Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8, 1849
xml:
Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8,
1849
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:ekk
student editorTranscriber:spp:dxt
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1849-03-08
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8, 1849
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: Auburn, NY
transcription: ekk
revision: crb 2016-05-27
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Page
1
Senate Chamber March 8th 1849
My Dearest Frances,
Your illness hangs like a cloud upon my
spirits. I cannot be cheerful when you are ill or sad.
Yesterday in the Senate with closed doors I tried the
firmness of my head and feet by replying to Mr. Calhoun
spoke against the confirmation of Jacob Collamer
Master General on the ground of his imputed
Gidding’s
I was short, and I intended to show that I was uncompro-
mising in my opposition to slavery, but at the same time calmly
firm in my intention to abide by the Union and to practice the
necessary moderation to save the Union and to accomplish
whatever was attainable. My remarks were listened to with
attention and curiosity of course. I think they left a good
impression upon candid and fair men, while they were regarded
with favor by the very few bold and decided men of the
North. It was painful to see, theI may say in unity to
you, the subservient timidity of the Senators with few exceptions
on the subject in secret session, but not at all alarming to
find myself the boldest and freest of them all. It is a great
thing to have gotten over the panic which I always feel a-
rriving to speak on a new stage. And I regard it as
very fortunate that the occasion called me out although a new
Page
2
member, and this very first effort was made without an audience.
The Senate has adjourned and I have been trying
to write this letter in my seat, thinking that I could find
more leisure there than in my own bed room. But it is a sad
procession and if it shall continue I do not know how I
am ever to find time for study.
I called last night, among other places, at the
White House and I assure you it was delightful to find
a warm place both in the Council Chamber and in the
Parlor. Mrs Wood
and General Taylor
Ever your own
Henry.
h
Henry March 8h
1849
Senate Chamber March 8th 1849
My Dearest Frances,
Your illness hangs like a cloud upon my
spirits. I cannot be cheerful when you are ill or sad.
Yesterday in the Senate with closed doors I tried the
firmness of my head and feet by replying to Mr. Calhoun
Birth: 1782-03-18 Death: 1850-03-31
whospoke against the confirmation of Jacob Collamer
Birth: 1791-01-08 Death: 1865-11-09
for
PostMaster General on the ground of his imputed
To charge; to attribute; to ascribe • To charge to one as the author or originator of; generally in a bad sense • To set to the account of another as the ground of judicial procedure • To take account of; to reckon •
favor to Mr.Gidding’s
Birth: 1795-10-06 Death: 1864-05-27
Bill for abolishing slavery in the District of
Columbia.I was short, and I intended to show that I was uncompro-
mising in my opposition to slavery, but at the same time calmly
firm in my intention to abide by the Union and to practice the
necessary moderation to save the Union and to accomplish
whatever was attainable. My remarks were listened to with
attention and curiosity of course. I think they left a good
impression upon candid and fair men, while they were regarded
with favor by the very few bold and decided men of the
North. It was painful to see, theI may say in unity to
you, the subservient timidity of the Senators with few exceptions
on the subject in secret session, but not at all alarming to
find myself the boldest and freest of them all. It is a great
thing to have gotten over the panic which I always feel a-
rriving to speak on a new stage. And I regard it as
very fortunate that the occasion called me out although a new
member, and this very first effort was made without an audience.
The Senate has adjourned and I have been trying
to write this letter in my seat, thinking that I could find
more leisure there than in my own bed room. But it is a sad
procession and if it shall continue I do not know how I
am ever to find time for study.
I called last night, among other places, at the
White House and I assure you it was delightful to find
a warm place both in the Council Chamber and in the
Parlor. Mrs Wood
Birth: 1811-04-09 Death: 1875-12-02
and Mrs Bliss
Birth: 1824-04-20 Death: 1909-07-25
appear
very welland General Taylor
Birth: 1784-11-24 Death: 1850-07-09
is a man
to be loved.Ever your own
Henry.
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21Frances Seward
1849