Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1831

  • Posted on: 21 May 2023
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1831
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:djg

student editor

Transcriber:spp:sss

Distributor:Seward Family Papers Project

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1831-01-05

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Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1831

action: sent

sender: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16  Death: 1872-10-10

location: Albany, NY

receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24  Death: 1865-06-21

location: Auburn, NY

transcription: djg 

revision: ekk 2015-09-08

<>
Page 1

7.
Jany. 5th. Yesterday at 12 o'clock the legislature
convened. I took a seat positively among the
conscript fathers of the land, feeling constantly
in my pocket book to be quite sure that I
had the certificate of election there. The role
was called, no credentials called for & I answered
to my name, a venerable gentleman
Unknown
beside
whom I had placed myself and who doubtless
thought that I was some impudent spectator
who had thrust myself where Angels might
fear to tread, turned around as I answered
to my name and said "Well Sir I think it
will be conceded that you are the youngest
of us all." I went up to the desk took the
oath and wrote my name in such a
hand that except for the recollection of
the incidents and feelings with which it
was written I should not recognise again.
After solemn and due annunciation came
Enos T. Throop Martin
Birth: 1808-11-25 Death: 1883-09-19
, with Enos T. Throops
message, delivered to the Lieut Govenor
Birth: 1779-11-24 Death: 1843-11-03

who with great dignity delivered it to the
Clerk
 Death: 1872-05
who received ifrom the Senate a
Page 2

8.
dignified order to read the same. All
this took something more than two hours,
some few committees were appointed, resolu-
tions passed and the Senate adjourned till
this day at eleven o'clock. Thus ended
the first lesson in my Legislative education.
I had not yet been to the Theatre.
I went with Mr Boughton
Birth: 1792-07-30 Death: 1866-04-28
whose term of
service in the Senate has just expired,
and who leaves town today. It is but a
poor concern. In coming home it was
very dark and it rained, we were
walking arm in arm we encountered a
rope, or wire stretched by some thievish
fellows across the road doubtless to enable
them to pick off our hats, off came both
our hats simultaneously. My gloves, letters
and papers were scattered over the walk.
Fortunately we recovered all our property
& arrived safe at the Eagle.
Page 3

9.
Wednesday evening.
Jan’y 5th
My dear Frances. Until now I have been quite
constantly since I arrived here in Mr Boughtons
Birth: 1792-07-30 Death: 1866-04-28

room and with him. I have become very
much attached to him. This afternoon he
took his departure and the room designated
for me being vacated I have had it cleaned,
and aired am now duly installed into
the occupation of it. This change produced
some solitary feelings and of course my
recollections bring solicitude about you.
So that to you I must write although my
last letter has not yet left the Post Office
I will just releive myself from the depression
and reserve the rest of the sheet for another
days correspondence. This morning I went
into the Court of Chancery , made a motion
went with the Senate the Clerk
Birth: 1789-02-02 Death: 1859-02-21
handed me
light printed copies of the Govenors
Birth: 1784-08-21 Death: 1874-11-01
message.
I enclose seven of them for my friends.
During this time some few motions and
resolutions were passed in the house and at—
Page 4

10.
twelve o’clock the House adjourned after a
session of an hour employed in folding up
and superscribing the Governors message.
Mr Tracy
Birth: 1793-06-17 Death: 1859-09-12
came with me to see Mr Boughton
and take leave of him. We talked till 2 _
dined my room was topsy-turvy. I went
out [ . ]
x

Supplied

Reason: 
called on the members of Assembly
from Cayuga County, returned, received a
call from Judge Birdsall
Birth: 1802 Death: 1839-07-22
and Mr Cary
Birth: 1787-08-11 Death: 1869-06-20
of
the Senate. took tea, called on Mr Hubbard
Birth: 1795 Death: 1876-04-08
_
and here I am. Such is the journal of
one day and if no more pressing or grave
care came over I — in his career here I do
not wonder that he lamented its abrupt
termination. For my part it is a great
change from my customary habits and I
know I should not be pleased with it.
But they all tell me that we shall soon
have more business and quite enough.
I hope indeed it will be so.
We are oddly enough assorted. I sit cheek
by jowl at the table with ^next^ Roberts
Birth: 1796 Death: 1851-04-30
, the Editor of the
Craftsman who has come here I suppose to see if there, is
no hope for the Widow’s son
Unknown
. My most intimate
Page 5

11.
neighbor since Boughton has gone is Mr Myers
Birth: 1776-05-31 Death: 1871-01-20
.
Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
whose pillars we have undertaken to
prostrate.