Auburn Oct 7th e 1844
My dear Augustus,
Our family seem to be
gathering themselves together again– how happy
I should be to reckon you among the
returned wanderers – Your father and
Fred came home from their Northern
tour last evening after an absence of
two weeks – they have had for the greater
part inclement weather and much hard
traveling in stages– they went up Lake
Champlain ^to Plattsburg

x

Plattsburgh, NY

^ from thence across to Ogdensburg
stopping frequently by the way to attend
mass meetings– crossed over to Prescott
to see the fort –and came most of the
way from Ogdensburg to Syracuse by
wagon and stage – I think they
were both glad to get home again –
Notwithstanding the unpleasant weather
the Whig meetings were numerously
attended – Mr McClallen went
last Wednesday to the great convention
at Rochester which he describes as
immense – Mr Cassius Clay was the
most distinguished speaker – I shall be
very glad when the election is over and people

return to their accustomed avocations –
Clarence came home yesterday afternoon – he
is almost sick with a bad cold– seems
pleased so far with his college life and
much more engaged than hitherto in his
studies– there are 34 in the Freshman class
most of them two or three years older than
himself– he returns this evening–
Frances who has been to Albany and Boston
with her father spent part of the day with
us yesterday but was too anxious to see
her mother to make a longer visit– She
left her father in Albany and came on with
a young lady to going to Canandaigua to pass
the winter– Frances was much pleased with
her visit to Boston– Mr and Mrs Ganson
were at the same house with them– they
have extended the wedding jaunt to N. York–
While at Boston Frances heard that the
Miss Appleton to whom Mr Blatchford is
engaged is not the belle and heiress– She
is a cousin and adopted daughter of the
father of the Miss Appleton of whom I spoke
formerly– Frances was not able to learn
any thing of her attractions– I presume

the most winning with the Blatchfords is her
having a brother married to Mr Websters
daughter– Mr R. M. Blatchford writes that
"Sam's affinanced affianced " is making them a visit at
Hell gate – Sam is as much in love as he has
been two or three times before– Although the
engagement between Sam and Miss Spencer was
ostensibly broken off some time ago in consequence
of his fathers disapproval, I fancy that lady
will hear of the intended marriage with
great surprise– I had heard of Dr. Doane's
visit to West Point though I did not learn that
Mrs Doane accompanied him– I also heard he
was very much pleased with your [ appearance ]
and attention– Mrs Blatchford did not
visit us– she has been ill and is just recovering
– Col Webb has returned from Europe I do
not hear anything of Robert– Walter Cary
is to go to Paris for two years for improvement
in the medical science– I will be a trial
for his mother to part with him– Your report
for August which only came yesterday give you
9 2/6 demerits for that month– I suppose you did
not add the 1/3– No one here knows that Dougherty
was found deficient– I was told a few days ago

that he had just come to a conclusion not to return–
Your letter came Wednesday– Aunt Sally Chrystian
and her son Elijah were here making a visit– She
made many enquiries about you– her sons
are both married and talk of going to Michigan
She will go with them–
Willie is well and merry– Abbey has gone home
for a long visit I have a nice little girl in her
place but she is not able to do all that Abbey
did– Aunt Clara sends much love in which
we all join – I have the handkerchiefs and hoes
Augustus H. Seward
At the U.S. Military Academy
West Point–
Auburn
Oct.
6
N.Y.

[right Margin] which I will send by the first opportunity– Your father says
he will attend to the payment of your debts soon– he
proposed sending a check for the amount to Maj Delafield

x

Richard Delafield

Birth: 1798-09-01 Death: 1873-11-05

would this be admissible – You affectionate Mother