Monday Nov 11^th 1844
My dear child,
Your letter came last Thursday just
as we were receiving the unpleasant election
returns – this however did not prevent my
writing – I have not been well enough for
some days past – and have some doubt now
about being able to finish this letter –
Although we were not always as confident
about the result of the election as many
Whigs still we are much disappointed
I would really prefer to have had a man
for President whose name had been heard
previous to his nomination, at least
by his own party, a distinction Mr
James Polk cannot claim – There are
many causes combined to produce the defeat
in this state – the Abolition ticket took
away 10 or 1200 voters from the Whigs –
the Native American party gave great
offence to all foreigners and although
it is composed of both Whigs and Loco's

the latter had sufficient ingenuity to make
the Whigs alone responsible – I have always
hoped to see Henry Clay president – few
men have a greater claim upon there coun-
try for services rendered – Fred has spent
the last week with scraps of paper and
figures endeavouring to form combinations
which would only appear upon paper –
he was very reluctant to abandon his
favourite candidate – Willie says he
does not care much about it though he
used to enquire every night if we were
"beat yet" – Mr McClallen has lost
something by betting for which Aunt Clary
rallies him without much mercy –
There was much betting in the village
of course the Whigs are losers – it
was two or three days before all parts
of the state were heard from during
which time I believe there has been
a pretty general suspension of business –
to day all go to work again – I am
thankful this excitement only comes round
once in four years – Ontario gave 900
Whig majority of course your Uncle was elected

Mr Weed and Harriet are to sail on the 20^th
for St Croix – If Harriet does not get any
better – they will probably remain there
through the Winter – The Millerites
have become quiet again – Mr Hotchkiss
has returned to his shop – As nothing
has been talked of or thought of for the
last two weeks but the election I have
nothing new to communicate –
Your report for the month of September
gives you 5 demerits making in the whole
31 – I am glad to see the number so
much di[ m ] inished – I have heard nothing
from Clarence for 10 days past but infer
that he is well – Your father saw him
a moment at the depot when he
returned from Palmyra – The weather
here is warm again – for the last time
probably this season – John is busily en-
gaged in setting out trees of which we
should have a superabundance did
they not die annually – All send love
Your affectionate
Mother –

Augustus H. Seward
U. S. Military Academy
West Pont –
AUBURN
N.Y.
NOV
12