Harmony Hall Westfield 24 Dec 1839
Dear Henry
I am solicited for a letter to favour
the application of Martin Morse for the office
of measurer of grain in N.Y. : and although
I feel extreme repugnance on many accounts
to such a service, I have concluded to k
that I can do no less on this occasion
than to write.
Mr Morse is just what you see him, a
plain, bustling, active, acceptable man of
business. I do not doubt that he would
do the duties of such a station with faithful-
ness and satisfaction to all concerned: and
I should be very glad if you could feel
it to be proper to give him the appointment
he asks.
The ground of my desire is altogether
personal. The wife of Mr. Morse, has
for many years made her house one
of the pleasant stopping places of our
fathers family and mine. Since Augus- tus entered college this has been one
of his homes : & during the summer

it was our dear mothers expectation that
Mrs Morse would spend a week or
two in Florida with her in company
with my lamented wife – but this purpose
was somehow overruled.
I am grieved with their reverse of
fortune and would gladly aid them on
the score of gratitute as well as benev-
olence, do anything in my power to
bring them relief.
Pray inform me, when writing, if
you can find time for a line & think
of it – what the prospect is.
We are all well.
Your grateful brother
BJ Seward

W. H. Seward Esq
Albany
Westfield N. Y. Dec 23 24
Martin Morse
N.Y
Measurer of Grain