Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, March 7, 1828
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, March 7, 1828
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:ekk
student editorTranscriber:spp:keh
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1828-03-07
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, March 7, 1828
action: sent
sender: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23
Death: 1841-02-24
location: New York, NY
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: ekk
revision: crb 2016-02-03
<>
Page
1
New York 7 March 1828
Dear Henry,
Your favours of the 1st and
11th inst came the moment to hand. By
the hand writing of the second I conclude
that you have recovered from the fulleness
which is so visible in the first. Why did
you not contrive it so that I might have
learned your illness sooner. I never like
the idea of supposing my friends possibly
sick because they do not tell me they
were are well. If the scattered mem-
bers of the same family were all to agree
tbat information should be given whenever
illness occurs, the reflection would then be
that any one would know the good health
of the others, because he has not been
informed of illness – the inference then from
silence is there not distressing. I am thankful
that you are recovered.
I know I ought to have answered your
last long satisfactory letter – but the truth
is, I have been for more than a month
playing 2nd & 3rd Teller both in the absence from
ill health of one, and could not get time
to bestow upon it, as much as I wished –
[left Margin] Your “exemplification” shall be obtained & forwarded.
Page
2
nor can I now do more than hastily
apologize. I have something to say in
an a way of explanation for the view I
took of your conduct - & then, the subject
has my leave to sleep forever. This
I shall do at a convenient season.
I have been doing a little in your
business, but shall soon have leave time
to do more. I fully agree with you in
the importance you attach to the secrecy to
you have prescribed - & wonder that I had
not more fully appreciate these ^it^ before.
It serves to show how apt a man is to
look ^more^ deeply into his own affairs more than
another can do. I will scrupulously ob-
serve your wish.
Gov Tallmadge
to the City this spring. Can’t you get in
with him.
An attorney here, described to me, but
not named, from prudential reasons, but
to which description I think another suits,
is desirous of getting a partner, ^but^ will
will not avow it for fear of being run
down with applicants. Suppose you pre-
pare your mind & credentials to make a
push there when you come. Slosson
Page
3
has a stupid brother
out of his business – some are of opinion that
he would like a decent partner. His business
you know is worth 8 or 10 thousand.
Dick Day
then again is himself disliked. Some others
about whom I have heard something I
will communicate to you again.
I am delighted with the idea
of your visit to our City. I will recon-
noitre the ground thoroughly ere
arrive, and feel a strong
conviction that we can
do something handsome.
But there is really a difficulty in
asking a man to take a partner that
is not present & that he has never
seen.
Present my warmest regards to
Frances
she ought always to write & tell us
when you are unable
Your affectionate Brother
B.J.Seward
Page
4
Col. Wm H Seward
Auburn,
New York
NEW YORK MAR 7
Type: postmark
h
B.J. Seward
March 7th 1828
New York 7 March 1828
Dear Henry,
Your favours of the 1st and
11th inst came the moment to hand. By
the hand writing of the second I conclude
that you have recovered from the fulleness
which is so visible in the first. Why did
you not contrive it so that I might have
learned your illness sooner. I never like
the idea of supposing my friends possibly
sick because they do not tell me they
were are well. If the scattered mem-
bers of the same family were all to agree
tbat information should be given whenever
illness occurs, the reflection would then be
that any one would know the good health
of the others, because he has not been
informed of illness – the inference then from
silence is there not distressing. I am thankful
that you are recovered.
I know I ought to have answered your
last long satisfactory letter – but the truth
is, I have been for more than a month
playing 2nd & 3rd Teller both in the absence from
ill health of one, and could not get time
to bestow upon it, as much as I wished –
[left Margin] Your “exemplification” shall be obtained & forwarded.
nor can I now do more than hastily
apologize. I have something to say in
an a way of explanation for the view I
took of your conduct - & then, the subject
has my leave to sleep forever. This
I shall do at a convenient season.
I have been doing a little in your
business, but shall soon have leave time
to do more. I fully agree with you in
the importance you attach to the secrecy to
you have prescribed - & wonder that I had
not more fully appreciate these ^it^ before.
It serves to show how apt a man is to
look ^more^ deeply into his own affairs more than
another can do. I will scrupulously ob-
serve your wish.
Gov Tallmadge
Birth: 1778-01-28 Death: 1853-09-29
has determined to cometo the City this spring. Can’t you get in
with him.
An attorney here, described to me, but
not named, from prudential reasons, but
to which description I think another suits,
is desirous of getting a partner, ^but^ will
will not avow it for fear of being run
down with applicants. Suppose you pre-
pare your mind & credentials to make a
push there when you come. Slosson
Birth: 1779-05-25 Death: 1832-04-21
has a stupid brother
Birth: 1771-11-23 Death: 1845-08-14
who takes a small sliceout of his business – some are of opinion that
he would like a decent partner. His business
you know is worth 8 or 10 thousand.
Dick Day
Unknown
has one - but dislikes him - & then again is himself disliked. Some others
about whom I have heard something I
will communicate to you again.
I am delighted with the idea
of your visit to our City. I will recon-
noitre the ground thoroughly ere
Before; sooner than •
youarrive, and feel a strong
conviction that we can
do something handsome.
But there is really a difficulty in
asking a man to take a partner that
is not present & that he has never
seen.
Present my warmest regards to
Frances
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
& tell her that I think she ought always to write & tell us
when you are unable
Your affectionate Brother
B.J.Seward
Col. Wm H Seward
Auburn,
New York
NEW YORK MAR 7
Stamp
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10William Seward
March 7th 1828