Trenton Jany 12' 1841.
Dear Frances,
Had it not been for the fears
of trespassing too much upon your time by laying you
under some sort of obligation to write to me soon again
I would long since have answered your very kind letter
of Decm 6 I thank you for it, & for the heartfelt interest
you always show for me & my children In return I
offer the same for you & yours.
You may have heard that I have the honor to share
the responsibilities of the small minority in the
N Jersey Legislature I came here to find society,
the want of which, made my life wholly intolerable,
I could not think of passing this winter as I have
lived for two years past. When I came from home
I brought my boys to Mays Landing our County-town
& was fortunate enough to find a careful woman
to board & a good teacher to instruct them.
Poor little fellows, they sadly need the care and
counsels of some one who would repay in kindness
to them my regards & kindness to her. Doutless there
are many such, but they are unknown to me & you
will smile when I tell you that old as I am I have
not confidence enough to seek an acquaintance with
any woman whom I would marry. With our dear Cornelia

I do not remember a moment of embarrassment
Most certainly she acted at all times with the
most delicate propriety but I did not feel
then as I do now. The truth is our regards was
from the first mutual & it grew & spoke
& acted for us. Pleasing is the reflection that
it never ceased or lessened.
You are kind enough, Dear Frances to enquire
about all my arrangements I wish I had any to tell
you of but I have none. I am lonely & desolate,
my little family scattered & I am literally without
a home & completely unhappy. In mercy to me if
there is one lady in the world worthy to be your
friend whatever else she may be (too rich only
excepted) command me to her I own I was much
pleased with the manner of Miss B. Perhaps by
this time you know more about her I hope to
make you a visit soon after the close of our
session- possibly before.
Remember me very kindly to Henry & Mrs. Worden
I do not give up the hope of seeing her in better
health. I am glad to tell you that I have had
three copies made of dear Cornelia's portrait
all of them very good. My uncle desired to
have one another I took to Florida & have kept
the third. I think they very much excel the original
picture both as likenesses & as works of art.

When I brought the portrait from your house
I felt that it would be almost impossible
for me ever to part with it again Now
I attach no value to it beyond its being the
picture for which Cornelia sat in person.
The copy which I keep is priceless.
Very affectionately Yours'
M. D. Canfield

Mrs. Frances A. Seward
Albany
N. Y.
TRENTON N. J. 18 JAN
hCanfield M. C
hDr Canfield Jan 19
1841
portrait of
Cornelia