San Francisco Dec. 26, 1860.
My dear Uncle,
It is now nearly a year since
I made application to you and Mr. Grier, to
know on what conditions I could make an
entire or partial settlement with you for my
share of my grandfathers estate, basing my
application upon the fact that I had commenced
the study of law and found it difficult to
carry it on without pecuniary aid. To all this
I received no reply until your letter of July
24^threached me, in which you stated that
it would be impossible to attend to the matter
until after the Presidential election. The election
took place on the 6^th November, and Congress
met somewhere about the 1^st December. In
this interval, if at all, I expected to hear
from you on the subject, but the New York
mail of Dec. 1^st has arrived without the ex-
pected information, nor can I now look for
it until after the adjournment of Congress.
I do not make this statement of facts
as expressing of disappo[ int ] ment for I know
too well how your ti[ me is preo ] ccupied to allow
a word of impatience [hole] me, however

much I may be inconvenienced thereby; but to
show the necessity which occasions this letter.
I regret it exceedingly.
Being thus disappointed in my former
plan, and believing it will take a long time
to accomplish it under the most favorable
circumstances, I now write to ask you for
some appointment under the incoming ad-
ministration. I make this request with re-
luctance. I have no proclivity for any such
doubtful and temporary position. I take the
step merely as a precaution against future con-
tingencies, and would rather earn half the
amount by any other method. If you feel
any delicacy about using your influence for
this purpose I will not urge it a moment.
I have no definite idea as to the choice
I would make except that I would not like
to appear too prominently before the public.
If I were to suggest any particular office I
would say first the confidential Government
Agent, and after that the second position un-
der the Navy Agent, Postmaster, Superintendent of
the Mint or Collector of the Post. I had de-
termined to ask some such position only
in case I should not hear from you by
the steamer of the 1st December in regard
to the above menti[ on ] ed settlement, and I
have now no [hole] inquire further into

the details. I think I am competent for
any position I have named. I should not
like to leave San Francisco.
I called a few weeks ago on a Mrs.
Alden who is a daughter of Thurlow Weed.
I was very kindly received by her and
invited to make her house my home when-
ever I should visit San José where she
resides. I need not say how highly I
appreciate the kindness.
My health is now almost entirely re-
established. My best regards to Aunt Frances
Fannie, and all your family.
Affectionately
Your Nephew,
Samuel S. Seward

hSamuel S Seward
San Francisco Dec 26^th/60