Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, April 24, 1840
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, April 24, 1840
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:aca
student editorTranscriber:spp:srr
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1840-04-24
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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
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
(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 ]
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
were not for the support Harrisons
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
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
& upon careful enquiry upon my part
exhibited the utmost freedom from ap-
prehension. Southland
Sunderlin
the Clerk – Mullett
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 ]
Reason: long meditated & can now be
[ per ]
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.
Type: postmarkWESTFIELD
APR
26
N.Y.
h
B. J. Seward
Apl 24. 1840
Lands Office
April 24. 1840
Dear Henry
Taking Plumbs
Birth: 1802-06-09 Death: 1877-08-31
letter foran 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 ]
Supplied
– 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.
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
andmany 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.
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 ]
Supplied
[ per ]
Supplied
– 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
Wm. H. Seward Esq
Albany
N. Y.
Stamp
APR
26
N.Y.
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1820-03-09 Death: 1893-07-07Samuel Blatchford
Apl 24. 1840