Auburn Nov 4^th 1849
My dear Son,
Your letter of the 10^th of Novemb Oct
came yesterday – I am perhaps unreasonable in
feeling disappointed that you do not come
home this Winter – I readily perceive the
cogency of the reason you assign that of
not coming North in the Winter – it will
undoubtedly be more safe to come in the
Spring – pray make it as early as possible
I shall come home as early as the middle
of April – cannot you meet me at Washington
before that time – In the mean time do
not determine to remain in the Army until
you have talked with your father and
other friends – I fear I shall be but a
poor correspondent the next 6 weeks –
I am so hurried with preparation for
Washington and when I reach there shall be
so occupied with arranging the house that I
shall have very little leisure – We leave here
about the 20^th of this month – shall be

more than a week on the way as we are to stop
in New York and Philadelphia — Frances Worden
goes with us — Aunty is to stay here with
Grandpa a few weeks when if he does
not conclude to come to Washington Aunt
Clara will come and stay with him
the remainder of the time that I am
absent — Clarence who is to be a partner
of Mr Blatchford when he shall be admitted
will board in Mr. Blatchfords family while
we are away - Fred Willie and Fanny
go with us – Frances Seward returns again
to Florida to attend Miss Parsons school –
Caroline Canfield accompanies us to George –
town where she will be placed in the
Catholic nunnery for the present –
Your father has just now returned from
Philadelphia – he has engagements which will
occupy him up to the time of the meeting
of Congress in December – Fred has been very
busy the last month superintending the work
in the garden – Miss Parsons school is
moved into the house which Grandpa Seward
occupied – A boys school is to be established
in the other building – Uncle Polydore in

the mean time occupies it with his family –
Mary wishes very much to go with us to
Washington but our family will not admit
of an accession of this kind – Sarah goes
to Troy next week – where I am to see her
on her ^my^ way down – You will see my
dear child how many additional cares
the guardianship of our four nieces bring –
Aunt Clara is well and sends love –
Grandpa has quite recovered from his cold
Uncle Polydore has been here and made a
visit since I wrote – He took our horses
and carriage and Mary and little
Fred home with him – Frances will
go sometime this week – Uncle Polydore
is much better than he was – After you
receive this you may direct your letters
to Washington – We have had some
cold weather with snow but it is very
pleasant again to day – Mr Myers
oldest daughter died at Little Falls
and was buried here last week –
May God bless and keep you
your affectionate
Mother

Lieut Augustus H Seward U.S.A.
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
Arkansas.
William H. Seward
Senate U.S.
AUBURN N.Y.
NOV 5
FREE