Life of William H. Seward

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Preface

"The Works of William H. Seward" are already before the public in three large volumes. They have been received with much favor. At the same time they have increased the demand for an edition in a more reduced and economical form. The present volume is intended to meet that want. The Memoir which follows is substantially the same as that contained in the larger edition. Its faithfulness has been generally acknowledged. Two new chapters have been added to it in the present volume. They recite the history of the Compromises of 1850, the defeat of the Whig party in 1852, and the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise in 1854. A number of extracts from Mr. Seward's Speeches have also been introduced to illustrate the text.

A portion of the volume has been appropriated to Selections from Mr. Seward's Works. Among these Selections will be found extracts from most of his Addresses and Orations, his Executive Messages, his Forensic Arguments, and his Speeches in the Senate. Although comparatively few and brief, they embrace a great variety of topics under the heads of Agriculture, Internal Improvements, Education, Freedom, Commerce, and Miscellaneous. Besides

4 PREFACE.

the extracts in these general divisions, Mr. Seward's Oration on the Destiny of America, and his two elaborate Speeches in the Senate on the "Nebraska Question," are presented entire.

Recent events have given great interest and significance to many of Mr. Seward's Speeches. The prophetic warnings which abomid in his Speeches on the Compromise Acts of 1850 appear now like sober history. Whoever will compare his Speeches on the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise with those of 1850, and also with his earliest productions, can hardly fail to award him the praise of consistency with himself, whatever judgment may be passed upon the principles he has so faithfully defended. And, while all may not be ready to allow that no errors have occurred in his public life, few will contend that any motive inconsistent with the highest regard for the interests of Human Nature or the honor of his country has ever influenced him. It may be, as Mr. Seward himself has remarked, that in seeking to perfect the diffusion of knowledge — in desiring to raise from degradation less-favored classes, depressed by unequal laws — or in aiming to carry into remote or sequestered regions the jDhysical and commercial advantages enjoyed by more-favored districts, he has urged too earnestly what seemed to him to be the claims of humanity, justice, and equity. But, while the verdict is not to be looked for in the passing hour, it is very manifest that a generous appreciation has hitherto met all his efforts, from a large and steadily-increasing portion of his fellow-citizens. To such we trust this volume will not be unwelcome.

The Editor.

Brooklyn, L. I., Jan. 1, 1855.

Contents

CONTENTS OF THE MEMOIR.

Chapter I

The Seward Family. — John Seward. — Revolutionary Anecdote. — Samuel S. Seward.— The S. S. Seward Institute.— The Mother of "William H. Seward. — Irish Lineage.— Ireland and Irishmen. . .page 13

Chapter II

"William Henry Seward. — Birthplace. — Boyhood. — School-Days. — _^is,Jlather!a.^lave.-T- Orange County. — Goshen. — "Warwick. — Florida. — Settlement. — Scenery. — George, James, and De "Witt Clinton.

— Anecdotes. — Farmer's Hall Academy. — Aaron Burr. — Noah Webster. — Young Seward enters Union College at Fifteen IV

Chapter III

His College Life. — Characteristics. — Favorite Studies. — Visits the South.

— Becomes a Teacher. — Slavery. — Anecdotes. — The Slave and the Blind Horse.— The Slave Mother.— Return to College.— The Adelphic, Philomathean, and Delphian Societies. — Exciting Contests. — Triumph of Seward. — Orator of the Adelphic Society. — Graduates. — "William Kent. — Dr. Hickok. — Pi'ofessor Lewis. — Seward appointed to address Daniel D. Tompkins. — His Relations with Dr. Nott and his College Companions 20

Chapter IV

Enters the Law-OfRce of John Anthon as a Student. — Completes his Studies with John Duer and Ogden Hoffman. — Admitted to the Bar. — Removes to Auburn. — Associated with Judge Miller. — Marriage. — Children. — Auburn, its Characteristics. — Mr. Reward's Religious Principles, — His Early Devotion to Public Improvement. — Character as a Lawyer. — John C. Spencer. — Joshua A. Spencer. — Albert H. Tracy.— John M. Hulbert.— William M. Brown.— Mr. Seward's Success at the Bar 25

Chapter V

His Political Predilections. — His Father an ardent Democrat. — The Leaders of the Democratic Party unfaithful to Freedom. — Mr^^^w^ ard takes Ground against Slavery. — His Views and Course^^ — His Views of the Albany Regency in 1824. — Delivers an Oration July 4, 1825. — His Position then on Important Questions. — Oration for Greece. — Eulogy on David Berdan. — Young Men's Convention, — Mr. Seward presides. — Favorable Impressions excited. — John Q. Adams and General Jackson. — Anti-Masonic Excitement. — Mr. Seward nominated for Congress in 1828. — Declines. — Supports the National Republican Party. — Nominated for the State Senate. — Elected 29

Chapter VI

Mr. Seward enters the Senate of New York. — Circumstances. — His Position and Course. — His Maiden Speech. — Militia Reforms. — Internal Improvements. — Imprisonment for Debt. — Universal Education. — Elections by the People. — The United States Bank. — Prison for Females. — Erie Railroad. — Origin of the Whig Party. — Banking.

— Prison Reform. — Corporations 84

Chapter VII

Presidential Election, 1832. — Clay and "Wirt. — Mr. Seward's Course. — Visits Europe. — Letters from Europe. — Returns and resumes his Seat in the Senate. — Speech on the Removal of the Deposites. — Governor Marcy's Loan Law. — The Court of Errors. — Mr. Seward as a Judge. — His Eulogium on Lafayette. 40

Chapter VIII

Nominated for Governor, 1834. — Defeated. — His large Vote. — Delivers an Address on Education and Internal Improvements at Auburn.

— Appointed Agent of the Holland Land Company. — Delivers a Discourse on Education at Westfield, Chautauque County, July, 1837. — Triumph of the Whigs, — Nev/ York and Erie Railroad. — Mr. Seward's Efforts in its Behalf. — Second Nomination for Governor, 1838. — Circumstances of the Canvass. — Elected Governor. — Complete Success of the Whigs, and Overthrow of the Regency 46

Chapter IX

Mr. Seward the First Whig Governor of New York. — Peculiar Circumstances. — Mr. Seward's Course and Measures. — His Devotion to Improvements and Reforms. — Agriculture. — Education. — The School Controversy. — Immigrants. — Law Reform. — Decentralization of the Regency Power. — Reforms in the Banking System. — Small-Bill Law.

— Geological Survey. — Notes on New York. — Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt. 52

Chapter X

Governor Seward's Course in the Anti-Rent Difficulties. — Yindication by the Court of Appeals. — Militia Reforms. — Election Laws. — Veto of the Registry Act suppressed. — Disturbances in Canada. — The M'Leod Case. — General Harrison. — -^Mr. "Webster. — Mr. Crittenden. —Mr. Fox.— Mr. Van Buren.— Willis Hall.— John Tyler.— Mr, Seward's Firmness and Wisdom illustrated 60

Chapter XI

Governor Seward and the Canals. — The Enlargement Question. — Report of S. B. Ruggles.— Mr. Flagg's Policy.— The State Debt- Financial Crisis. — Erroneous Estimates by the Canal Commissioners discovered. — A General Panic. — Suspension of the Public Works. — Governor Seward's Course. — Resumption of the Public Works. — His Policy vindicated and re-established in 1854. — Railroads: New York and Erie; Hudson River; Pacific. — Governor Sewai-d's Plans on the Eve of Completion 68

CHAPTER XH.

Governor Seward's Exercise of the Pardoning Power. — Pardon Cases.

— The Insane Murderer. — Female Convicts. — Juvenile Delinquents.

— Benjamin Rathbun. — John C. Colt. — Catherine Wilkins. — The Slaveholder. — James Watson Webb and Thomas F. Marshall. — The Veto Power. — Cases. — Madame D'Hauteville. — Thurlow Weed. — The Registry Act. — Suspension of Public Works. — Refusal of the Legislature to receive Governor Seward's Messages 76

Chapter XIII

Governor Seward's Course on Questions relating to Slavery. — Repeal of the Nine-Months Law. — The Lemmon Case. — Jury Trial for Fugitive Slaves. — State Officers prohibited from assisting in Arrest of Fugitive Slaves.— Recovery of Kidnapped Negroes. — Solomon Northrop. — African Suffrage. — The Virginia Controversy. — Extraordinary Proceedings. — Imprisonment of Colored Men in Slave States. — Governor Seward's Course. — Resolves to decline a Re-Election. — General Harrison's Election in 1840. — Mr. Clay's Nomination in 1844.

— Governor Seward's View. — Annexation of Texas. — Increase of Anti-Slavery Votes. — Defeat of the Whigs. — Luther Bradish. — Governor Bouck. — Close of Governor Seward's Second Term 82

CHAPTER XIY.

Mr. Seward in Private Life. — Receives John Quincy Adams at Auburn.

— Their Intimate Relations. — Death of John Quincy Adams. — Mr. Seward's Eulogy. — Address at Union College in 1843. — Repeated at Amherst. — Mr. Seward as an Advocate. — Practice at the Bar. — United States Courts. — Patent Causes. — Invention. — Extract from Argument. — Criminal Cases. — Liberty of the Press. — Cooper vs. Greelej. — Capital Trial at Cooperstown. — Fugitive Slave Trial. -r- Extract from Argument. — Eulogy on O'Connell. — Extract 90

Chapter XV

The "Wyatt and Freeman Cases. — Massacre of the Yan ISTest Family.

Extraordinai-y Excitement. — Conviction of Wyatt. — Trial of Freeman. — Unprecedented Proceedings. — John Van Buren. — Mr. Sew^ ard's Defence of Wyatt and Freeman. — Scenes in Court, — Popular Feeling. — Denunciations of the Press. — The Verdict. — Extract from

. Mr. Seward's Argument. — Sentence of Freeman. — Strange Scene. — Mr. Seward's Bill of Exceptions. — N"ew Trial granted. — Death of Freeman. — Change in Public Opinion. — Review of the Case 99

Chapter XVI

The Trial of Abel F. Fitch and Others for Conspiracy at Detroit in 1851. — Fifty Persons indicted. — Michigan Central Railroad Company. — Mr. Seward's Defence. — Extract from his Argument. — Character of Mr. Seward's Professional Labors. — Liberty of the Press. — Fugitive Sl ave La W;-— Rights of Inventors. — His Views of Libel-Suits 116

CHAPTER XVIL

Mr. Seward recalled to Public Life. — Retrospect. — Organization of the N"ative American Party. — Burning of Catholic Churches. — Mr. Seward's Course. — Henry Clay. — Annexation of Texas. — War with Mexico. — The Oregon Question. — Hunkers and Barnburners. — Constitutional Convention, 1846. — Mr. Seward's Views. — Internal Improvements. — Right of Suffrage. — Decentralization. — Presidential Election, 1848. — General Taylor. — The Canvass.— Mr. Seward's Speeches. — His Speech at Cleveland. — Extract. — The Whig Platform in 1848. — Freedom and Slavery. — Speeches in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. — General Taylor, Mr. Clay, and Mr. Webster. — Mr. Seward's Estimate of the Presidency ... 120

CHAPTER XYIIL

President Taylor. — Mr, Seward elected Senator. — Visits Washington. — Effort for Freedom. — His Relations with General Taylor. — California. — New Mexico. — The Higher Law. — The Compromise. — Freedom in District of Columbia. — French Spoliations. — The Public Lands. — Kossuth. — Smith O'Brien. — Thomas F. Meaglier. — Freedom in Europe. — American Steam Navigation. — Survey of the Arctic and Pacific Ocean. — American Fisheries. — Visit to Vermont. — Agricultural Address. — Extract. — Visit to Canada. — Montreal. — Quebec. . 131

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Presidential Election of 1852. — Review of the Slavery Contest of 1850. — Mr. Seward's Opposition. — Mr. Clay. — Mr. Webs,ter. — General Cass. — General Taylor's Position. — Mr. Seward supports it. — Denounced as an Agitator. — Utah and N"ew Mexico. — The Fugitive Slave Bill. — The Compromisers. — Death of President Taylor. — Mr. Fillmore. — His Course and Coalition with the Democrats. — Mr. Seward's Opposition. — The Baltimore Conventions of 1852, Democratic and Whig. — Franklin Pierce. — General Scott. — Millard Fillmore. — Daniel "Webster. — Platform for Slavery. — Position of Mr. Seward's Friends. — Mr. "Webster's Course. — His Death.- — Triumph of the Democrats. — Election of Franklin Pierce. — Overthrow of the "Whigs.

— Defeat of General Scott. — Effect upon Mr. Seward 141

CHAPTER XX.

XXXHd Congress, Second Session 1852-53. — Mr. Seward's Speeches.

— John Quincy Adams and General Cass.— -Vindication of Mr. Adama — John C. Calhoun. — The Monroe Doctrine. — Annexation of Cuba.

— Mr. Seward's Views. — Mexico and the Continental Railroad. — Suspension of Duty on Railroad Iron. — Extract from Mr. Seward's Speech on Railroads. — Texas and her Creditors. — Oration at Columbus. — The Destiny of America. — Address before the American Institute. — The True Basis of American Independence. — Eulogium on James Tallmadge 150

CHAPTER XXI.

XXXIIId Congress. — Nebraska. — Inauguration of President Pierce. — High Expectations of Beneficent Legislation. — Revision of the Tariff. — The Homestead. — Pacific Railroad. — Disappointment. — Introduction of the Nebraska Bill by Mr. Douglas. — Veto of the Bill for Relief of the Insane. — The Nebraska Bill. — Fruit of the Compromise Measures of 1850. — Senators Everett, Chase, Sumner, Truman Smith, Wade, Bell, Houston, and Fessenden. — Mr. Seward's Letter to the New York Merchants. — His Position. — His First Speech. — Second Speech. — Passage of the Bill. — Effect of Mr. Seward's Speeches on the Country. — His Speech on the Reception of a Remonstrance from 3050 Clergymen. — The Right of Petition vindicated. — The Gadsden Treaty. — The Reciprocity Treaty. — Review of Mr. Seward's Course in the Senate. — Eulogium on Henry Clay. — Eulogium on Daniel Webster. — Debates in the Senate. — Address before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Yale College. — Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws conferred upon Mr. Seward. — His Relations to the Whig Party

and to Mr. Fillmore's Administration. — Conclusion 161

1*

CONTENTS OF THE SELECTIONS,

AGRICULTURE.

Improvement in Agriculture Essential to the Security of Republican Institutions. — Extracts from Annual Messages. — The Homestead of the American Farmer should be exempted from Involuntary Sale. — Extract from Speech in the Senate on the Homestead Bill. — Popular Prejudices against Improvement in Agriculture Unreasonable and Pernicious. — Address before the Vermont State Agricultural Society at Rutland, 1852. — Improvement of Farms and Farmers. — Address before the New York State Agricultural Society at Albany, 1842 176

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Internal Improvement the Policy of the Founders of the Republic. — Extracts from Annual Messages. — Internal Improvement Wise and Beneficent. — Address at the New York and Erie Railroad Convention at Elmira, ISoY. — Internal Improvement the Real Source of the Prosperity of New York, and the only Sure Bond of Union of the States. — Remarlcs at the Celebration of the Completion of the New York and Erie Railroad, Dunkirk, 1851. — The Suspension of the Public Works of New York condemned and their Resumption recommended. — Extract from Annual Message, 1842. — New York and Massachusetts. — Address at the Celebration of the Completion of the Western Railroad between l^oston and Albany, at Springfield, 1842. 184

EDUCATION.

The Proper Range of Popular Education. — Address at Westfield, N. Y., 1833. — Popular Education a Leveller. — Address at Sunday -School Celebration, 1839. — Female Education. — Improvement of Popular Education must begin not with the Government, but with the People. — Education preferable to Conquest. — Speeches in the Senate. ^ — The Bible the Basis of Republican Institutions. — Annual Messages to the Legislature. — The System of Public Schools defective. — Amendment proposed. — Education of the Children of Exiles. — New York Public School Society 200

FREEDOM.

John Quincy Adams. — Eulogy before the Court of Chancery. — Mutual Rights and Duties of Nations. — Speeches in the Senate. — The Right of Petition. — Remonstrance of 3050 Clergymen of New England against the Repeal of the Missouri Compromise. — Political Equality. — Religious Intolerance. — Intolerance. — Louis Kossuth. — The Tribunal of Public Opinion. — The Shade of Franklin. — Congressional

Compromised. — The Recaption of Fugitive Slaves in the Free States.

— Speeches in the Senate on the Compromises of 1850. — The Fugitive Slave Law of 1793 Unconstitutional and Void. — Argument in the United States Supreme Courts.— Extradition of Fugitives.— Emancipation in the District of Columbia. — Admission of New Slave States.— Uses of the National Domain.— The Higher Law.— Slavery in the New Territories. — Apprehensions of Disunion Groundless. — Slavery. — The Slavery Question can never be settled by Compromises. — Moderation ■ 219

COMMERCE.

Public Faith. — Speeches in the Senate. — French Spoliations. — American Enterprise. — American Steam Navigation. — Collins Steamers. — The Whale Fisheries. — Commerce on the Pacific. — A Continental Railroad to the Pacific 276

MISCELLANEOUS.

The American People.— -Their Moral and Intellectual Development- Address at Yale College, July, 1854.— Insanity.— Argument in Defence of William Freeman, Auburn, July, 1846. — Insanity. — Some of its Causes and Circumstances. — The Wrongs of the Negro. — The Indians. — Speech of an Onondaga Chief. — Governor Seward's Reply. —Letter.— Reply to the Colored Citizens of Alban}', January, 1843.

— Speech in the Senate of New York, February, 1831.— The Militia System. — Reforms proposed. — Speech in the Senate of the United States, 1852. — The Public Domain. — The Homestead Principle. — The Whig Party.— The Albany Regency in 1824.— Secret Political Societies. — Relief of the Indigent Insane. — The Union and the States.

— Speech on the President's Yeto.— The True Basis of American Independence. — Address before the American Institute. — Peace 291

ORATIONS AND SPEECHES.

The Destiny of America. — An Oration delivered at the Dedication of Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, September 14, 1853.— Nebraska and Kansas.— Freedom and Public Faith.— The Abrogation of the Missouri Compromise. — Speeches in the Senate of the United States, 3"25

See Index 401

MEMOIR-

Chapter I. The Seward Family

The ancestors of William Henry Seward were of Welsh extraction. The first of that name in America emigrated from Wales during the reign of Queen Ann, and settled in Connecticut. A branch of the family, from which Mr. Seward is descended, removed to Morris county, N. J., about the year 1740. This branch again divided, one portion of which removed to Virginia, where it is still found in considerable numbers, as well as in Georgia and Kentucky. His paternal grandfather, John Seward, resided in Sussex county, in that state, where he sustained a high reputation for enterprise, integrity, and ability. On the breaking out of the Revolution, he became a prominent leader of the whig party, and on more than one occasion during the long struggle, was engaged in active service. His dwelling is defined on all the maps of the American colonies of that period. Being a zealous partisan he became the object of especial jealousy on the part of the loyalists. The following anecdote is among the traditions of the family. While General Washington's headquarters wereatMorristown, Colonel Seward's residence was on the lines. Various plots were resorted to by the torios to cir-

14 THE SEWARD FAMILY.

cum vent and capture him. One day a man of ratker suspicious appearance, on a horse without saddle or bridle, approached the house and upon being hailed by Colonel Seward replied that he brought a message from General Washington requiring Colonel Seward to hasten to headquarters. He was asked if he had a written order. His reply was in the negative. Colonel Seward then charged him with being a tory, whereupon he applied his whip to his horse and rode off at full speed. Colonel Seward seized his rifle and with unerring aim brought him to the ground. He lived long enough to confess that he was sent by a party of loyalists to decoy the colonel from his house that he might be waylaid and his house destroyed. He died in 1799, leaving a family of ten children. His son, Samuel S. Seward, received an academic and professional education, instead of a share in the paternal inheritance. Having completed his studies, he established himself in the practice of medicine in his native place, and soon after became connected in marriage with Mary Jennings, the daughter of Isaac Jennings, of Goshen, New York.

Removing to Florida, a village in the town of Warwick, in Orange county, N. Y., in the j^ear 1795, he combined a large mercantile business with an extensive range of professional practice, both of which he carried on successfully for the space of twenty years. He retired from active business in 1815, and devoted himself to the cultivation of the estate, of which, by constant industry and economy, he had become the owner. Dr. Seward was a man of more than common intellect, of excellent business talents, and of strict probity. After his withdrawal from business, he was in the habit of lending money to a considerable extent among the farmers in his neighborhood ; and it is said that no man was ever excused from paying the lawful interest on his loans — that no man was permitted to pay him more than that interest — and that no man who paid his interest punctually was ever required to pay any part of the prin-

THE SEWARD FAMILY. 15

cipal. He was a zealous advocate of republican principles, and exerted a leading influence in the affairs of the party. In 1804, he was elected to the legislature, and during the continuance of the republicans in power, he was never without one or more offices of public trust. Although not a member of the legal profession, he was appointed first judge of Orange county, in 1815, which office he held for seventeen years. His exercise of the judicial functions was marked by discretion, impartiality, and promptness, and lie is remembered to this day as one of the best judges the county ever had. After a visit to Europe, he lived in the eujojanent of universal respect until 1849, when he died in a ripe old age. Dr. Seward was the friend of religion, education, and public improvement. He founded the *' S. S. Seward Institute," at Florida, an excellent high school for young persons of both sexes. He endowed this seminary with a permanent fund of $20,000, and continued its steadfast friend until the close of his life.

The wife of Dr. Seward was Mary Jennings, whose family had emigrated from Ireland at an early day. She was a woman of a clear and vigorous understanding, with singular cheerfulness of temper, and while devoted with untiring industry to the interests of her family, was a model of hospitality, charity, and self-forge tfulness. She died in 1843.

The subject of this memoir never forgot that he had Irish blood in his veins. This fact serves to explain, in part, the strong attachment he has always cherished for the Irish population of our country. While travelling through Ireland in 1833, his indignation was greatly aroused by the sight of the oppressions inflicted on the people by the British government. He ascribed a large share of the miseries of that unhappy country to its political mismanagement, and especially to the annihilation of its parliament, by the act of union. In writing home from Ireland, he expresses himself in the following terms : —

16 IRISH LINEAGE.

"But all this glory has departed. The very shadow (and for a long time the Irish parliament was but the shadow) of independence has vanished ; Ireland has surrendered the individuality of her national existence, to share, like a younger sister, that of England. The walls of the parliament-house remain in. all their primitive grandeur, to reproach the degeneracy of her statesmen. While traversing its apartments, I reverted to the debate when the degenerate representatives surrendered their parliament; and I thought that had I occupied a place there, I would have seen English armies wade in blood over my country, before I would have assented to so disgraceful a union. Something might have been spared, after the deed was consummated, to the wounded pride of the Irish people. The parliament-house ought to have been closed, and left in gloomy solitude, a monument to remind the people that they once had a country. But this was too great a concession for the economy of the English administration of affairs in Ireland. They who build palaces and monuments with a profuse hand, on the other side of the channel, sold the Irish Capitol, and it was forthwith converted into a hall for money-changers. I confess that overleaping all the obstacles which are deemed by many well-wishers of Ireland insurmountable, 1 wish the repeal of the union. I will riot believe that if relieved of that oppressive act, she does not possess the ability to govern herself."

In a private letter written by Mr. Seward in 1840, to a gentleman who had taken strong exceptions to his sentiments in relation to Irishmen, the following passage occurs, in regard to the Irish lineage of his mother. After defending the character of the Irish from some severe charges made by his correspondent, and alluding to their many virtues, he says : —

"If this confession of faith seems strange to you, permit me to explain that I could not believe otherwise, without doing dishonor to a mother eminent for many virtues, and to the memories of humble ancestors, whose names will not be saved from obscurity by the record of any extraordinary vices."

BIRTHPLACE. 17

Chapter II. Willi A3i Hexry Seward

William Henry Seward was born iu Florida, Orange Co., N. Y., May 16, 1801. The house in which his parents then resided is still standing ; but the village-church and schoolhouse, where his youthful, feet were wont to tread, have given place to more modern structures. A venerable forest-tree on the ancient homestead still overshadows a clear, bubbling spring of water, which William w^as in the habit of frequenting in his school-boy days, with his books, for the purpose of reading and study in its cool and pleasant retirement. His boyhood is well remembered by the aged inhabitants of his native village. They love to recall their predictions of the future eminence of the studious lad, whose diligence and zeal had already attracted their attention. The colored servant, then a slave of his father's, who led him in infancy, and shared his juvenile sports, still lives to rejoice in the bounty of her young companion, who has given a comfortable home for her old age, in memory of their early attachment.

The subject of our narrative entered upon life amid external circumstances adapted to cherish and develop the higher elements of his nature. Orange county contains within its borders West Point, Fort Putnam, Fort Montgomery, Minisink, Newburgh, Washington's headquarters, and other places famous in the annals of the Revolution. It has also been the birthplace or residence of many distinguished men, among whom may be named George Clinton, James Clinton, De Witt Clinton, Cadwallader C.

18 SCHOOL DAYS.

Golden, General Belknap, James Burt, Robert Armstrong, John Duer, Ogden Hoffman, Samuel B. Betts, Samuel J. Wilkin, and others. The town of Warwick originally with several other towns composed a part of the town of Goshen, having been set off from that town in 1788. It was settled directly or indirectly as early as 1703. A part of the town was called Florida or Floriday as early as 1738. The origin of this name is not clearly known, but it was probably derived from the Latin word Floridus signifying covered or red with flowers. The local scenery of Florida is scarcely surpassed in the country for beauty and magnificence. On each side, mountains of impressive grandeur rear their blue summits into the skies, while the broad and fertile valleys, watered by numerous rivulets and miniature lakes, enriched by genial and appropriate culture, and smiling in joyous abundance, complete the majestic and lovely panorama. The people of Florida, unlike the inhabitants of most other towns in that part of the state, were originally emigrants from New England. They were accordingly imbued with much of the stern and lofty spirit of the Puritans, while their descendants still retained many of their habits and feelings. Brought up amidst such sublime and ennobling scenes of nature — inheriting from a worthy ancestry the purest sentiments of honor and patriotism — imbibing, with his mother's milk, the love of truth, freedom, and equality — the mind of young Seward early received a powerful impulse toward the career of beneficent greatness, which has amply fulfilled the prophetic anticipations of his youthful associates and admirers.

One of the first acts remembered by the friends of young William Henry, was in.no small degree significant of his juvenile tendencies. He ran away to school — most truants run in the opposite direction. His taste for books was displayed at an early age. They were his favorite companions, and he was seldom seen without a volume in his hands. His thirst for knowledge, once nearly cost him his life.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS BOYHOOD. 19

When about t^Yelve years of age, returning near nightfall from a pasture on his father's farm, driving home the cows, he read a book as he walked, giving an occasional look to his charge, that was travelling quietly before him. A party of boys espied the abstracted herdsman, and disturbed his studious reveries wdth a volley of small stones. Resolved not to be disturbed in his reading by the missiles of his thoughtless companions, he turned his back toward them, and walked backward with liis eye intently fixed upon his book. In a short time, he insensibly diverged from the path, and missing the bridge over a small creek, was thrown into the water. An elder brother, who had witnessed the accident, drew him from the stream in a state of unconsciousness, and he was fortunately restored without serious injury.