Auburn Nov 1st 1845
My dear Augustus,
This day ends your drilling
for the season which does not occasion
you much sorrow I presume – I recieved
your letter Thursday and was happy
as I always am to be thus assured
of your health – Your father is still in
Albany awaiting the trial of a cause – he
will then go to Florida where Grandpa Seward
has been urging him to go for some time
he wishes him to take the management
of his business which your father is utterly
unable to do in the present embarrassed
state of his own affairs – Though he says
he should be perfectly willing to do so
under other circumstances – Grandpa
Seward was very anxious to have his school
opened this day but depending upon your
father to make all the arrangements
has necessarily been disappointed – I do
not yet know how it will all be arranged –
By the last advices from Florida I am
informed that we have the pleasing prospect
of Uncle John's society for a long visit
he intends to return with your father –

I have some apprehensions that he will be too late
to return to Chicago this Winter – I think
his children would do well to send for him
Fred writes that he is quite contented
and surprised to find the term half gone
he has been writing and speaking in
his class for the first time – Clarence
is I believe rather better pleased than he
was at first – they will both be at home
Christmas how much I wish you my dear
child could join them – Willie continues
well and very busy the whole time – he
goes all about of errands and since Anthony
left is really very useful – Anthony became
very troublesome and withal proud dishonest
I was glad when he left – I have a girl
in his place who is much more useful to me.
Caroline has gone – I have a new nurse
for Fanny with whom she is not yet quite
suited – she grows interesting every day I
wish you could see her – she creeps all
about the house and walks with a chair
talks in her own language very fluently
and is always particular to address some
conversation to Grandpa when he comes
into the nursery – Willie is very fond
of her – I must tell you an anecdote of

of the dear little boy which will make you
love him I know – A night or two since he
awoke very suddenly saying "Mother I have had
a dream which frightened me very much" I urged
him to tell what it was – "I dreamed that
a great many robbers came into the house and
were going to kill us all, and I told them I
would rather they would kill me than to kill
you and sister Fan – and I would rather"
and "I would rather" repeated he a num[ b ] er of
times – is he not a noble hearted little boy
this was an uncommon manifestation of generosity
for a child of 6 years –
Aunt Clara is full of business at present.
Mr McLallen is having the roof of the dining
room raised and making two bed rooms
above – it will make the house much more
convenient when it is finished – Aunt Clara
sends much love as she always does when
I write – I enclose $5 and shall be
able to send send the same every month
(so says your father) if that will answer
your purpose – May God bless and
guide you – your affectionate
Mother –

Cadet Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point
Auburn, N.Y.
Nov 2