Sunday April 19^th
My dear Henry
You went away without giving me
any direction about letters it would not be
charitable to infer that you did not care
to receive them so I will write though
it is not pleasant to feel uncertain whether
the letter you are writing will ever reach
its destination – I have two letters from you
one from from Erie and one from Pittsburg
both a long time on the way – We have
had some warm days since you left and
very little rain – vegetation progresses slowly
but will not be so much exposed to late
frosts as last year – our garden is enlivened
with daffodils hyacinths and polyanthus – the
day of the crocus has past except the white
and blue which flowered much later than
the others and are very beautiful. Uncle
Cary and Aunty came the week you left
home – they made but a short visit which
I could not enjoy so much as I should
have done had Eliza been home – dear
little Sister claiming the whole of my
time – They selected pretty carpets for their
parlours &c &c– Uncle brought a very bountiful

[left Margin] h

Unknown

Frances A Seward
April 1847

supply of box with large roots, with which we have
decorated the walk to the front gate, superceding
the myrtle – I hope it will live – In addition
to a barrel of box, he brought an immense box
filled with the 'Weekly Register” –
Worden is nominated for the convention – Lazette
writes despondingly of their prospects – his political
relations seem to absorb all his time and
interest – Eliza came home about a
week after you left which was a very
agreeable occurrence to me – Fanny was
very glad to see her kissed her constantly
the first day – I have not weaned the dear
baby yet but shall next month if she
is entirely well – she is much better now
getting fat again – Willie spends the whole
of his time with his two hens, hardly finding
time to read his lessons – he has spent
considerable time and eloquence to day
in attempting to prove clearly to me that
his little hen lays two eggs each day –
a very harmless delusion–
Clarence came home Wednesday – he was quite
ill the last week he was at Geneva – Friday
he and Fred Willie and I drove five or
six miles – the horses were very gentle
Clarence drove – very well – Fred is to
drive next time – They wish much to go

alone with both horses but I have not thought
is quite prudent to allow this as I discovered
a constant check to be necessary when I was
with them – I wish we had two saddles
that they might ride together. in they changed
Mr Blatchford has written to you and I presume
keeps you apprised of the arrival of letters
of any importance – he read me the other
day an excellent and interesting letter
from [ Jude ] McLean just enough of the
old federal views to suit but I fancy
a little too much for your "ultra democracy"–
Your Chautauqua letter has directed a long article
from Webb not intending to be unfriendly he is
pretty severe in his censure and I think decidedly
wrong in heading his article with an extract
taken from a Buffalo paper which is unreasonably
harsh in condemnation– You shocked the piety
of the editor by the careless use of the word
"destiny" – You may have seen all this – fearing
the contrary I have reserved the papers until
you return – I have a very good letter for
you from Mr. Hunt also one from Mrs Maury
who I presume will meet you at Cincinnati
as she designs visiting that city before Judge
McLean leaves – another from Weed and
another from Augustus Seward asking advice
about selling Mrs Seward’s interest in

the Cincinnati house. "Mrs Mary Seward has executed
and placed in my hands, a power of attorney authorizing Mr Stone
to sell her portion of the Cincinnati property. Clarences deed
from me, for one half of that property has never been recorded –
––– I should be unwilling to jeopard his interest in any way–
–– in case the title comes back to me, can my creditors in any
way obtain a lien upon the property ––– I should be glad to
accommodate others by a sale, if this can be done with out
endangering Clarence's portion of the property"– I have
made very brief extracts but I believe enough to show you
upon what points he wishes advice – Blatchford will
forward a letter from your father which he
read to me a day or two since – The letters
I have mentioned have not been in his possession
as I did not think it necessary – he will tell
you of Dr Woodwards and Bachelors answer
to your summons – Pa remains about
as you left him I fear the gout has become
a chronic disease with him – he rides
occasionally but is unable to walk–
You will be gone from Cincinnati before
this letter reaches there still I believe
it is the safest place for its destination –
I hope you saw Sanford – No letters from
our Augustus – Willie always enquires
what Pa said about him– A Dieu –
Your own Frances–