Auburn June 15^th 1846
My dear Augustus,
I received you letter communicating
the result of the examination three or four days
ago – As you seem gratified by the result I will
endeavour to be pleased likewise. I The state of
my mind at the time I wrote my last
letter perhaps presented my giving judicious
advice but you know well that I would
never counsel you to do an act that was
really dishonorable – we might differ about in
our views on this subject but we will leave
that for discussion at some future time –
your letter under the circumstances does
you credit and was gratifying to your
father. I can only pray that this wicked
war may be terminated before the time comes
when you may be called to take a
part in it – I shall come to see you this
summer if nothing unexpected occurs to prevent
tell me when you prefer to have me come
and what additions to your wardrobe I can
make – the last two weeks have been
fatiguing weeks for your father – The trials
of Wyatt and Freeman were made the

business of an especial term which commenced the
first of this month – Two weeks have been consumed
in vain endeavours to get an impartial jury
without success – Your father endeavored proposed
to the court to have the trial in another
county but to this the Judge would not consent.
A jury will probably be obtained this week –
Wyatts trial comes on first – then Freemans
if he is not proved too insane for trial
which is the opinion of many good
judges of insanity – and which can alone
account for the horrible deed he com-
mitted without ^the slightest^ provocation – I believe
most of the moderate and reasonable
persons in the village have adopted this
conclusion though when your father
first undertook the defense his friends
were all endeavouring to persuade him
that it was a very hazardous attempt
such was the state of public feeling
in regard to the murder – Your father
is one whose moral courage never fails
and he perseveres in the cause of humanity –
It is still impossible to determine how the
affair will terminate though I think the
popular feeling has become sufficiently modified
to quiet all apprehension of violence –

I for one am satisfied that capital punishments even
when the fate of those in sound mind are both
unchristian and inexpedient, having a tendency
to increase the very crimes they seek to prevent –
I have read and thought much on this subject recently
it is a question which has long been the subject
of discussion in Europe and is becoming more
interesting to the benevolent and humane here—
I trust the time will come when some safe place
of confinement will be substituted for the gallows.
It is now difficult to get a jury among the most
intelligent who have not conscientious scruples
about consenting to the death of a fellow man
and this is the occasion of many persons whose
hands have been dyed in blood, being again
turned loose upon community, when was
the punishment any other than death a conviction
would be easily obtained – Dr Doane, and
Dr Brigham (of the Insane Asylum) both came to
attend these trials – Dr Doane is still with us
Dr Brigham has returned to Utica to await
the formation of a jury – he can be recalled very
easily by the aid of Telegraph – I watch the
papers for intelligence from Mexico – I fear the war
has not terminated – the same spirit of injustice which
occasioned the commencement of hostilities of on the
part of the U. States will be likely to induce the

further wrong of a continuation – Many precious beings
have already been sacrificed and and many more may
be to promote the political popularity of a weak
chief Magistrate – Grandpa is getting quite well
again – Aunt Clary is well and sends love – Willie
says he wishes Gussy would answer his letters –
Aunty and Frances are to make us a visit next
month – Sister Fanny runs all about and
wishes to spend all her time in the Garden – A Dieu
Your affectionate Mother
Cadet Seward
U.S. Military Academy
West Point —
AUBURN N.Y.

[right Margin] Don't forget the directions about the shirts & linens