Acad-
emy, and yet I think such must be the
opinion of those who control the demerits.
Your exceeding reserve about all that relates particularly
to yourself may have caused some of this mis-
understanding – You should never fail to explain
your conduct when ^you^ feel that marks of disapprobation
are unmerited – if you do not instead of being
imputed to the time cause you will be
considered reckless and incorrigible and under
such an imputation (as you once told me) a cadet

has very little levity to expect – it is useless
for me to say that I entirely disapprove of the
severity of the punishment inflicted for trivial
offenses – I should be answered that a woman
was a poor judge of military discipline
but one thing my child you must not
forget, that is, your promise to me to me to leave
the institution whenever you perceive that
your health is suffering from too close application
or the want of sufficient recreation – This
is your imperative duty – which I should urge
were I satisfied (which I am not) that you could
no where else so well prepare yourself for a life
of exertion and usefulness — Your father
left home the day after I received your letter
for Batavia – He said very little to me ab about
it only that you evidently felt right – he seemed
to regret that you did not mention
the offenses for which the marks were given. He
will go to Washington the latter part of this
month and I think probably stop and see
you – on his way —

I am sorry to devote so large a portion of my letter to a subject
which must have few charms for you, but you cannot
know how unceasingly your happiness and welfare
occupy my thoughts. George Wood died last Monday
I think I have before spoken of his illness – he has been con-
fined to his room about 3 weeks – died finally of congestion
of the lungs – Poor Debby is at present much afflicted
but persons of her disposition seldom grieve long or deeply
Mr Wood was buried Tuesday – his funeral sermon
was preached this morning – Frederick has been sick
the [ pas ] t week with an inflammation of the
throat – he is now well enough to be about the
house – this is the third time he has been ill
this Winter – he does not play out enough
in the open air and is very liable to take cold with
any unusual exposure – Willie’s eyes are still very
well – he is to sit for his picture next week which
is a very pleasing prospect — Aunt Clara is well
I did not show her your letter knowing how much
pain it would occasion her — I shall expect your Father
home tomorrow – Your Grandpa continues to enjoy good
health — Your affectionate mother —

Augustus H. Seward
N.Y. Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN
FEB
11
N.Y.