Auburn Aug. 12 – 1849
My dear Child,
It is two years this day since you
left us – It is a long, long time but in your con-
tinued welfare I find much cause for
thankfulness – I am sorry to see by the papers
that the Cholera has reached fort Smith —
Should it come where you are remember how
much caution is necessary with regard to
your food – We have no cases here – it con-
tinues very fatal at Buffalo – I believe few
persons are able this season to eat their accus-
tomed quantity of vegetables – Fanny had a
severe attack of Cholera Morbus from eating
one ear of green corn which she has heretofore
eaten without restraint – I was made
slightly sick by similar indulgence —
Your letter of the 3^rd of July came a few
days since – Now that you feel entitled
to a furlough I hope you will come as soon as
you think it safe – Will not the Southern
route by the safest I unless there is yellow
fever at New Orleans – the Cholera is
prevailing at St Louis and in most of the
North Western towns – the Ohio and Mississippi

must both be hazardous – but you will be able
to judge best for yourself in this matter –
We are all impatient to see you but would on
no account have your health exposed –
Frances is still here – Henry Cheesbro is here
spending Sunday – Our young people have
attended a number of parties this week – that
is Frances and Clarence – Fred has been to only one –
There are a number of young ladies visiting
in the village at present which makes
a gay season – Mr Blatchford and all of his
family at at his son's house – they always
enquire much about you – Willie came home
from Canandaigua Monday – Aunty was not very
well then but is better again – I expect her here
in a few weeks. President Taylor is to attend
the State Fair at Syracuse the16^th of September
when we expect a visit from him —
Uncle Washington writes that Grandpa Seward
is quite as well as when we left there —
Mr Sackett is visiting Grandpa Miller
to day – Grandpa is very lonely if some
person is not with him all the time now
he cannot read – Fred has commenced the
study of Law – he teaches Willie and Frances
Seward two hours each day – I do hope you
will be able to come home before the leaves fall

our place is so pretty now - There has been
a severe drought until last week —
Aunt Clara is well and sends love – Mrs
Perry has not yet heard of the arrival of her
husband at California – As it is only a week
since I wrote my letter is shorter than usual –
I am sorry you do not get my letters as
regularly as I receive yours – Your Father
is at home now he goes to Cooperstown this
week – Frances and the boys send love –
May God protect you – Your affectionate
Mother –

hWilliam H. Seward.
Lieut. Augustus H. Seward.
5 Infantry U.S. Army.
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
Arkansas.
AUBURN N.Y.
AUG 12