“Dear Son Cyrus,—If the weather be fair next Monday morning your parents design to start for New York on a visit to all our relations, and to as many of our other numerous friends there as we can well see.
“I believe Mrs. Brewer and Master Freddy are expected to be with us.
“Love to all inquiring friends. Cold weather is here, but general health and prosperity prevails.
“Love to all inquirers.
“David D. Field.”
Mr. Seward’s letter, which follows, is evidently in answer to one written by Mr. Field in which he had expressed regret that the nomination at Chicago had not been given to the candidate of the New York delegation:
“Auburn, July 13, 1860.
“My dear Friend,—Your considerate letter was not necessary, and yet was very welcome. A thousand thanks for it. I do not care to dwell on personal interests. They are, I think, not paramount with me. But if I even were so ambitious, I am not like to be altogether successful. If the alternative were presented to a wise man, he might well seek rather to have his countrymen regret that he had not been, president than to be president.
“Faithfully yours,
“William H. Seward.
“Cyrus W. Field, Esq.”