Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8, 1849
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8, 1849
transcriberTranscriber:spp:ekk
student editorTranscriber:spp:dxt
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1849-03-08
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, March 8, 1849
action: sent
sender:
William Seward
Person
Name: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
Person
location:
Washington D.C. DC
Place
Name: City: Washington D.C.
County:
State: DC
Country: US
Place
receiver:
Frances Seward
Person
Name: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
Person
location:
Auburn NY
Place
Name: City: Auburn
County: Cayuga
State: NY
Country: US
Place
transcription: ekk
revision: crb 2016-05-27
<>
Page 1
Senate Chamber March 8th 1849
My Dearest Frances,
Your illness hangs like a cloud upon my
spirits. I cannot be cheerful when you are ill or sad.
Yesterday in the Senate with closed doors I tried the
firmness of my head and feet by replying to Mr. Calhoun
Name: John Calhoun
Birth: 1782-03-18
Death: 1850-03-31
who
spoke against the confirmation of Jacob Collamer
Name: Jacob Collamer
Birth: 1791-01-08
Death: 1865-11-09
for Post
Master General on the ground of his imputed favor to Mr. Gidding’s
Name: Joshua Giddings
Birth: 1795-10-06
Death: 1864-05-27
Bill for abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia.
I was short, and I intended to show that I was uncompro-
mising in my opposition to slavery, but at the same time calmly
firm in my intention to abide by the Union and to practice the
necessary moderation to save the Union and to accomplish
whatever was attainable. My remarks were listened to with
attention and curiosity of course. I think they left a good
impression upon candid and fair men, while they were regarded
with favor by the very few bold and decided men of the
North. It was painful to see, theI may say in unity to
you, the subservient timidity of the Senators with few exceptions
on the subject in secret session, but not at all alarming to
find myself the boldest and freest of them all. It is a great
thing to have gotten over the panic which I always feel a-
rriving to speak on a new stage. And I regard it as
very fortunate that the occasion called me out although a new
Page 2
member, and this very first effort was made without an audience.
The Senate has adjourned and I have been trying
to write this letter in my seat, thinking that I could find
more leisure there than in my own bed room. But it is a sad
procession and if it shall continue I do not know how I
am ever to find time for study.
I called last night, among other places, at the
White House and I assure you it was delightful to find
a warm place both in the Council Chamber and in the
Parlor. Mrs Wood
Name:
Birth:
Death:
and Mrs Bliss
Name:
Birth:
Death:
appear very well
and General Taylor
Name: Zachary Taylor
Birth: 1784-11-24
Death: 1850-07-09
is a man to be loved.
Ever your own
Henry.
Name: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
Henry March 8h
1849
Senate Chamber March 8th 1849
My Dearest Frances,
Your illness hangs like a cloud upon my
spirits. I cannot be cheerful when you are ill or sad.
Yesterday in the Senate with closed doors I tried the
firmness of my head and feet by replying to Mr. Calhoun
Person
spoke against the confirmation of Jacob Collamer
Person
Master General on the ground of his imputed favor to Mr. Gidding’s
Person
I was short, and I intended to show that I was uncompro-
mising in my opposition to slavery, but at the same time calmly
firm in my intention to abide by the Union and to practice the
necessary moderation to save the Union and to accomplish
whatever was attainable. My remarks were listened to with
attention and curiosity of course. I think they left a good
impression upon candid and fair men, while they were regarded
with favor by the very few bold and decided men of the
North. It was painful to see, theI may say in unity to
you, the subservient timidity of the Senators with few exceptions
on the subject in secret session, but not at all alarming to
find myself the boldest and freest of them all. It is a great
thing to have gotten over the panic which I always feel a-
rriving to speak on a new stage. And I regard it as
very fortunate that the occasion called me out although a new
member, and this very first effort was made without an audience.
The Senate has adjourned and I have been trying
to write this letter in my seat, thinking that I could find
more leisure there than in my own bed room. But it is a sad
procession and if it shall continue I do not know how I
am ever to find time for study.
I called last night, among other places, at the
White House and I assure you it was delightful to find
a warm place both in the Council Chamber and in the
Parlor. Mrs Wood
Person
Person
and General Taylor
Person
Ever your own
Henry.
Person
1849
date:
Thursday, March 8, 1849
receiver:
sender:
year: