Auburn February 21^st 1825
My Dear Father
Your letter of the 12th, arrived by the last mail,
In answer to your inquiry concerning the Schools of this
village. I am disposed to think well of the Auburn
Academy. Public opinion rates Mr Savage quite high
as a teacher. If George were here and under my eye
I think that a stimulus might be given to his ambi-
tion, which is the point at which all attempts at his
education for the present at least should be directed
Of Geneva Academy it were in this part of the County
superfluous to speak. Dr MacDonald its Principal
stands first among our Teachers and by his exertions
has within a few years raised that Academy from
the dust to a rank so high that the Regents have
chartered it as a College. Whether it will remain so
far as the Academical school is concerned under
the Dis charge is doubtful - but it is not probable
that the Dr will leave it before the expiration of
any reasonable term which you might wish it George
to remain at it. The fact of George being the young-
est child together with the singular ease with which
he could learn but the wayward disposition which
has always been inconsistent with any systematic
attempt at learning and also with the fact of his
peculiarly sensitive and delicate feelings would cause
me to be extremely cautious how I placed him amongst
strangers when he should not have the influence and
importance of his family and connections to sustain him
in the society of boys more advanced in the knowledge
of human nature and already entered upon the field
of those vices to which George is of all boys the most
entire stranger. It would seem to me to be be exposing
his virtues and morals and talents (and no boy has
more of either) to absolute corruption & waste – And
yet it is necessary that now if ever he should be placed
in some situation where his knowledge of mankind should

increased and his manners improved. Were it not for this
consideration I would say send him to the Aurora Acad-
emy a school of high reputation in the deserted village
of Aurora on the banks of the Cayuga Lake, than
which a more beautiful place the Sun in his annual
journey never looks upon.
I am very much in want of a Boy to help me in
the office occasionally, more especially to be there at
night, for since Francis health has become so delicate
I cannot often with propriety keep my light burning
at the Office so late at night as should be. If George
could come here he could take rank with the first
Society, could have what little benefit my instructions
and my encouragement would afford and would
be surrounded by friends who would take an
interest in the preservation of his morals and a great
satisfaction in the expansion of his mind. I should
be pleased very much could such an arrangement
be made
On the subject of the Bills of Cost. The Chance-
ry Bill is sent to Albany for taxation as soon as
it arrives I will forward it with the others.
I congratulate you on the triumph of the sober
sense and virtue of the People in the election of John
Quincy Adams. You will see an article signed
“Agricola” in the last “Free Press” from my poor
pen. I think it will meet your views.
Frances is still convalescent. She still remains
weak however and the tone of her system is not
nor soon will be restored. She rode out once about
half a mile which has been the only time she
has gone out since her confinement which is now
a month since – Dr Humphrey is her physician
and in him we have entire confidence – He is very
attentive to her and thinks that she is doing well
This is Monday morning, I have started my fire
at ½ past two, and I fear that if I prolong this letter
I shall not do up my writing for the day – Remem-
ber me affectionately to all the family, to Ma in par-

ticular & say to her that I am waiting to hear from
her
Affectionately
Yours
W.H. Seward

Auburn 22 Feby
Free
Hon. Sam^l S. Seward
P.M.
Florida
Orange Co
hW^m H. Sewards
Letter