Thursday 12^th
I hope my dear Henry when you receive this letter you will
be on your way home it seems a long-long-time since you left us.
Your letter dated at Rhinebeck came Monday morning how very naughty
you was to ride so far on the ice I am very happy to see it thaw
so much that I think you cannot return in that manner. Spring is
not very delightful just at this time — the village looks wretchedly the
snow has entirely left the streets but remains in large banks against the
fences. Pa went to Syracuse on Tuesday came home last evening said the
sleighing was tolerable out of the village — he went to see Sackett — don’t
you think Betsy is married - some person where her mother lives. Pa of
course could give us no particulars I suppose she has no fears that her first
husband who is still living will ever return – Sackett has lost his housekeeper
her sister is with him at present — Tuesday I spent ^the^ evening with our
polite neighbour Mrs Hills she was very agreeable and but for one piece
of affectation I should have come home very much pleased as it was I
came home disgusted and regretting that a woman who has sufficient talent
to be interesting, and whose natural manner is pleasing should be at
so much pains to destroy all by such absurdities — Last evening we went
to Mr Fosgates before we came home it commenced raining very hard
and continued most of the night it was very dark and very muddy
The wind blew very hard during the night I imagined it was thunder
and after tormenting myself some time with evil forebodings I got
up for the purpose of calling Clara to come and sleep with me —
became ashamed of my weakness and lay down again – I had hardly got
to sleep before we were alarmed by the ringing of the bells for fire
we looked in vain in every direction to discover it it but remained
until this morning in ignorance – the fire was at Beach’s distillery
which has alarmed the village once or twice before. I think not much
injury done – have heard nothing of it except Peter’s story rather hy-
perbolical of course — Your portrait is considered an excellent
likeness by all who have seen it – I am very glad you heard
from Cornelia before you left Albany I see that you have not
got my letters yet and probably will not until you return
to New York — Remember the four weeks expire on Saturday
we are all well and wishing very much to see you
your own Frances —

William H. Seward Esq—
at Albany
To the care of Julius Rhoades Esq—
AUBURN
MAR 13
N.Y.
hF.A. Seward