Florida 6^th Feb 1839.
My dear Henry
Since the time you visited us last k ^n^ owing
well the immence correspondence your situation confided
you to attend to, I had no inclination to increase your
labour, believing also that you was extreamly fortunate
in all the changes and viscistudes through which you have
passed in ariveing at your present situation.
But recent accounts from different quarters compells
me to feel it a duty incumbent on me to address you,
and the remark I have to make will be confined
to the short period since your inaugural address.
In that invaluable instrument you frequently & much
oftener than has been usual on similar occasions, in the
most solemn manner invoked the supreme rular
of events to guide ^you^ in your Official duties. In addresing
your dear Ma ^you^ Asked her prayers to aid you in
your great responsibilities. To others you have made
use of similar expressions. The circumstanse also
of your haveing serious reflections and connecting
yourself with the Church of God has circulated too
I find far and wide. A general complaint of the
former Adml has been the want of moral & [ retigious ]
feelings & profligacy. With all this impresed on the minds
of the thoughtfull and sober part of your constituants
what think you would be ^of^ course hoped & looked for
from from the person they had so distinguished.
I will tell you a Sober thoughtfull moral reflecting
Man. To this course your deportment prior to the
Election pointed. To this course your message pointed

in this course the indisposition of a beloved Wife. The loss
of one of the finest and most accomplished Sisters ever
a brother had. The painfull decline and aguish of a
father just steping into the Toom all pointed.
And no person in your standing ever had a better opper-
tunity of pursuing it. Has this been your Course
report says not. Report says that you have constantly
a host of hangers on, that your dining hour is
three and it usually is kept up untill 5,6,7 & 8
O Clock at night. That these continued parties are
enormous expensive and sometimes noisy.
Now my dear Child took at this see what impression
it will soon have on the people, govt of Sen of
those lobby Member office hunters caire as little
for you as they do for W L Marcy if they can
only get their purposes answered. They are
not the men that will last. I am well apprised
your Inauguration comes on New Years day &
I know as well that the inhabitants of your City
and its vicinity if they have anything to excite
them go crasy on that day. Therefor about
this high I have nothing to say, but when this
was over I do think your situatuon should
have caused you to reflect on the great re-
sponsibilities that rests upon you and cause
you to determin that you would give no dining
but those to the Legislature & departments at
proper seasons and in a temperate style.
I know well your noble Spirit & Generous Soul.

But reflect one moment on the consequinces
you have been living so far at the rate of $20000
a year your salary is $4000 your estate probably
may be valued at $120000 now at the rate you have
set out if reports are true should you hold your
plan six years you would come out $50000 in debt
This is not required of you and for this nobody living
will ever thank you. But this is not all, you gain a
liberal character from dissipated lobby men, and loose
all confidence of the businessmen. The back bone the
nerve & sinew of the Country. Another awfull reason
suggests itself. By humouring and constantly toast-
ing those Wine biblers your own face may become
bloated your hands become purple. I know
each for for himself says there is no danger of me [hole]
but look at Tompkins Clinton and thousands of others
Where are they. In firm be sober be honest be wise
set down a stake keep your hours in dispite of high
fellows. Show the world you can go into office
with honor you can go out of it with much
greater Honor.
My health is febleness my hand
nervous and it is with great difficulty I can write
but my my mind became Alarmed. I have always
been in the habit of consulling you when I thought
my remarks would be of any use. Your prosperity
is one of the objects nearest my heart. My motives are
pure I pray they may be received in kindness.
Give my best respects to Judge Miller, & dear Frances
When you see her and believe me to be as ever your
most Affectionate father
Saml S Seward
W H Seward Esq

His Ex W H Seward
Albany
Florida
Feb 6^th
Saml S Seward
Feb 6. 1839