Florida, 2^nd March 1844
My dear Aunt,
I owe you many thanks for you kind
epistle: your time is so much occupied that I am
wont to regard your letters as more than ordinary favors.
It gives me pleasure to hear that Clarence
improves in his behaviour. I have often endeavored to impress
him with a sense of gratitude for favors conferred upon
him, and have pointed out to him especially the obligations
which he is under to his Uncle & yourself; if he profits
by my advice or by his own experience it is matter of
rejoicing to me. There are as many ways in which a boy
of his years can prove annoying to a family that I have
had much anxiety about him ever since he went to Auburn.
I should regret if he made himself offensive or
troublesome to you: but for his own sake I am glad that
he is privileged with your advice and discipline. When
you say that you regard him so long as he may be in your
family, as one if your own children my only fears are
on the scor e of your leniency.
You speaking of a match as being in progress between
Mrs Mary Seward and a Mr Cox of Troy; is it the part &
sum of Dr Cox of Brooklyn. I learned incidentally that the
affair was to have been consummated some two weeks since
but was postponed in consequence of the indisposition of Mrs S.

I hear from her but seldom there being but little matter of
interest to communicate on either side. But I have grown
wary of the flying reports, and the questions to which they lead,
concerning this matter.
We have no news here since the weddings which I
enumerated in my last letter to Clarence. The parties, I
suppose were mostly unknown to you.
The awful news from Washington has just reached us.
Providence seems to frown upon the present administrations, and
is dealing out terrible judgments upon our Nation; is it not
time that we endeavored to ascertain what these things mean?
Grand Ma's health has been miserable for the whole
winter; indeed we are all surprised that she is spared to this
time. Have shortness of breath and bleeding occur frequently, and
she thinks herself likely to drop off at any moment.
Besides this she gets no attention, and as she is situated can-
not avail herself of such assistance as her children and
friends would gladly give . She seems to be really distressed with
the idea that she will drop away at some moment when
no one is near her - and this seems likely to us all.
Grand Pa is much complaining, and is just now
suffering with a cold. He told me a short time since
of his plans for building a seminary, and says that he is
determined to execute it, if he lives - if he is taken away
he will take care to learn the matter so that it must go

on. He has already written to Colonel Post, making him
an offer for the Randolph property, and I understand through
other channels that his offer is pronounced by competent
judges to be sufficient to secure it. He intends to repair
the buildings now on the place and to commence the school
at once.
Your letters says nothing of Willie's eyes - are they still impro-
ving?
Sarah joins me in affectionate remembrance to Uncle
the boys & Clarence.
I remain,
Very respectfully,
Your affectionate Nephew,
Augustus Seward

Mrs W.H. Seward
Auburn,
Cayuga Co,
N.Y.
Florida NY
March 4^th
1844
A. Seward
March
1844