Auburn Feb 28^th 1844
My beloved child,
I cannot consent to have you consider
the letter which I copied yesterday as an expression
of my feelings or opinions – It is but one month since
you wrote me a letter saying that you did the best
you could to avoid demerit marks – I cannot believe
that in that time so great a change has taken place
in your principles that you are willing to subject
yourself to censure – That some adverse interest is
operating against you is plain – without an explanation
from you it is impossible to form a correct judgement
but as yet my confidence in the uprightness of your
intentions is undiminished – I know the many
temptations to err which surround the young especially
boys away from the paternal roof – I know also
that none can entirely escape the effect of evil in-
fluences – to know that you have deviated from the
path of rectitude though it would give me much

pain, would occasion no decrease of my affection
so long as you should desire and strive to amend –
But I am not willing to trust the information of
a third person – from a child I have never had
the least reason to doubt your truthfulness – I cannot
doubt it now – neither am I willing t to think you
deceive yourself – you have no indefinite notions
of right and wrong – you cannot pursue in a course
of wrong conduct without being conscious that it is
wrong and I hope would not justify such a
course even to yourself – I believe you would not
to me – Thus hoping and believing I have hesitated
to come to any conclusion without an explanation
from you – if I could talk with you 10 minutes
it would be easy to obtain such an explanation but
such things are more difficult to write – You will
perceive that those who are friendly to you cast the blame
upon your associates – particularly upon your room-
mate – You must know whether this is deserved
and I think whatever your relations may be to each
other that to your mother you may speak unreservedly

Without being decidedly vicious it is possible that
your roommate may from neglect of early education
or some other cause be less conscientious than yourself –
he may by recklessness have lost the confidence of his teachers
and without being positively malicious may feel willing
to see you placed in the same predicament – all this would
have some influence however much you might strive against
it and I think your Father has done wisely to require a
separation – With regard to your studies, I have not
thought with your father but I may be wrong – I was quite
satisfied with your standing in your class but your father thinks
to ensure success you should be at least in one of your studies
in the 1^st section – you must know how this is – With a
prospect of dismissal in June, you certainly would not wish
to remain until that time – You can best tell whether the
alternative which your father has presented can be accom-
plished by you – should you doubt the possibility do
not hesitate to say so, at once, frankly – Should you
feel a resignation necessary I entreat you not to let
it weigh down your spirits – You have health, strength
ability and perseverance – With industry and the
blessing of your Heavenly Father you cannot fail
to make your way through the world respectably
Withal you have loving hearts at home to receive
you a mother whose affection will remain
the same through good and evil report – Adieu
F. A. Seward

AUBURN
N.Y.
FEB
28
Augustus H. Seward
At The Military Academy
West Point