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. 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.. PAGE. xiii 66 xiv XV xvi xvii 66 1819 18 1820 19 1822 21 1823 22 1824 23 1827 26 Spends six months at the South as a Teacher.. 1828 27 Chosen President of the Young Men's Convention.. 1832 31 Mr. Clay and Mr. Wirt Candidates for the Presidency... 1834 33 Nominated for Governor.... xxxvi |