Letter from Frances Adeline Seward to William Henry Seward, July 15, 1866
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Letter from Frances Adeline Seward to William Henry Seward, July 15, 1866
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:mlb
student editorTranscriber:spp:rmg
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1866-07-15
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Letter from Frances Adeline Seward to William Henry Seward, July 15, 1866
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1844-12-09
Death: 1866-10-29
location: Auburn, NY
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Washington D.C., US
transcription: mlb
revision: zz 2021-06-07
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Page 1
Auburn. Sunday
15th July. 1866
My dearest Father,
Last night brought
me two letters from you—
that of the 12th & that
of the 13th— also Anna's
Birth: 1834-03-29 Death: 1919-05-02
of the 13th. It is very
delightful to receive so many
letters—home letters at
one time.
The reports in the
papers in regard to
Cabinet changes had
set us all wondering.
Yesterday, accounts of
the resignation of Mr
Stanton
Birth: 1814-12-19 Death: 1869-12-24
made us anxious
for some authentic intelli-
gence. We hope it is an
unfounded report—but when we
are prevented by distance from
knowing at once how much
of the Washington telegraphic
news to believe it becomes
very formidable at times.
You have made this im-
portant question plain to me
as it never was before— by the
explanation of your letter.
The second drawing is painful
indeed— but the third is so
distressing that it makes me
very sad and apprehensive to
look at it. I grieve to
think of how all this must
oppress you—standing on a level
so much above those around
you— and so seeing calmly &
clearly all that to them is
hidden or distorted.
Home is so sweet this warm
summer morning that I vainly
wish for you all to share
its repose and peace. There are
no sounds but the voices of
birds, the chatter of squirrels,
and the rustling of leaves in the
gentlest of breezes. Yesterday
the workers began to lay the
bricks on that part of the
building opposite the upper
kitchen. On the part facing
the garden ^& South St.^ they have filled
up the stonework about the
window frames— and it looks
massive & enduring.
Last night Will
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
took
Jenny
Birth: 1839-11-18 Death: 1913-11-09
and I to drive. First
to the Fair Ground, where a
trial of Mowers & Reapers is going
on. The exhibition being over
for the day—we could drive
quietly around, and examine
the curious pieces of mechanism
Then we drove through Fitch
Avenue which is being filled
up with comfortable, respectable
looking houses. Going up Eliza—
beth street, Will showed me,
that I might write you of
it, —the little house which
Dennis Scollins
Birth: 1827
lived in. But
it is no longer little— &
is entirely transformed. The
prettiest of cottages presents
itself— when the eye seeks the
old house. It is a brown cottage,
with a portion of darker brown.
The upper windows are large, &
the lower are French windows.
There is a low building at the
back— which is the original
one— quite just out of sight
by the new.
Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
& Henry
Birth: 1822-02-03 Death: 1888-11-24
came down
for a little while yesterday
afternoon—and Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
was
here a few moments in the
morning. We stopped at
Pisgah last night—but all
were gone to drive.
I am very sorry to see
by Anna's letter how far
from well she is. I feel
unbounded indignation at
Congress for not adjourning
& am tempted to wish un-
tenable calamities upon
its persistent members for
keeping you all from coming
away.
Much love to all–
Most affectionately your daughter
Fanny
Monday morning. My letter
did not get mailed—so
I add a few lines before
going to breakfast. The
weather continues very warm—
Last evening Will & Jenny
and I went to Pisgah
We found Aunty sitting
under one of her trees,
with e
Editorial Note
branches overhead. Mr
Birth: 1817-07-08 Death: 1886-01-29
&Mrs Perry
Birth: 1819-10-04 Death: 1898-02-12
came up and
we stayed till it was almost dark.