Florida Sunday 8 Jan 1837
My Dearest Henry
I sensibly feel that the hand that
now addresses you will soon sease
to opperate. But while the vital spark
continues to glimmer you will
remain vivid I in my recollections
I have seldom in my life spent a
more painfull and distresed night
than I suffered the last. Feeble & Trembly
as I was however I attended Church
this forenoon. The Methodist are
drawing an anxious congregation
around them. The family are
gone and I embrace this lonely mo-
ment to drop a line to you.
If my recollection serves I mentioned
to you in my last the perplexity of
Ackersons Business. It will probably
level to some suits before closing
and will terminate in an instance
loss of three hundred Dollars worth of
stock put on the place and some rent
This grows altogether out of the mis-
man ^a^ gement of an over fortunate son
But thank God he is now Steady – and if
Supported may continue so –

Jennings came came about three weeks
ago more unexpected than we ever
saw him. He spent Sunday, well
vigrious and cheerfull with us. I
took some pains to lead him into
the feeble situation he found me in
and the propriety of his relinquishing
his pursuits and taking hold of my
business. But on this subject he was
cold and distant. His whole soul ap-
pears to be absorbed in the Sunday S. U
He went from this to Duher Town to
take the stage & hence to Mendham to
spend some days with W.
Jennings states C will probably loose
his offices – has had a long Journey
West to find a place to settle – wishes
L.C. move into Illinois to this she
objects. Have you heard from them
Mama had an affectionate letter
from our dear Frances it was a great
treat do ask her to write again She
writes so easy it is no trouble. I
should be pleased to correspond with
Judge Miller if I knew how to get at it
It would beguile some lonely hours
I have made several attempts but failed

Our Christmas Dinner (a good harty
puddin Sellery Cranberries &c) was
graced by our aged brother B. and wife
E.P. & wif and a few nigh neighbors
Our New Year was ushered in by
striking off the head of the Old fat gobler
The New Dr his family BJS, EPS,
& friends filled our board. A [ wreth ]
of true friends on such occasion
gives great pleasure.
Major Wheeler and Cornelia spent
the day with us Friday. We return
their visit tomorrow. So we go and
if our wood house of dry ash holds
out till first of May – we may spend
some pleasant hours although the
Fatiague makes me [ ake ] sorely for it
afterwards. On the whole a cheerfull
fire a warm room your dear Ma
and entertaining book is the best cheer
for me. In this way we spend many
Happy days and if the seven percentum
per an. will hold out it is about the clymax
of our wishes. A Rail road from the
Erie road at Goshen through Florida
Post Vill Vernon Hamburgh
to Lackawana is now all
the rage. The Goshen people feel strong.

Any thing new about GWS
will you not come down when
you come to Auburn in February
adieu S S Seward
Will you write soon – give me a
description of your dwelling house
your Office No of Clerks, hours of business
&c What Augustus is studying and his
progress. I have a good Note against
a man in Michigan say $270 can you
collect it if I give you his name and
place – dont fail to write describe
everything. How is your health
FloridaJan 9^th
William H Seward Esquire
Westfield
Chatauqua Co
New York
S.S. Seward
Jan 8, 1837