New York Friday evening
My dearest Frances,
I can scarcely tell you how I have spent the time since
writing my former letter. I have been much with Weed and of course the
time thus consumed was agreeably occupied. I have met a great many
other persons all of whom have exhibited towards me a measure of hospital–
ity as well as respect and esteem which might well enough make me
as vain as you know I once was and for aught I know all the world
yet continue to suppose me. But there was a difficulty at Albany
that made me anxious to escape from it. In the uncertainty which
hangs over the great political question of the Whigs they all looked to
me as being able in some way to bring order out of confusion. This has
been impracticable. And in the result speculations concerning myself
have been pressed upon me in such a manner that I could not encour-
age nor yet, regarding the sources of them, resist. It has been ascertained that
at the moment when J. B. was first notified by the opposition that he would be wanted
as a candidate he was writing in direct hostility to their views and principles
in the Argus. The inconsistency between opinions then promulgated & those he
must now express is so glaring that he cannot be presented as a candi-
date. There is a wide and deep settled opposition to Vplk. In this state of
things I was expected to prove either that your particular friend would or could
not be the right candidate and this was forced upon me by the conver-
sation of Judge Woodworth Judge Spencer John Townsend & such men.
I left Albany to avoid it and here I came last evening. The difficulty is
about the same here perhaps worse. The idea is in the minds of many
those who like to cherish it and they are many obtrude it, those who do
not because they have wiser judgments or other partialities will doubt-
less hold me responsible for it.
The Court meet at 12 to day. An effort will be made to adjourn
on account of the cholera. But the cholera has to all interests disap-
peared only 12 new cases and six deaths were reported yesterday and
the board of Health considering the disease as no longer entitled to
notice have been adjourned until Monday.
Tracy & Aunty have been to Connecticut. I do not know whether they

have returned to the city. Jennings & Marcia have just returned from Massa-
chusetts and are to leave town again as I understand on Monday
I have not yet seen them. I passed them last night on their way
to their house when I was on my return from my unsuccessful
visit there. I presume I shall see them this evening.
Weed is to be here this morning. I have just seen Rathbone who
is going to the East to see his wife. She has not yet been seen in
Albany. Richard R. Ward has called upon me to have me
take up my residence at his house and “will not take no
for an answer. You remember him – he owns the property at
Little Falls. Moreover he wants you to let him take one of your
boys and adopt him. I suppose he must wait until the boy
is larger. I think it most probable the Court will adjourn
without transacting any business. I shall keep this letter until
after-noon and will then be able to tell you something more
definite about the matter.
Sunday morning. 5 o’clock
My dear Frances, Having been prevented by
company at dinner from closing this letter yesterday I have risen early
to send it by this mornings boat. The court of errors met yesterday
present 2h. The report of the Board of Health was that there were
only 12 cases and 6 deaths and that the pestilence was now so
nearly gone that there was no necessity for continuing the daily
meetings of the Board. The Court of Errors 20 to 5 resolved to hold
the term here. But I think it will be a short one.
I am staying at Bunker’s in Broadway. Jennings & Marcia
are in town for two days only. Tracy is here at Henry Dana
Wards and looking very well. W. Kent spent the day with me
yesterday and I spent the evening with Jennings & Marcia

I hope to get into a more systematic way of correspon-
dence. At present you must receive this miserable
scratch not doubting that I love you above every other
thing in the world. Make my love to all the family
Your affectionate Henry
Remember me to Lazette when you write.

Mrs. William H Seward
Auburn
STEAM
BOAT
ALBANY
AUG
24
hHenry August
1834