Tuesday August 31^st
My dear Sister,
We have at length subsided into something
of a calm – Henry came home yesterday morning and
was obliged to go to Utica yesterday afternoon
in consequence of some intelligence received from
Washington in relation to Mc Leod – I hardly found
time to say how do you do? before they were
gone again – I was busily employed in unpacking
and packing trunks ironing collars etc — Henry
proposes to go to Albany and will not return
here until next week – I doubt very much whether
he comes then – Sam was sorry to leave so soon
as he said he did not know when he should come
again – he said he had a very pleasant visit with
you last Sunday but had no time for particulars –
I was in considerable trepidation Sunday evening being
ignorant of Henry’s place of sojourn and knowing

that it was important that he should see the dispatches
from Washington immediately – In the midst of a consultation
with Pa Mc Clallen said that Gen. Scott was in
town – Pa forthwith put on his coat took the papers
and went to the American to take counsel
of the Gen – He found the Gen at the Hotel awaiting
Henry’s return having heard by the way of ‘Col. Henry’ that
he was in Rochester – The Gen was from Washington
and had duplicates of the papers received – &c
He accompanied Pa home – made many gallant
apologies for not having called to see me having been
told that I was with Mr Seward – he sat an hour
was very agreeable – among other things his soldier
eye was so pleased with Gus’ promising figure
that he immediately began to persuade him to go to West
Point and in a few moments had every thing arranged
to his own satisfaction – Gus is quite in the vein at
present and as a prepatory step proposes to go immediately
to Cooperstown to Mr Duff’s school – I would rather have
him stay the winter in Albany but he thinks with his father

that he shall study better at Cooperstown – I do not like to think
of having him away the next five years and in all probability become
so weaned from home as never to desire to return – I have been
putting off the evil day as long as I could — What has become of the
writing master you spoke of – I have been expecting him some time
if he does not come pretty soon my boys cannot receive the
benefit of his instructions — Last Friday we had the
Horners and Mrs. Lucas to visit us – Mrs Horner left
yesterday for Albany. To day Mrs Miller has invited us to meet
Mrs Barton at her house – I was anxious to go out and make
some calls but the rain has prevented – we must not complain
of the rain — Jane is going tomorrow to Oswego to visit her
sister she will be absent a week – I shall be closely confined
with the care of Willie – he is better but not well yet
his eye is so much better that to day we have for the first
time dispensed with the shade – I am afraid I shall not
get to Canandaigua – Pa’s clothes are to be repaired for the winter –
Augustus prepared for Cooperstown and the 1^st of October I
am to return to Albany – You will come home with Fred
who will I think come to Canandaigua the last of next week
or the beginning of the week following – How short the summer
has been tomorrow is the 1^st of September – how little of all that
I designed have I accomplished – it is now time to prepare
my 5 boys for winter and my intended summers work
is hardly commenced – Among many other things I have
not talked with you half I intended – Our visit at Buffalo

was too much in a crowd to admit of long talks – I am just now
recovering from the effect of the many sleepless nights I had
Last week my head ached three successive days and nights
I trust that Mrs Griffith will stay at home —
I want Clara to go to see Aunt Sally while I am home but do not
see any immediate prospect of her going – She thinks it will be
better for her to return by Canandaigua if she goes – Sam said
you were not well – you said nothing of it in your letter your own sister
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
AUG 31