eMay 18^th – 1838
My dearest Henry,
I have two letters from you announcing
your arrival in Orange County – I am very sorry
that your visit was at so unpropitious a season I
am afraid your mother will not find it very
convenient to entertain all your friends at this
time – but she is too patient to complain – you should
have written and enquired the state of affairs before
you went – Marcia says you and Jennings are incorrigible
on this subject so I will not preach any more
consideration – we were differently educated and a
woman has a thousand glimpses behind the scenes
which men do not, and perhaps would not appreci-
ate if they did– We are at present in the
midst of the delights of house cleaning – Pa says
if your fathers house was in any worse condition
than ours it must be very hard indeed – he seems
to fancy that men ought never to be troubled with
even the sight of these things – I believe really thinks
the process of cleaning is particularly agreeable
to women and got up for the express purpose of
annoying those who take no part in it – He
knows little of the thousand vexations and perplexities
it occasions us – here I have been waiting all day
for Miller to come and whitewash the south room
which on Pa's account I was particularly desirous
should be finished immediately – the hall is full
of displaced furniture and every thing at a stand – In the
midst of all the hurly burly yesterday morning

while I was flourishing about with my sleeves
turned up check apron &c Mr Devereux prevailed
himself at the front door – he looked so goodnatured
that one could not feel vexed so I recieved him
very cordially – he is on his way to Cattaragus – he
complemented me on my improved looks said he
thought I had taken a new lease of my life – I do
hope you will come home while I am as well as
I am now – I have tormented you so much with headaches
and long faces that I would be glad to make some amends
I think we may expect a conflagration here soon it
will be a pity to have the whole town consumed – Christina
Beach is married to Isham – They improved the oppor-
tunity while Beach was in New York – they were
married at Mrs Waters (I believe) a sister of Ishams at
12 oclock at night – is not this romance
for you – have you no one knows whether it is so profound
a secret that McClallen cannot get a clue to it – Smith
from the Seminary tied the knot – Pa says all the
Presbyterians gave their assistance – Sanford told me this
morning that Beach had just returned and was making a
great noise about town – Well, as John Hardenbergh used to
say "they will be sorry when they get sober" – Isham does not seem
to be very highly esteemed– Mr Leonards nephew
Frank Griswold was married Teusday to Mr Lansings second
daughter – I am very much grieved to hear of
the heavy calamity which has fallen upon poor Cousin Frans
I will try to write in a day or two – if you receive this
in Orange county make my affectionate remembrance to all –
your dear Mother especially – We have set out the
Dahlias according to the directions in the book from Buels
there was but one delayed root among them– my Hyacinths
have at last made there appearance and thereby exculpated Peter
all well– your own as ever Frances –

William H. Seward
Care of the American Life &
Trust Company– New York–
AUBURN N.Y.
MAY 19
hFrances A. Seward
May 16, 1838.