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Peleg Wadsworth to Lucia Wadsworth, 21 December 1799
Manuscript letter
Philada 21Decr.1799
Saturday Eveng –
My dear Lucia, perhaps, is waiting for her Papa to write first – tho on second thot – that cannot be the Case – for that would be wrong – there should be no punctillious[sic] between a papa & his Daughter – no appearance of distrust or the want of an entire confidence – both must be posit of the fullest assurance of mutual affection - & then it will not be difficult in almost any Case to find out as many excuses & apologies as can ever be wanting to justify any appearance of neglect, of preference (p. 2) of inattention – or whatever the Case may happen to be – But why so I say “between a papa & his Daughter” – There should be a mutual Confidence between all Mankind – It is a good maxim – “put the best Construction on the Actions of others, which they are fairly capable of bearing” - & if there is Error, let it be on the side of Confidence. – (Reason however is good) – Full of this Confidence, my Dear, I presume you will not be inattentive or neglectful of the happiness of your Papa; but that you will write him as often as convenient & proper - (p. 3) What of the Assemblies this Winter? I have not heard a word of them – or even whether there are any – Eliza hinted in hers that Mr S. was “come inx probably to invite you to a Ball” –
I think Assemblies are generally the most profitable Routes for young Folks; tho Balls are the most agreable – I think that a good degree of decorum & sociable formality is eligible - & this ought & does prevail more at Assemblies of mixed Company, than at Balls – without a mixture – both are good in their plan – nothing begeth[sic] so great a degree of Decorum or in a Company (p. 4) as the preference of the Ladies. – Each Sex, I believe, naturally exutes[sic] as a pro-picety[sic] of behaviour in the other - & for that reason, You know, I always was an advocate for educating them together – boys & Girls, in the same school. – in the same Family – I was to find out a Romp, I would seek of ^for an only (Child, a) daughter – a Rake, an only son. They having never been accustomed to restraints of each other in their childhood; are ^often times but awkward Strangers to the proper demeanour of delicacy – This may be One Reason why my Family – hum – hum –
Adieu my Lucia says your affectionate Papa
P Wadsworth
[Sidebar Number:] 53.
[Sidebar Date:] December 21 1799
[Sidebar Number:] 53.
Saturday Eveng –
My dear Lucia, perhaps, is waiting for her Papa to write first – tho on second thot – that cannot be the Case – for that would be wrong – there should be no punctillious[sic] between a papa & his Daughter – no appearance of distrust or the want of an entire confidence – both must be posit of the fullest assurance of mutual affection - & then it will not be difficult in almost any Case to find out as many excuses & apologies as can ever be wanting to justify any appearance of neglect, of preference (p. 2) of inattention – or whatever the Case may happen to be – But why so I say “between a papa & his Daughter” – There should be a mutual Confidence between all Mankind – It is a good maxim – “put the best Construction on the Actions of others, which they are fairly capable of bearing” - & if there is Error, let it be on the side of Confidence. – (Reason however is good) – Full of this Confidence, my Dear, I presume you will not be inattentive or neglectful of the happiness of your Papa; but that you will write him as often as convenient & proper - (p. 3) What of the Assemblies this Winter? I have not heard a word of them – or even whether there are any – Eliza hinted in hers that Mr S. was “come inx probably to invite you to a Ball” –
I think Assemblies are generally the most profitable Routes for young Folks; tho Balls are the most agreable – I think that a good degree of decorum & sociable formality is eligible - & this ought & does prevail more at Assemblies of mixed Company, than at Balls – without a mixture – both are good in their plan – nothing begeth[sic] so great a degree of Decorum or in a Company (p. 4) as the preference of the Ladies. – Each Sex, I believe, naturally exutes[sic] as a pro-picety[sic] of behaviour in the other - & for that reason, You know, I always was an advocate for educating them together – boys & Girls, in the same school. – in the same Family – I was to find out a Romp, I would seek of ^for an only (Child, a) daughter – a Rake, an only son. They having never been accustomed to restraints of each other in their childhood; are ^often times but awkward Strangers to the proper demeanour of delicacy – This may be One Reason why my Family – hum – hum –
Adieu my Lucia says your affectionate Papa
P Wadsworth
[Sidebar Number:] 53.
[Sidebar Date:] December 21 1799
[Sidebar Number:] 53.
Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#68
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#68)
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
2021/03/24
12/21/1799
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#68)
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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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