Auburn Sep. 5^th 1845
My dear Augustus,
Although the time seemed
so long before your letter came I was unable
to answer it immediately—I was very busy
preparing Fred for his departure and the suc-
ceeding day Mr and Mrs Blatchford came—they
left us this morning after breakfast—Fred and
his father went at an early hour— I am more
lonely than I can express now you are both gone
how often do the beautiful words of Irving occur
to me—"our lives are made up of transient
meetings and long separations" it is somewhat
difficult to feel reconciled to this state of
things but as it appears unavoidable I must
endeavour to submit cheerfully—I was
very glad Aunty Worden came out two days
ago—she will remain with me until Uncle
Worden and Frances return from Detroit where
they went last Monday—Your father
returned to Rochester the same morning that
you left taking Willie with him as far
as Canandaigua—Willie came home

at the expiration of the week with Mr Carter —
your Father was absent two weeks and obliged
to go the third time before he got through
all his causes—Mary Seward was deter-
mined to go home until she was informed that
her Uncle could not bear her expenses, since
which time she has concluded to remain.
She packed and unpacked her clothes a multitude
of times– as she prepared the disappointment for
herself she met with much less sympathy than
she would have done under other circumstances
I was really sorry your father did not feel
able to take Clarence with him as Clarence
has not visited his friends in nearly 2 years
and finds his whole vacation here very dull
he seems quite alone since Fred has gone—
is very impatient for the commencement of
the next term – Aunt Clara is in better
health than when you left—she is much
grieved by your absence—I must tell you
of an adventure of mine– A few days ago I went
into E. Hills' store to purchase some small article
when he addressed me with—"Has your son been
ordered to Texas yet" I supposed he was jesting
and replied "no" laughingly when he added

in a serious tone that he saw by the papers that
50 cadets had been ordered to Texas—You may
imagine how this information affected me, though I
replied "I was not aware of it" very composedly and
left the store—I came immediately home where
I sat down and wept bitterly— After examining
the papers and talking with your father I discovered
that Mr Hills had mistaken the artillery company
stationed at the Point for Cadets and had feelingly
communicated the mistaken information to me—
You say nothing of the departure of this company—
Rumours of War still abound in the News Papers
I suppose it is impossible yet to tell when it will
end—You are by this time in quarters again—tell
me who is [ y ] our room mate?—Where did you go
while in at Boston? Uncle Polydore's

x

Edwin Seward

Birth: 1799 Death: 1872-04-23

letter
to Mary informed us of your arrival at Florida.
Your father may possibly go there before his
return but probably not further than Albany—He
wishes Fred to board with Dr and Mrs Nott—Fred
objects—Fred went off quite happy—Willie and
Sister are well—Clara Miller is here spending
the afternoon with Mary—I have witnessed an
experiment in Animal Magnetism which was very
wonderful but have no time for particulars—I
have been interrupted so many times since I began
this letter that I will not attempt to write
more—May God bless you
—your Mother

Cadet Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN, N.Y.
SEP 6