Albany Tuesday 18^th
My dear Henry,
I am here at the City Hotel
in the midst of the Kossuth reception
the streets are thronged from the Hotel in
the direction of the Rail Road as far as I
can see, there is one dense mass of human
beings – A band of music and five or six
military companies have already passed with
the Hungarian Association of young men, our Fred
among them – two German Associations are now
passing –tricoloured banners & badges are
abundant – Carrie and Fanny have gone
to the Journal Office to see the procession –
We came from New York last evening – arriving
here at ½ past 10 oclock – Dear Fred was
waiting at the Depot – he had taken
rooms for us at the City Hotel and finding
the people all in bed he sent to a Restaurant
for supper – indeed he and a little
boy who acted in the capacity of waiter
seemed to do pretty much as they pleased
with the house & its appurtenances – He
reminds me strongly of a young gentleman
whose acquaintance I made some 30
years ago –

I sent Miss Bennet and the other children
on this morning & have written to Lazette
to join me here – Fred said she was
much disappointed and as Kossuth does
not go to Auburn would probably miss
seeing him altogether – I shall stay
a day or two after she comes, if she
does come – I wished you were with
me last night to enjoy the gorgeous
sunset – and the pale reflections
of Jupiters rays on the placid river –
he played the part of moon last
night and succeeded remarkably
well – Going down as I did in mid–
winter with the thermometer at zero
I had no conception of the beauties
of the scenery – I have always been too
sick on the boat to enjoy any thing –
So you were detained on the road and
might just as well have stayed with
us another day – I see the Senate have
adjourned over to day and the vote has
not been taken on this – the cannon
announces the arrival of Kossuth – the bells
are all ringing the people shouting – Kossuth
appears in a carriage drawn by four white
horses, the military endear in vain to keep
off the crowd whose shouts rend the air

let the people alone for a demonstration
of sympathy with the cause of freedom –
there is ^no^ harm which they will not
overleap – How refreshing to me is the
contrast with Kossuth’s cold reception
at Washington – I am proud of New York –
Kossuth himself looks beautifully meek
with – Illegible– I had almost
forgotten that I was 45 years of age
I will leave the remainder for Fanny –
I go to the Governors to night and
will also call at Congress Hall to see
the Kossuth ladies – I cannot
hear from you until I get home which
will be in a few days. Love to Gus
and any other friends who may remember
that I have been in Washington this Winter –
Your own
Frances –
Dont you admire my paper & envelope!

hF. A. Seward