Washington Feb 14th
My dear Son,
We are in the midst of a
thaw which commenced 10 or 12
days ago – it has occasioned much
trouble and loss of property at
the North – at Albany and along
the course of the River – the water
is said to have been 2 feet higher
at Albany and Troy than it has
ever been before – The Telegraph
tells us that no person has been
able to cross the River at Albany
in three days – we have no
mails from them – the Hudson
River road is submerged –
A week ago the whole of our basement
floors were two feet below the
water – we removed the kitchen
into the office – the dry well

[left Margin] I believe Mr Brooks

x

Preston Brooks

Birth: 1819-08-06 Death: 1857-01-27

has died since I wrote before –
his death was sudden and painful

[top Margin]
Can you tell yet when
you will probably come North –
Nothing important
going on in
Congress –

which was made to receive this
water from the drain overflowed
Mr. Woodhull is having a new
well dug – in the coal cellars –
the men were obliged to dip the
water out of the basement in pails
after ineffectual attempts to pump
it out with a fire engine – Anna
had another evening party Tuesday
which seemed very satisfactory to
all parties – there were 140 persons
here – music and dancing –
There are abundance of parties, now
that Ash Wednesday is so near the
fashionable world are greatly pressed
for time – Anna has morning
receptions Friday which are largely
attended – Mrs Bliss was here yester
-day – Frances says she is not changed
in manner but a little more “stout.”
as Mrs Wood says – we would say
fleshy — I have not been so fortunate
as to meet her yet – I was at

Mrs Wood’s one evening – Mrs Bliss was
out – It is a week since I have
heard from home – Aunty was not
quite well then – the others were –
Jenny Watson has taken tea there
twice – Aunty seems pleased with
her – Will has concluded to remain
with Mr Barnes for the present – We
begin to think and talk of going home,
though Father thinks I had better
remain until some time in April –
He has not been very well this past
week – every time he dines out he
has an ill turn – I shall try to
persuade him not to go to any more
dinners at present – Yesterday was
Franks’ birth day – he is 3 years old
a merry little boy he is – quite
well now. Frances’ health is much
improved since she came here – she
looks better than I have seen her
for a long time – seems to enjoy
the gay society – to night they

go to the Presidents for the last time
there will be but one more reception –
Mrs Pierce has accepted Mr Buchanan’s
invitation to remain at the White House
until the weather shall be warmer
so that she can go North safely – She
has been ill – Sarah Seward will
hardly come this Winter – I had a
letter from Frances Seward last
night – She wants advice about a
matrimonial engagement which is
not to be spoken of at present –
I do not hear any thing from Tom
Miller lately – think he is probably
addressing some lady at the North
this Winter – on account of the
interruption of the mails it is some days
since we have heard from Fred – the
ice has made the Susquehanah impassable
the bridge above the ferry is swept
away – the long Bridge here has been
destroyed by the ice – which is still to
be seen in the River – it is raining to day
Aunt Clara was well when I last heard – we
often wonder what kind of a Winter you have
so far South – Fanny sends love God bless you

[right Margin] Mother –