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Peleg Wadsworth to Lucia Wadsworth, 27 May 1797
Manuscript letter
Philadelphia 27th May 1797
My dear Lucia will not complain I hope of being towards the last in the Row of Correspondents when she considers that, if she has herself written, it cannot yet have reached her Papa. Her School Engagements may have prevented her from doing it whilst For a time, but that excuse will be gone with Mr & Miss Prentiss when they go to Boston – so that I am in daily expectation – But if that should be insufficient, I will tempt her by my example. I will tell her that I love her dearly, or at least I if I should not tell her so I will shew by my Actions that I do - & that perhaps will be the better way of expression – For how can a parent shew his Love For his Offspring better or (p. 2) more strongly than by taking care of their Education in forming the Mind as well as Body or Mourners – by implanting in the them the seeds & Habits of morality & Virtue, by giving them those Qualifications which make them capable of enjoying themselves & those around them & of giving pleasure to the Society to which they belong – If your parents by their conduct have given you this proof of their Love I am sure my Lucia is not ingrateful in her feelings towards them – towards the world – But this is too serious – perhaps – Shall I tell you of the Beau-ties of our Summer here? The Mornings & Evenings are very fine (tho the Day is pretty Sultry) the streets are crouded[sic] in the Evengs with every description of (p. 3) People. Gentle & Simple, high & low, rich & poor. & altho the Multitude is thus multifarious – perfect Order & Harmony prevails – there is no jaring[sic] or Insult in the Streets. but every One enjoys themselves in their own way – When the View of the Country opens round the City, every things wears the Hue of a full Summer Dress as well & the numerous Trees & Gardens within the City – I have not yet been out of the City but intend soon to take a Ride to Harrowgate, Grays, &c & it would be an addition to the pleasing prospect if I could have some of my own Famil-ly with me – but For want of that in-dulgence I must content myself by loving them all at a great Distance & in believ-ing that our Love is mutual. Adieu
your Affectionate Papa
P Wadsworth
[Dated:] May 27th 1797
[Numbered:] 37.
[Addressed:] Miss Lucia
My dear Lucia will not complain I hope of being towards the last in the Row of Correspondents when she considers that, if she has herself written, it cannot yet have reached her Papa. Her School Engagements may have prevented her from doing it whilst For a time, but that excuse will be gone with Mr & Miss Prentiss when they go to Boston – so that I am in daily expectation – But if that should be insufficient, I will tempt her by my example. I will tell her that I love her dearly, or at least I if I should not tell her so I will shew by my Actions that I do - & that perhaps will be the better way of expression – For how can a parent shew his Love For his Offspring better or (p. 2) more strongly than by taking care of their Education in forming the Mind as well as Body or Mourners – by implanting in the them the seeds & Habits of morality & Virtue, by giving them those Qualifications which make them capable of enjoying themselves & those around them & of giving pleasure to the Society to which they belong – If your parents by their conduct have given you this proof of their Love I am sure my Lucia is not ingrateful in her feelings towards them – towards the world – But this is too serious – perhaps – Shall I tell you of the Beau-ties of our Summer here? The Mornings & Evenings are very fine (tho the Day is pretty Sultry) the streets are crouded[sic] in the Evengs with every description of (p. 3) People. Gentle & Simple, high & low, rich & poor. & altho the Multitude is thus multifarious – perfect Order & Harmony prevails – there is no jaring[sic] or Insult in the Streets. but every One enjoys themselves in their own way – When the View of the Country opens round the City, every things wears the Hue of a full Summer Dress as well & the numerous Trees & Gardens within the City – I have not yet been out of the City but intend soon to take a Ride to Harrowgate, Grays, &c & it would be an addition to the pleasing prospect if I could have some of my own Famil-ly with me – but For want of that in-dulgence I must content myself by loving them all at a great Distance & in believ-ing that our Love is mutual. Adieu
your Affectionate Papa
P Wadsworth
[Dated:] May 27th 1797
[Numbered:] 37.
[Addressed:] Miss Lucia
Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#50
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site (1005/4.1.1-3#50)
Public domain
Peleg Wadsworth Papers (1005/004.001), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Correspondence - Outgoing (1005/004.001.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Letterbook - 1794-1807 (1005/004.001.001-003), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Correspondence - Outgoing (1005/004.001.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Letterbook - 1794-1807 (1005/004.001.001-003), (LONG-FileUnitName)
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Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Code: LONG
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
NPS Museum Catalog Number : LONG 27923
Title: Finding Aid to the Wadsworth-Longfellow Family (1610-1971) Papers, 1610-1971 (bulk dates 1745-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#WL
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#WL
2021/06/03
05/27/1797
Manuscript letter in the Wadsworth-Longfellow Family Papers, Peleg Wadsworth and Family Papers, Peleg Wadsworth Papers, Correspondence, Outgoing, Letterbook - 1794-1807. (1005/4.1.1-3#50)
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Organization: Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
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