Auburn April 21 ^st
My dear Augustus,
I was glad to receive your
letter and to know that you were well.
I think winter is over but we have cold
weather yet and frost every night. I have
worked a good deal in my dooryard
but was obliged to wear overshoes and
a a warm sack to be comfortable–
Frances and Frank came Thursday
night – She has gone to day to Can-
andaigua leaving Frank with me
– She is to return tomorrow and be
with me through next week – When
they go up to the Lake for the summer
Frank is out in the door yard with
a whole array of boys – playing ball

Jenny returned from N York on Friday
in consequence of hearing that Willie had
broken his arm – he was sitting in a
chair on the sofa in the nursery when
he fell to the floor – it is not a bad
fracture & the Dr – says it will knit
together readily – Yesterday they took
him out to drive once he seemed
better – Will has a splendid new
carriage which they all appear
to enjoy very much – There seems to
be a strife among the young men
here as to who will have the most
dashing establishment – I think there
are a few yet ahead of Will in
this matter – He and Jenny and the
children are going on journey in their
own carriage – they are to leave here the
15 ^th of May—first to N. York and then
wherever they find pleasant roads —

Since I commenced writing another snow
storm has set in which threatens to last the
whole day – The birds are very unhappy
about it flying in every direction to avoid
it – I had a letter from Anna yesterday –
She says all are well though Father &
Fred are as busy as they were in war
times – She says Sargeant Bates arrived
with the flag from Vicksburg – on Tuesday
of last week – and was escorted up the
Avenue to the President's and down a-
gain to the Capitol which he was not
allowed to enter – So the flag was not
raised on the Dome – according to pro-
gramme – I have seen no account of it –
Which must be an oversight of mine
as I’ve no doubt it has been published
Anna says Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs. Lin-
coln’s colored dress-maker has publish-
ed a book entitled “Behind the Scenes”
I should like to see it – Anna says she
has sent for it – They are figuring to send
things from Washington here – the Turkey
carpet came yesterday—I think Father is

fully persuaded that the impeachment
will be sustained – I am not yet –
Were you at Dicken’s last reading in
Boston? He left in great glory —
The dinner in N. York was a nice affair
– some very sensible speeches were made
– I saw among other things that a bouquet
of flowers was received from Boston dur-
ing the progress of the dinner – I am
glad the American people did not
make such geese of themselves as they
did on his first visit here – A great
improvement has taken place since
then – Frank sends love – Frances is
still in Canandaigua –
Your affectionate
Aunty

Col. Augustus H. Seward
No. 2 Bullfinch Street
Boston
Mass –
AUBURN, N.Y.
APR 23