New York 19 May 1825
Dear Henry
Tomorrow Berdan informed me he shall
set out for Auburn and "The Lakes." The happy
dog - I wish that I were going also - Oh how
I ^should^ love to saunter about the fields of Auburn &
snuff the breezes that glide over the silver sur-
face of your smoothe Owasco- But more than
this a thousand fold would I love to see
you at your office - to hear you talk of what
interests ^you^ - Given the nature & extent of
your business (so large as to engross you wholy
from your friends)- but more than all this ten
thousand fold, would I love to clasp the hand
of the adopted sister of our family & impress upon
her lips the token of the love I bear her -
Oh how I long to congratulate you that she
is yet spared to you, and her that health has
resumed his wanted seat in roses on her cheek-
-And scarcely less do I want to see my only half
sister Lazatte- To her - to you - to Francis - to all

[left Margin] I almost envy you your happy meeting with your friend Berdan- Suppose you
mind your part & tell me something about the expedition of the Philosopher

it would afford me a melancholy pleasure to tell
the story of our late bereavement- From you, kind
friends, I should receive a sympathy which would
seem to cure the load of grief ^that^ which bows me down
and robs me of my spirits- But yet you Know not-
(those who have known can only tell) the bereavement
we deplore - Our dear Aurelia is no more! And though
you have not noticed the circumstance of her descease
I doubt not you have felt it.. And ^notwithstanding^ this I fully believe
the God of Heaven to be the Sovereign Disposer of all-
& that the God of all the earth does right, (and that
if I were as wise as He I should see as he does)
still this is a most afflictive Providence, and may
be borne without murmuring, but cannot without
tears-
I gave you a full & circumstantial account
some little time since of the circumstance of
my abdication from Hanover Square & my Grand
Entree in to Wall Street- (if the letter ever reached
you) – Nothing particular has transpired since –
My situation is still a temporary one- Probably
in a week or two I shall know what they will
give me – I think the prospect good of obtaining

[left Margin] I often wish to know the ages of friends & for this purpose am collecting a family Record
Will you send me yours and Judge Millers

x

Elijah Miller

Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13

– Don’t forget it –

a first teller ship – A committee from our board have
gone to Orange Co and to Kingston to explore the
several routes for the proposed Canal- I fear
they may not adopt the Orange route – but do
not think they have yet sufficient information
to determine where the rout shall be
I shall send you a pamphlet by mail showing
the project in one of its shapes- That by Culvers
Gap in Sussex Co & those between Warwick & Florida
to Cornwall will suit the people of O[ range Co ]
better & our Father is extremely
solicitous for this route- He
did himself no small honor
by his deportment & speech while in N.Y. before o[ ur ]
board as Committee man from Orange Co-
How were you suited with the termination of
The Colt affair- When may we expect to see
you- or to hear from you- What is my friend
Worden doing- & what is he going to do & when
will he do it-
Now besure you make the warmest regards of your
Humble Sevt acceptable to Sister Frances & Sister Lazette
& Aunt Clara- & Marcias particular remembrance you will
also please present
Your Brother B.J. Seward

W. H. Seward Esq
In the Politeness of his
Best friend, save one
hB.J. Seward
May 19^th
1825