Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 16, 1853
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 16, 1853
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:jaa
student editorTranscriber:spp:crb
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1853-01-16
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 16, 1853
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: UnknownUnknown
transcription: jaa
revision: tap 2019-03-26
<>
Page
1
Washington Sunday
e
When there is a dating conflict within a letter, we assume
that the day of the week is most likely to be correct. Therefore, we dated this
letter January 16 rather than January 15. Jan 15
th
My dear Sister
The letter which I
confidently expected this morning
did not come– I hope it is only
delayed by the snow storm of
which a rumour reaches us–
I am very anxious to see you to day
indeed every day, but to day especially
You of course read the address
of the Women of England to their
American Sisters
me admired its tone & spirit.
Has it ever occurred to you what
it would be proper for us all
to do when it comes?– The
Abolitionist & womens rights women
will act for us but are we
sure that we can join them or
it is it right for us to be silent?
I wish you would consider this
matter and send me your thoughts
[left Margin] she declined alleg saying it was unsafe
I did not hear of his illness
[top Margin] until he
was dead
[right Margin] Monday Mon. No letter yet I have concluded to defer
sending my letter to Mrs Nott
until I hear from
you– I enclose
the draft
rough – I wrote to
her because
Henry
suggested it
burn it–
Page
2
which would not meet Henry’s
approbation were I ever so much
disposed– I told Henry last night
that I should feel bound to sign
my name to the address written
in reply if asked– He seemed
to think that the duty would depend
upon circumstances– & that I, or you
and I alone, joining the abolitionists
would do the cause more harm
than good– Herer we differ–
What do you think?– I know if you
were living here as I am, hearing every
day accounts of un inhumanity
which often keep me awake all night,
that you would think there
was little danger of doing too
much. Still I should deprecate
any action extravagant or
unwomanly because I think
such action detrimental to any
course. I was able to give Charles
Sumner so little encouragement
about enlisting the feelings of
Page
4
the women in high place that he
went home rather desponding– yet
I know feel on reflection that I
may have been wrong– It is possible
Anti slavery may become fashionable
now the noble woman of England
are advocating it– we shall see –
In the mean time let this letter
be entre nous for the present –
I have written to day to Mrs. E Nott
and Mrs Hicok
talk with Mrs. McLean
you are worth any 40 –
I hope your letter will come tomorrow
saying you are all ready to come
I think Augustus
you are ready but wishes to avoid
as much of the party going
season as possible – when I hear from
you I will write to him– Henry & Caroline
attended a party at Miss Corwin’s
week– I made none but morning
visits– I have 2 evening engagements
for next week but doubt
my strength to fulfil them –
You saw the Scott
Mr Upham
[right Margin] Varioloid – malignant– I offered my
services to Mrs Upham
Washington Sunday
e
Editorial Note
My dear Sister
The letter which I
confidently expected this morning
did not come– I hope it is only
delayed by the snow storm of
which a rumour reaches us–
I am very anxious to see you to day
indeed every day, but to day especially
You of course read the address
of the Women of England to their
American Sisters
Place of Publication:, GB Date: 1853
and I think withme admired its tone & spirit.
Has it ever occurred to you what
it would be proper for us all
to do when it comes?– The
Abolitionist & womens rights women
Unknown
will act for us but are we
sure that we can join them or
it is it right for us to be silent?
I wish you would consider this
matter and send me your thoughts
[left Margin] she declined alleg saying it was unsafe
I did not hear of his illness
[top Margin] until he
was dead
[right Margin] Monday Mon. No letter yet I have concluded to defer
sending my letter to Mrs Nott
until I hear from
you– I enclose
the draft
rough – I wrote to
her because
Henry
suggested it
burn it–
I thought of it when I first read
the address– my attention was
more particularly called to it
last evening by Charles Sumner
reading to me a letter from
the Rev. Lorenzo Bacon
who made some suggestions which
Mr Sumner wished me to consider–
I did not think those suggestions
altogether practicable but at the
time could make none better–
I wished you were here to think
for me in which wish Mr
Sumner heartily concurred– If you
are not coming immediately will
you write– One proposition made
by Mr Bacon was, that the
women favoring a movement
meet in every large town
& consult together– Speaking of
Washington as one of the most
important– Now you know there
are no women here to meet with
except the extreme abolitionists
Page
3the address– my attention was
more particularly called to it
last evening by Charles Sumner
Birth: 1811-01-06 Death: 1874-03-11
reading to me a letter from
the Rev. Lorenzo Bacon
Birth: 1802-02-19 Death: 1881-12-24
of N. Haven
who made some suggestions which
Mr Sumner wished me to consider–
I did not think those suggestions
altogether practicable but at the
time could make none better–
I wished you were here to think
for me in which wish Mr
Sumner heartily concurred– If you
are not coming immediately will
you write– One proposition made
by Mr Bacon was, that the
women favoring a movement
meet in every large town
& consult together– Speaking of
Washington as one of the most
important– Now you know there
are no women here to meet with
except the extreme abolitionists
which would not meet Henry’s
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
approbation were I ever so much
disposed– I told Henry last night
that I should feel bound to sign
my name to the address written
in reply if asked– He seemed
to think that the duty would depend
upon circumstances– & that I, or you
and I alone, joining the abolitionists
would do the cause more harm
than good– Herer we differ–
What do you think?– I know if you
were living here as I am, hearing every
day accounts of un inhumanity
which often keep me awake all night,
that you would think there
was little danger of doing too
much. Still I should deprecate
any action extravagant or
unwomanly because I think
such action detrimental to any
course. I was able to give Charles
Sumner so little encouragement
about enlisting the feelings of
the women in high place that he
went home rather desponding– yet
I know feel on reflection that I
may have been wrong– It is possible
Anti slavery may become fashionable
now the noble woman of England
are advocating it– we shall see –
In the mean time let this letter
be entre nous for the present –
I have written to day to Mrs. E Nott
Birth: 1806-09-25 Death: 1886-04-18
and Mrs Hicok
Birth: 1804 Death: 1888-05-07
– tomorrow I
willtalk with Mrs. McLean
Birth: 1802 Death: 1882-01-13
butyou are worth any 40 –
I hope your letter will come tomorrow
saying you are all ready to come
I think Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
can come
wheneveryou are ready but wishes to avoid
as much of the party going
season as possible – when I hear from
you I will write to him– Henry & Caroline
Birth: 1834-07-25 Death: 1922-02-28
attended a party at Miss Corwin’s
Birth: 1795-07-17 Death: 1878-06-10Certainty: Possible
last week– I made none but morning
visits– I have 2 evening engagements
for next week but doubt
my strength to fulfil them –
You saw the Scott
Birth: 1786-06-13 Death: 1866-05-29
dinner noticed –Mr Upham
Birth: 1792-08-05 Death: 1853-01-14
is said
to have died with[right Margin] Varioloid – malignant– I offered my
services to Mrs Upham
Birth: 1795-10-10 Death: 1856-05-08
yesterday
but