Auburn, Dec. 14th, 1845
My dear Son,
Your letter came the day previous
to my going to Canandaigua – I was absent
three days — I am glad to hear of your
continued health — We went to Canandaigua
with our ponies — The ponies came from New-
burg , on a steam boat and from Albany
on the rail road which I believe was
an especial favor — They are stout, and
I think will be more profitable horses than
those we had at Albany, though greatly inferior
in appearance — Grandpa Fred and Willie
rode about town the first day or two
almost constantly — Fred went to Aurora
for Mr. Morgans's sleigh which we are to
use this winter — he drove the horses there
and back again — Horton, from the office went
with him — Thanksgiving day we all went
to Skaneateles except Fred — Aunt Clara
with Catherine Miller accompanied us — John
drove and Willie rode part of the way
on the drivers seat — The sleighing is very
good - the weather was so extremely cold
that it subtracted much from the pleasure
of our jaunt to Canandaigua —

[top Margin]
Willie wishes me to inform you that he worked
for Grandpa to get a six pence to buy a birth day
present for Sister — She was a year old the 9th —

Your father was going to Geneva to attend an
arbitration — The previous day being very
comfortable I consented to go and take Fan –
Our party consisted of father, myself, nurse
Fred Willie and Fan – We nearly froze
going to Cayuga where we stopped to warm
then drove to Geneva where we dined – left
your father and proceeded to Canandaigua
having taken Clarence to occupy the vacant
seat – Patrick an Irishman who works
for us occasionally was the driver –
Having passed the only tavern on the road in
expectation of finding another we were obliged
to stop at a farm house to warm – reached
Canandaigua about 4 o clock – where we
found all well glad to see us, and
the house thoroughly heated with stoves –
Aunty had gone to ride with Post who I
am inclined to believe thinks himself an
accepted suitor – Frances says he is not –
I saw him for the first, time but for so
short a time that I should not know him
again – Frances is to have a large party
next Tuesday her birth day — After Uncle
goes to Albany the 1st of Jan. they are to
come here for visit — Uncle Worden
is a member of the Assembly — We
left there the next day at 11 and expecting
to get home the same evening - but your

fathers business being unfinished we were detained
all night - came home Friday – Fanny
bore the journey very well though she would
have been more comfortable and happy at home —
Willie took a violent cold and was threatened
with croup so that I slept very little at
Geneva — he is better now and has to
day gone to Aunt Clara's — Clarence was
more and more dissatisfied with Geneva
the oftener he compared notes with Fred
he is very desirous to change for Union.
Fred's vacation continues until the 8^th of Jan
his going away is a light affair to me
compared to yours he comes home so frequently
and the facilities for intercourse are so
much greater – If you could come home
half as often I would be willing to compromise
by not seeing him – he is well and has
grown considerably in height– Clarence
thinks it very hard that his vacation is only half
as long as Fred's – he comes home next week –
Grandpa Seward's school is to commence some
time this month – Miss Parsons is to take charge
of it – Uncle George thinks of keeping the boarding
house – Your father is to be in Washington
before Christmas - he has a case in the S. Court
will leave here this week — William
Hills has not returned from his wedding tour
A. Dieu — your affectionate
Mother

Cadet Seward
Military Academy
West Point
Auburn, N.Y.
DEC 14