Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, April 29, 1848

  • Posted on: 17 October 2018
  • By: admin
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, April 29, 1848
x

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:sts

student editor

Transcriber:spp:srr

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1848-04-29

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, April 29, 1848

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: Unknown
Unknown

transcription: sts 

revision: tap 2018-07-24

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Page 1

Auburn April 29th 1848
My dear Augustus,
It is nearly a week since I received
the News Paper form Tacubaya
x

which was almost
as welcome as a letter almost remember not quite
I felt sad this morning having dreamed that you
were in trouble and ill – The bright sunshine
has dispelled these fancies still the uncertainty
about the ratification of the treaty leaves my
mind ill at ease – All the late accounts
speak discouragingly – however I will hope for the
best – The immense amount, and exceeding
interest of the European news excludes almost
every thing else from the papers – Europe
x

is thoroughly
convulsed – Your father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
received a letter a
few days ago from Col. Amory
Birth: 1802-11-05 Death: 1885-09-04
who is at present
in London – he thinks there are strong indica-
tions of a revolution in England – We are
looking for intelligence of importance by the
next steamer – If it were possible to bring about
a state of affairs where the poorer classes in
England might arrive at some greater degree of

[top Margin]
May God preserve and bless you in the earnest prayer
of your Mother –
Clarence sends love –
Page 2

comfort than they at present possess I for one should
be very glad – But such changes cannot be sought
in a day, and like the discontinuance of slavery
in our own favoured land must be the work of
time, and perseverance in propagating truth and right
principles –
I remained in Albany after I wrote my last
letter four or five days making a very pleasant visit
Your father and Frederick
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
then went to New
York
and Orange County – I came home with
Abbey
Birth: 1822 Death: 1895-09-16
and the Children
x Birth: 1844-12-09  Death: 1866-10-29  Birth: 1839-06-18  Death: 1920-04-29 
– Fanny was quite
sick the day before we left Albany but recovered
soon – Willie was very glad to come again
among his numerous playmates who are at this
time rendered very agreeable by the possession of
a miniature fire engine of which they are
the joint proprietors – This engine occupies a great
part of Willie's time – he was at one time torch
bearer when our yard was deluged with oil
from No 3 torches he now has the care of the
pipe, a copper tube about four feet long which
it is a part of his duty to keep clean, a part
which of course devolves upon the maidens of
the house – it was looking very bright this morning
when he went to meet the company who were
Page 3

to meet somewhere and throw water upon each
other, occasionally upon some unwary passer-by who
has the appearance of sufficient meekness not to resent
the affront – Your Grandfather Seward
Birth: 1768-12-05 Death: 1849-08-24
is becoming
more and more infirm though he still retains
the control of all his business – The "Seward Institute"
occupies a large share in his thoughts – Miss Parsons
Unknown

remains there, though not giving general satisfaction
her school increases in numbers – since Julia's
Birth: 1811-08-26 Death: 1847-07-24
death
a Mrs House
Unknown
has kept house for your grandpa – She
and he are at this time mutually dissatisfied with
each other – she was about to leave – there was some
hope of getting a daughter
Birth: 1827-09-27 Death: 1876-05-22Certainty: Probable
of hi Cousin John Seward
Birth: 1811
of
New Jersey to come and stay with Caroline
Birth: 1834-07-25 Death: 1922-02-28
who
is now in her fourteenth year and has I believe
the chief care of her grandfather – Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
every Spring
about the time of tax gathering has a very strong inclination
to move away from Florida – It is melancholy to see
the unrelaxed hold of a strong passion when one gets
so old – Dr Canfield's
Birth: 1798-11-26 Death: 1865-01-05
wife
Birth: 1815-07-01 Death: 1904-10-31
left him more than
a year ago and has not returned – she will prob-
ably continue a member of her fathers
Birth: 1782-10-25 Death: 1868-05-29
family –
The Dr is uneasy and suggested taking Caroline away
from her grandfather – your father of course advised
a wiser course –
Page 4

There is still all manner of speculation about the next
Candidate for the Presidency – The Tribune is strongly in
favor of Clay
Birth: 1777-04-12 Death: 1852-06-29
– the Courier & Enquirer as strong for Taylor
Birth: 1784-11-24 Death: 1850-07-09

while the evening Journal wisely leaves it to the
decision of the General Convention in June – Some
portion of the Whig press have nominated Gov Scott
Birth: 1786-06-13 Death: 1866-05-29

I have read all the proceedings of the court of Enquiry which
have been published in our papers – Aunt Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
has the
paper you sent – we were much pleased to get it –
William Muir
Birth: 1824-09-16 Death: 1900-05-02
has received a paper from you – I sent Will
the copy I had made of portions of your letter with
which he was much pleased – Dr Will Richardson
Unknown
has
also had them – Frederick returned to Schenectady
yesterday morning he was at home a little more than
a week having commenced his vacation visiting – He and
Clarence
Birth: 1828-10-07 Death: 1897-07-24
have both put on hats which makes them look
much taller and considerably older – I have a letter
from Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
this week they are all well – Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
and
her father
Birth: 1797-03-06 Death: 1856-02-16
are busily engaged making gardens – Aunt
Clara is well – she was here this afternoon sends much love
Mr McLallen
Birth: 1791-09-07 Death: 1860-11-16
is moving his shop – having purchased the
building the next but one above the methodist church
Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
has been ill with a cold but is now well
enough to go out again – Ira Curtis
Birth: 1795 Death: 1848-04-24
was buried
Wednesday – he was a true friend of your fathers who
wh was much grieved not to have heard of his sickness
Our garden is beginning to be very pretty though the
Spring is cold – When I think of Mexico I dread the
approach of warm weather – I trust my dear child that
^you^ find some opportunity to benefit others – at least by example
this should be our chief aim through life – in no other
manner can we more effectualy obey the commands of
our saviour – who himself went about doing good!