Letter from Charles Sumner to William Henry Seward, July 19, 1858
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Letter from Charles Sumner to William Henry Seward, July 19, 1858
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:msr
student editorTranscriber:spp:mec
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1858-07-19
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Letter from Charles Sumner to William Henry Seward, July 19, 1858
action: sent
sender: Charles Sumner
Birth: 1811-01-06
Death: 1874-03-11
location: Paris, France
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: msr
revision: crb 2017-04-25
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Page
1
Paris—19th July ‘58
Hotel X Rue de La Paix
My dear Seward,
It was kind in you to
think of me in my exile—
although you little knew the
torments which I am now
severely recovering from. My
treatment has been very
severe, but it has been
approved by the most emin-
ent medical authorities in
England— Sir Benjamin Brody
Sir James Clarke
Holland
Page
2
all of whom have expressed
positive opinions on consultation
with regard to it. Of course,
I cannot tell if any per-
manent good has been done.
^Although^ I have had something of the
good which comes from suffering.
Meanwhile some of my pains
have been driven into one
of my legs.
Before the 22nd May ’56 I
was well in all respects,
without an ache or weak-
ness any where in joint,
nerve or muscle. Now
I know not if I shall ever
Page
3
again be free from some
most depressing sensibility
of my poor sheltered sys-
tem.
But let me not complain.
I try to bear all, & my phy-
sician
at my composure & submissi-
on. For more than 5 weeks
I have not been able to lie on
my back or turn over in
my bed!—And yet I am
not idle. I study Engra-
vings & Architecture. But
I see few people. The Brown-
ings & Mrs
Jameson
enjoyed much-so full of
Page
4
knowlegde & all good sympa-
thies.
How magnanimously
England has dealt with us!
& what a contrast was
her Parlt Debate with that
of our Senate.
My physician does not
wish to burn me again for
two months! I am to try
water & the douche-probably
at Aix en Savoie .
How I do hate Slavery!
Ever sincerely yours,
Charles Sumner
Love to Mrs S.
her sister
Paris—19th July ‘58
Hotel X Rue de La Paix
My dear Seward,
It was kind in you to
think of me in my exile—
although you little knew the
torments which I am now
severely recovering from. My
treatment has been very
severe, but it has been
approved by the most emin-
ent medical authorities in
England— Sir Benjamin Brody
Birth: 1783-06-09 Death: 1862-10-21
Sir James Clarke
Birth: 1788-12-14 Death: 1870-06-29
, Sir HenryHolland
Birth: 1788-10-27 Death: 1873-10-27
& old Dr Lawrence
Birth: 1783-07-16 Death: 1867-07-05
—all of whom have expressed
positive opinions on consultation
with regard to it. Of course,
I cannot tell if any per-
manent good has been done.
^Although^ I have had something of the
good which comes from suffering.
Meanwhile some of my pains
have been driven into one
of my legs.
Before the 22nd May ’56 I
was well in all respects,
without an ache or weak-
ness any where in joint,
nerve or muscle. Now
I know not if I shall ever
again be free from some
most depressing sensibility
of my poor sheltered sys-
tem.
But let me not complain.
I try to bear all, & my phy-
sician
Birth: 1817-04-08 Death: 1894-04-02
expresses
astonishmentat my composure & submissi-
on. For more than 5 weeks
I have not been able to lie on
my back or turn over in
my bed!—And yet I am
not idle. I study Engra-
vings & Architecture. But
I see few people. The Brown-
ings
Birth: 1807-10
Death: 1885-01-23
Birth: 1806-02-10
Death: 1881-08-10
Birth: 1794-05-17 Death: 1860-03-17Certainty: Possible
I haveenjoyed much-so full of
knowlegde & all good sympa-
thies.
How magnanimously
England has dealt with us!
& what a contrast was
her Parlt Debate with that
of our Senate.
My physician does not
wish to burn me again for
two months! I am to try
water & the douche-probably
at Aix en Savoie .
How I do hate Slavery!
Ever sincerely yours,
Charles Sumner
Love to Mrs S.
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
& do not forgether sister
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
.