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has been left out of the edition on account of any peculiar sentiment or opinion it expressed; but, on the contrary, every thing which has been particularly obnoxious to controversy has been carefully included.

The MEMOIR which follows, though written with heartfelt admiration of the subject, has constantly aimed to avoid indiscriminate eulogy, and to present a simple but complete record of Mr. Seward's life.

The SPEECHES IN THE SENATE OF NEW YORK contained in this volume, while they will serve to show the first exercise of that power of debate, which now in its full development excites an interest throughout the country, will give the reader a fresh view of many important political questions of State and National policy.

THE SPEECHES AND DEBATES IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES form a complete record of Mr. Seward's efforts in that body down to the close of the XXXIId Congress. Several speeches delivered after the first volume of these works had gone to press, will be found in the third volume.

The FORENSIC ARGUMENTS in this volume include Mr. Seward's pleas in the case of J. Fenimore Cooper vs. Greeley & McElrath; in defence of William Freeman; in the case of Jones vs. Van Zandt, under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793; in the case of Many vs. Treadwell, a Patent case; and in defence of Abel F. Fitch and others, in the celebrated Railroad Trial at Detroit. Several others, possessing almost equal interest, had been selected for a place in the works, but the limits already prescribed made it necessary to omit them. Among these may be named an argument in the case of Wilson vs. Rousseau,* involving the merits of the Woodworth Patent, and an Opinion delivered by Mr. Seward while a member of the Court of Errors, in the case of Parks vs. Jackson.†

* Blatchford's Circuit Court Reports, Vol. I. page 8.

Wendell's Reports, Vol. IX. page 456.

Three ENGRAVINGS accompany these volumes-a Portrait of Mr. Seward his Birth-Place-and his Residence at Auburn. The portrait is a faithful copy of a daguerreotype taken for the purpose.

The view of Mr. Seward's early home, in the second volume, was engraved from a sketch, recently made, of the old house which is still standing in the village of Florida, in Orange County.

The view of his present residence at Auburn, in the third volume, is from a daguerreotype taken in mid-winter. A brief description of the mansion and grounds will be found in the Preface to that volume.

THE EDITOR.

WILLIAMSBURGH, L. L, March 1, 1853.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

PAGE Xiii

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--

Conclusion.

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX TO THE MEMOIR.

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The ancestors of Wm. H. Seward natives of Wales..
His father, S. S. Seward, removes to Orange County, New York...
His mother, Mary Jennings, of Irish extraction.....
WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD born at Florida, Orange Co., N. Y...
His early habits and love of learning.

PAGE. xiii

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1819 18

1820 19

1822 21

1823 22

1824 23

1827 26

Spends six months at the South as a Teacher..
Returns to College-position among the Students.
Graduates-Address to Tompkins-Relations with Dr. Nott..
Admitted to the Bar-John Duer and Ogden Hoffman.
Removes to Auburn-Associated with Judge Miller...
Character as a Citizen and a Lawyer-Auburn..
Opinions on Slavery-Political Prepossessions.
Prepares the Address of a Republican Convention.
Delivers a Speech for Greece, at Auburn...

1828 27

Chosen President of the Young Men's Convention..
Tendered a Nomination for Congress and Declines..
1830 29 Elected to the State Senate by the Anti-Masons..
Position and Speeches in the Senate....

1832 31 Mr. Clay and Mr. Wirt Candidates for the Presidency...
1833 32 Visits Europe and Writes a Series of Letters.....
Returns and Resumes his Seat in the Senate....
Makes a great Speech on the Removal of the Deposits.
His Position as Member of the Court of Errors....

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1834 33 Nominated for Governor....

xxxvi

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