Canandaigua Jany 19 1840
My Dear Seward
I am very sorry this matter of the Office of Surrogate of this
county should cause any perplexity at Albany, or elsewhere, but it seems to have
awakened some solicitude at home, and and at the Capitol. I supposed the
thing was settled before Mr Sibley left home, or else I should have replied
to your letters before this. The truth is I am so much engaged that I
cannot spare a moment for any thing, and as M^r Sibley had full
powers and also had read your letter I thought it was unnecessary
in order that every thing might be understood.
I have had a full and confidential talk with
brother Wilson , the present incumbent, and have asked of him
his opinion respecting this office and whether I had better take it
if I could get it: he advises me not to do so: he can have no in-
terested motives in this, his own interest would be promoted in a
professional point of view were I to take the place, as I could not
then attend to as much legal business as I now dispose of: I have
consulted generally with our clients and they are all averse to my
accepting the place, and the better opinion of my friends in this
place is that I should not take it, added to this is the very decided
opinion of Mr Spencer and M^r Sibley: and withal during the time
I am employed in this office many opportunities to gain reputation
in my business and profession would be lost: I am fond of my pro-
fession: have studied it hard and labored in it diligently I have no

^reason^ to complain that the reward has been stinted. And after the most
careful examination I could give the subject my opinion is that
under all the circumstances my interests and prospects would not
be advanced were I to take this place
I had long before M^r Sibley left home put myself in
a position which rendered it impossible for me to accept the place
with honor. I had told Mr Stout Mr Benjamin Mr Chipman and their
friends that I would not be in their way that I had made up my
mind not to take the place, and that they must fight it out between
them. I have also told my friends who have advised me not to take
the place that I had made up my mind to act in accordance with
their judgment It is now understood throughout the county that
I am not to have this office, and I cannot fail to perceive that the
great majority approve of the conclusion I have come to: under all
these circumstances it would be disreputable in me to take it, were
I to do so I should be justly chargeable with duplicity
I cannot pretend to say who shall be the man. Benja-
min will discharge the duties well enough, he is more competent than
most of the candidates in the other counties. I cannot pretend to
say who should have it as I have declined interfering at all
I shall be in Albany next week if our rail road case
is to be argued. If it is not likely to be reached I do not think I can
come down until March
I had almost forgotten to say how well I like the message
particularly the part relating to internal improvements. It is the thing
on that Subject, and it takes with the people
Truly &,
A Worden

To Gov. Seward
Albany
Canandaigua N.Y.
Jan 20
hA. Worden
Jan 19^th
1840