N.Y. 29 Oct. 1825
Dear Brother
I know not whether, I ever informed you
that I lost the address you prepared for me for
a library occasion. It was in a pocket book, I had
the misfortune to lose last July. We had a meeting
last night, and I am rather unexpectedly called
upon to deliver one on evacuation day 25 Nov, and
must again call on you. You will recollect I
presume sufficiently well what the other was
to frame a new one without further particulars
. It will be the opening address by the Pres-
ident, of an annual meeting- and tis now
contemplated not to employ the Emmetts and
Duers of the Rostrum, but the youth of
the society, to plead the society, claims-
- Let this fact be alluded to. It will
be expected of me rejoice in the goodly number
of friends who make their appearance in that
occasion, & who are ever ready to step out
in support of the Society.
I would give a practical, rather than a spec-
ulative turn to the discourse - say that the
friends of the soc, need not fear because our be-
ginnings are small - "Tell oaks from little

[left Margin] We count as that
which is coward Country by others
Dont fail

acorns grow. The influence of the Soc, when traced
out to its results effects upon the minds, taste &
morals of young men- say that experience shows
that those who have resorted to thos Fountains of
intellectial sweets have been more steady & soberminded
- & those who reject such offers are those who provide
not things honestly in the sight of all men
but with them time & substance in riotous living.
And above all it will become me to pay
court & compliment the merchants- these are
they who, improve the city, rear our to God the
edifices of his worship--beautify the public grounds
and it is to their public spirit & enterprise we owe
it that the mingling of our western waters how
with them if the ocean was attended with such
pomp & solemnity - & more than all
this, I ought to press the boys to accept
the advantages of our library- &c&c-
it has flourished this year beyond any
other year- much of which is owing to one
highminded honorable, liberal, genteel most
confounded clever fellow, who used his person-
al influence & taking up donations for us
& I should like of all things to pay him

a compliment
Now may I ask you to set right down
the first evening after you receive this &
draw me out this little matter. I
cannot think it much trouble for you
or I would not venture to ask you a
second time- and yet when I consider
the predicament I am in, I shudder when
I think of the procrastination the thin
one underwent. Do not
fail to write me and
send this in three days
after you receive this my request. Do not fail.
I have just rec^d a letter from Corneila-she
is at home - very happy - Dr C. has moved
down in N. Jersey 80 or 100 miles off.
the mail closes in 4 minutes-
Poldore is expected here
soon preparotory to -

W H Seward Esq
Auburn
N.Y.
New-York Oct 29
hB.J. Seward
29 Oct. 1825