Auburn Nov 14^th
My dear Augustus,
Your last letter has remained
by me ^unanswered^ an unusual length of time – I have
been sick with tooth ache, sister Fanny
has been quite sick a day or two and
some of the time I have been prevented
by company – Mr and Mrs Gurnee were
five days – I wrote you that Samuel
Blatchford was coming to be one of the
firm in your father’s office – he came
last week with his family consisting of
his wife baby and nurse – They have
taken lodgings at the American for the
winter intending to purchase a house
if they remain – Sam appears much
as he did formerly – his wife is not
pretty but appears to have a cheerful
disposition which is more important –
She does not look as old as Sam though
he said she was his senior – Sam is
not insensible to the importance of being
the head of a family – Your father
returned from Albany last Sunday
morning, remained at home that day and
the next went to Seneca County to attend
the trial of a cause – From there

[top Margin] no message – A dieu – your Mother

e (this paper being stamped on the wrong page
I have commenced my letter wrong)
he returned Wednesday night – is now
working hard in order to be in readiness
to go to Orange County again next week –
I have forgotten whether I wrote that he
went to Florida for two days while he was
absent but was unable to remain long enough
to attend to all the business Grandpa Seward
wished – Uncle John came with him to Albany
from whence he set his face homeward
and I hope before this time is f safely
arrived at Chicago – He made
himself and friends very uncomfortable
while at Florida – Grandpa Seward
is still much engaged about his school
wishes your father to bring on a teacher –
Your father has written to Miss Bloss at
Rochester whom you may have seen at Mr
Weeds – she is a very competent person. If
she consents to go will be here next week
in order to accompany your father
I have letters from Clarence and Fred –
both are well – Fred will be home in about
two weeks – I wish my dear son you
would write to him – it is your place
to commence the correspondence as you
are the elder brother and I think he
desires it – I will give up my claims

for a letter next week if you feel the want
of time – it is easier to commence a correspondence
now than it will be some time hence and
you will yourself readily see the propriety
of it – Fred has rather injudiciously joined
one of the secret societies at the college
of course you will not know this unless
informed by himself – your father would
have been better pleased were it not so –
I may have written this before but my
mind is so distracted by numerous cares
that you will be obliged to overlook
some repetitions. Miss Conkling has
published a book – “Isabel in trials of the
heart” – it is especially intended for young
persons and as far as I have read has agreeably
disappointed me being a plain sensible
production totally unlike any thing I have
ever heard ^from^ the authoress in conversation–
L. Lathrop has been to Canandaigua but
makes no progress in winning the affections
of the lady – I think Post has prior claims –
Aunty speaks highly of the ability of Lathrop.
We hear that Louis Miller is very low at
Savannah – his wife went on last week not
expecting him to survive this attack – Mr
Mc Lallen has gone to N.Y. – the house is not com-
pleted – Aunt Clara is well and joins us in love
to you – Willie is sound asleep so he has

[right Margin] Sister is well again
and very merry-

Cadet Seward
United States Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN N.Y.