Friday night
My Dear Henry, Your letter of Saturday, Sunday and Monday came this morning.
I am disappointed that Cornelia is not coming home with you. She gave Clary
so much encouragement when she saw her that I considered the event as
quite certain. I do not know when I will ever see Cornelia again it is
now more than four years since we met. I am very sorry she is growing
dissatisfied with their situation if it is not practicable for them to remove
I shall write to her soon and reproach myself for not having done so before
this time – but I must make you my apology. Do not think I can ever
get tired hearing about the Tracy's. I am more and more interested in them.
I am glad you told me all about the difference in character of Weed and
Tracy. I knew that you could not esteem both precisely alike I believe that
is impossible except in the case of a parents love for their children.
I am glad that Weed will not feel your preference for Tracy. This has
troubled me very much. This morning Mr Seymour called here to inform
us that Finney was going to preach – no one saw him but Grandma
he enquired if I would not go to meeting. Grandma told him she
thought not as Seward and his wife did not believe in revivals
of this kind. This afternoon Theodore Hamilton called he came also to see
if he could not induce me to go and her hear Finney (you see I am
an object of some consideration to them although the worlds people do not invite
me to balls). We had a long talk about Finney. Theodore denied all the
stories in circulation about his extravagance and fanaticism – said he had
never seen any thing of the kind although he was, previous to seeing him,
as much prejudiced against him as any one. I did not dare from the
fear of wounding his feelings say half what I felt on the subject but
told him I could not consent to go, for even had my own inclination been
ever so much in favour of going Pa had expressed a wish to have us remain
at home. I had no motive for wishing to hear him but curiosity and I could
very easily dispense with so trifling a gratification. He went away very sorry I

suppose that I was so hardened as to refuse to put myself on the way of being
converted. Edward says he came to the office to invite them all to go – they
intend going. Augustus and Sarah have been up to Lazettes this afternoon they
have had a beautiful time from his account he wishes to go again tomor-
row. Lazette says that Theodore has been there trying to persuade
her to go and hear Finney – but she is satisfied with the other per-
formance. Saturday night – Edward says he went to meeting last night
and was very much pleased with the sermon – from all I can learn Finney
is much more moderate than he was at the time of the last excitement.
The house was full to overflowing. This afternoon Nathaniel Hoyt and William
were here on business with Pa – they have more trouble but I cannot explain
it. I believe the creditors are endeavouring to get possession of the property
in Williams possession on the grounds that it belongs to N. and Stephen.
He staid here but a few moments said they expected to get back as far
as Canoga to night. I sent a few lines by him to Aunt Eliza to assure
her of Sarahs health and happiness and prevent her coming out express
to see if Sarah is not dead is [ as ] she did once before. We have just been
looking out of the window at a brilliant light in the east – we think
it must proceed from some building on fire. we hear no alarm
it is undoubtedly at some distance. The sky is very beautifully illuminated
I have been down in my night gown to tell Pa and Grandma to look at it.
it is now almost eleven oclock all have gone to bed and I am just going
to get in between the little ones – the light in the east has almost entirely
disappeared. good night. Sunday evening. To day I have read
over your last letter two or three times which I always do on Sunday
tomorrow morning I shall have another. It was ten weeks last Wednesday since
you left us the time is more than half gone when we shall see your face
once more. I do not intend to expect you at all before the middle of April
that will be one month more. When do you go to Orange County I hope
you will not give your Father any encouragement about coming there
to live. Why cannot George take the charge of the business – he is old enough

if he ever will be. Clary has been to Church this afternoon she says that Dr
Rudd is not well - preached a sermon but did not go in to the pulpit
I suppose he has a turn of the gout. There were seven more persons bap-
tised in the creek this morning – the baptist's continue their morning
meetings yet. Theodore told me yesterday that Mary Pitney was one
of the subjects of the revival - he and Frances Dibble are there a great
part of the time. I had heard this before but rather doubted as Mary went
to the last cotillion party - but he says it is since that time that Mary
has experienced a change in her feelings – or "felt differently" as he expresses
it. I hope Mary will act as well as feel differently if this is the case.
Did I tell you that the Fosgates do not any of them attend Church any more
they have become displeased and dissatisfied with Dr and Mrs Rudd because
they do not visit them and because they were not invited to Mrs Rudds party
they attend the new church – Mrs Fosgate and all, when they go any where.
I am sorry for this - think it childish. I do not think any trifling
cause of dissatisfaction with the clergyman would induce me to
forsake our own church – and Mrs Fosgate has been a member for many
years – of course they do not call at the Dr's. I suppose they are ignorant
of all this as yet but I think they will not long continue so. Serene talks
it very publickly. Clary has gone this evening to George Woods. The
babies are both asleep. Augustus said I must tell his Pa that he was
nice. Frederick appears quite well now his cough has left him and his
teeth have ceased their persecution for a short time. I hope he will grow
fat again before you come home – he is a dear tiny thing now. Do the Tracy's
go to our church? – it is dark and muddy to night but I suppose the meeting house
will be crowded because Finney preaches. Clary has come home from George's
says Maria and Debby are coming here to take tea tomorrow. I cannot
read much in the evening my eyes continue so weak-yet. We have
not yet heard any thing about the fire last night. Pa has been
out most of the day I think he appears better. your own Frances

Auburn, NY
Mar 14
William H. Seward
Albany
hFrances A Seward
14 March 1831