Letter from Frances Miller Seward to George Washington Seward, June 30, 1851
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to George Washington Seward, June 30, 1851
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:pxc
student editorTranscriber:spp:msf
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1851-06-30
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to George Washington Seward, June 30, 1851
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Auburn, NY
receiver: George Seward
Birth: 1808-08-26
Death: 1888-12-07
location: Florida, NY
transcription: pxc
revision: crb 2019-02-14
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Page
1
Auburn June 30th –
My dear brother,
I have been hoping for a week
past to find some leisure to answer your
letter – Your letter grieved me much – it is
unlike yourself – you were not wont to
be suspicious of your best friends – The ^Brooding over real^
dark hue of your thoughts has warped or ^fancied wrongs has warped your^
shaded your feelings – ^& somewhat obscured your judgement^ I am sorry on
your own account – you are not happy
no one can be who doubts the integrity
of those nearest them – You will
not probably believe me when I tell you
that all your suspicions are baseless
& yet I have never deceived you – I
know Henry
and I know that he never intentionally
wronged any one much less a brother who
he loves – I hope it will yet all
appear right to you – Henry will probably
be detained at Detroit three weeks longer
He has a different cause to manage –
Remember me affectionately to the children
and believe me as ever your affect[ ionate ]
Reason:
Sister
Frances
Page
2
I have always freely admitted that you have cause for
dissatisfaction but why should that embitter your feelings
towards those who have given you no cause of
complaint There are two or three parts in your
letter so palpably erroneous that I cannot avoid
allu[ ding ]
Reason: – to them
– The supposition that Henry
wishes to influence you in your religious opinions
or in any matrimonial connexion is so absurd
that I presume you have yourself before this time
discarded it from your mind – That he has
ever felt unkindly because you did not come
to Auburn to reside appears to me equally
erronious – I did not know that he had ever
spoken to you on the subject – I believe I once
suggested something of the kind to you but not
with the least idea that you would suppose
it an expression of Henry’s wishes. I do not
think he ever thought of it seriously twice
The confidence which you have heretofore reposed in
Henry is not misplaced – he has never I know
him well – he has never intentionally wrong
a human being & he never will – I hope
the time may come when this cloud will
pass from your mind – it makes you
unhappy & distresses your friends – May God
in his infinite Mercy turn the darkness
into light – I remain as ever
Auburn June 30th –
My dear brother,
I have been hoping for a week
past to find some leisure to answer your
letter – Your letter grieved me much – it is
unlike yourself – you were not wont to
be suspicious of your best friends – The ^Brooding over real^
dark hue of your thoughts has warped or ^fancied wrongs has warped your^
shaded your feelings – ^& somewhat obscured your judgement^ I am sorry on
your own account – you are not happy
no one can be who doubts the integrity
of those nearest them – You will
not probably believe me when I tell you
that all your suspicions are baseless
& yet I have never deceived you – I
know Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
better than any one else
canand I know that he never intentionally
wronged any one much less a brother who
he loves – I hope it will yet all
appear right to you – Henry will probably
be detained at Detroit three weeks longer
He has a different cause to manage –
Remember me affectionately to the children
Birth: 1844-11-20
Death: 1917-01-29
Birth: 1840-11-08
Death: 1910-11-28
Birth: 1838-04-16
Death: 1916-02-22
Birth: 1835-01-09
Death: 1926
Birth: 1833-06-08
Death: 1891-06-12
and believe me as ever your affect[ ionate ]
Supplied
Sister
Frances
I have always freely admitted that you have cause for
dissatisfaction but why should that embitter your feelings
towards those who have given you no cause of
complaint There are two or three parts in your
letter so palpably erroneous that I cannot avoid
allu[ ding ]
Supplied
wishes to influence you in your religious opinions
or in any matrimonial connexion is so absurd
that I presume you have yourself before this time
discarded it from your mind – That he has
ever felt unkindly because you did not come
to Auburn to reside appears to me equally
erronious – I did not know that he had ever
spoken to you on the subject – I believe I once
suggested something of the kind to you but not
with the least idea that you would suppose
it an expression of Henry’s wishes. I do not
think he ever thought of it seriously twice
The confidence which you have heretofore reposed in
Henry is not misplaced – he has never I know
him well – he has never intentionally wrong
a human being & he never will – I hope
the time may come when this cloud will
pass from your mind – it makes you
unhappy & distresses your friends – May God
in his infinite Mercy turn the darkness
into light – I remain as ever