Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, March 1, 1846

  • Posted on: 16 October 2018
  • By: admin
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, March 1, 1846
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:nwh

student editor

Transcriber:spp:jaa

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1846-03-01

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, March 1, 1846

action: sent

sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24  Death: 1865-06-21

location: Auburn, NY

receiver: Augustus Seward
Birth: 1826-10-01  Death: 1876-09-11

location: West Point, NY

transcription: nwh 

revision: tap 2018-07-20

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Page 1

Auburn March 1st 1846
My dear Augustus,
I was very glad when your
letter to Willie
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
came I feared that the heavy
fall of snow would so obstruct the progress
of the mail from West Point that a longer
time than usual would elapse before I should
hear from you – The snow here is nearly four
feet upon a level which will make our winter
a protracted one – When I wrote you before
your father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
had just returned from Washington
and was preparing for Wyatt’s
 Death: 1846-08-17
trial which came
on in the course of the succeeding week –
All went, Aunt Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
and myself
To hear your fathers concluding argument –
You have seen by the papers that the ground of
defense chiefly depended upon was was the insanity
of the prisoner at the time he committed the
murders – This was proved to me very conclusively
in the argument though the jury could not all
agree upon a verdict – after a consultation of
thirty six hours they asked and obtained a
dismission – five being for and seven against
the prisoner. We all became much interested
in the cause – I wish you and Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
could
have been here – your father spared no
exertion to save the life of his client – it
is very hard to convince people generally
that he could make an exertion of this
kind without remuneration – he will have the
reward of a good conscience which invariably
Page 2

attends such acts of kindness and mercy – The
non agreement of the jury of course renders a new
trial necessary – The grand jury found an
indictment of manslaughter (in the 4th degree)
against Rathbone
 Death: 1864-06-03
for the murder of Plumb
Birth: 1825 Death: 1846-01-24

by whipping – Rathbone has since resigned (per
force) his situation in the prison – as has the
deputy keeper Cary
Birth: 1811-10-26 Death: 1885-06-16
– I fear this will be all
the retribution which will follow their evil
crime – A bill to prevent whipping in the state
prisons has been presented to the Assembly but
not yet acted upon – Mr Morgan
Birth: 1808-06-04 Death: 1877-04-03
has gone
to Washington – Your father left for Florida as soon
as the jury were dismissed – Grandpa Seward
Birth: 1768-12-05 Death: 1849-08-24
had
been urging the necessity of his presence there for
a long time – the sale of the real estate was to take
place the 22d of Feb – The day after your father
left came our last heavy fall of snow –I have heard
that he had much difficulty on his journey but
I have no particulars – Cousin Mary
Birth: 1828 Death: 1905
went with
him – her last term was more than half com-
pleted and Grandpa Seward wished her to come
to his seminary and she was anxious to see her
mother
Birth: 1805-07-15 Death: 1848-05-14
– I feel relieved of much responsibility
Aunty and Frances are here yet – the snow is so deep
that they do not purpose attempting to dig out
their house for a week to come – John drives
our horses with fear and trembling – Patrick
Unknown
has
left – since the wood is all sawed there was
work for but one man. Willie was very happy
to get your letter – he is quite sick at present with
a violent cold which the Dr says was very
near producing inflammation of the lungs – we now
consider him out of danger – Sister talks a great deal
but does not quite walk alone yet – Aunt Clara
and all send love – I had a letter from Fred

[right Margin]
before your father left
but have heard nothing
since – he was well
and contented – Clarence
Birth: 1828-10-07 Death: 1897-07-24
is well

[left Margin]
I shall
expect your
father home
next week —

[left Margin]
Lent has
commenced
and there will
be a cessation of
parties Frances has
attended 21 since she
came – Aunt Clara
gave a very pleasant party
last week about 40 Dances

[right Margin]
I am very
thankful that
you have escaped
sickness this winter A. Dieu– your affectionate
Mother