Florida 24^th Mar 1839
My dear J
Your very interesting Letter
dated Albany 18^th Inst. has been recd and
read by Ma & myself – We thank you for
a communication of so much detail
I have only time at present to make a
few remarks on the contemplated Vault
something in your last was intimated that
you had not formerly felt able to take a part in
the expense — I have uniformly stated and now
aver that I [ nev ] wish any one to be to a Dollar of
expence — Your Grandsire was a brave and
distinguished officer in the R. War — By years
of industry & indefatriable pierseverance I immagined
I had acquired enough of the dross of this World to
carry my immediate family through & build
a Vault where on the Tomb Stone of my Deseased
father & the decendant of his family in ashes mought
rest in peace. In great caution I mentioned this
this to the family, but before any measures was
taken I lost my health – and have not nor ever
shall be able to attend to it. The report of what is
about to be done has become rife. For the Credit
of the family it is time this topic was put at rest
Now I can with candor say I have lost all footing
about it — I am content with whatever result the
family come to. But in conscience let us deside
let us say we will or we will not — HW Thompson
called and informed me Arch Stone could be had
in the quarry at from 1 to 3/ a load – that he could raise
and dress them for 4/ and wished to know if he should
go to work. But my child I could not, I cannot
stand & Chaffer with me men for materials where-
in in perhaps ^a few days^ I am to store my own dust
I know of no one but yourself suitable to

Contract for this Job. If you were here it would
take you perhaps one day – say two to put the
whole under hand & seal. If your other pursuits
prevents your attending to it, or if you are not
inclined It is but Justice to a feble father whose
nerves have lost their elastic ^i^ ty to deside that you
can or cannot give it the above attention. I will
patiently wait the returning Mail and if no
satisfactory answer is received I wish to have
our dead taken from Mr Steward vault and intered
in the Church Yard with the rest of the family
and hear I sincerely wish this project may rest
forever
Your most affectionate
father Sam^l S Seward
Florida
March 25
BJ Seward Esq^r
Westfield Chautauqua Co
New York