Auburn O^ct 21^st 1847
My dear Son,
I did not intend to let three
weeks pass before I wrote again — My first
letter was written the 1^st of October—
The uncertainty of my letters reaching
their destination is a reason why I
should write more frequently which
did not occur to me at first — It
is now one month and three days
Since you left New York and if
no accident has occurred you must
be at Vera Cruz but before I can
hear of your arrival there you may
be far away — We are all in a state
of painful uncertainty about Gen. Scott's
division of the Army — All manner
of reports have been in circulation — We
only know that he entered the city of
Mexico the 13^th of last month but
are quite in the dark about any of
his succeeding movements or whether
he is able with his diminished forces
to retain the city — The report of Gen Worths
death is contradicted — It was a great
disappointment that the treaty for

peace failed so entirely but I am not at
all surprised that the Mexicans thought
the demands of our Government unreasonable
they have little cause to acknowled[ g ] e the
justice of our claims to territory forced
from them — I suppose all speculation
about what will next be done is idle
I only know that my beloved child is
in the country of enemies and that
his life is continually subject to
exposure — May God protect him —
I have no hope from any other source—
Your father is in Albany attending court
Fred and Clarence are in their respective
colleges — I had a letter from Fred
yesterday he is well and in good
spirits — has two new room mates
both from Geneva College –
Clarence I hear is recovering his spirits
after his disappontment in that affair
of the heart — he does not visit the
young lady any more — is diligently pur-
suing his studies — I wonder how many
more times he will be very deeply
in love before he gets married — he
still thinks he will pursue the study
of medicine when he graduates but of
this there is no certainty —
Willie continues to make fruitless

excursions for nuts — is gone frequently
half a day at a time but has succeeded
in gathering f very few—Johns pony
is [ usued ] for these journeys when
they are far from the village — he
always has a companion so I suppose
the time is pleasantly employed if the
nuts are not forthcoming — Dennis drives
me out occasionally without any accident
though I do not feel as secure as I did
with you — Aunt Clara is well –
the Seavers have left not to return again
Catherine Miller is here for a few weeks
she spends part of her time with me
and part with Aunt Clara—She is
very sorry that she did not see you
while you were at home—Mr Huson
is very attentive—they are engaged to be
married but no time is set—Catherine
will make a god good wife—She is
sensible good tempered industrious and
very self sacrificing—I know very
little of him but understand he has
ability and energy sufficient to get along
in the world—Her family I believe are
satisfied with her prospects—As Huson
is not admitted yet I presume the
marriage will be deferred some time
at least it would be wise to defer it—

We hear occasionally from Canandaigua –
Uncle Worden went to Albany Monday—They
have moved to their new home and think
they will like it very much when they
get settled — Willie has been very anxious
to go there ever since he heard there
were hickory nuts to be had on the place.
Fanny is generally very well but to day
is sick with a sore throat — she is lying
in the cradle by my side — She says I must
tell her brother Gustus that she is sick —
We have just commenced building a furnace
in the cellar which we hope will make
the house very comfortable this Winter —
Aunty has one in the house where she has
moved and likes it very much —
Mrs Richards the widow of Dr Richards
was buried last Sunday — Mr Abbott
died near New York very suddenly
last week — tis said of apoplexy —
You know how impatient we are to hear from you
and will not fail to write every opportunity –
Many enquiries are made about you whenevr I go
out — James Hills who entered Yale College last
month is obliged to give up his studies and come
home on account of the weakness of his eyes —
Aunt Clara sends much love — we think of
you always and Pray God the bless
guide and protect you —
your affectionate
Mother –