Sunday afternoon
My dear Henry
How cruel you were to write in such
a dolorous strain about poor Jenny while she was
yet alive – you made me cry before I came to the
conclusion of the paragraph – I am still afraid
she will suffer from the effect of the arsenic – Harriet
prepared it by my directions before a week before I
came away – I thought at the time she exposed
her child by leaving in such a place as she did
I intended to have had it all removed before I left
but it was neglected and trusting in her and Hetty’s
prudence I have not been troubled about it — It
is the last time so dangerous an instrument will
be placed by me in the hands of another —
I have been to Church this morning and feel about
as much fatigued as if I had walked some miles
Mr Croswell is very dull compared with the
Potters, but it is said by many good and wise

persons to be the fault of the hearer when, they are not profited
by a discourse on the subject of religion be it dull
or interesting – I went 1/2 an hour before the time and
visited the graves of Grandma and our little girl
one of the rose bushes which you placed there is still
alive and flourishing – There is but one vacant place
remaining where those who survive must seek a resting
place removed from those so dear to us – How much
I wish it was possible to have a cemetery near
Auburn, were it totally unembellished it would be
gratifying to feel that it were possible to collect all
our family into one circle – Since visiting Mount
Auburn and Mount Hope to is painful to me to see a
grave exposed to the glaring sun shine –
I will ^send you^ consult John Richardson and give him directions
about the case tomorrow — McCallen has
hired a very small house on Orchard Street
for six months – I hope by that time they can get
one nearer to us – This week they are to leave – I
shall feel very lonely – Clara does not care to go

But McCallen is as much delighted as a child –
Tomorrow Frederick will commence attending school
at the Academy – his vacation for which he studied
so diligently in Albany having expired – 
Pa received the 2^d vol of the “Political History” yesterday
I have not yet completed the 1st volume and have only
glanced at the 2^d just to see what Mr Jabes D. Hammond
thought about some people in whom I am interested – 
the glance was not at all satisfactory – 
I told Harriet before I left to separate Jenny and Dick
if she laid any more eggs – I am afraid now it will
be too late – but I suppose the eggs are not injured if
she has not sat upon them at all – it is quite
amusing that Bob has a pupil – He sang beautifully
until I came away last summer the 5^th of July
I cannot think he will be silent now – I forgot
to mention the necessary appendage of wicks for the lamp – Let
Nicholas get 1/2 a dozen of Macintosh being sure to mention
what lamp they are for – Will you ask Maria Weed
if she has leisure, to enquire at White’s and Morgan’s for a
piece of silk like this sample enclosed — a lady in

Canandaigua wishes a dress like Lazettes – The composition is
not of the greatest importance – My love to the Weeds
I have no letter from my boy this week – Your own
Frances
William H. Seward
Albany
AUBURN
JUN
5
N.Y.
hMrs Seward
June 5, 1842