Letter from George Washington Seward to Frances Miller Seward, November 24, 1861
xml:
Letter from George Washington Seward to Frances Miller Seward, November 24,
1861
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:mhb
student editorTranscriber:spp:msr
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1861-11-24
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Letter from George Washington Seward to Frances Miller Seward, November 24, 1861
action: sent
sender: George Seward
Birth: 1808-08-26
Death: 1888-12-07
location: Florida, NY
receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: mhb
revision: crb 2018-01-24
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Page 1
Florida Nov 24th 1861
My Dear Frances,
Recent occurrences in my family of
which you were informed by letter a day or two
since, reflections and speculations as to our future
and places and suggestions which have been made
to me induce me to write to you, as to our ^that^ future
I trust that I do not transgress any rule of duty
or propriety in saying to you that I am dissatis-
fied with the course which Mr. Grier
Birth: 1802-09-27 Death: 1878-12-20
pursuestowards me. Why can I not be entrusted with the
cash which pays my family expenses, I desire some
changes, although I cannot perceive how or in what
direction it is to be effected, I have been asked
why I did not go to Auburn, I ask what would
be the object in going there, what would I do when
there, and now I take the liberty of asking you to put
me in the way of solving that question.
I frankly say to you that Florida is a pleasant
place for me, and I would desire no better if my pe-
cuniary matters were satisfactory, I have been taken
to task much for my love of my native place
now why should I be.
Any change from this place is as a measure dis-
tasteful to me,
I am advanced in life to far, to atchieve any great
measure of success in any of the pursuits of life, certainly
it is not prudent for me to run any particular
hazard, and again with my my weak frame and
long indulgences in idleness what could I engage in with
any hope of success. But wherefore should I be embarrssassed
at every step, why, with all due respect for others
why, with all kindness and sympathy and pide pride
should I be treated as a Ward, and not as a thinking
responsible man, a Friend.
I have been led to suppose that there may be
some opening for me at Auburn and yet
so little ground have I for it, that I might
be mistaken, I have my fears of that it is so,
so much so, that it appears temerity for me
to write about it, but if it be so, if there be room
for me there, if my friends desire it, why I will
try and think of as favorably ^as I can^ I feel that now
I have but little more to do than to live for my
friends, I could be of but little advantage to them
but I might be some, and they might do me much
good, for which at least they should have my gratitude
If then My Dear Sister, if you knew any think ^g^ of the
kind frankly tell me, I promise you a full consid-
eration of it, there are embarassm ^me^ nts which perhaps
you or others do not know of, they may be overcome
at least it shall not be fault if they are not
But I am writing as though I knew that you
wished it, please excuse me, it may not be desired
it may not be desirable
Believe me, it is a most delicate subject for me
to write upon But please write to me frankly
and whatever the result is I will be thankful
Julia
Birth: 1824-02-11 Death: 1895
and I are making preparations to go on to Boston with the children
Birth: 1857-06-27
Death: 1946
Birth: 1857-06-27
Death: 1936
Birth: 1844-11-20
Death: 1917-01-29
Birth: 1840-11-08
Death: 1910-11-28
Birth: 1838-04-16
Death: 1916-02-22
Birth: 1835-01-09
Death: 1926
Birth: 1833-06-08
Death: 1891-06-12
urged us to go, I have in haste and amid many
interruptions written this letter, perhaps I should
not trouble you with my concerns, I may have
written something which I ought not to, I hope you
will forgive it all and ever believe me.
Affectionately & Truly a
Brother
Geo,
The children sail next Wednesday from
Boston, we shall return by Saturday.