Florida 12 Dec 1842
My very dear William Henry
yours of the 18th Ult was duly received I
fully concur in opinion that it would
have been worse than madness in you to
leave the Executive Chamber at a time
when such awfull responsibilities were
awaiting the solemn fist of your last
discision. In referan[ ce ] to the correctness
of which I have only time to say that not
an answer has reached my ear ex-
cept Morse of the observer who sets him-
self up as an umpire of Law and Justice
against all the high tribunals of the state
and fourteen thousand of her
vertuous citizens – We flattered our-
selves that the arduous duties of your
responsible stacion was over, but to
our surprise we find the heartrend-
ing and awfull duties of the Executive
Chair is left to be desided on at the
very evening of your official duties
May the great usher of events guide
gard and protect you through those
eventfull scenes

After many years (perhaps of wise) conducted
business I am brought to a complete stand –
all confidence and I may say all honorable
responsibility is lost in the County of Orange
bonds and obligation I showed you in June
which supposed to be equal to the bank of
Newburgh are now not worth a farthing
your counsel therefore at this time –
would be of the utmost advantage to the
Estate and the family – You are well
aprised that I have no confidence
in those Goshen Attorneys – My long
indisposition has rendered me
almost incapable of doing business
you will recollect I proposed to you
the [ purches ] of the Randolph property
They have since thrown it in market
and it will be sold probably for the
value of it – Your present Views and
Judgment on this important business
is of all things the most desirable to me
at this important crisis of my business
If possible will you therefore write me
when I may expect to see yo – what
advice you can give in those difficult
events – If real property would command
anything like the value of it I should not
hesitate a moment – I would sell & clear out

Being thoroughly convinsed that
if something cannot be done or my
business be better attended to all will go
Ten thousand Dollars will not cover
the dificits that have taken place in a
few months – where as if I had the value
of my real Estate and was calmly set-
tled in the neighborhood of Auburn
or elsewhere I could collect my dues
stave of sappers who I find have no
honor and live in peace – something
must be done what some ought to be
I know not and no one to advise
[ & ] saturday I was confidancially [ alar ] med
of the disastrous situation of say 40
which I considered soundly vested
I have been to Goshen today and fear that
but a small portion of it can be saved
These occurances are becoming worse
Write me when I shall see you and
what course to take
Your affectionate
Father
Saml S Seward
W H Seward
Gov

William H Seward
Gov of the State of NY
Albany
GOSHEN NYDEC 14
hS. S. Seward
Dec 12. 1842