Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, April 24, 1840

  • Posted on: 14 December 2017
  • By: admin
xml: 
Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, April 24, 1840
x

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:1840-04-24

In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's persons.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "pla" point to place elements in the project's places.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's staff.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's bibl.xml authority file. verical-align: super; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration: line-through; color: red;

Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, April 24, 1840

action: sent

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

location: Westfield, NY

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

location: Albany, NY

transcription: aca 

revision: tap 2017-09-13

<>
Page 1

Lands Office
April 24. 1840
Dear Henry
Taking Plumbs
Birth: 1802-06-09 Death: 1877-08-31
letter for
an explanation of itself, I am satisfied
there is nothing wrong for whigs, in the
proceedings of the land office. He adverts
to no case, as a basis of his appre-
hension, except Brockways
Birth: 1815-04-12 Death: 1892-12-12
in Ripley: this
(without taking your time to explain it)
I do assure you, was quite a Civil mat-
ter - a little trouble inflicted in the full
expec[ ta ]
x

Supplied

Reason: 
tion that it would work its own healing
– is now passed away, followed by the
kindest feeling & will, it is said gives to
the whigs two or three votes.
I am suing a little etc. have a
number of advertisements for mortgage
sale, running at this time: sufficient
to keep up a salutory impression that in-

[left Margin] Oliver Lee
Birth: 1791-12-23 Death: 1846-07-28
came home – saying that you were ruined: & that if it
were not for the support Harrisons
Birth: 1773-02-09 Death: 1841-04-04
election would give you, you
would be beaten
by 20,000. He gave
a reason the un-
popularity of the “Reg’s
law” when so
in four days the
vote of the city
came to contradict
his opinion.
Kind regards
to sister
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
– tell
her I am look-
ing for a letter from her when
she gets time.
Page 2

terests must be paid where it is possible.
– Now & Then a case occurs, where a
settler cannot raise the interest (and they
are few) and a sale is the consequence
– but, I have left the party in possession
in every case – some having since set-
tled & others expecting to settle & keep
their lands. I am quite sure this
mode gives better satisfaction than to
allow our business to drop into neglect.
In proof of this, I bring Mr. Plumb
himself – for he was here not a week
before the date of his letter to French
Birth: 1798 Death: 1865-01-29

& upon careful enquiry upon my part
exhibited the utmost freedom from ap-
prehension. Southland
Birth: 1793-04-01 Death: 1879-10-31
the sheriff:
Sunderlin
Unknown
& Muzzy
Birth: 1801 Death: 1860
the deputies —
Unknown

the Clerk – Mullett
Birth: 1784-10-17 Death: 1858-09-10
Crane
Birth: 1791-07-01 Death: 1860-05-18
and
many other friends, assure me that
all is quiet. I am satisfied that
Plumbs apprehension was momentary
and baseless – Pray give yourself no
uneasiness about it.
Page 3

As however every thing is at stake,
with those opposed, & the worst may be
expected in the way of hostile effort, I
propose to be extremely guarded: & I pro-
pose further, to go, soon into every town
mingling freely with the people – looking
after land office matters – saying little
or nothing about any thing else except
my business – & learning & noting
what I can. Such an exami-
nation of the interests of the office
[ I have ]
x

Supplied

Reason: 
long meditated & can now be
[ per ]
x

Supplied

Reason: 
formed with double advantage
– I know that a strong desire
exists to diminish your force in
this your second home – & it shall be mine
to strain a point to counteract this pur-
pose and show an increase.– I think
I can do some good – without loss or
harmed — & I will try.
If aught occurs to your mind in
a way of instruction or suggestion, be
not backward to mention it.
Your grateful brother B. J. Seward
Page 4

Wm. H. Seward Esq
Albany
N. Y.
x

Stamp

Type: postmark
WESTFIELD
APR
26
N.Y.
Hand Shiftx

Samuel Blatchford

Birth: 1820-03-09 Death: 1893-07-07
B. J. Seward
Apl 24. 1840