Auburn Dec 5^th 1847
My dear Child,
I received your second letter
from Vera Cruz the day after I sent my
last— it was only 16 days on the way
which is a much shorter time than I
supposed possible— I am watching with intense
interest the progress of Gen. Pattersons train
the last account leaves them unmolested
as far as the former residence of Santa Anna
The papers say that Gen Patterson is to remain
there for the present while a the train
with an escort proceed to Mexico— May
God protect you and all— It is im-
possible for us to form any correct opinion
with regard to the prospect of peace— the
accounts we recieve differ so materially
if it were left to mothers wives and sisters
I fancy the war would soon terminate–
Frederick came home l Monday having
spent nearly one week of his vacation
at Dr Williams' near Utica— he had a
very pleasant visit— As he will be home until
after Christmas he has concluded to take French
lessons there being a teacher here at present
who is very well reccommended—

Fred has gone to Church this morning— Willie and
Fanny are at home with me— Fanny is reading
"Cock Robin' in her way and Willie is printing
a letter to send to his Aunty— Your father
is now in New York he has been from home
two weeks at Albany, Cooperstown & c— I
think he will visit Grandpa Seward before
he returns— Grandpa is as well as usual
and very much engaged with the Seminary—
I do not know how he gits along with housekeeping
now poor Julia is gone—
The weather has been very unpleasant here
for two or three days– weeks— I often wish
I could know something more of the climate
of Mexico— I am thankful just now that
it is not so cold as ours though Kendall
I see complains of rheumatism wh with
which I am suffering at present—
I have finished reading the Conquest of Peru
it is a tale of cruelty and blood— I always
detest feel after the perusal of such a
work that I will not read another of
the same character— It is sufficient
to be acquainted with the main historical
facts without harrowing ones feelings
by detailed descriptions of wrong and
outrage—
You may see in the papers if you get any
an account of the loss of the Phoenix a steam

boat on lake Michigan–it was destroyed by
fire and of 250 passengers only 30 were saved
the fire was communicated by the boiler to
the under part of the deck— it is a sad
account— the passengers were chiefly German
emigrants going to Milwaukie— They were at
the time the fire was discovered only six miles from
land but unable to make any progress— A
steam boat (the Delaware) came from the nearest
landing but was too late to afford any assistance
I believe they picked up two or three persons
the rest who had not escaped in the boat were
all drowned or burned— The newspapers
are filled with accounts of accidents by rail road
and steam boats which show us the uncertainty
of life– Aunty writes that she has
been ill but recovered— they seem to enjoy their
new home so well that I doubt whether
they make us a visit this winter—
Aunt Clara is well— She appears very well
pleased with her boarders— Catherine Miller
went home with Mr Huson two weeks ago—
Did I tell you that we had been making a
furnace to heat the house— it has occasioned
us much trouble and I fear will not answer
the purpose— it is badly constructed and so
unsafe that I think we must relinquish
the use of it— Your father proposes substitu-
ting one for coal but I do not like coal

and would I think prefer to return to stoves again
Grandpa is well—keeps Fred reading for him
morning noon and night until his throat
is sore— The roads are so bad that we cannot
use the horses— a little more snow would
make tolerable sleighing— the Thermometer was
down to zero last Teusday night— it is
mild now but not pleasant— Mr Morgan
has just returned from Albany— he has engaged
rooms at the Eagle and is to take his family
there about Christmas— Mr & Mrs Hunt
will also be at the Eagle— Dec 9^th
My dear Child, I let this letter remain
incomplete two or three days hoping by the
Newspapers to hear where you were— This morning
I was made happy by the arrival of your
letter from Jalapa— How thankful I am
that you have gone thus far without harm
that your health has been preserved to you–
I had seen by the papers that Gen Patterson
was at Jalapa but how much more comforting
it is to be assured by your own hand writing
Your letter was mailed at Vera Cruz the 9^th
of November— I hope the communication between
Mexico and Vera Cruz may be more frequent than
it has been– This is my fithth ^5th ^ letter two were
directed to Vera Cruz two to the city of
Mexico —as this will be— have you recieved
any of them— All join in love to you and
good wishes— May God continue to protect and
bless you— your affectionate Mother–