Washington Dec 16^th 1849
My dear Son,
Since I wrote before I have one
letter from you which came by the way of
Auburn – dated somewhere about the 10^th of Nov –
We are getting settled here – this is our third
Sunday – A part of our furniture has not
come yet – Frederick, Frances, Caroline and
Willie came last Monday quite unexpectedly
owing to a mistake in a telegraph message
I had fortunately that day put up some
bedsteads and we get along tolerably though
many articles of furniture a still missing
Aunty Worden remains with Grandpa — they
must be very lonely now – Mr Winegar a
young man who is studying in the office
sleeps there – We cannot spare Dennis yet
until we get all of our furniture arranged
I have as you may suppose been very much
occupied getting the house in order –
Thursday your Father and I dined at the
Presidents with about 40 members of Congress
with their wives – I being the only

Senators wife present took precedence at dinner
and had the presidents arm and a seat
at his right hand – He was very sociable
spoke two or three times of you – said you
were entitled to a furlough – I like the
President and his family very much –They are
very sensible, unpretending and therefore pleasing
to me in manners – Mrs Bliss is very pretty –
the Col much more at ease than he was
last spring – Mrs Wood and the Dr were
there – Mrs Taylor did not appear –
I have as yet made but few visits and
have been unable to receive any but am
much pleased with what I know of the society
here – I shall attend no large evening parties
as I am in black – Frances and Fred are
to attend the assemblies, which commence
after New Years – We have been to Georgetown
to see the nunnery where Caroline is to attend
school – were much pleased with the
arrangements and charmed with the sincerity
of the Lady Directress – Caroline will not
go until after the 1^st of January –
Mary Seward writes me that she shall
be married soon – Uncle George has gone

to the Island of Cuba – left his little boys
with a house–keeper – I am sorry he went
while Sarah was from home – We knew nothing
of his intentions until he sailed –
Your father keeps Fred very busy writing letters
they are up in the morning at 5 oclock –
Mr Schoolcraft who is to be a member of
our family comes this week – I do not
know when Grandpa will come though I
think before long – The weather here is mild
but we have frequent rains – Fanny says
I must tell you she would very much like
to see you and that you must come home
as soon as you can – How much I would
like to know how you occupy yourself –
what society and what amusements you have –
I hope and believe my child that you
do not neglect reading your bible – It
is there you will find the only correct
rules for your guidance in all situations
in life – Willie sends love – he finds
it difficult to occupy himself – tomorrow he
commences his studies under Fred’s superintendence —
Frances and Fred also send kind regards –
We all wish very much to see you – May God bless
you –
Your affectionate Mother —

2^d Lieut. Augustus H. Seward
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
hWilliam H. Seward
Senate U.S.
Free
Washington, D.C.
DEC 18