Florida 1 March 1841
My dear dear Henry
A calm seems this moment to have
arisen The fearfull billows of a troubled sea is once more
stayed and feeble and debilitated as I am the season we
have recently gone through compells me to ask with
of myself under the controling power of a wise providence
who is to be the next – The natural answer is it is I –
But the inscrutable will of God is past finding out
one short week ag[ o ] the prospect of receiving to our arms
our first born beloved son and his interesting
Mary full of health full of Joy and vivacity filled
our hearts with charing affection – But oh tho revived
the scene of Soul rending affliction through which
we have passd – On Thursday at 11 Oclock they arrived
full of spirits and Joy Tho feeble emasciated and distressed
with pain – The gloom and anxiety it brought over
us cannot be described – Glimmering hopes still sus-
tained us untill monday morning when all vanished
before the heartrending view of a sudden dissolution
at five oClock. I started my express to apprise you of the
solemn catrosphy – I felt that I could not subsist with
out seeing you – But an all wise providence has
ordered it otherwise – Dire disease has also entered

your Roof – Your eldest son was also in ^the^ Jaws of Death
Under these circumstances we could not look for
you and with emotions of thanks we can say that
in the midst of mourning there is consolation.
Your dear Brother was commited to the
family vault on Saturday at One OClock attended
by the mourning obsiques of a whole surrounding
Country – three Rev-Clergymen attending officiating
Mary is with us and continues a few days. – She stood
the great shock with Christian fortitude resignation
and has endeared herself much to our family
Her father & brother was hear, Augustus and
Clarence are with us – Your dear Mama keeps
up but is scarcely able to walk – I am looking almost
daily for the great change – Too weak to dress myself
suffering with most afflicting pain & cough – Julia
is sick in bed - I have this moment learned that
Mr Greens little boy is very sick ––
We have consulted Mary and all agree
that something should be said on the subject of
the departure of our common relative and
have agreed to refer it to you – Whatever
is written I should be pleased to have a Copy
forwarded to George Grier for publication and
one to Mrs J Mumford New York

Will you give our love and regard to our
dear Francis Augustus Judge Miller Frederick and
friends – We hope we are gratefull for the
goodness of a kind providence in sparing
the life of our dear Augustus – Write and
inform us how you are – Report says you
have yourself been very unwell –
Affectionately yours –
Saml S Seward
W H Seward
Gov

His Excell^cy
William H. Seward
Albany
N.Y.
Goshen
MAR 3
N.Y.
hS.S. Seward
March 1^st
1841