Letter from William Henry Seward to William Henry Seward, Jr., October 19, 1870
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Letter from William Henry Seward to William Henry Seward, Jr., October 19, 1870
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:crb
student editorTranscriber:spp:lmd
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1870-10-19
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Letter from William Henry Seward to William Henry Seward, Jr., October 19, 1870
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Shanghai, China
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1839-06-18
Death: 1920-04-29
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: crb
revision: tap 2018-03-30
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Page
1
e
Letter written by Olive Risley Seward for William H. Seward.
Shanghai. China.
October. 19. 1870.
My dear William,
The haste with which I have
necessarially traveled, to escape ice
and snow at Peking, has rendered
it impossible for me to dictate, or for
Olive
fully as I should have done.
Gov. Randall
I fear also that Mrs. Randall's
to proceed with us through India will
give away, and that she will prematurely
return to the United States with him.
I tax dear Olive this morning
in the first hour of rest after a
ball that lasted all night, and in
the hour of her preparation for a new
Page
2
voyage to say, that, we arrived here
safely on Monday the 17th int, after
a very pleasant and instructive
visit of twenty days in Japan.
My general health and strength
have continually improved, so that
I should roll a wheel barrow twice
as far, and draw up a weight twice
as heavy as that I lifted at Auburn.
I have lost only one meal during
the voyage from illness. My arms
have not recovered their muscular
elasticity, but I have learned to use
them better.
Olive has had many, and serious,
though short turns of illness, m[ u ]
Reason: ch as she
had at Auburn, but I hope and I even
believe that she is now restored to more
perfect health than she enjoyed
since her alarming illness. She
is gentle and affectionate as I promised
my friends she would be. I hope they
Page
3
will remember her with gratitude
for the care and love she is bestowing
upon me in the travel which though tedious
at times and not altogether free from
perils seems to be staying the progress
of infirmities.
Hattie Risley
George Seward
constantly with me, and are very kind
and affectionate. I am experiencing
every where reverence and esteem, from
people of all countries and races, which
surpass all claims of mine to publick con-
sideration. We go tomorrow evening to
Peking by sea, accompanied by Adml.
Rodgers
Escort. I expect that we shall leave
them on the 15th of November and after
a brief stay here, make our way leisurely
through Southern China to Singapore
the hurry of my journey will then
have passed. Impatient to hear
Page
4
of the health, welfare and happiness
of my dearly loved children. I am
your affectionate.
Address your letters as heretofore
to the Consulate here.
h
William H. Seward
h
William H. Seward, Jr.
With my best love, and I am so sorry
that it is absolutely impossible to
write more.
Olive.
e
Editorial Note
October. 19. 1870.
My dear William,
The haste with which I have
necessarially traveled, to escape ice
and snow at Peking, has rendered
it impossible for me to dictate, or for
Olive
Birth: 1844-07-15 Death: 1908-11-27
to write as frequently and asfully as I should have done.
Gov. Randall
Birth: 1819-10-31 Death: 1872-07-26
parts with us here.I fear also that Mrs. Randall's
Birth: 1845-10-02 Death: 1918-10-06
resolutionto proceed with us through India will
give away, and that she will prematurely
return to the United States with him.
I tax dear Olive this morning
in the first hour of rest after a
ball that lasted all night, and in
the hour of her preparation for a new
voyage to say, that, we arrived here
safely on Monday the 17th int, after
a very pleasant and instructive
visit of twenty days in Japan.
My general health and strength
have continually improved, so that
I should roll a wheel barrow twice
as far, and draw up a weight twice
as heavy as that I lifted at Auburn.
I have lost only one meal during
the voyage from illness. My arms
have not recovered their muscular
elasticity, but I have learned to use
them better.
Olive has had many, and serious,
though short turns of illness, m[ u ]
Supplied
had at Auburn, but I hope and I even
believe that she is now restored to more
perfect health than she enjoyed
since her alarming illness. She
is gentle and affectionate as I promised
my friends she would be. I hope they
will remember her with gratitude
for the care and love she is bestowing
upon me in the travel which though tedious
at times and not altogether free from
perils seems to be staying the progress
of infirmities.
Hattie Risley
Birth: 1850-03-05 Death: 1925-07-27
is very well and cheerful.George Seward
Birth: 1840-11-08 Death: 1910-11-28
and his young wife
Birth: 1850-06-06 Death: 1934-06-15
areconstantly with me, and are very kind
and affectionate. I am experiencing
every where reverence and esteem, from
people of all countries and races, which
surpass all claims of mine to publick con-
sideration. We go tomorrow evening to
Peking by sea, accompanied by Adml.
Rodgers
Birth: 1812-08-08 Death: 1882-05-05
, with
an imposing NavalEscort. I expect that we shall leave
them on the 15th of November and after
a brief stay here, make our way leisurely
through Southern China to Singapore
the hurry of my journey will then
have passed. Impatient to hear
of the health, welfare and happiness
of my dearly loved children. I am
your affectionate.
Address your letters as heretofore
to the Consulate here.
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10William Seward
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1844-07-15 Death: 1908-11-27Olive Risley-Seward
With my best love, and I am so sorry
that it is absolutely impossible to
write more.
Olive.