Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 11, 1861
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 11, 1861
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:gew
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1861-12-11
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 11, 1861
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Washington D.C., US
receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: gew
revision: ekk 2015-07-01
<>
Page
1
Wednesday Dec 11th
My dear Sister
I would have written
the day after our pleasant
visit from Washington but
did not feel quite well
enough. I felt so well Sunday
and did so many things
that I was obliged to pay
the penalty the next day[ . ]
Reason:
I wished often as we all
did that you were with
us Sunday. I have not
talked ^with Henry
factorily in a year. Saving
Miss B.
there was no drawback upon
the most confidential conver-
sation. It was so pleasant to
see the faces of Augustus
Fred
Reason:
Page
2
Henry asked many questions about
all at home - said I must tell
you that he would meet you
halfway if you would come
to Washington at almost any
time. I wish you could.
We talked over various matters
military Political civil &
Social. There is no truth in
any of the Newspaper reports
of differences in the Cabinet
all goes on harmoniously though
every man has his own opinion
of affairs. One of the most impor-
tant questions on the subject of
immediate emancipation is this
What would be done with the
coloured people. There are 24,000
in Chaleston. Where could they go
Would Mr Wright
to take 2 or 3000 into our
city, and see that they
are cared for. The Government
Page
3
cannot furnish food for 4
million and supply an annuity
of 1/2 a million at the same
time. Immediate Colonization
is impossible. If territory
can be obtained by treaty it
would take time and money
which are neither of them at
command in these times.
It is hoped by the benevolent
that the Institution of Slavery
must fall before the advance
of a more christian civilization[ . ]
Reason:
It would not be humane to
hasten it at the expense of the
suffering and lives even of
those we wish to benefit.
Many good and wise men who
have heretofore advocated imme-
diate emancipation now see its
impracticability. I think the
Restitution of fugitives will not
be longer tolerated by the Northern
Page
4
people and it ought not. And
I trust that a way will
be shown for the final over-
throw of this great wrong.
The 75th have gone to Ft Pickens.
They are highly commended
and selected to go South for
their efficiency. Henry and
Anna were to write the
officers of Capt. Kennedy
company to dinner this week.
Fanny
Miss Townsends yesterday, following
the directions of a card they left
but we failed to find them[ . ]
Reason:
No such persons were there.
I am glad Clara
diminished - it was too large
for her comfort - love to her &
to Will
Augustus will come for us
about Christmas. I have your
letter of Friday - am sorry
you were not very well[ . ]
Reason:
Page
5
The Plitts came to see us at the
Continental. I did not let them know
I was staying
here so they thought me of the
Washington party. Your own Sister
Wednesday Dec 11th
My dear Sister
I would have written
the day after our pleasant
visit from Washington but
did not feel quite well
enough. I felt so well Sunday
and did so many things
that I was obliged to pay
the penalty the next day[ . ]
Supplied
I wished often as we all
did that you were with
us Sunday. I have not
talked ^with Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
^ so much & so satis-factorily in a year. Saving
Miss B.
Unknown
who was a strangerthere was no drawback upon
the most confidential conver-
sation. It was so pleasant to
see the faces of Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
& Anna
Birth: 1834-03-29 Death: 1919-05-02
- all looking well[ . ] Supplied
Henry asked many questions about
all at home - said I must tell
you that he would meet you
halfway if you would come
to Washington at almost any
time. I wish you could.
We talked over various matters
military Political civil &
Social. There is no truth in
any of the Newspaper reports
of differences in the Cabinet
all goes on harmoniously though
every man has his own opinion
of affairs. One of the most impor-
tant questions on the subject of
immediate emancipation is this
What would be done with the
coloured people. There are 24,000
in Chaleston. Where could they go
Would Mr Wright
Birth: 1806-03-18 Death: 1897-02-24
be willingto take 2 or 3000 into our
city, and see that they
are cared for. The Government
cannot furnish food for 4
million and supply an annuity
of 1/2 a million at the same
time. Immediate Colonization
is impossible. If territory
can be obtained by treaty it
would take time and money
which are neither of them at
command in these times.
It is hoped by the benevolent
that the Institution of Slavery
must fall before the advance
of a more christian civilization[ . ]
Supplied
It would not be humane to
hasten it at the expense of the
suffering and lives even of
those we wish to benefit.
Many good and wise men who
have heretofore advocated imme-
diate emancipation now see its
impracticability. I think the
Restitution of fugitives will not
be longer tolerated by the Northern
people and it ought not. And
I trust that a way will
be shown for the final over-
throw of this great wrong.
The 75th have gone to Ft Pickens.
They are highly commended
and selected to go South for
their efficiency. Henry and
Anna were to write the
officers of Capt. Kennedy
Birth: 1827 Death: 1863-09-22
’s artillerycompany to dinner this week.
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
and I tried to find the Miss Townsends
Birth: 1827
Death: 1914-03-02
Birth: 1818-11-02
Death: 1910-01-16
the directions of a card they left
but we failed to find them[ . ]
Supplied
No such persons were there.
I am glad Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
’s family hasdiminished - it was too large
for her comfort - love to her &
to Will
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
and Jenny
Birth: 1839-11-18 Death: 1913-11-09
. I thinkAugustus will come for us
about Christmas. I have your
letter of Friday - am sorry
you were not very well[ . ]
Supplied
The Plitts
Birth: 1845-04
Death: Certainty: Probable
Birth: 1832-11-06
Death: 1901-09-27 Certainty: Probable
Continental. I did not let them know
I was staying
here so they thought me of the
Washington party. Your own Sister