Thousand Islands July 26, 1857,
My Dear Daughter,
In earlier times mankind have believed that Kings were created superior
to other men and enjoyed privileges and indulgences denied to their subjects.
In these days fishing was thought a privilege of that sort and so the
fields of waters resorted to by the sovereign or his agents were called
the Royal Fisheries. We although we are plebeians had yesterday
a royal fishery. A party y in six boats – each with an oarman
and with either one gentleman and one lady or one gentlemanly only
set out at 7 o’clock and sailed away some five or six
miles and then dispersed in different channels. We fished alo[ ng ]
in a solitary way all around island shores until one, oclo[ ck ]
when we all gathered on a rock on Van Buren island, and
compared our acquisitions of spoils of the deep waters, some bo[ ats ]
had taken 6 some 10 some 12. Fred and Anna had take[ n ]
14. I had gathered seventeen fish. Their weight our fis[ h ]
was forty pounds. The boatmen kindled a fire, and cooked
a liberal supply of fish and we enjoyed the feast with
appetites such as only such exercise on the water ca[ n ]
give – Dinner over, we dispersed again to the fishery

[hole] whiled away two hours more, then collected [hole]
brilliant regatta rowed hours to our hpmr on the [hole]
coast. The weather was invigorating, but the reflection of the
suns rays has painted us all a deep red. Anna looks
like an Indian girl. Fred begins to exhibit a glow on
his pale cheek. As for me I seem to toughen and I feel that
I am going strong. After sunset the choir of the little church
here gathered in boats before the rock esplanade of our tower
and cheered us with songs some legendary, some of love and
some of chivalry, closing with hymns preparatory for the morrows
devotion. Then came along steamer after steamer with
rafts of lumber a quarter of miles long, filled with boatmen
cheerful and joyous. To close the scene the Aurora Borealis
[ kin ] dled his pale fires and presented us with an entertainment
of fire works that continued until sleep was welcome
[ an ] d we all returned to dream of pickerel and bass
[hole] over our heads and islands sporting in contra
dances.
This morning is bright, we have been sitting in the shade of a great
rock which stretches out along the shore. Soon we go to Church
[ an ] d then we begin our preparations for departure. At ten o clock

[hole] back by boat to Kingston, then we steam down the
St [hole] through the Thousand Islands and over
Rapids to Montreal and then Onward t[ o ] Quebec. We have
formed no plans beyond that point. But we wait to learn
on arriving there what will be best – We may go up the
Saguenay, we may go round by Halifax. We expect to find
letters at Montreal – and Quebec and we hope to hear
that all of our friends are well.
Tell Mother that Frederick has surmounted all his
worst symptoms and is decidedly improved.
Your affectionate father
William H Seward.
Miss Fanny A Seward.