Auburn May 23^d 1847
My dear Augustus,
Everything is very green and
pretty since the rain came– we had had a
drought of two or three weeks– I wish you
could see the tulips they are so beautiful
that we are unwilling to enjoy them alone–
Our carpenters and painters are still here it
takes a long time to make any alteration
I hope we shall get arranged now in a week
or two– You will find the house much
changed but I hope it will not seem less
like home– it will on many accounts
be much more pleasant– Your father
has been at home two weeks an unusual length
of time– he has beside his arduous professional
duties been much occupied with the garden
the trees and vines give evidence of his
untiring industry– Next week I expect
Aunty and Frances to make us a long
visit– they promised to be here in the season
of roses

We hear from Fred and Clarence, both are well–
Fred who insists that there is not the least
possibility of your not graduating wishes to
know when he may expect to see you at
Schenectady – We have not received your report
for the month of April– Were it not
for the Mexican war I should look forward
to the time of your graduating with unalloyed
pleasure– but that is not the lot of mortals–
I am thankful that your health continues
good– Willie and Fanny are well both
have grown considerably since last Summer–
Grandpa is well– rides every day either
with one of our horses or with a little pony
which John has purchased for his own use–
Willie rides the pony every day– he reminds
me of yourself at his age by his fearlessness–
Tomorrow Aunt Clara is to go with
your father to Ovid – he goes to attend
court & she to visit her relatives in Romulus
Since I wrote before Lucien Gurnee
has been here on his way to the Lunatic
Asylum at Utica – he never entirely recovered
from the derangement produced by his difficulty

with the Church– the disease has increased
of late until he became quite violent–
He appeared perfectly rational on many
subjects when he was here but maintained that
he was never to die and thinks that he
is much of the time subject to supernatural
influences which he cannot resist–
I hope he may not be incurable– his brother e
was here with him–he was perfectly aware
that he was going to the Asylum– though
rather reluctant to go he offered no opposition–
We have not heard from him since the
return of his brother– Grandpa Seward
is about as usual– very much delighted
that his "Institute" is incorporated by
the Legislature– Julia is no better–
I think it doubtful whether she survives the
Summer– Our young clergyman Mr Ayrault
has finally accepted the call of the vestry so we
are no longer without a pastor– Aunt Clary
and all send love– Your affectionate
Mother–

I have detained this letter two or three days in order to
receive your report for April which came last night
Engineering 30 – Rhetorical & Moral Philosophy 33–
Tactics 32– demerits 78 – Let me know when
your examination commences– God bless you–
Cadet Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN N.Y.
MAY 27