Florida 28^th Feby 1825
My dear William
At a County meeting at Goshen
on Friday last held for the purpose of inducing
the directors of the Deleware & Hudson Canal Co
to take this rout – Ogden Hoffman informed
me he wished to have a conversation with me
The amount of which was that his business is
increasing – That by expereance he had learned what
I said to him was true, that one could not at-
tend to the office at all times necessary to satisfy
Clients – and therefore if you thought it advisable
he should be pleased to have you return and enter
a partnership with him say for 5 or 6 years – He went
on further to state that during my Sickness I had observed
to him if my indisposition continued it would be
necessary for you to return to take charge of my
business – That you had said to him that your op-
portunities of speaking at the bar did not meet your
expectations in Cayuga with which you was
rather dissatisfied – That Judge Betts has proposed
Fredrick – That he had other offers but that he
should accept none unless you agreed – With
all this I confess I was a little surprised because
M^r H well knew my feelings were indignant at
his conduct when you left the County, and
nothing but the strongest testamonials of his
personal friendship would ever have indu-
sed me to overlook it – I however proceeded to
inform him of what I considered your prospects
to be at the West, and that I could say nothing
on the subject of his proposed project untill
I heard from you – He then requested me to
write – Thus you have the proposition
before you – You are well apprised of my
feelings. I am totally incapable of advising
and must therefore leave it with you after this
single remark that if you think it advisable to
continue at Auburn – [ the ] Judge ought to give you
such a chance as will [ ena ] ble you to do something
for your family while your strength &
and vigor continues Write me S.S. Seward

SS Seward
PM Florida
William H Seward Esq
Auburn
hS.S. Seward
Feb 22 1825