CONTENTS OF VOL. I. The Seward Family-Removal of Samuel S. Seward to Orange County, New York-His Marriage with Mary Jennings-Birth of WILLIAM H. SEWARD HIS Early Habits and Love of Learning-Narrow Escape from Drowning-Enters Union College, Schenectady-Visits the South as a Teacher-Returns to College-Position among the Students-Graduates- Studies Law with John Duer and Ogden Hoffman-Removes to Auburn- Character as a Citizen and Lawyer—Opinions on Slavery-Political Pre- possessions-Prepares the Address of a Republican Convention-Chosen President of the Young Men's Convention at Utica in 1828-Tendered a Nomination as Candidate for Member of Congress-Elected Senator of the State-Position and Speeches in the Senate-His Course in the Presidential Election of 1832-Visits Europe-Returns and Resumes his eat in the Senate-Member of the Court of Errors-Nominated for Gov- rnor-Appointed Agent of the Holland Land Company-Misrepresenta- ons of his Course-Letter to Citizens of Chautauqua, and Complete Indication-Advocates the New York and Erie Railroad-Second Nomi- ation for Governor, and Election-His Efforts while Governor in behalf Virginia Controversy-Retires from Office-Mr. Clay's Nomination— Freedom in the New Territories-Admission of California-The Com- promise Bill-Freedom in the District of Columbia-Freedom in New Mexico-Indemnities for French Spoliations-The Public Domain-Wel- I come to Kossuth-Liberation of the Irish Patriots-Freedom in Europe- Reception of Rev. Theobald Matthew-Discipline in the Navy-The Right of Petition-On Granting Land to Emigrants-The Census- Search for Sir John Franklin-Internal Improvements in New States- The Patent Laws-Peon Slavery-The Compromise Bill-Reception of Amin Bey-Pre-emption to Emigrants-Mining Privileges to Emigrants in California-Commerce in the Pacific-A Mint in New York The Senatorial Term-Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott-Cheap Postage-Revenues of California-Improvement of Rivers and Harbors-Contested Seat of Senator Yulee-The Repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law-Pension to Widow of General Worth-The Collins Steamers--Steamers to Hamburg -On the Printing of Louis Kossuth's Letter-Duties on Gifts-Expedition to Japan-St. Marie's Canal-Apportionment of Representatives to Cali- fornia-The Patent Laws-War Steamers for Harbor Defence-The Pur- chase of Catlin's Indian Gallery-The Fisheries-The Treaty of Nicaragua and John M. Clayton-Eulogium on the Death of Hon. William S. Upham, MEMOIR. 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 Co., N. J., about the year 1740. His paternal grandfather, John Seward, resided in Sussex Co., 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. 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 Co., N. Y., in the year 1795, he combined a large mercantile business with an extensive range of professional practice, each 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 |