Wednesday Aug–28–1839
My dearest Henry,
I should have written earlier
but until I received your letter this morning
I was expecting you home. That tells me you
will be absent another week. I have just
returned from a visit of condolence to poor
Mrs Lucas. Mr Lucas is no more – he
died yesterday at 5 oclock in a fit of
apoplexy. Since you left they have fancied
him better. Yesterday morning Bishop De Lancey
breakfasted with him he was in better spirits
than usual said he hoped to be able to preach
again in a few months – after breakfast a
carriage was sent for that he might ride as
he was accustomed to do daily. The carriage
could not be obtained until after dinner, in
the interim Mr Lucas said he would be down
and went up stairs for that purpose. Mrs Lucas
without knowing why followed him to his room

a few minutes after – she found him sitting on the
side of the bed apparently much distressed for
breath & endeavouring to unloosen his collar
he requested her almost inarticulately to open the
window – said something about writing – told
her not to be alarmed and sank senseless in her
arms - medical aid was immediately procured
he was bled profusely, but without any effect
he continued to breathe until 5 oclock but without
any return of consciousness. Poor Mrs Lucas suffers
greatly from this dreadful bereavement – it is
a sorrowful dispensation for us all. I believe Mr
Lucas was more universally beloved by his congregation
than any clergyman we have ever had – but so it
is – the ways of God are indeed past finding out
"The good die first
While those whose hearts are dry as summers dust
Burn to the socket."
I presume you received the letter
I sent to Mr Fillmore from John C Spencer [ . ] Though you
do not mention it – there was one came from
Weed the same day which it seemed unnecessary
to forward at least Pa thought so. I copy for you a
paragraph relating to your letter to Mr Clay. "I did not
see Blatchford last night after he saw Spencer – the parts which

he says so excepted are in my judgement the saving ones
without which the letter would be a most ungracious one.
I would have been glad to have seen a letter stating that you
were compelled to visit Chautauqua before the Legislature
meets and that that necessarily rendered it impossible
for you to meet him at Albany, together with all the
kind together with all the and acceptable parts to
which Mr S objects. Such a letter if it cannot
be written until you arrive at Chautauqua, would
find him at home." This is all on that subject
which is unsatisfactory enough. Again he says
"I am most happy that you go rapidly to Chautauqua
avow "Receptions[ . ] " Van Buren is going West let [ him ]
have all that kind of Glory"— but I presume you
have other letters from him before this so I will copy no
more. I hear nothing from Harriet since I wrote about
coming here. Please say to Jennings that I received his kind
letter this morning for which I am grateful. I have a
letter from Marcia which I intend answering in a day or two
written at Dr Hunters – remember me affectionately to him the
family also Uncle Cary if he is with you. my headaches
so violently I hardly know what I write. all are well
as ever, your own Frances.

William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauqua County
Aug 28
Auburn NY
hMr W. H. Seward
August 28 1839