Thursday March 8^th
My dear Sister,
I have been too ill to write for a
few days past – Monday I had a violent
neuralgic attack in my chest which
continued 48 hours – During my paroxysms
of coughing I was so convulsed that it
alarmed Abbey and the children greatly
the only relief I could obtain was from
Abbeys pressing with all her strength upon
my chest and shoulders – Teusday night
the Dr succeeded in finding some remedy that
relieved me – I am now entirely free from
that pain though my cough continues
and to day my head aches sadly –
Since I commenced writing Mrs Hulbert has
called and my head ached so violently
that I hardly knew what I said to her –
She seemed to think it would be a pity for
Frances to come home now when her cure
was so nearly perfected though I had
thought it a very wise arrangement –
I should be sorry to have her come if it would
in any way impede her recovery – do you think
it will – Henry Cheesbro has been in the village
since Monday he returns this afternoon I
should have been glad to have had him stayed

with us all the time – I was too ill to see
him Teusday – Wednesday he took tea with
us and was here again to day – He was as
much pleased as I with the prospect of your
returning so soon – He wishes very much to go
down for you but cannot ascertain from Worden
when he is coming home – Worden came
here Sunday and dined with us – I could
not persuade him to come here and stay –
He is still at the Exchange which you know
now has William Wood for proprietor –
Worden will return to Albany this week and
told me he thought he should be detained
until the Legislature adjourned – I suppose
that will be the 16 of April.
I had a letter from Augustus to day dated the
2^d of Feb – he is well – says they have not yet
had any cholera at his post – he has no
letter from me later than the 24^th of December –
says nothing in relation to a furlough –
Henry writes very frequently from Washington
he sees Gen Taylor often and thinks him
one of the best and purest of men –
The city is crowded – Henry did not attend
Mr Polks

x

James Polk

Birth: 1795-11-02 Death: 1849-06-15

last levee – it was thronged –
His last letter was written previous to the inauguration
Henry wishes me to go South with him
some time in April – if I do you must
take care of Fanny for me somewhere

[right Margin]
h

Hand Shiftx

Lazette Worden

Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03

1849

I dare not say to Henry Cheesbro that I
expected you to make me a long visit on
your return as he seemed to think they
could not live any longer without you at
home – Eliza is perfectly wild with joy
that you are coming before her mother com-
mences housekeeping – my children are not
far behind her – Fanny has commenced arran-
ging her baby house for your reception –
Clara was here a little while this afternoon
one of her neighbors has died recently with
disease of the heart – I was interrupted
while reading her your letter by Mrs Basset
so she went off without hearing the whole
promising to come again – Willie was scalded
Sunday – he ran against Abbey coming into
the dining room and received a portion of
the contents of a pitcher of hot chocolate
in his face – With his usual perseverance
he applied cold water without intermission for
2 hours when the pain decreasing he went
to sleep – his face is considerably disfigured
but I think only temporarily – he was fortunate
in not having his eyes injured – Mr. Bostwick
will not allow me to use the franks
which Henry left for your letters
during his absence – I have written much
more than I thought I should but it is very
dull – Love to Frances – Your own Sister –