Auburn June 25^th 1851
My dear Augustus,
I hope by this time you are
safe at your quarters—I am anxious to
hear whether you will remain there all Summer
and whether your cough has left you—
I hear from Fred once a week—he is established
in the office of Judge Kent 66 Wall Street
in New York— His lodgings are at the Broadway
house— his meals are taken at a Restaurant
he says he walks some four or five miles
every day and finds his health much better
than when he left home—He has been to see
the Blatchfords and Mrs Horner and spent one
Sunday with Col Webb’s family at their country
seat which he says is very delightful.
Col. Webb and Willie have not yet settled
the affairs about the letters—it seems to
me to be rather an ugly business for
them both—but I suppose will not materially
affect the reputation of either as neither
were immaculate before—It is a pity
that a man with many agreeable
qualities like Webb should be so deficient
in a clear moral perception—I fear
my letter may have many repetitions
as I find it impossible to remember what

what I wrote last— the same or many of
the same events are spoken of in my letters
to your father, you, Fred, & Caroline —
Caroline has become quite contended at Troy
when she wrote me last she was about
going to New York with the Winslow’s—
Mrs Winslow is very kind in her attentions
to our nieces— Clarence & his Caroline
are I believe quite happy in their pleasant
rooms—Caroline’s sister Miss De Zang spent
the last week with them—She suffers greatly
with asthma—have you had any asthmatic
symptoms recently?— Mr & Mrs Day are
at the American Hotel—Mrs Thomas Y Howe
gave them a party Monday evening which
Aunty and I attended—Mrs Muir also
gave a party last week— I was not well
enough to go but heard it was very pleasant
William always inquires very particularly
about li you— Your father is still at
Detroit engaged in that interminable trial—
30 men many of them heretofore respectable
citizens have been indicted by the rail
road company for attempts to injure
the road and burning the depot!— Many
singular developments have already been made—
the evidence for the prosecution is not yet
concluded though the trial has already
occupied 3 weeks— Your father is employed
for the defense— It appears that some

of the outrages imputed to the conspirators
were committed by men employed by the
rail road company as spies—Although
it is a trial which excites much interest
should it be published I will send it to you—
Since I wrote before when I believe Uncle George
was here with his little boy—we have had
two visits from Polydore & his wife on their
way to, and on their return from, Chicago—
Mr & Mrs Gurnee have been here from
Romulus with a son of Mr Youngs whom
you probable saw, named Thompson—he
stayed with us four days—reading for Grandpa
who was much pleased with him, I should
have been glad to have kept him longer— Uncle
Ezra Millers son Henry and his sister Clara
were also here last week—They have all
gone and Aunty & I are once more alone
with Grandpa & the children— Grandpa
is as well as usual he misses you and
Fred very much— I had yesterday an ex
—emplification of my theory of total abstinence—
Old Mr Foster was here, he is about Grandpa’s
age really but apparently 10 years younger—
his eye is bright and clear, his hand steady—
he had never been in the habit of drinking, moderately or otherwise
Now Grandpa without being what is understood
to be actually intemperate, has always been a
free drinker— You may be assured that stimulating
drinks unless absolutely necessary as medicine
will sebs or sooner or later produce con—

sequences to be lamented in after life—Grandpa
is only one of 4 or 5 of his contemporaries whose
faculties have been impaired by this indulgence—
He has good judgement and firmness which
have prevented his drinking to excess but he
lacks the philosophy which teaches us that
the laws of health cannot be violated with
impunity— An increase of internal fire must
consume the powers of nature prematurely—
Since I commenced writing this letter Aunty has
gone home— Frances sent for her she was about
giving a party—I have some hope that
some of our cousins will come from Romulus
and stay some weeks— if they do not Aunty
will return—I cannot stay with Grandpa
and take care of my family too— Willie had
hirid hired McCarty’s pony for a month
and is enjoying his rides very much— he can
think of nothing else— Fanny is well and sends
love—she will be writing a letter herself
before long if she continues to improve—Aunt
Clara is well— she has frequent communications
with the mediums and often enquires about
your state and condition. The Canal Bill passed
yesterday— Mr Greelys’s letters from Europe
continue to be interesting— I have not mentioned
the death of James Weed which is a severe affliction to his
family— he died last week of inflammatory rheumatism
Fred says that Mr Thomas (formerly Captain Thomas at West
Point) is a partner of Judge Rents and makes frequent
inquires about you— May God help you and keep you

[right Margin]
in the path of rectitude— your affectionate
Mother