Washington Jan 13^th 1850
My dear Child,
I am ashamed to say that
I am indebted to you for two letters
the last dated 18^th Dec came to day — The
other dated Dec 5^th came about a week
ago — I think it must be that to which
you allude — You speak of the navigation
of the river having commenced again – pray
is it at any time impeded by ice? — I
supposed not – Since I wrote we have had
all kinds of weather at Washington —
Occasionally a day extremely cold – rain
and sunshine — I cannot say on the
whole that I like it quite as well as our
continuous cold weather for two or
three months – here we never know
upon what we may calculate — Henry
Chesebro and John Sibley came to Wash-
ington for a visit last week – are to
remain a week — The young people

[top Margin] is in Charlestown

x

Charleston, SC

on his return from the Island of Cuba

x

Cuba

I believe that I wrote that Mary Seward

x

Mary Jayne

Birth: 1828 Death: 1905

was married
to Dr Jayne

x

DeWitt Jayne

Birth: 1817-02-06 Death: 1897-11-09

—
May God bless you my child
Your affectionate
Mother

are out almost every evening — There is
no lack of opportunity in Washington —
Most of the ladies whose husbands are
members of the Cabinet receive company
one evening each week or fortnight
Mrs Bliss has a “drawing room” every
Friday evening – then there are reception
mornings innumerable – every lady any
way distinguished appropriating one
morning of each week to herself to
receive calls — I find my time just
now occupied much as it was at
Albany making and receiving unmean
ing visits — I hope this will subside
by and by — Mr Sackett wrote to your father
last week that Grandpa had concluded
not to come to Washington – he had a bad
cold at that time perhaps he may
change his mind when he feels better
Clara Miller was there – Aunty Worden
had gone home for a week – Mr Sackett
wrote that Aunt Clara was coming

to stay with Grandpa when he wished it –
Since I came here I have had some mis-
givings about Pa’s undertaking the journey
it is a long way for him to come – the
failure of his eyesight and strength make
him more helpless than many persons who
are older — Mr Blatchford writes that Clarence
is studying hard that he may be admitted
this Spring — Fred was not well last week
he writes so constantly and in a very warm
room that I am apprehensive about the effect
Your father’s correspondence is very voluminous
they often send 50 letters a day sometimes
more — You do not say any thing
about joining me here – if there is a
shadow of a doubt you coming home
this Spring pray tell me and devise
some way for me to come to you before
I go North again — I cannot admit the
thought that I may pass another 6 months
without seeing you — I trust you will
not decide to remain in the Army before

you see us again — If Clarence wishes to come
here for awhile he is to change with Fred
after a time — This being the long session
your father will be here a part of the
Summer — I shall go home the latter
part of April — I think Aunty Worden
will come down before I go home –
Willie is impatient for Spring to come that he
may go home again — He recites his lessons
to Fred – his progress is necessarily slow
on account of the weakness of his eyes –
Col Webb will probably not be confirmed
in his appointment — You will see that Gov
Cass has introduced a resolution to abolish
the Mission — this will not pass — Mr Webster
and his son dined with last week —
I have never talked with Mr Webster before
he is exceedingly grave – seldom smiles —
talks little but always to the purpose —
To me he seems melancholy but it may
be his usual manner – he has buried all
his children but one – that would be cause
of sadness to a woman — Mr Weed came
to the city last week – he will be here a
week or two — Cousin Frances sends love
Caroline Canfield went to Georgetown to school
last week – she is very well pleased – Uncle
George sends us word by telegraph that he

Lieutenant A.H. Seward
5^th Infantry U.S. Army
Fort Towson
Choctaw Nation
Arkansas
WASHINGTON CITY D.C.
JAN 15