Auburn April 29th 1848
My dear Augustus,
It is nearly a week since I received
the News Paper form Tacubaya which was almost
as welcome as a letter almost remember not quite –
I felt sad this morning having dreamed that you
were in trouble and ill – The bright sunshine
has dispelled these fancies still the uncertainty
about the ratification of the treaty leaves my
mind ill at ease – All the late accounts
speak discouragingly – however I will hope for the
best – The immense amount, and exceeding
interest of the European news excludes almost
every thing else from the papers – Europe is thoroughly
convulsed – Your father received a letter a
few days ago from Col. Amory who is at present
in London – he thinks there are strong indica-
tions of a revolution in England – We are
looking for intelligence of importance by the
next steamer – If it were possible to bring about
a state of affairs where the poorer classes in
England might arrive at some greater degree of

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May God preserve and bless you in the earnest prayer
of your Mother –
Clarence sends love –

comfort than they at present possess I for one should
be very glad – But such changes cannot be sought
in a day, and like the discontinuance of slavery
in our own favoured land must be the work of
time, and perseverance in propagating truth and right
principles –
I remained in Albany after I wrote my last
letter four or five days making a very pleasant visit
Your father and Frederick then went to New
York and Orange County – I came home with
Abbey and the Children – Fanny was quite
sick the day before we left Albany but recovered
soon – Willie was very glad to come again
among his numerous playmates who are at this
time rendered very agreeable by the possession of
a miniature fire engine of which they are
the joint proprietors – This engine occupies a great
part of Willie's time – he was at one time torch
bearer when our yard was deluged with oil
from No 3 torches he now has the care of the
pipe, a copper tube about four feet long which
it is a part of his duty to keep clean, a part
which of course devolves upon the maidens of
the house – it was looking very bright this morning
when he went to meet the company who were

to meet somewhere and throw water upon each
other, occasionally upon some unwary passer-by who
has the appearance of sufficient meekness not to resent
the affront – Your Grandfather Seward is becoming
more and more infirm though he still retains
the control of all his business – The "Seward Institute"
occupies a large share in his thoughts – Miss Parsons
remains there, though not giving general satisfaction
her school increases in numbers – since Julia's death
a Mrs House has kept house for your grandpa – She
and he are at this time mutually dissatisfied with
each other – she was about to leave – there was some
hope of getting a daughter of hi Cousin John Seward of
New Jersey to come and stay with Caroline who
is now in her fourteenth year and has I believe
the chief care of her grandfather – Grandpa every Spring
about the time of tax gathering has a very strong inclination
to move away from Florida – It is melancholy to see
the unrelaxed hold of a strong passion when one gets
so old – Dr Canfield's wife left him more than
a year ago and has not returned – she will prob-
ably continue a member of her fathers family –
The Dr is uneasy and suggested taking Caroline away
from her grandfather – your father of course advised
a wiser course –

There is still all manner of speculation about the next
Candidate for the Presidency – The Tribune is strongly in
favor of Clay – the Courier & Enquirer as strong for Taylor
while the evening Journal wisely leaves it to the
decision of the General Convention in June – Some
portion of the Whig press have nominated Gov Scott –
I have read all the proceedings of the court of Enquiry which
have been published in our papers – Aunt Clara has the
paper you sent – we were much pleased to get it –
William Muir has received a paper from you – I sent Will
the copy I had made of portions of your letter with
which he was much pleased – Dr Will Richardson has
also had them – Frederick returned to Schenectady
yesterday morning he was at home a little more than
a week having commenced his vacation visiting – He and
Clarence have both put on hats which makes them look
much taller and considerably older – I have a letter
from Aunty this week they are all well – Frances and
her father are busily engaged making gardens – Aunt
Clara is well – she was here this afternoon sends much love
Mr McLallen is moving his shop – having purchased the
building the next but one above the methodist church
Grandpa has been ill with a cold but is now well
enough to go out again – Ira Curtis was buried
Wednesday – he was a true friend of your fathers who
wh was much grieved not to have heard of his sickness
Our garden is beginning to be very pretty though the
Spring is cold – When I think of Mexico I dread the
approach of warm weather – I trust my dear child that
^you^ find some opportunity to benefit others – at least by example
this should be our chief aim through life – in no other
manner can we more effectualy obey the commands of
our saviour – who himself went about doing good!