BLATCHFORD & SEWARD,
ATTORNEYS
AND
COUNSELLORS AT LAW,
AUBURN, N.Y.
Office in Exchange Buildings, 94 Genesee St.
SAMUEL BLATCHFORD. CLARENCE A. SEWARD.
Auburn February 23. 1852
My dear Uncle:
I found on my return from
Geneva this morning your letter of the 19th
instant. I deeply regret that it did not
arrive sooner – if it had I should not have
to confess the commission of an act which I
fear you will not approve.
I had told Mr Beardsley I would
give him an answer last week. I waited
till the last hour on Saturday and then
redeemed my promise by saying to him
that I would take his house: The first regret
that I have Experienced since the bargain
was completed is caused by your letter.
I have so long been accustomed to regard
with the utmost deference your advice and
counsel – so long been accustomed to follow it
that it startles me now to find myself acting
in a manner disapproved by you. But the
regret comes too late: I have told Mr
Beardsley that I would take his house
and upon the faith of my promise he has
concluded the purchase of the Dennis
place: I have not made this purchase

hastily and without reflection, but on the
contrary have asked the advice of friends and
have bestowed much thought upon it. I found
that I would be necessitated in the spring to
seek a home elsewhere than at Mrs Youngs –
that my family would, by that time, if no
disastrous event occurred, be increased by one,
that my wife would then require some assistance
and with three to support, besides myself I
should be compelled to ask admittance at a
public house. If I gained admittance there
it would only be at an Extravagant price
and at a great sacrifice of comfort and
convenience – I wanted a home and its comforts
and neither were to be found in a public house.
I then looked for house which I could rent
and there I was disappointed. I could find
no house which I would wish to live in that
would be vacant in the Spring. I was com-
pelled to buy. I knew not that your letter
would contain the kind offer it does and
should have acted far differently a home
with you and Aunty and a home at a
hotel, are two very dissimilar prospects. I
did not wish to build for I did not wish
at once to lay out the money necessary to
construct a house. If no adverse circumstances
befall me I can pay for this house from my
income – The office is doing a business worth at the

least $2000 a year of which I receive
one third – The business is constantly in-
creasing and in the event of Mr Blatchford's
Election at the Expiration of two years, I should
have sufficient of it left in my hands to
obtain an Equal partnership with any
lawyer in Auburn. I could not rent a
house. I did not wish to board at a
hotel, I had no home and I must buy.
I did so. My only regret is that your
letter contains advice hostile to such a step.
If health and strength continue I have
no fear for the future – if they fail me
my family will have a home –
Again I thank you for your kind
offer of a home with you and trust that
the affection which prompted it will also
furnish an excuse for what ^may^ seem to have
been an inconsiderate step:
Ever gratefully
Your Nephew
Clarence
The Honorable:
William H. Seward.

hClarence Seward
1852