Sunday Dec 10^th 1843
My dear Augustus,
Our long winter is at last fairly
commenced and now the 10^th of Dec we have
had winter weather nearly six weeks – I presume
the river is closed at Albany though the
Utica came up through the ice Thursday
night – Your letter came to me Friday
which was about the usual time – Your
father went to Albany more than a week
ago – intending to go to Florida and New
York before he returned – the last time I heard
from him (Tuesday) he was still at Albany –
Mr Weed arrived in the 'Ashbuston' last
Friday ^Wednesday^ after a voyage of 27 or 28 days – I
suppose his family are much rejoiced they
had become quite anxious for his safety –
he had not reached Albany Friday evening –
Your father expected to return home this week

I think it doubtful whether he comes so soon –
Clarence has been with us a week – he came the
day after your father left – He is impatient to
know what his Uncle proposes to have him do –
his own choice is to go into a store – he
says he is very tired of study and does not
care about going to College – I presume your
father will think it best for him to continue
at school – He came from Florida by the way
of New York – was a week on the way
two days at Mr Weed's – I am very sorry to
see that Clarence though only 15 fancies he is about
21 a sad mistake for a boy to make – I
am afraid he found some associates at Florida
whose example has been injurious to him – his
manners bear a strong resemblance to Mr S. Blatch-
ford's — The snow is about 14 inches deep
here – Fred is regretting that he has no hill
to ride down – Clarence is getting too old for
that amusement – Yesterday Fred drove Willie
to Aunt Clara's on his hand sleigh – Willie was

very much pleased – he says I must write
a little letter to you for him and tell you that
his eyes are not well yet – that he has 2 dozen
raisins every Sunday and nuts every Sunday
night – his health continues good – his eyes
are not so bad as they were last Winter though
he cannot bear the light as well as he could
a month ago — I do not see Aunt Clara more
oftener than once a week – I wish she was living nearer –
Since Mrs Compston left George Woods house he has
been trying to get Mr McClallen to go there – Aunt
Clara was rather inclined to go but I am very glad
Mr McClallen did not think it best – I believe they
have no one there now to keep the house – many
of the boarders have left – Mrs Dill has gone to
Michigan – Mrs Perry is keeping house –
The report from the Engineer department gives you 3 demerits
for October making 23 in all – You have passed
through the first 5 months are the duties any easier?
All send love – your affectionate Mother
F.A. Seward

[left Margin]
Fred has written to George Hills

x

George Hills

Birth: 1825-10-10 Death: 1890-10-15

to come and spend vacation with him.

Augustus H. Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point —
AUBURN
DEC 10
N.Y.