At Auburn Nov 24^th
My dear Child,
We cannot any of us see
the eclipse of the moon to night as the sky
is entirely overcast – a sharp north west wind
admonishes us that winter is near at hand
Your father and Fred came home this morn-
ing having travelled all night – but I
have not told you yet where they have
been – Soon after I wrote to you – the next
Thursday I think a letter came from –
Florida saying Grandma Seward could
not live many days – your father set
off immediately for Orange County taking
Fred with him – they reached there Friday
evening – Grandma was alive but very
feeble – she continued so comfortable that
Monday your father went to N York advising
them to write should any unfavourable
change take place – Wednesday he
recieved a letter saying his mother

was worse again – he returned to Florida the
same evening and remained there until
Friday, when Grandma becoming again
comfortable and his business urgently
pressing him to return to hope he should
ever again see her alive – I am very sorry
he was unable to remain – longer as I
know it would be a great consolation
to his mother – Frederick accompanied
his father in all his difficult movements_
They spent one night with the Blatchfords
at Hell Gate Sam is to be married
some time this next month – he invited your
father to attend the wedding – Mr &
Mrs Bowen are at the Astor House where
your father took lodgings – The Whigs
are not feeling very amiable after
their defeat – Mr Minturn and
Grinell are both Native Americans
so that the clicque is about broken
up – Mr Weed and Harriet were
in the city waiting the sailing
of the vessel which is to take
them to St. Croix – where they spend

the winter – Harriet was in good spirits
the physicians think her symptoms quite
unfavourable and advised her spending
a Winter in a warmer climate –
Your have by this time about as many
studies as you can attend to – how
now do you like Grammar .? – .. – it is
not generally considered a very interesting
study though quite necessary – how
do you come on with drawing – is
it any easier than at first? –
I thought I had written to you that your
Uncle Worden was a candidate for the
Assembly – he and Frances will go
down the last of December – Clarence
has written once since my last letter
to you – he seems better contented than
when he wrote before – Willie has
written you three letters which he thinks
accompany this – he went yesterday
to the recess alone for the first time
yesterday and bought some candy – this
he considers this a at great exploit – Write
me if you wish any money – Aunt
Clara and Fred send love – your affectionate
Mother

Augustus H. Seward
U. S. Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN
N.Y.
NOV 25