June 24^th 1832
My Dear Cornelia, It is six weeks since I recieved your
last kind letter — I was then sick in bed from the effects
of a severe cold taken on the canal boats when we were
returning from Albany – Since that time Lazette and little
Frances have both had the measels — Lazette was very
ill with them and is not yet entirely recovered – I have
been with her all the time I could spare from my own
family — Henry left home for Albany last Teusday morning
to attend the Extra session of the Legislature — Frances
Tuthill accompanied him — George Grier is to meet her
there — I do not know that I ever felt more unhappy about
Henry’s leaving home than at this time — The news of the
arrival of that horrible pestilence the Cholera had reached
us but a few days previous and cases were reported at Fort
Miller only 30 miles from Albany — I have recieved one
letter from Henry and this with the subsequent accounts
have somewhat reassured me. I hope Henry will not be absent
more than 3 weeks — I shall answer some of the enquiries in
your last letter although Henry has done so I suppose
before this time — I do indeed think your mother one
of the best of women — I perceive by your last letter to
Henry that you are aware of the delicate state of her health
she was ill when we left Florida but it was her particular
request often repeated that I should not make you unhappy
by alluding to it in my letter which I did not do at that
time — Henry recieved a letter from your Father a few days before

he left home in which he says — “neither Ma’s health nor my own have been
equal to the task of travelling to Auburn since you left us — The weather
has been unusually cold wet, dreary and unpleasant to a delicate state
of health — Washington has again spent some time in New Jersey when
my presence on the farming business became necessary — These obstacles
together with the constant want of health strength and spirits, compel
us to abandon the much desired object of seeing our friends at
Auburn and the Utica convention — The idea of meeting you at
Union College strikes me at present very favourably especially if
Frances will come with you and accompany us to Auburn — But
even this pleasure may be more obscured as the time draws nigher” —
Henry is to deliver an address at Schenectady the evening
before commencement — but you see how very uncertain it is about
his parents meeting him there — We had hoped to see them here before
this time – You enquire has your Father connected himself with the
Episcopal Church — I did not hear any thing said on the subject
while I was there — Your Ma said that it was the intention
of herself and Washington to join the Church some time this
Spring — she said nothing of your Father having any intention
of the kind — I should judge from all the arrangements &
from Washingtons conversation that it was his intention to remain
at home — I heard no other plan spoken of — but made no enqui-
ries — You know my dear Cornelia how very sensitive I always
am about being thought inquisitive or officious — I think sometimes
this disposition of mine may lead my friends to suppose I
do not interest myself about their welfare as much as I ought
but I cannot overcome it — my confidence if given at all is
given spontaneously — this may account for in a measure for the
singularity —

Henry has recieved one letter from Jennings on business — he makes [ no ]
mention of his family or of his return home –
How much I wish Cornelia that you could live somewh[ ere ]
near where we could meet as often at least as once or twi[ ce ]
a year — Notwithstanding you and Henry were so sangu[ i ] ne in
your anticipations about your coming here to reside I coul[ d ]
not even then flatter myself into the belief that you wo[ uld ]
actually come — I doubted the Dr’s willingness to give up
a certainty for an uncertainty — I hope it will not be ever
thus — you do not know how much I would like to vis[ it ]
you and see you all at home — I regret to hear you say
that you have weak eyes — I injured my eyes by reading
after the birth of Frederick and they are now more trou-
blesome than they were a year ago – I am unable to read or
sew at all in the evening without pain —
I have not yet recieved the little box you mentioned
Henry said he would send for it as soon as he got to Albany —
My little boys are botth both in good health — have been quite
well since they recovered from the effects of the measels —
The rest of the family are all well — nothing is talked of or thought
of here but the Cholera I never saw so general an excitement
you do not yet anticipate its approach in your part of the
country — Mr Tracy went on to Albany the day after
Henry left — he was disappointed in finding Henry gone — He
continues and looks much improved in health — his and Henry’s
friendship has not yet lost any thing in fervour — to me he realizes
some of the imaginings I have often have of the love I should feel for
a brother — Please remember me to the Dr and kiss the little ones —
your affectionate sister
Frances —

Mahlon D. Canfield
Post Master —
Bargaintown —
Gloucester County N. Jersey —
AUBURN N.Y.
JUN 27
FREE
h Mrs. F Seward
June 24 1832