Auburn Jan 7^th Saturday
My dearest Henry, It grieves me that I am obliged
to increase the anxiety of a mind already so
overburdened as yours but I think it better to apprise
you of the situation of our little girl now as
I may have yet more afflicting intelligence to com-
municate. Wednesday she seemed slightly indisposed
about ten in the evening she had a turn of vomiting
and was restless through the night. Thursday she
continued to manifest symptoms of indisposition and
I noticed a slight eruption about her throat
without however thinking it of any importance or
any way connected with her previous sickness, she
was very unquiet through the night and the
next morning (Friday) I sent for Mrs Dean to see
if she could tell me what was the matter
the eruption had by this time somewhat increased
but still without exciting the least alarm.
The moment Mrs Dean saw her she said she had
either the Chicken or Smallpox, that it was not
possible to determine which at that time but advised
me to call a physician as she could remain
but a few moments and could not expose
Mrs Hills infant by coming again. I sent for
Humphreys who only confirmed what Mrs Dean had
said–and left me with a few simple directions
saying he should to day be able to determine the
character of her disease. He gave me little encourage-
ment to hope it was not the Smallpox.

I need not tell you what I have suffered during
the two last days. This morning the Dr came
again–says he has little doubt that it is the
genuine smallpox but he wishes me not to send
this letter until after his visit tomorrow. The little
sufferer is now covered with the eruption and seems
very, very sick–though the Dr says her symptoms
are not unfavourable. I intended last week to
have sent for the Dr to vaccinate my precious one
but the weather was so severely ^cold^ so and she in no
way exposed to the contagion that I deferred it–the
Dr says had I sent he should have advised my waiting
until the weather moderated as he thought her quite
safe. We can in no way account for the commu-
nication of the disease–I think I wrote you that
there was a case of it in the old office the whole
family now are sick with it and we have heard
of some other cases. I hardly know what to ask
you to do–I know how necessary your presence
is at Westfield and yet should all my fears
be realized how much I shall require your
support. I believe I will ask the Dr to write to you
to morrow he can write with more composure and
will enable you better to judge of the necessity of
the case. I need not assure you that whatever your
decision may be I shall not doubt your affection.
Saturday night– Circumstances which have come to my
knowledge have determined me to send this letter immediately
I do not know but Humphreys will write tomorrow but
his letter is entitled to no credit–he has deceived me cruelly
about going to see that case of smallpox at the office & I
can no longer persuade myself that he has not brought
this dreadful disease to my child– & this is the man to whom
I am obliged to entrust her precious life. Pa wishes me to dismiss
him immediately. I am almost distracted not knowing what
course to adopt. The Dr has been here this evening and says

it is a plain case of small pox. Do not dearest let this
letter distress you too much. I will write a line every
day until you have time to come or until a letter
can come in answer to this not knowing how you
will conclude to act. Kiss my dear boy for his mother
May the God in whom I trust protect you both. your own
Frances

AUBURN N.Y.
Jan. 8
William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauque County
hF.A Seward
Jan 7, 1837