Sewards Folly

 By Bruce Shawkey


William Seward

Frederick William Seward


Much has been written about the assassination of president Lincoln on April 14, 1865. But few people realize there were two other assassination attempts that same day: William Seward, secretary of State, and the attempted assassination of Frederick William Seward, son of William Seward, who was knifed in the head and neck as he slept.

The elder Seward is of course remembered as the man behind the purchase in 1867 of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The purchase became known as "Seward's Folly" because many thought the land worthless. Had he lived to see it, Seward would have had the last laugh, as Alaska would yield oil, and gold. Approximately 49.27 million troy ounces (1689 tons) of gold has been mined from Alaska from 1880 through the end of 2018, worth about $18 billion in today's gold price.




Priced at $7,500 by the Mystic Stamp Company.

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