My dearest Sister, Our dear boy Gusy has been very sick for
two days past with inflammation of the lungs. Clara must not
be alarmed – I ^have^ concluded to write giving you a true account
fearing you night hear some report which should exaggerate
the disease and occasion unnecessary pain – He was attacked
last Friday night with violent pain in his breast on the
right side but with his usual patience bore it until
morning without complaint when I found him with a
flushed face, quite hard pulse, hot skin and the
usual accompaniments of fever – I immediately removed him
to my room and sent Nicholas for Dr Williams, who
administered a portion of calomel, prescribed an ^application of^ mustard, to
be applied to the breast — the calomel was to be followed by
salts and sedative powders which were twice administered
before an operation was affected – His ^bad^ symptoms were in
no degree lessoned when the Dr called in the evening but as
the efficacy of the medicine had not been tested bleeding
was deferred until morning. I watched with him last
night which he passed very uncomfortably not sleeping half
an hour, his medicine operating freely – he continued
feverish and this morning seemed so much worse that I
began to be alarmed about him – as the pain continued the
Dr cupped him on the shoulder taking about a gill of
blood – since then he has breathed more freely & coughed
less – but is still restless and exceedingly thirsty – he is so patient
that it is pleasant to take care of him – takes all medicine
without any remonstrance – I have not left his room except
to take my meals since yesterday morning –— Upon the

whole he is no worse than he was at this time last night which
considering the violence of the attack is a[ s ] much as we could
reasonably expect — I shall not col close this letter until
tomorrow morning when I hope to give more favorable intelligence
Friday morning Henry proposed to me to go to Pittsfield, Springfield
or some place out of the state that he might have a respite
of two or three days which tomorrow being the 22^d and the
Legislature not meeting he thought would be admissible – I
declined as traveling in the winter invariably makes me
sick, so he made up a party of 3 or 4 gentlemen beside
Sam and our two boys who were to take an extra stage
go on to Springfield and thence by rail road to Boston
The matter was arranged without due consideration and finally
was given up – but I had put up all their clothes, their
stage was engaged, relays of horses ordered &c — They were
to leave here at 9 oclock in the evening a time which was
not at all agreeable to me — Finally, Weed who was to be one of the
party came round and had a long consolation with Henry wherein
they came to the conclusion that it would not be proper for the
Governor of this empire state to make an excursion for pleasure
during the session of the Legislature (I thought it somewhat
singular all the time) so the excursion was abandoned about
an hour before the time fixed for departure — I was heartily
glad my boys were not to travel all night though they
both wanted to go – I was sorry Henry could not have
the relaxation which he so much requires – The same
night Augustus was taken sick – how providential it was
that he was not on the road to Springfield – That afternoon
also Mrs Lyman and Miss Spencer were making me a sociable
visit which I had requested them to do principally because Sam
seemed it to wish it –Mrs Lyman is a good warm hearted
woman, without pretension – Miss Spencer a pretty, lively, shrewd

little girl without any extraordinary depth of either understanding
or feeling — Mary ann talked to them and for them – Sam
read the newspapers with uncommon diligence – brought them
here in our sleigh and took them home not returning himself
again until 2 oclock – which is his present custom — Pa
usually sits up and admits him also Mary ann who has
seldom returned from any of her visits until I have been in
bed some hours — Mary ann went home yesterday afternoon after
waiting some days in vain for her cousin Miss Mary – She
returned with Henry who went to Troy accompanied by
Worden and General Hubbell – I presume Augustus illness hastend
Mary’s departure – I should miss her very much I presume if
I were about the house as usual – I have been so much of the
time employed taking care of the sick since she came
that I have not been able to go about with her as much as
was desirable — There are parties Monday and Tuesday evenings
which I suppose she would have been pleased to attend but
there was no prospect of my going with her – I believe she
is a good hearted girl and am sure she is a conscientious one —
Pa went yesterday afternoon to Niskauna with a young Shaker
whom Fred Wicker sent for him – he is to pass the Sunday there
returns tomorrow — The young Shaker was Chauncey Miller (brother
of Jane Yates) who has been with the society 14 years – I was much
pleased with him, he dined with us yesterday – though diffident
he appeared much more intelligent and less forward that any
I have seen – It is now nearly 10 oclock the Dr has been
here and says Augustus is doing well – I hope he will sleep
to night — Monday morning – Augustus slept sweetly
last night – his skin was moist – he is this morning apparently
free from fever – his cough has subsided and he is in a
fair way to recover – for which God be praised – my heart
is lightened of a heavy load – Tell dear Clara that I am taking
all possible care of her boy and should he have a relapse will
not fail to write immediately – I have not seen Worden since last

Tuesday he then thought he should go soon to Auburn – Sam has since
told me that he was trying to find rooms for you – I am surprised
at this and think if I could see him I could satisfy him
of the impropriety of so doing – When you come I expect you
all here of course — Pa told Mr Yates (who was here the other day
that he should go home soon – he has stayed about as long
as usual – I do not think you had better wait for him Pa
to return but come back with Worden when he returns
I will make you as comfortable as I can and think you will be more
so here than you would at a boarding house to say nothing
of ^our^ having each other in the same house – I think Worden will not
go without coming here – I will write again by him – Love to Clara and
Frances — I shall not tell you what I think about the

[left Margin]
W. Hautvile

x

Paul Gonslave Grand D'Hauteville

case – there are so many various opinions that I would like
to know whether you and I draw the same conclusion – so you
must read it all through – your own sister – We expect
Jennings

x

Benjamin Seward

Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24

and Mary

x

Mary Seward

Birth: 1815 Death: 1879-08-29

this week – they were to be at Florida

x

Florida, NY

Sunday —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn
ALBANY
FEB
22
N.Y.

x

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