Washington March 9 ^th
My dear Son,
Your letter of the 10 ^th
of February came in about ten
days–I suppose by this time
you have been to Key West
and returned again–We
are having a snow storm now
which has the appearance
of making sleighing again –
after two or three weeks of
mild pleasant weather–
The inaugural ceremonies
passed off ^in a^ very satisfactory
manner – the new President
has taken possession of the
White house and had
his first levee– Mr &
Mrs Pierce are staying
with Mrs Marcy – Mrs

Pierce not being able to travel
they go north where she is
sufficiently well.– Henry Chesebro
came on last week –left
the same day of the inauguration
Frances talks of going to
Philadelphia this week, though
I think it would be better
for her to await a milder
season – her health is better
than when she came– Frank
is well and very amusing
the day of the inauguration
he and I stayed alone in
the house 3 hours. I found him
very good company – he
fancied he was taking care
of me– We had a son of
George Tuthill with us last
week also – he was on his
way to a college in Maryland
stopped here to see the inauguration

Aunty writes that Will is
so well now as to be able
to walk about – he was
confined nearly three weeks
owing partly to the mismanage-
ment of Dr. Briggs – The
town election has come
off in Auburn – the Republicans
being in a larger majority in
every ward. Dr. Briggs is
the new Mayor– He succeeds
better in Polotics than surgery–
Your father is better now
than he has been this Winter–
I am rather fearful he will
not think he can spend time
to travel if he keeps so well–
It is quite uncertain when
the Senate will adjourn, they
will remain here some time
if they stay to act upon
two or three treaties which
they are considering– Gov
Cass seems pleased with
being Prime Minister I will

enclose a list of the cabinet as
they are confirmed by the
Senate– Mr Sumner sailed
in the Fulton for Paris last
Saturday – he was here a
week previous– I went twice
to see him – he dined with
us – looks much as he did
formerly in the face – rises
with great difficulty and
cannot walk erect– Most
persons think he is incurably
disabled– He is sanguine in the
expectation of great benefits
or perfect restoration from
his voyage and travels–
March 15 ^th – I commenced
this letter a week ago– Since
then we hear that Aunty
was quite ill – fever & sore throat
the Dr called it scarlet fever–
I have been troubled about her
until last night – a letter
from Aunt Clara says she is
better. Miss Bennet has gone
and Anna OBrien is there

e

e

William H. Seward
Lieut. A.H. Seward
Assist– Coast Survey
Key West
Florida
WASHINGTON FREE
MAR 16 1857