Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-25
FAMOUS MEN.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD

William H. Seward, the American statesman, was the most discussed man, with the exception of President Lincoln, in the United States during the Civil War. He was likewise enc Iof the nose eminent of the country's orators during the prewar period. He was Secretary of State during the entire period of President Lincoln tn- cumbency.
 It was MT. Seward who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 That he was friend of the south in spite of his political leanings, was shown in that he was on the side of President Johnson in regard to tke reconstruction of the southern states and was in opposition to the impeach- ment proceedings.
 After President Grant took the of flee, Mir. Seward retired from active politics, but in, spite of his advanced l years, in August 1870, he began d jour hey around the world, accompanied by some of his family, and traverEed the more important countries of Europe, l Asia, and the northern part of Africa 1 He was received everywhere by the most exalted perscnages as a states i man of high rank.
 Seward remained abroad more than year, and upon his return he settled at Auburn, N. l., and devoted himself to writing his Travels Around the 1 World He died there in 1872, on Oc- tober 1e
 William H. Seward was the first fla nous American politician to make what might be called a public voy-
 age around the world. In Japan the Mikado showed him what was intend
 ed to be a great honor, receiving him in a private lodge instead of a public court, and for the first time complete
 ly unveiling himself to a visitor.
 The trip was undoubtedly too much for a man of his years, and shortly after his return he was attacked by
 paralysis in his arms to the extent
 of their becoming quite useless But hardly any decline in his intellectua,
 faculties was pereeptible. He received
 many invitations to make public ad dresses, but compliance was irnpossi
 ble. The only activity he could. endure
 was mental so it was under these
 conditions that he began his autobiog
 raphy, in October, 1s71
 The progress made in eight or ter
 weeks, and the style and accuracy o1 his work showed that his mind wa,
 still clear and vigorous. After coverins
 the first thirtythre years of his life
 he decided to lay aside the autobiog-
 rapfay, and to write his account Of his
 trip around the world while his i'm.
 vressions were still vivid.
 Notes of the journey had been mad, | from day to day by the aid of hi.
 adopted daughter, and during the frs eight months of 1872 the octave volum, Of nearly eight hundred pages was pre- pared for the press. It appeared tn, following year and had so large a: sal ; that it brought his estate over $50. .000 In the morning of October 10, 1872 with his ado:)ted daughter he was oe ) cupied as usual in literary work, bu : later as he lay resting upon the sof
 breathing became difficult which a first was supposed ii be due to 8 sligh $ cold. When his physicians told him tta l Fthe end was at hand. he received i l with placid smile such as he had of $ ten given in years past, whether tn l news was good or i'll. At O clock tha . afternoon he died peacefully, surround : ed by his family at the age of seventy z one