Auburn, Tuesday, Jan 17th
My dear Sister,
Frances' letter written on Sunday not only informed you
of the afflicting termination of her cares, but must have redeemed me
from the load of censure your impatient solicitude for her and her
infant cast upon me. I am sure I was not unmindful of you
or of the affection you bear us. But you will remember that it was
four o' clock on Friday whenI arrived here- that from that time until
nine on Saturday I was hourly expecting and impatiently hoping to
see the beloved child expire under suffering that seemed to defy
relief and for the last twelve hours was plying with stimulants
the exhausted and sinking frame that had survived the worst but
had not strength to carry it though the seering convalescence-
Frances wisely preferred to write herself to you and did so at the
earliest hour. We have buried our dead "out of our sight." We
were compelled to do it almost alone --such is the excited state of ap-
prehension around us. But this is indifferent to us and in no way
aggravates our grief.
Mr Worden's letter urging precautionary measures against a renewal
of the calamity was received seasonably and I pray him to accept
our united thanks. Whatever precaution could be taken has been.
and thus far this being the thirteenth day) no indications exist that
the horrible disease remains among us. Without a doubt we are all
in danger. When I remember that our child marred polluted and
spoiled as she was, was nevertheless nourished and cherished and
caressed with all the assiduity and disregard of danger the help-
less and suffering condition and the memory of her beauty and promise
were calculated to call forth, I feel that we are all yet in the shadow
of the valley of death. But we think not of there things now-- we

wait the further development of the will of God in regard to us.
And now my dear sister I pray you rely with entire confidence upon
the assurance that Frances is altogether as well and as cheerful
as you could expect her to be after so severe a trial. She exhibits
no indication of disease. Is able to be every where about the
house – and to discharge all the duties proper for her to assume
All the members of the family are in perfect health except
your father who has been some days confined to the house with
a severe cold but is convalescent. The boys are both well and
are playing at this moment with their miniature sleigh on the
snow. Do not imagine any ill. Should we not rely upon the
assurance of God that he does not willingly afflict us? If any
recurrence of the disease appears I will give you immediate
notice. I hope to remain here a fortnight at least to see the
end of the cruel fears that alarm our friends.
I scarcely knew how to pass you when I came through Canan-
daigua –but I was in a state of horrible uncertainty – I met at Water-
loo the same premature report of the death of the infant, that excited
your feelings so much – and I rode home without being undecieved-
But the event followed too soon.
Our child was inclosed in a double coffin–
upon the cover of the inner one is a plate with the inscription "Cornelia
Seward, died January 14^th 1837" and her grave prepared under my own
direction is at the side (leaving space for two others) of that ^of our^ sainted mother
who I doubt not received the young adventure with open arms in the
world of the blessed spirits who have departed this life in peace- Though
deined by the alarmed community the use of pall and hearse all were
abundantly supplied and every decency of the internment was preserved -
Mr McClallen was sole bearer and I rejoiced that it was so — my child passed
from her mothers arms without resting ^in^ the arms of strangers, into the abode which
all of us must soon enter- our best love to Frances — and we hope to hear that

your own precious health will continue to improve
Your affectionate brother
Henry
Mrs Lazette M Worden

Mrs Alvah Worden,
Canadaigua
Auburn N.Y.
Jan 18
h William H. Seward
January 17 —