Auburn May 29^th 1849
My dear Son,
We reached home last evening
having been absent nearly six weeks –
I could not have found any thing more
welcome than your two letters which
Clarence handed me as soon as I arrived
The last is dated the 4^th of May – the
other some time the latter part of April
I cannot say precisely when as Aunt
Clara took it home with her last night –
The reports of Cholera at the West have
troubled me greatly – you are wise not
to travel at this time – There have been
cases of cholera in many of the Northern
cities but very few as yet – no case
fatal in Philadelphia while we were
there – it will be very likely to in-
crease as the weather becomes warmer –
I was sorry to hear of Col North’s death –
I wrote you last from Washington– we were
there a week and another week in

Baltimore – Your Father had a cause to
try in Philadelphia which occupied
a week more – We left there last
Saturday morning, stopped only a few
hours in New York – came up the river
Saturday night – Mr. Weed came up with
us and took us home with him where we
passed the Sabbath pleasantly – They had many
enquiries to make about you – Harriet is
just as good as she always was – Little Mary
receives from her the attention and affection
of a Mother – Emily is much improved –
I saw the young gentleman who is said
to be her affianced – he appeared very well
his name is Barnes – Monday morning we
took the 7 o’clock train to Schenectady which
enabled us to spend two hours with Fred –
he came on with us to St. Johnsville –
Was very well – you will be surprised to
find his appearance so mature – every one
thinks him 20 at least – I do not know
that he will be happy to complete his
collegiate course – I know Clarence was
quite the reverse – Fred being something
of a philosopher will not fail to accommodate
himself to circumstances – He says if the

Cholera makes its appearance at Schenectady all
the students will be sent home before the
commencement exercises – Such being the expressed
declaration of Dr. Nott– The Dr is recovering
from a protracted attack of Rheumatism
which at one time nearly disabled him.
We found Clarence and Willie at the
depot – Mr Sackett was at the house with
Grandpa – on a visit of some days –
I am very glad to be at home again and
wish I could remain here instead of going
to Washington next Winter – We made some
arrangements for keeping house in a small
way there – I think Aunt Clara will
come here and stay while I am gone – Clarence
and Fred will stay here with Grandpa –
We hoped you might be home in time to
attend the Commencement at Union but as
it is so uncertain perhaps it is well –
I would on no account have you expose
yourself though I want to see you more
than I can express – I hear nothing on
the subject of Cousin Frances marriage – I
think when they are positive that you will
come home this Fall that it will be
deferred –

Grandpa is in very good health – Aunt Clara
is well and sends much love – Fanny is
much better than when she went from
home – she is very happy to meet Willie
again – Willie would be perfectly happy
could he be sure that his Father would
send for the Carolina pony – about which
there is some doubt – He has been
driving Mr Sacketts horse since he came –
Our peaches too have suffered by frost – The
garden is very gay with tulips and lilacs.
I wish you could see our place in June
every thing is so brightly green –
Mr Blatchford has taken possession of Mr Hills
house – Mrs Hills and Sarah are in New
Haven with James – I believe I am in your
debt for letters – you are very good to
write so often – I will write again
when I get unpacked and the house
arranged – May God ever bless and keep
you – your affectionate
Mother

hWilliam H Seward
Lieut. Augustus H. Seward
5^th Infantry US. Army
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
Arkansas
AUBURN N.Y.
MAY 30