Auburn October 7th. 1844.
My dear George,
I thank you sincerely for inquiring about the health of my dear
parents and advising me so accurately on that interesting subject. This is the
first Monday in October. On the third monday I must be in attendance in
the Supreme Court at Rochester. I need the interval to prepare– having
been abroad two weeks on an excursion from which I have just returned.
I am not impatient to be forgiven by the Whigs of Orange County. I was
born there and therefor they will be the last to forgive me for my many
errors real or imputed. Could I attend a meeting there it would not be
best. But it is at all events out of the question.
Do not suffer yourself to be grieved by any expression of unkindness to me
airing out of my relations to the religious warfare between Protestant and
Catholics such as you allude to in your letter. The consciousness of
performing a high duty in inculcating moderation and charity would abund-
antly reward me for a thousand times more invective than I have ever suffered
But time has already vindicated me in all the regions of the country
not immediately excited by the late unhappy disturbances in New
York and Philadelphia. If you could see the kindness and affection bestowed
upon me and hear the blessings invoked upon me in the cottages of the
Exiles all through the Northern and Western counties you would think I had
purchased such affectionate regard cheaply enough.

In a political aspect, the question is not different. Look at Maryland, that
noble Whig State all but lost in consequence of the persecution and
intolerance practiced in the Eastern cities toward Catholics for Convenience
sake. Wait for the unrest in Pennsylvania and in New York city
and see then if my forecast will not be ^not^ vindicated, and if I
be not wise in insisting that a great kind generous National Party must
not be made a sectarian and prescriptive one. We shall soon see
the result in this State and in the Nation. Whatever be the extent
of our victory judge whether my counsels would not have embraced
it, whatever the defeat whether my suggestions were not calculated
to prevent it.
I have been drawn forth reluctantly but temporarily
from the shade where I desired to remain. I return to it again
with a determination to abide there be the result what it may.
Make my warmest love to my cousins one and all and
assure them of my devoted affection.
I hope to make a short visit to Orange early in November
We are all as well as usual. Clarence has entered Geneva
College– Otherwise all remain as before–
Your affectionate friend
William H Seward
George M. Grier Esquire

George M. Grier Esquire.
Goshen.
Orange County.
New York.
Auburn
Oct.
7
N.Y.

[right Margin] h

Unknown

W^m H Seward
Octr 7, 1844
postage 18⁹/4