Auburn May 21^st 1848
My dear Augustus,
I have not before allowed a whole month
to elapse without writing — I have let day after day pass
along hoping to get some definitive information in regard
to the treaty but no such information comes — We
read all manner of speculations — some in favour
and some against the ratification — One thing I
suppose is rendered certain by this delay that the
Army cannot be withdrawn from Mexico until
next Fall — God grant that it may not
occasion the sacrifice of many lives — It is just
one month since I received a paper from you
at Tacubaya – I am every day looking for a letter
if you retain your health I must endeavour
to be content – The last month has been [ buisily ]
employed with the usual Spring occupations – 
Gardening – house cleaning &c — Fred and Clarence
have both returned to College – Clarence for the
last time – He will then be with us for four
years – how thankful I should have been could
I have kept you so long at home — but should
you leave the Army which I pray you may I
suppose I can hardly hope to keep you at home –
Mine is the common fate of mothers who are usually
obliged to part with their children at an age

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How many things I wish to say to you that I may not write
All join in love to you – May God bless you and keep you
in the path of duty – Your affectionate
Mother —

much too early for their own comfort – it seems hard
but like all events which appear to be under the
direction of a supreme power, should be submitted
to without repining – I hope as long as I live to be en-
abled in some way to be useful to my children –
Soon after Fred left us, your father Aunt Clara and
I went to Romulus – Aunt Clara had heard that
Aunt Schooley had been injured by a fall and was
anxious to see her – We went Saturday and returned
the afternoon of the next day that being as long time
as your father could be absent – Aunt Schooley was
much more comfortable than she had been — slowly
recovering — but unable to walk – We had a pleasant
visit – Many enquires were made about you
I promised to send over a copy of some of your letters
which were in great demand — Catherine Miller
returned with us – She amuses Grandpa by
reading and sits with him constantly when he
is in the house – he will I fear be very lonely when
she leaves — She expects to be married to Mr
Huson some time this Fall — when she will go
with him to Rochester – Her sister Clara will make
us a visit when Catherine goes home – Clara is very
pretty but less intelligent and self sacrificing than Catherine
Aunt Clara has been much troubled with her eyes
since our visit – she thinks it the effect of a cold
they are somewhat inflamed and very weak –
She is very well otherwise – Mrs Perry and Alice

are to join Mr Perry in New York next week — this will
be a relief to Aunt Clara which she needs — Mr Mc-
Lallen has purchased a shop for his own use just above
the Methodist Church — he rents part of the building
so advantageously that he thinks he will soon be able to
pay for it — I think he is doing very well in his
business — I was surprised the other day to hear
that Walter Cary was married to a Miss Love of
Buffalo – They are now on a wedding tour –
I wish very much to see Aunty Cary – indeed I had
intended going there this Spring – but for the present am
prevented – Mrs Dr. Doane is th to spend two
or three weeks with me next month – I am hurrying
to get my house in order before she comes –
We had a very agreeable visit from Col Todd
former Minister to Russia – His account of the
manners and customs of the Russians was very
entertaining — he was there about 5 years —
appointed by Gen. Harrison — The Democratic
Convention for the nomination of President and Vice
President a is now sitting at Telegraphic news
of course are in great demand – The Whig convention
for the same purpose convenes at Baltimore in about
2 weeks– It is impossible now to tell who will be
nominated for either office – Public opinion is so
fluctuating that the chosen candidate of to one day
is abjured the day that follows — Writing letters
seems to be the rock upon which all are wrecked

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I have just heard that William Muir

x

William Muir

Birth: 1824-09-16 Death: 1900-05-02

has injured his
collar bone, wrestling – have no particulars –

I hope they will fix upon a good man and that we
may not have "war any more" — There is a little
book recently published containing John Quincy Adams
letters to his son on The Bible – I wish I could send
it to you – Many of the letters have been published in
the Newspapers — Do not neglect your Bible or your
prayers – They will not fail you when the hour of
trail comes, as come it must to all —
I hear every week from Aunty – she was not very well
the last time she wrote – Frances is much engaged
with her garden – I hope to see one or both of them
here next month – I wish you could be with
us one year to see the progressive stages of beauty
in our garden – the tulips and lilacs are now
in bloom and very abundant – for a month
or six weeks we shall have a succession of flowers
This year we have a prospect of a greater variety
of fruit than we have ever had before – Grandpa
has recovered from a bad cold which has made him
very unwell for a month past — Fanny and her
father were both ill last night in consequence of
eating a very small [ quanty ] of pine Apple — I am told
they are considered very unwholesome in tropical climates
you will be cautious — Willie is much better than he
was during the Winter – he spends most of his time
in the open air – is member of a fire company
with a small engine which occupies much of his
time – Gen Scott refuses to receive any public demon-
stration of respect on his way home – as you may have seen

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by the papers — I still, hope for a ratification of the treaty
perhaps without much foundation —