Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, April 14, 1840

  • Posted on: 14 December 2017
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, April 14, 1840
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:aca

student editor

Transcriber:spp:srr

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1840-04-14

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Letter from William Henry Seward to Benjamin Jennings Seward, April 14, 1840

action: sent

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

location: Albany, NY

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

location: Westfield, NY

transcription: aca 

revision: tap 2017-09-13

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Page 1

Albany April 14th 1840.
My dear Jennings,
I enclose a letter which was written by our old friend Plumb
Birth: 1802-06-09 Death: 1877-08-31
to
Mr. French
Birth: 1798 Death: 1865-01-29
. Similar letters have been received here by Mr. French and by Mr.
Weed
Birth: 1797-11-15 Death: 1882-11-22
and are the subject of much solicitude. I think you may possibly have not made
sufficient allowance for the inducements political opponents have to raise an agitation
on the subject which would be more injurious to the pecuniary interests of the office than
the advantages of foreclosure would compensate – yet I have the highest confidence in your friends
It is a delicate and difficult matter – Would it not be well to send for
Mr. Plumb and agree upon a course to disarm our opponents and continue the
repose so necessary and hitherto so happily enjoyed.
Yours affectionately
William H. Seward.
Benj. J. Seward Esq.
Page 2

Benjamin J. Seward Esq.
Westfield
Chautauqua Co.
ALBANY
APL
13
N.Y.
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Type: postmark
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Benjamin Seward

Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24
April 14. 1840
Page 3

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Editorial Note

Enclosed letter from Alvin Plumb to George A. French, April 14, 1840.
Hand Shiftx

Alvin Plumb

Birth: 1802-06-09 Death: 1877-08-31
Jamestown April 7. 1840
Dr Sir
I wish thus early, to say to you, that
I am not without my fears, that we shall
be effected somewhat by the Land Office foreclosing
of mortgages – I do not hear of much compl-
aints from the mortgagers, but I understand full
well the unhessitating manner, ^which^ our opponents in this
county seize every circumstance and thing, that in the
least promises any help to their cause, no matter
whether right or wrong, with them "the end justifies
the means"– I have understood that Mr. Brockway
Birth: 1815-04-12 Death: 1892-12-12
of
Ripley has said that it will effect his farm to some
extent – I have no doubt that B.J.S. has been
discrete in all instance of foreclosure, that not an
instance has probably occurred, which had for a long
time been past due – But this is a fact that can't
be lost sight of, it isn't in the power of the settlers
for the year 1840 to pay the interest whether foreclosed or
not, our lumber will bring little or no money into the
county, Cattle will be down in price and probably few buyers
at a reduced price, this being the case I see nothing to
be gained by a general continuance in the policy, but ^on the contrary^ an
increase of the debt, to the amt of the cash whatever
that is – I presume the present state of things is highly
inconvenient for the proprietors, that the interest on their
loan must be met; I however reason in this , that
measures have been sufficiently prompt up to the present
time to exhibit the policy of the mortgagers in having
the interest paid as issue; that all the ability of country
is put forth within the reach of the debtors to pay, and
at such a time, any resort to coercion is of no avail,
but may break the nerve which is already distended to the
utmost of its capacity — I suppose the discretion if any
rests with the Trust Co, and I suppose their can be no
change — From my intense feeling on the great subject
Page 4

To which my fears are directed is my apology – I hope
and am perhaps too sensitive, and may anticipate from quarters
from which no attack will be made – I wish as far as
possible to remove the underbrush, that we may have a fair
field fight of ^it^ , with or without – I shall expect as the
saying is, "to be on hand" – my respects to your colleagues
Gov. S. &c
Respectfully,
Your friend
and abr. French
Geo A. French Esq Alvin Plumb
Albany
P. S. Dr Rome
Unknown
of Poland has just dined
with me to day, and concurs with me in
the fears which I entertain, on the subject here
in expressed
A. P.
Page 5

Hon G. A. French
Albany
Paid 61
JAMESTOWN
APR
8
N.Y.
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PAID
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