Goshen, July 19^th
My Dear Henry, Only think it is three whole days since I have written
to you the good people here are so wonderful agreeable that I have had no time
time to write. Since I came in here I made ready my pen ink and
paper Frances has told me a love story half an hour long. She
is a singular girl. has more enthusiasm than any one I ever knew
I shall have a great many questions to ask you when you come
you must not think me very impatient if I ask for the first
time when you think you will be with us. your Pa says the 15^th
of August but I do not know how that can be the court at
Utica is on the first Monday you certainly will not remain
there two weeks but — let me try and remember where I left
my journal Thursday morning. it rained almost all day. John
Evans was prevented going to Florida so I did not get any letters
and we could not visit the springs. George's horse ran away
in the night and went home to Florida. In the evening Frances
and I went up to the bank. Cousin Harry was not at home. His wife
was not well and appeared rather inclined to have the hypo.
When we came home found that Polydore had called they intimated that
he was not exactly sober. I enquired about his general conduct they
said they had heard nothing about him recently but– he cannot ever
resist them temptation of joining merry company. it is a happy cir-
cumstance that he does not reside in a village like this. On Friday
we went to Dr Sewards. he has not returned home yet a circum-
stance that does not appear to please cousin Julia very much.
On our way we called at the office to see if my letters had not
been sent there from Florida. Old Mr Elliot appeared so stupid
that I ceased to wonder that so many mistakes had been made
at this office he did not go in to see but talked with Mrs Tuthill
while cousin Mary rummaged over all the letters did not find any.
Yesterday morning George Greir, Frances, myself and the two babies
went to the Springs. we had a delightful ride remained there about

an hour. Augustus and Tommy Thorn eat peanuts and sugar plumbs
while Frances and myself went to take a walk. We came home about
dinner time in getting out of the waggon my dress caught and I
fell without receiving any injury had the satisfaction of tearing my
dress in a number of places. In the afternoon George came and
brought me two letters one from you and one from Mrs Gordon.
as usual Mrs Gordon came to Utica for the purpose of meeting
me the day after I left. I do hope it will be convenient for
me to go there when I come home this is the third disappointment
of the kind I have occasioned her. I know she has many failings
but as loving me happens to be one of her weaknesses I am disposed
to feel very charitable. George said his horse was getting well and
he did not think the hurt would have any permanent effect.
Augustus was very glad to see Uncle George climbed into his lap
and enquired immediately about his horse. George went to the
Office and brought up the Florida mail as the letter I received
was dated the 8^th I was quite sure I must have another by this
time but after opening all the packets I and finding none I conclu–
ded to remain satisfied with the one I had received. there was a
letter in the mail from you to your Pa and I could not divine
why I did not get one at the same time. I was a little afraid
that it might contain some unpleasant intelligence but I think had that
been the case some one would have been out to day. George returned
after tea. This day being Sunday we all went to Church in the mor–
ning. Frances and I remained at home this afternoon. I began to write but
Frances talked to me until tea time. this evening we have been taking
a walk. I told George when he was here that I would remain another
week. the people at home are very much engaged the wood house is not
completed and n on Monday they commence harvesting again. Monday
^morning^
My dearest why do you ask me if I will not be glad to see you if you
come alone you know I will. I should be very glad to have Grandma
accompany you but have very little expectation that she will I am
afraid this warm weather will discourage her. I am trying to persuade
Frances to go home with me but do not as yet meet with much

encouragement. her Uncle Horace says he will come down after her. Dr
Evans has been sick most of the time since I have been here with the
remitting fever he has the vapours constantly the longest face I ever saw
he is not confined to his bed and has the same disinclination to take
any kind of medicine that men usually have. I love Cousin Mary
Evans very much she is so gentle and affectionate. Frank intimated
that you was in love with her once is it [ so ] you must have been
very young as she has been married sixteen years. Anna Maria
was at Church with Mrs Wickham yesterday. the Hoffmans and Hones
are here and make a great display riding about. we were entertained
at Cousin Julia's the other day principally by the passing and repassing
of their carriages. I am very glad Lazette went with you to Ludlowville she
never has an opportunity of going any where with Worden and did she I think it
would be very little gratification. you know how much I love my sister but
you do not know how much his kindness to her endears to me my own brother.
Frances says she is going to write a postscript so I must write a little closer
or I sh[ all ] [ leav ] e her no room. Augustus has had the nose bleed th[ ree ]
times since we came here making in the whole five times since I left ho[ me ]
I should be very much alarmed but the Dr says it is by no means an
uncommon occurrence for children he is otherwise very well says he
intends when his Pa comes to show him his little red coat. I am confident
that I shall have a letter at Florida to day but it will be a long time
coming here I fear I am almost sorry I did not tell you the last
time I wrote to direct one or two letters here but it is too late now
I did not think of remaining so long when I came. We have not been
up on slate hill yet but intend going to day how often I wish you was here
to accompany us in our rides and walks. We have heard that Cornelia
is at general Dickinson's I will not undertake to spell the name of the
place where he resides for I cannot pronounce it. your own, Frances.
hMy Dear Cousin Henry we have enjoyed the pleasure of your good Frances's
society for the last few days, and nothing could afford me more satisfaction than
has the opportunity of being acquainted with her, for I have always loved her for
your sake more than her own, because I was ignorant of her merits, which on trialin time
I find exceed any most sanguine expectations, & it is so favourable recalls the days of
Auld Lang Syne. She is the counterpart of yourself strangely refined, and I regret
exceedingly that Goshen is such a dull place, that there is nothing to amuse, or interest
her, though she manifests no discontent, and I have her been so far on my good–
behaviour that she has renewed your invitation to visit Auburn, which would
be to me an inexpressable pleasure, but I dare not hope for the gratifycation of
it. there is not one person in this place whose history should I give it you, that you
would feel the least interest in. every one plods on, complaining of hard times.
I really think the place and people are going back evry year, and I go on thinking on that
falacy of human perfection for I have not only seen a star but the Sun fall, which has cast
a gloom on my hemisphere — Mama & Aunty Love you always — in haste your Cousin Frank

William H. Seward Esq.
Auburn
Cayuga County

June