Washington, Jan 6th 1850 –
My dear Mother
My last letter to you was such a
hastily written and such an unsatisfactory one to me
that Im writing again tonight – Your letter of New Years
came yesterday morning – I was very sorry to hear you
had been sick and I hope you will be careful –
When do you think of returning to Auburn – I for one
of the family am glad grandpa is not coming
The journey here during the winter would be an
insurmountable obstacle to his coming and when
here he would find it so very different from
home that he would be would it very uncomfort-
able & that would make everyone else so – we are so
situated that he would be obliged to go up one
pair of stairs from his room in the basement to
his meals – and that would never please him
so in every way he is more comfortable at home
but I am sorry he is so unwell. Aunty thinks
he is always more infirm after any illness – like

[top Margin] Ive not seen any dog in town as pretty as Caito

x

Cato Pet

except some Newfoundland
I should like Will

x

William Seward

Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29

to see him as well as all of you
but separations only strengthen family ties – Will you
please remember me to Miss Beecher

x

Eliza Beecher

Birth: 1805Certainty: Possible

Im going to
write to Miss Hance

x

Sarah Hance

Birth: 1820-01-25 Death: 1867-06-10

soon – You can tell H Rose

x

Hatley Rose

Birth: 1833 Death: 1900-05-20

I see
his father

x

Robert Rose

Birth: 1804-10-12 Death: 1877-03-14

often and at the Presidents he was very
gallant to a beautiful girl

Unknown

– Love to Pa
Your affectionate daughter

a child his strength is so little that it will
not have many demands.
A short letter came yesterday from Clarence
with a pair of embroidered slippers enclosed to
Aunty – I really hope he will not come while
I am here unless he is more agreeable than he
was the last time I was so unfortunate as to see
him – Caroline goes tomorrow to Georgetown I pray
something may subdue her for she has the
will and boldness of a Lioness – nothing abashes her
and the only impression kindness makes upon
her is to increase her boldness – & impudence
Henry I suppose will be here tomorrow – I thought
he would not leave home before tomorrow – but
he will be in time for the first Assembly – Wednes-
day night Mrs James King matronizes me – with
Mr John King & three Misses King –
The day I wrote you last I was just going to
Mrs Taylor’s party – Uncle accompanied us and
left me in care of Mrs Carroll (I begin to unfancy-
her) – We staid until midnight – the party was
large & brilliant – We danced upon a waxed oaken
floor – Mrs Taylor wore black velvet of low neck &
short sleeves – I believe there is a daughter but I
was not introduced to her or Miss Paine her niece
I did not enjoy it as much as a reception
there were too many strangers for us – And had

it not been for Mrs Carroll Id have known
no new persons – There happened to be none
Id seen before. at a reception there are sure
to be some un knowns and every body is a
stranger to one another as well as ^to^ oneself – And one can
look on with impunity – besides there are more
talking people – but at a party if one sits and
looks on they look stupid and there is no talk-
–ing – for old as well as young are bent upon attract
–ing attention – I believe its not a hostesses business
to see to her guests – I’d as lief look on or ^sit &^ talk
but people look at one as if they thought one
a poor neglected forlornity – Friday night we
went to the Presidents – had a pleasant evening
and came away at ten – Sir Henry & Lady Bulwar
were there – He is about the size of Alonzo Beardsley
plain his appearance but has a thinking expression
and is disarming in manners – he was walking
back & forth with a gentleman in the East room
hat and cane in hand Mr King pointed him
out to me and we walked until we met him
I cannot tell how she looked for I only saw her
by Mrs Bliss’ as we went to say goodnight – I like
Mr John King He is gentlemanly and very lively. We
had a good deal of the people
Monday evening I go to Mrs Carroles to a young ladies
party – a small one – such a one as might be

be pleasant on account of but few being there
Im to wear White – I wore my new silk charmeuse
Friday short sleeves –
I believe Aunty has written of the debate in the
Senate – tomorrow Im going to hear the conclusion
of the matter – its now growing interesting in the
Senate as the resolutions from our Legislature
will soon come in – there will be a fierce con-
test
Our time is almost constantly comprised during
the day paying or receiving visits and it is
very unsatisfactory – We generally miss the very ones
we care to see & see those we do not care to –
As yet we made but few pleasant acquaintances and
^of^ these only three or four were townspeople – its said
the society in the city – the is very pleasant
but most Ive seen were frivolous & fashionable or stupid
and these it seems are divided into cliques – every
quarter of the town has its circles and every
time one goes out they meet new faces – Among
the ladies of the Cabinet and some members wifes
I feel at home – We all being strangers make us feel
drawn together by our common bond of sympathy –
and each one seems to feel not at home – were it
not for Fred I should not go out but I feel as if
Id him to depend upon – I wrote to Pa a week
since enclosing a letter to Henry & William Henrys one
for Caroline – Will you tell Caroline to open his letter & get
hers and for her to keep his until he comes –