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Peleg Wadsworth to Lucia Wadsworth, 31 January 1807
Manuscript letter
Washington 31Jany1807
My dear Lucia: If You are ever to have another Letter from your Papa, whilst a M.C. it cannot long be deferred. Thirty One days more terminates my Congressional Existence. Why I have not before written to You, & why You have not ^before written to me, I am sure I are equally at a loss to know. If One has been ^the occasion of the other, tis time to lay aside Ceremony, for time spends & life ends. Zilpah & I, too, are in like predicament. Tho I oftener hear her Name mentioned than yours – on account as I suppose of her little Boy* - who, by the way, when last mention’d was ^said to be rather retrograding – I suppose however, that from what Peleg & Sam have occasionally said of You, & from the cheerful disposi-tion ^in which I left you in, that your winter has not
[Sidebar Note:] *Stephen L.
( p. 2) passed disagreably[sic]. Tho this may pos-sibly catch you with a Tear on your Cheek, for Alexrs departure – This would be but natural - & I hope, transient – When we part with Friends, tis with a hope of their return. Their Letters whilst absent give us pleasure. These are the changing Scenes of Life - & no doubt give more pleasure than pain. In order to relieve you – see with what pleasure my dear little Mary remembers her old acquaintance? When she left Phila I often play’d with her on my knee & kissed her, & you see the Impression has not entirely gone off, tho she is now a beautiful girl & a spark of the times. She was very handsome when little & I am told has much improv’d since & is now I believe 17. There was still a younger One, a mere witch of a thing, when I left Phila – But she had ge-nius & sprightliness - (p. 3) I have promised Mary to introduce ^to her my son Alexr. When he arrives at the City, if possible; Assuring her, that as I am so fond of both – they must necessarily be fond of each other. No Sophism there, I hope –
I grow impatient to hear farther from John. Tis will his last, left us, as well as himself, in good humour.
The last Eveng was spent with the PM Genl Mr Granger, in company with Genl Eaton, Lieut OBannon, a number of Esqr. &c – I find, I am more fond of Military Men than any other order. This arises no doubt from early impressions. Give my Love to Lucia Zilpah & Lucia may take the same, & with equal sincerity for I am indeed her affectionate Papa.
My Love to Mama & Mrs Mr Lellan & Family & little Jane
P Wadsworth
Lucia
[Date:] January 31. 1807
[Number:] (58.
[Addressed:] Lucia
My dear Lucia: If You are ever to have another Letter from your Papa, whilst a M.C. it cannot long be deferred. Thirty One days more terminates my Congressional Existence. Why I have not before written to You, & why You have not ^before written to me, I am sure I are equally at a loss to know. If One has been ^the occasion of the other, tis time to lay aside Ceremony, for time spends & life ends. Zilpah & I, too, are in like predicament. Tho I oftener hear her Name mentioned than yours – on account as I suppose of her little Boy* - who, by the way, when last mention’d was ^said to be rather retrograding – I suppose however, that from what Peleg & Sam have occasionally said of You, & from the cheerful disposi-tion ^in which I left you in, that your winter has not
[Sidebar Note:] *Stephen L.
( p. 2) passed disagreably[sic]. Tho this may pos-sibly catch you with a Tear on your Cheek, for Alexrs departure – This would be but natural - & I hope, transient – When we part with Friends, tis with a hope of their return. Their Letters whilst absent give us pleasure. These are the changing Scenes of Life - & no doubt give more pleasure than pain. In order to relieve you – see with what pleasure my dear little Mary remembers her old acquaintance? When she left Phila I often play’d with her on my knee & kissed her, & you see the Impression has not entirely gone off, tho she is now a beautiful girl & a spark of the times. She was very handsome when little & I am told has much improv’d since & is now I believe 17. There was still a younger One, a mere witch of a thing, when I left Phila – But she had ge-nius & sprightliness - (p. 3) I have promised Mary to introduce ^to her my son Alexr. When he arrives at the City, if possible; Assuring her, that as I am so fond of both – they must necessarily be fond of each other. No Sophism there, I hope –
I grow impatient to hear farther from John. Tis will his last, left us, as well as himself, in good humour.
The last Eveng was spent with the PM Genl Mr Granger, in company with Genl Eaton, Lieut OBannon, a number of Esqr. &c – I find, I am more fond of Military Men than any other order. This arises no doubt from early impressions. Give my Love to Lucia Zilpah & Lucia may take the same, & with equal sincerity for I am indeed her affectionate Papa.
My Love to Mama & Mrs Mr Lellan & Family & little Jane
P Wadsworth
Lucia
[Date:] January 31. 1807
[Number:] (58.
[Addressed:] Lucia
Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#73
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#73)
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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
2021/03/24
01/31/1807
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#73)
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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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