New York.
Jan^y 4^th, 1853.
My dear M^rs Seward
Your kind letter
was handed me a few moments since by
M^r Stetson to whom it was enclosed, his
absence from the city the past week, during
which time this letter must have been
received will be I hope a sufficient apology
for its remaining so long unanswered.
I am very much
obliged to you for your kind invitation
to M^r Bowen and myself to visit you
at Washington, but though we cannot
avail ourselves of it for we have only
been in the city a few days and have
not yet seen our friends, or made
the necessary preparations for the coming

winter. I hoped very much to have seen
you at the Cottage on your return home
last spring, and certainly expected it on
your way to Washington this fall. The
only pleasure I looked forward to in
going to Washington had my husband
been elected, was the society of one or
two friends whom I expected to meet
there yourself among the number. You
will believe me when I say, that his
defeat did not grieve me, either on his
account or my own, for I cannot believe
that a residence in Washington is
either very agreable or very beneficial,
a fortnight however with M^r Seward
and yourself would have proved
very delightful. M^r Bowen writes with
me in kind regards to you both and
Aunty Bowen sends a great deal of
love to the children.
Yours truly
Eliza Bowen.

h Mrs Bowen
Jan–1853