In this letter, dated 4 June 1854, Mary Elizabeth (Seaver) Blanchard of Boston writes to her father, Benjamin Seaver, who was traveling in Europe, having recently finished his term as mayor of Boston. In addition to updating him on various family matters, Mary describes the tumultuous scene in Boston during the trial and return to slavery of Anthony Burns. This letter is part of a fascinating collection of letters written to Benjamin Seaver purchased by the Massachusetts Historical Society in 2010.