Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, July 19, 1846
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, July 19, 1846
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:meb
student editorTranscriber:spp:cnk
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1846-07-19
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, July 19, 1846
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Auburn, NY
receiver: Augustus Seward
Birth: 1826-10-01
Death: 1876-09-11
location: West Point, NY
transcription: meb
revision: crb 2018-07-13
<>
Page
1
Auburn July 19th 1846
My dear Augustus,
I have put off writing for
a whole week hoping I might to day find
leisure to write you a long letter – but
the guests whom we have had through the
week have only given place to others and I
have been occupied the whole day —
The trial of Freeman
subject in our family for the last month.
I have been fearful this constant and harassing
a occupation of your fathers
materially impair his health – we have
had for the last seven weeks much of the
time three physicians
to be examined as witnesses on the subject
of insanity — two others Drs McNaughton
and Dunn
ber last week — The preliminary trial to prove
the Sanity of Freeman occupied two weeks –
after the jury had returned a verdict that
he was sufficiently sane to know ir right
from wrong — the trial for murder commen
ced – this has occupied the two last weeks
Page
2
and will not terminate before the last of this –
the witnesses for the defence have all been ex-
amined and the Drs have all returned
to their respective homes. John Van Buren
is yet in court in the capacity of Attorney
General — The amount of time and labour
bestowed upon these two trials by your
father, without the least compensation is I
believe an unprecedented case of benevolence
I believe there are few men in America
who would have sacrificed so much for the
cause of humanity — he has his reward
in a quiet conscience and a peaceful
mind — Freeman is undoubtedly in a
state of idiocy – this has been certified by
five of the most able physicians in the state
and yet so strong is the popular prejudice
that I have little doubt of his being
found guilty of the murder and suffering
the punishment assigned by law —
Aunty
some weeks longer — I do not know whether
either of them will be able to accompany
me when I visit you which will be
some time in August I cannot now say
when — Freddy
of this week — Commencement is on T Wednesday
Page
3
Grandpa
in the cars – Willie
Willie is well – sold all his rabbits to get
money to go to the circus – and is now
thinking what he will have for a pet next —
Fanny
about the garden helping herself to currants
and gooseberries — What do you think will
be the next move in the war with Mexico?
how anxiously I watch for any indication of
a termination — Mrs Maury
lady and her son
This could be mentioning James Maury are with us to day and
tomorrow — I am sorry to write so hurriedly
after waiting so long — you do not tell
me what articles of clothing you would
like I am having some shirts made —
Aunt Clara
Friday and Saturday of last week before last
are supposed to be the warmest days we
have had in many years — the heat was
very overpowering — A Dieu —
your affectionate
Mother —
Page
4
Auburn July 19th 1846
My dear Augustus,
I have put off writing for
a whole week hoping I might to day find
leisure to write you a long letter – but
the guests whom we have had through the
week have only given place to others and I
have been occupied the whole day —
The trial of Freeman
Birth: 1824 Death: 1847-08-21
has been the engrossingsubject in our family for the last month.
I have been fearful this constant and harassing
a occupation of your fathers
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
time wouldmaterially impair his health – we have
had for the last seven weeks much of the
time three physicians
Unknown
in our family waitingto be examined as witnesses on the subject
of insanity — two others Drs McNaughton
Birth: 1796-12-10 Death: 1874-06-11
and Dunn
Birth: 1808-09-14 Death: 1896-06-23
of Albany were added to the num-ber last week — The preliminary trial to prove
the Sanity of Freeman occupied two weeks –
after the jury had returned a verdict that
he was sufficiently sane to know ir right
from wrong — the trial for murder commen
ced – this has occupied the two last weeks
and will not terminate before the last of this –
the witnesses for the defence have all been ex-
amined and the Drs have all returned
to their respective homes. John Van Buren
Birth: 1810-02-10 Death: 1866-10-13
is yet in court in the capacity of Attorney
General — The amount of time and labour
bestowed upon these two trials by your
father, without the least compensation is I
believe an unprecedented case of benevolence
I believe there are few men in America
who would have sacrificed so much for the
cause of humanity — he has his reward
in a quiet conscience and a peaceful
mind — Freeman is undoubtedly in a
state of idiocy – this has been certified by
five of the most able physicians in the state
and yet so strong is the popular prejudice
that I have little doubt of his being
found guilty of the murder and suffering
the punishment assigned by law —
Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
and Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
are here yet will remainsome weeks longer — I do not know whether
either of them will be able to accompany
me when I visit you which will be
some time in August I cannot now say
when — Freddy
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
comes home the lastof this week — Commencement is on T Wednesday
Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
is well – he goes very frequently to Syracuse
in the cars – Willie
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
sometimes accompanies himWillie is well – sold all his rabbits to get
money to go to the circus – and is now
thinking what he will have for a pet next —
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
is well and very merry — she runs allabout the garden helping herself to currants
and gooseberries — What do you think will
be the next move in the war with Mexico?
how anxiously I watch for any indication of
a termination — Mrs Maury
Birth: 1801-11-01 Death: 1849-09-21
an englishlady and her son
Unknown
eEditorial Note
Birth: 1829 Death: 1872-08-03
, Matthew Fontaine Maury
Birth: 1837 Death: 1878-02
,
William Morris Maury Jr.
Birth: 1831-08-03 Death: 1915-01-27
, Rutson Maury
Birth: 1834-04-09 Death: 1881-03-02
,
Charles William Maury
Birth: 1837-12-08 Death: 1857-10-30
, Mytton Maury
Birth: 1839-01-18 Death: 1919-08-04
,
Walker Maury
Birth: 1840-02-16 Death: 1905-07-04
, or Tobin Morris Maury
Birth: 1841-10-09 Death: 1895-11-21
tomorrow — I am sorry to write so hurriedly
after waiting so long — you do not tell
me what articles of clothing you would
like I am having some shirts made —
Aunt Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
is well and sends love —Friday and Saturday of last week before last
are supposed to be the warmest days we
have had in many years — the heat was
very overpowering — A Dieu —
your affectionate
Mother —