Astor House Nov. 19th Friday.
My Dearest Frances.
I snatch a few moments to let you know
where I am & where we are going. I found Fred yesterday at Albany
Mr Weed had already come here. Schoolcraft and Fred
dined with us. I visited the Governor and Lewis Benedict, and
received some calls there. At six, Mr & Mrs Winslow came
along and we came down the Rail Road with the Rest
arrived here at eleven. I found Weed and a few friends
up and we sat until One oclock –
This morning Mr Baker came down and I spent the
day with him at the and and at Redfelds–
where the book is proceeding. Col Webb called this morning
and then Draper. The day has gone and now I am going
with Caroline and the Winslows to the Opera without a feeling of
curiosity or interest in it.
Weed went up this evening. We had a pleasant conversa-
tion about Fred whom he proposes to take into the Evening
Journal upon good terms and under Schoolcrafts advice.
So far all went well – After that with (much reluctance
on his part I drew on a conversation about ourselves which
of course was interrupted and then broken off and so perhaps
was worse in its effect than none –
A wide difference of opinion as to the action of three
years ago was opened, and it was apparent, that his feelings
had been wounded by what he thought was a disregard for
his advice and a desertion or a want of appreciation of his

friendship. On my side was the disclosure that what was asked or
expected of me was a dereliction of principles equally wrong in itself
and ruinous in its consequences – It was not strange that he had set down
this of my to the account of overweening ambition, as it cer-
tainly was not strange that I could not see how I could have acted
with more long suffering and patience or meekness through these trials
and saved any self respect. He sees things before us as hopeless
and helpless incurable at least for a longer period than his reasoning
activity – Here the conversation ended – Leaving me in a gloom of sadness
quite uncomfortable because it had led to no results either of letting
me off from a field of duty where I am weary of serving and have no
heart to labor without him, and no reasonable path of a restoration
of that mutual confidence which once made these labors not only
endurable but attractive –
I know not how few others see things as he
does – All Whigs whom I fall in with but him seem better to judge
me with charity greater than his and easier to adhere, unclear to him
because open hostile opponents.
I think you would do well to burn
this letter – it may be as well for me to leave no traces of revela-
tion which it is due to him to say he has made to nobody –
It is dull enough. There is a despondency resting on every body very
unlike the serenity not to say cheerfulness of all the Whigs I found
at Auburn and on my road here –
We go to Goshen tomorrow for a week and then
to Washington – I wish I knew that you were quite well –
Affectionately your own
Henry

William H. Seward
hTo be Burned by
Henry's request –
hMrs William H. Seward
Auburn.
Cayuga Co.
NYork –
FREENEW-YORK
NOV
20
h1850- 851

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