e Philadelphia Monday evening
My dear sister, We did not leave New York
until yesterday afternoon at 4 oclock and reached
here about 9 – Henry and I went to Trinity
Church in the morning – the two Fanny’s stayed at
home – Mr Blatchford came down in the morning
to invite Frances to remain at their house while
we went to Washington and made the house ready
I advised Frances to go to Philadelphia with
me which I think did not please Mr Blatchford
much –I thought for many reasons if Frances
stayed any where it had better be with Marianna
Mott – Fanny took cold yesterday and has been
quite sick all day she seems better to night –
I am tired beyond description having been on
my feet nearly the whole day – Frances has
gone to the museum with Mr Canfield a young
lawyer ^merchant^ who has always been very polite to me
when I have been here – Henry has taken Denis Abbey
and Mary Coe to see a Diorama – I am staying
alone with my little girl I have just had a
interview with William Sackett – he is in town
with his wife on the way to Washington – I went first
to the dress makers to have my bombazine fitted– then
to a carpet store – then a cabinet furniture estab-

lishment – Then a crockery store – and this
afternoon spent nearly two hours in a jewellers
shop examining plated iron &c &c – We came home
to tea very very tired – Fanny is free from fever
and altogether better to night – I have selected
all the articles at the places I have mentioned
tomorrow I do the dry good shopping and shall
be ready to go on Wednesday should my dress
be completed – Tell Willie his father found his
letter here and was much pleased with it –
I hope Willie does not forget his lessons –
How I wish I could see you all to night – The
Horners I believe I told you came to see us at the
Astor House – we left our cards at James’ store –
Mrs. Horner seems better and is glad to be in
New York – This is a large blot which
I did not see until I had written one page
Fanny says I must tell Aunty that Father has bought
her a new book and a new chair – Truman Smith
is here smoking with Henry– I am so tired I am
going to bed now so good night –
Tuesday night – I have had another busy day and am
again very tired – I have been twice to the dress makers
and the remainder of the time making purchases
at the dry good stores – blankets, linens, table and bed
table covers, &c – Then I have had calls and many
small errands to do – Altogether I have had no rest

Mrs Hale called to day – I was pleased with her –
We go tomorrow morning to Washington leaving Frances
with Maryanna Mott – I shall send for her as soon
as any thing is comfortable at Washington – Our furniture
we have heard from all along the road – it will
precede us – I have just had an interview with
Dr Helmuth to consult him about you – It is infinitely
more satisfactory than talking with our Dr – He says
you ought to have an examination to ascertain whether
this swelling is a hernia or a tumour which cannot
be determined in any other way – that it is unsafe
to leave it unsettled – A hernia being at any time
liable to strangulation should be kept in place by a truss –
A tumor which might be occasioned by a swelling
of the glands could if attended to in time be
dissipated by proper medicines – in no case to be
removed by an operation – As the two require treatment
entirely different it is very essential that the
characteristic be determined – I hope you will consent
to come and see either Dr Vanderer or Dr Helmuth
before I come home – My love to the children and Clara
I cannot tell now when Fred will be required to come
but will write next time – in the meantime if Ann finds
the work more than she can do you must send John
for Maria to help – Tell Fred to see that all the
tender roses and the trumpet creeper and box are

covered whenever the weather becomes freezing cold
your very tired sister –