Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, September 17, 1837

  • Posted on: 10 March 2016
  • By: admin
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, September 17, 1837
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:keh

Distributor:Seward Family Papers Project

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1837-09-17

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Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, September 17, 1837

action: sent

sender: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16  Death: 1872-10-10

location: Washington D.C., US

receiver: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23  Death: 1841-02-24

location: Westfield, NY

transcription: keh 

revision: dxt 2015-11-05

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Page 1

Washington September 17th. 1837.
My dear Jennings,
It is a blessed and bright Sunday morning. I
am relieved from the solicitude that has preyed upon me
since I left home. My friends and acquaintances have
left me alone, and I am at liberty to write with more
coolness than has marked my hurried letters heretofore,
but at the same time I must make short letters because
I am to write several letters this morning.
1st. The arrangement as to the $50,000 is after this man-
ner. I receive the certificates of the American Trust Co.
for $650,000, payable in London. The Bank of the United
States (this is confidential) are on the first of next month
to send an Agent to reside in Europe
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– they will take the cer-
tificates to sell on commission and will advance the
$50,000. I meet the Prest
Unknown
. of the Trust Co. & the BK of the
U.S. in Philada on Wednesday next to settle the form of the
transaction, and then proceed to New York where the
certificates will be issued – and delivered.
2nd. I am to explain the reasons for the tenor of my late
letters to you. There is evidently a contraction of the currency
to continue for several months. The times are to grow more
difficult. I think there is some risk that our measures
of collection may be misunderstood and therefore be regard-
ed as oppressive. Supposing that an impression has been
made sufficiently extensive, that we are to have our annual
payments, I think it best to be very cautious how we give
occasion to complaints of harshness and severity. But
you are to recollect my absence denies me of the means
Page 2

of judging upon this matter. I wish not to be severe and I wish
moreover not to be esteemed more severe than I am. You
will exercise therefore a discretion leaning towards for-
bearance, and especially being generous in the settlement
of the mortgage
The charging of property by a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt, on the condition that it shall be returned on the payment of the debt within a certain period • Convey property to a creditor as security on a loan •
foreclosures.
3d I wait with much solicitude to hear the news
of your efforts to arrange the matter with the Lumber-
man's Bank.
I have found many friends here and made
some interesting acquaintances, especially that of Mr
Clay
Birth: 1777-04-12 Death: 1852-06-29
& that of Mr Calhoun
Birth: 1782-03-18 Death: 1850-03-31
. I am to drive tomorrow
with the former[ . ]
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Supplied

Reason: 
There is a possibility that the bill to
postpone the distribution of the fourth instalment of the
deposites which passed the Senate the day before yesterday
will pass the house of Representatives – although this is by
no means certain. This law however will not operate
to our prejudice at home, as the state will pay the
amount.
It is probable that a bill will pass Congress
authorizing the issue of Treasury notes to 12 millions of
dollars. This will relieve the Country very much, as the
notes will go into circulation.
I think no other law will pass Congress.
Mr Calhoun has made a towards the ad-
ministration, but will carry not more than two mem-
bers of Congress with him. His purpose however is not
yet clearly understood and I am inclined to believe
he will fall back into the opposition when he finds that
the administration with his aid will not be strong e-
nough or bold enough to carry out its locofoco
A friction match • A member of the democratic party •
project[ . ]
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Supplied

Reason: 

Page 3

Will you address your next letter to Albany care of J.
L Rathbone
Birth: 1791-08-02 Death: 1845-05-13
– and after that to Auburn.
I leave here tomorrow at five – but suppose I shall be
detained at New York until some time next week.
My love to Marcia
Birth: 1794-07-23 Death: 1839-10-25
and Kindest regards to
all the family – with expressions of warm remembrances
of all my friends at Westfield.
Yours affectionately
WH.Seward
B.J.Seward Esq.
Page 4

Benjamin J. Seward Esq.
At the Land Office
Westfield
Chautauqua Co.
N. York
WASHINGTON CITY D.C.
SEP 17
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Stamp

Type: postmark
Hand Shiftx

Benjamin Seward

Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24
September 17. 1837