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 Og- den Hoffman-Removes to Auburn-Character as a Citizen and Lawyer-Opinions on Slavery-Political Prepossessions-Prepares the Address of a Republican Con- vention-Chosen President of the Young Men's Convention at Utica in 1828-Ten- dered a Nomination as Candidate for Member of Congress-Elected Senator of the State-Position and Speeches in the Senate-His Course in the Presidential Elec- tion of 1832-Visits Europe-Returns and Resumes his Seat in the Senate-Mem- ber of the Court of Errors-Nominated for Governor-Appointed Agent of the Holland Land Company-Misrepresentations of his Course-Letter to Citizens of Chautauque, and Complete Vindication-Advocates the New York and Erie Rail- road-Second Nomination for Governor, and Election-His Efforts while Governor in behalf of Agriculture, Education, Law Reform, Election Reforms, Militia Re- forms, Free Banking, Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt, Adjustment of Anti-Rent Difficulties, Improvement in Prison Management, Removal of Last Vestige of Sla- very, Enlargement of Erie Canal, Construction of Lateral Canals, New York and Erie, Hudson River, Northern, and other Railroads-His Course in the M'Leod Case and Virginia Controversy-Reasons for Refusing to Pardon Benjamin Rath- bun, John C. Colt and Others-His General Course as to Pardons-The Case of James Watson Webb-His Exercise of the Veto Power-Madame D'Hauteville's Case-Suppressed Veto of the New York Registry Law-Slavery and its Inci- dents-Virginia Controversy-Retires from Office-Mr. Clay's Nomination-Re- sumes his Profession-Libel, Law of Freeman's Trial-Fugitive Slave Case-Patent Causes-Detroit Case-Constitutional Convention-Gen. Taylor-Elected Senator -State of Parties-President Taylor-Review of his Speeches in the Senate- [Freedom in the New Territories-Admission of California-The Compromise Bill -Freedom in the District of Columbia-Freedom in New Mexico-Indemnities for French Spoliations-The Public Domain-Welcome to Kossuth-Liberation of the Irish Patriots-Freedom in Europe-Intervention-American Steam Naviga- tion-The Collins Steamers-Survey of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans—The Whale Fisheries-The American Fisheries-Newfoundland, &c.-Contested Seat of Hon. Reception of Rev. Theobald Mathew-Discipline in the Navy-The Right of Peti- tion-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-Reve- nues of California-Improvement of Rivers and Harbors-Contested Seat of Sena- tor Yulee The Repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law-Pension to Widow of General Worth-The Collins Steamers-Steamers to Hamburgh-On the Printing of Louis Kossuth's Letter-Duties on Gifts-Expedition to Japan-St. Marie's Canal-Ap- portionment of Representatives to California-The Patent Laws-War Steamers for Harbor Defence-The Purchase of Catlin's Indian Gallery-The Fisheries- The Treaty of Nicaragua and John M. Clayton-Eulogium on the Death of Hon. CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX TO THE MEMOIR. The ancestors of Wm. H. Seward natives of Wales... His father, S. S. Seward, removes to Orange County, New York... 15 Enters Union College, Schenectady. 1819 18 1820 19 1822 21 Spends six months at the South as a Teacher. 1824 23 1832 31 Mr. Clay and Mr. Wirt Candidates for the Presidency. 1834 33 Nominated for Governor... Appointed Agent for the Holland Land Company. 1838 37 Second Nomination for Governor. Letter to the Abolitionists... 1839 38 Inaugurated Governor.... Proposes a Plan to Extend the Blessings of Education...... Advocates, Successfully, the Plan of Free Banks.. XXXV xxxvi xxxvii Xxxviii xxxix xl xli xlii xliv xlv A.D. AET. 1840 39 Effects the Entire Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt.... 1842 1843 1846 44 Attempts to Settle the Anti-rent Difficulties.. His Course in the M'Leod Case.... Enlargement of Erie Canal-Construction of Lateral Canals. Gov. Seward Opposes the Suspension of the Public Works. 41 Signifies his intention to retire from Office, Reasons therefor.. 1846 45 1850 49 Speeches in the Senate-California-The Higher Law. 1852 51 1853 |