Monday March 3^d 1845
My dear Augustus,
I received your letter
dated 23^d yesterday – I hope from this
time forward our letters will not be
a week on the road – the river being
open and no probability that it will
close again this Winter – I cannot
expect long letters from you if you are
obliged to write a composition of two pages
every week – I always found compositions the
most difficult part of my school exercises
though we were always allowed to choose
our own subject and were under no restraint
as regarded the length provided it was
not less than 10 lines – however I hope you
will not fail to write a few lines
as often as once in two weeks – I have
already begun to count the weeks that
must intervene between this time and
your return home – Your being at that
institution has cost me many sleepless

[top Margin] De Witt Richardson

x

Dewitt Richardson

Birth: 1824 Death: 1882-11-05

has come home
he is very desirous to see you – I
belif believe he will not go again
to sea –

[left Margin] Were it in my power I would gladly assist you about your compositions
I do not consider the capacity to write easily a test of general
ability, though it is a desirable talent —

nights, but I will defer the discussion of this
subject until we meet—
The Bill for the Annexation of Texas has
passed both houses of Congress – Did not the
internal divisions of Mexico render a War
with that country at this time very
improbable I should find in this, a
new cause of disquiet – as I have always
supposed that the resignation of a Warrant
would be affected by such a state of affairs.
Texas will now be one of the United States.
I should suppose the Abolitionists now would
regret the aid they gave the Locofoco party
by voting against the Whig Candidates —
The annexation of Texas gives increased
strength to the slave holders —
We have a mild commencement of
spring – though cold weather will come yet
Your Father makes frequent excursions
to the garden where he reports the crocus
and tulips to be growing rapidly – It
is too wet for me to venture out, yet
if all the plants and shrubs which we
transplanted last fall have survived
the Winter our garden is much

improved – This summer we are to have a new
fence around the lot which has become
quite necessary – some alterations are
also to be made about the house —
Aunty and Frances are to remain with us
until the 1^st of April – Aunt Clara and
Mr McClallan will probably leave the 1^st
of May – I shall be very much alone
when they are all gone – Fred has been
taking lessons in stenography for the last
ten days – he is rather inclined to think
he will not make sufficient progress to
become a reporter immediately. It must require
long practice to be able to write rapidly —
Willie has had another bad attack of inflam-
mation of the eyes – is now much better
and I trust will soon be as well as ever
I still prefer the homeopathic method of
practice – every new experiment strengthens
my belief in its efficiency – your father
remains sceptical – though I have Grandpa
on my side since he was cured of Gout –
Aunt Clara has also become a convert –
Sister Fanny grows pretty and every day
becomes more interesting – if her life a

is spared I hope she will be a comfort to us all
Willie begins to love her very much though
at first dissatisfied because she was so
small and could not play –
I have a letter from Clarence to answer
which I received nearly two weeks ago
He appears more contented – All send love to
you —
Augustus H. Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point –
AUBURN N.Y.
MAR 3

[right Margin] I wish you would mention in your next letter whether you
received the one I sent enclosed in an envelope – you speak
of one but as I had written twice I do not know whether
you refer to the last – Advise – your affectionate Mother