Albany Wednesday
My Dear Henry - We arrived here last night or rather this morning
at 4 oclock you will be surprised when I tell you we came in
the stage and that stage a new line just established which is
said to run faster than the telegraph it is called the Eclipse
Teusday morning Beardsley thought his business would detain him in
Utica until noon but he came in just as the canal boat was about
starting he came in and said he had concluded his business and would
go then if I wished it. I detest canal boats. Sarah and Augustus
had gone to walk - and I did not know at that time that the
only stage that left in the afternoon was the Eclipse - so I concluded
to wait until afternoon. My heart failed me when Beardsley came
in and said we were to go in the Eclipse. I concluded of course
that we should be upset and killed independent of the fatigue
I must experience but there was no remedy but staying until night
and taking the boat and we were all by this time heartily tired of Utica.
We left there at 3 oc 2 oclock in the afternoon and arrived here at four
the next morning at 4 - 14 hours - the stage is not small like the Telegraph
but the same size as the mail - change horses every 8 miles and never
stop to breathe all the way I did not get out but twice once to drink
a cup of tea and once we had entered the house but had no time
to sit down before we were summoned they use so much dispatch in
exchanging the horses - it was excessively dusty - but much more pleasant
riding in the night than in the day. I suffered much less from fear
or fatigue than I expected. Augustus was very nice and did not cry
once on the road but would say occasionally on the road when he was
very tired that he wanted to go home he slept in my arms most of the
night some of the way Beardsley carried him - it was quite cold towards
morning I found my box coat very useful. We are staying at the City
Hotel formely the Mansion house kept - by Skinner - the man who has
it now has a very hard name so you must not expect me to spell
it - t the house is well kept much better than when Skinner was here

newly furnished and very clean landlord very attentive I can
say nothing of the fare I have had no inclination two to eat since
I left home and find it almost impossible to swallow a crak
cracker with my tea otherwise I feel as well as usual. We did
not rise this morning until nearly nine took breakfast by ourselves
I then got the directory and ascertained where old Mrs Dole lived
called and found her well and very glad to see us Gus called
her Bama and came away very much pleased with an earthen horse
which she gave him - (this is for Grandma's information) - from there I
went to the mantaumakers - milliners - barbers &c &c - was very successful
in finding the articles I wished my hat is to be sent home in the
morning before we go. We go in the Albany at 7 oclock. Augustus
is very much afraid he will fall in the water. Beardsley says the
Governor and lady are at Porters I understood him that he attended
a dinner party there to day. I have not seen Rhodes nor any
one else that I knew except Mrs Dole. I shall feel very glad when
I find myself once safe in Florida. As I am very poor in words
on all occasions I hope you will make my acknowledgements to
Bearsley when he comes home for his attention. My own Henry could
not take any better care of us. I shall not write again until I get
to Florida. Tell Clary and Lazette I shall write to them then
it is almost ten oclock Augustus and Sarah have been asleep some
time so good night - your own Frances.

William H. Seward Esq
Auburn
Albany
JUNE 3
hFrances A Seward
June 3^d.