Washington Feb 8^th
My dear Sarah,
I know you will not think it
an evidence of forgetfulness that I have
so long failed to answer the pleasant
letter I had from you before leaving
Auburn – We felt very much alone after
you left us – I employed myself in
trying to amuse my little girl who
missed you exceedingly – Much sooner
than I anticipated our summons came to
go to Washington – Mr Mellen wrote me
they would be there the 26^t – in order
to be there to meet them I found it necessary
to go as early as the 18^th – My sister could
not be persuaded to stay – She came home
Saturday night – me leaving the next Tuesday
morning – You will readily imagine how
much we were obliged to leave unsaid –
Fanny was sick in bed when her Aunty
came home with sore throat – & scarcely
able to sit up Monday – however the Dr
said the journey would not harm her
as the event proved –

[left Margin] Fanny sends love with the enquiry
"did you get my letter"

[top Margin] Mr Sumner

x

Charles Sumner

Birth: 1811-01-06 Death: 1874-03-11

came back, for a few days only, last
Thursday – He is stronger than he was last Spring
and thinks near recovery – I hope it may be so
there seems to me much cause yet for apprehension –

William came home to escort us on
our journey which we accomplished in
four days – saw Frederick & Anna &
Caroline in Albany – who were all well -
Clarence was there too – I saw his wife
in New York but as I did not go to their
house I did not see the children.
Fanny attempted to find Mrs Watrous but a
mistake about the number prevented –
We found Mr Seward at the depot – pretty
well – a little more care worn than at
Auburn – Catherine had the house in excellent
order – We find John a much more
useful & reliable waiter than Henry – Louisa
and Lewis continue in their respective
apartments for the present –
Mr Seward wrote again for Anna soon
after I came down finding it impossible
to manage the matter of intercourse with
serenity here without the entire devotion
of one woman at least to that occupation –
I had been obliged to spend much more
time than I could well spare in merely
attempting to leave Mr Sewards card
in return for the hundreds which accu-
mulate here every ten days Of course
I make no attempt to at intercourse with
general society – We had a very

pleasant visit of a week from our
good friends Mr & Mrs Mellen – they
were greatly disappointed when they found
Mrs Worden had gone – It is a long time
since I have enjoyed so many evenings
of conversation outside of our own family –
conversation that was not only agreeable
but strengthening – I felt that it was
not too dear a price to obtain it at the
cost of some sleepless nights, which
is my usual penalty, you know –
The ball given by Lord & Lady Napier came
off the Monday succeeding our arrival. It
was in honor of the marriage of the Princess
Royal – a brilliant affair – Mr Seward
was there but I could not induce Will
to remain – he left for Albany the day
after we reached here – I spent a quiet
evening with Lady Napier very pleasantly
last week – She is not well – Their receptions
and evening entertainment, together with con-
tinual dinners make a large draft upon
one who has never strong health – I fear
she will not endure through the Winter
without serious illness – Her eldest son
a boy of 11 is very pretty and winning
in manner – he is the only one of her

4 boys that I have seen –
Fanny has been to see Miss Howland &
the Aquarium etc etc – all of which
I will leave for her more graphic pen – She has commenced no lessons yet except
an hour of History with me each morning –
I am thankful to be again strong enough
to resume in part the responsibility from
which you so kindly & satisfactorily relieved
me for a year – I know of no one else
to whom I would have delegated so precious
a charge – I am quite sure no other
could have performed the part more
conscientiously or more beneficially to my
child than you have done – You may
feel assured that both Mother & daughter
will always hold you in grateful
remembrance –
Frederick's wife came Saturday – is well
and enters upon her duties cheerfully
though she left her husband with some
reluctance – Mrs Schoolcraft comes
some time this week for a visit –
Mr Andrews is still with us – & Mr Wharton
at present – he came with Anna – I trust
you will remember us all – May the
blessing of our Father be always with &
around you – F.A. Seward –

[right Margin] I hear frequently from my sister
who is well at present
& with our Aunt

x

Clarinda McClallen

Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05

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