Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, July 17, 1863
xml:
Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, July 17, 1863
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:ssb
student editorTranscriber:spp:cnk
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1863-07-17
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's persons.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "pla" point to
place elements in the project's places.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's staff.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's bibl.xml authority file.
verical-align: super; font-size:
12px;
text-decoration: underline;
text-decoration: line-through;
color: red;
Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, July 17, 1863
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Washington D.C., US
receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: ssb
revision: crb 2018-03-13
<>
Page
1
Department of State
Washington, July 17 1863
My dearest Frances,
It was necessary for me
to write to you when the clouds that
were hanging so angrily over the capital
and indeed over the whole country so
suddenly broke away and admitted
the bright and warm rays of the sun.
I thought of you and Fanny
and sat myself down to compose
a Presidential call upon the people
for Thanksgiving prayers and praise to
our Heavenly Father – It would have
had news of tenderness towards these the
enemies of our country if some of my brethren
had countered. Still I think you must
have read in it and made it what
I think and how I feel.
Page
2
It is not yet certain that we passed
a crisis in Europe before the intelligence
of our nation which also can make
us feared and therefore respected
then reached the capitals of the
old world. I am most apprehensive
always as you know of foreign compli-
cations which can be passing things
These dreadful domestic dangers
The next steamer will tell us all
and if there was no precipitate
action in London and Paris, we shall
go safely through. If there has been any
duress there then I pray God that
my country may summon up the courage
to meet the new danger. You will think
that the recent disturbances in New York
and charleston discourage that hope. I
think differently, The thunder storm
will clean the political skies of the
Page
3
storms which faction has been the
demon of faction has been carrying
up a long time.
I hope that what has now oc-
curred will satisfy you that I was
not remiss in endeavoring to conduct
the slavery debate last year
so much caution as to avoid trying
an occasion to the enemies of the
country to come and bring out to
their side the faction that hates
men for the marks which God
has set upon them to command them
to our pity and our cares.
I have Fannys letter
but must postpone reply
Your own Henry.
Page
4
Department of State
Washington, July 17 1863
My dearest Frances,
It was necessary for me
to write to you when the clouds that
were hanging so angrily over the capital
and indeed over the whole country so
suddenly broke away and admitted
the bright and warm rays of the sun.
I thought of you and Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
and Lazette
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
and sat myself down to compose
a Presidential call upon the people
for Thanksgiving prayers and praise to
our Heavenly Father – It would have
had news of tenderness towards these the
enemies of our country if some of my brethren
had countered. Still I think you must
have read in it and made it what
I think and how I feel.
It is not yet certain that we passed
a crisis in Europe before the intelligence
of our nation which also can make
us feared and therefore respected
then reached the capitals of the
old world. I am most apprehensive
always as you know of foreign compli-
cations which can be passing things
These dreadful domestic dangers
The next steamer will tell us all
and if there was no precipitate
action in London and Paris, we shall
go safely through. If there has been any
duress there then I pray God that
my country may summon up the courage
to meet the new danger. You will think
that the recent disturbances in New York
and charleston discourage that hope. I
think differently, The thunder storm
will clean the political skies of the
storms which faction has been the
demon of faction has been carrying
up a long time.
I hope that what has now oc-
curred will satisfy you that I was
not remiss in endeavoring to conduct
the slavery debate last year
so much caution as to avoid trying
an occasion to the enemies of the
country to come and bring out to
their side the faction that hates
men for the marks which God
has set upon them to command them
to our pity and our cares.
I have Fannys letter
but must postpone reply
Your own Henry.