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Peleg Wadsworth to Zilpah (Wadsworth) Longfellow, 10 March 1798
Manuscript letter
Philada 10th Mar1798
My dear Zilpah.
Altho Congress, or rather the House of Reps does not sit on ^(this day) Saturday yet I usually take a Turn by the post office to drop my Letters & then go to the Hall where I find those that may have been sent to me. (For Our Doorkeeper constantly receives all Letters from the Post Office for the members & in case they are not taken out of the Letter Case in the Hall till towards eveng, He then carrys[sic] them to the Quarters of each One.)
My Expectation was fully gratify’d this Morng (12 12 Oclock, tho-) with the rich re-past. I took my usual Seat, set down & Open’d. First Mr Waits in favour of Mr Chamberlain then the Family packet. It contained your (p. 2) Mama’s of 27th, yours of 25thFeby, your supple-mentary Note & the sweet Little Boy P’s. – I read - & wip’d my Eyes - & read & cry’d. & wip’d & wip’d again – Indeed my dear I think it very foolish to let our feelings run away with us. at this rate – I’m sure at least it must look so to the Insensibles who may notice it – no wonder – For how can any One conceive of what ^that which he never knew ^Felt. But no matter my Dear, it is better to cry with pleasure than sorrow or pain & if You would call this pain it is a very pleasing One. If my Children are happy in their Parents, the Parents are no less so in their Children – This is the Happiness that Heaven design’d for the Virtuous. Not that I boast of unexampled Virtue in myself or Family, yet sure it is (p. 3) that we all have ^Sought the happiness of each other by Suitable & rational Means, by incubat-ing & cultivating those principles & practices that naturally turn to mutual & Social Felicity - & hither to have been crown’d with Fruition & an unceasing Prospect. This Heaven begun! And this con-tinued & continually improving answers my Idea of ^a Future state of never ending Felicity – Can we feel such Happiness & not adore the Author, & not behold the Crea-tor in The Mirror of his Works Face to Face! ---- Think not your Papa an Enthusiast my Dear, it has long been my Opini-on that Heaven is, here, begun & that when We ^shall be are resuscitated, it is merely a Consciousness that we are the same, (p. 4) & the Virtuous are virtuous still – The same existence, but in different stages. -----
But I am nearly left alone in the Hall. The Morng is beautifully warm & fine – the Streets are dry & clean on the foot Walks & I should enjoy a walk with my Daughters, superla-tively – I should enjoy their Curiosity It is a mighty addition to my own pleasure when those I accompany are in a State of Novelty. We would in the first Place go into High Street. This is the finest street in the City, ^& are, I presume, in America; if not the World. If not in Magnificence, yet in its simpli-city & Grandure[sic] combined. It runs East & West from The Delaware to The Schuylkill. two miles in length – very wide. In the mid-dle of which stands the Grand market, extending from the Delaware three Squares. then about three (p. 5) miles, where we were at the Top of Chestnut Hill so call’d (10 miles from the City) tho in our Country we should think it only a rising Swell of Ground. Here stood a large Stone Tower four story high – The ^A Monument of the Folly of some former rich Land Lord who once in-habited there – Here we allighted[sic] again & mounted by winding interior Stairs to its Top – it was something in mires - however there was a very fine prospect of the Country round about & the Steples[sic] of the City were discernable with the naked Eye. Our stay here was but momentary, we soon descended & drove towards the Place of dining.
(p. 6) On our way back we had time to contem-plate the progress of the Action before alluded to. traveling ourselves on the same Rout in which Genl W. march’d to the Attack – Here was the ground on which the Enemy lay encamp’d, surpriz’d[sic] & driven from their Tents – here was the pursuant, & here a strong Opposition & here, fatal Spot, the using ground on which two dif-ferent Corps of our Own, mistaking each other for the Enemy by means of the thickness of the Fog & the darkness of the morng, slaughtered each other & enriched the Field with their Blood. Brave Heroes we are now enjoying that Happiness which is the price of your Lives - & we drop a Tear to your sound memory - & here the fatal House (p. 7) which prov’d a final Check to our Victory & turn’d the Face of the Day, from a pur-suit to A bloody retreat – let’s quit the Scene – Twas a part of the great Plan. It was in Gods own way – We are sav’d And to him be the Glory –
At three we reach’d the Inn where we with very good Appetites, very liberally partook of the preparation made for our return – we were very merry - & - very wise - & very civil & after we had ate & drank as much as seemed good in our Own Eyes – We took a little Ramble along street & in the Fields, which began to put on a green hue & put us in mind of the Verdure of Spring. We set out very seasonally on our return, & reached home just at Sunset. after a very soci- (p. 8) able Day with which I think you would yourself have been well pleased had you been one of us –
Thus my Zilpah have I fulfill’d my promise as well as I am able – if it gives you or any of the Family any Plea-sure in the perusal, I shall gain my ob-ject, For I love to communicate pleasure to those I Love –
I have the Pleasure to acknow-ledge yours of 16th Inst: poscripted[sic] with several from the little Boys – I am sorry that Allexr[sic] has lost his attention & has no-thing to say to his papa – I must try to catch his Curiosity by some means or other & get back his eagerness or I shall loose[sic] the little Fellow – with his fine full Eyes & open Countenance - Adieu my Dear, & believe me your Affectionate Papa.
[Side bar note] I believe Miss Edith thinks herself rather neglected by your not acknowledging her letter.
My dear Zilpah.
Altho Congress, or rather the House of Reps does not sit on ^(this day) Saturday yet I usually take a Turn by the post office to drop my Letters & then go to the Hall where I find those that may have been sent to me. (For Our Doorkeeper constantly receives all Letters from the Post Office for the members & in case they are not taken out of the Letter Case in the Hall till towards eveng, He then carrys[sic] them to the Quarters of each One.)
My Expectation was fully gratify’d this Morng (12 12 Oclock, tho-) with the rich re-past. I took my usual Seat, set down & Open’d. First Mr Waits in favour of Mr Chamberlain then the Family packet. It contained your (p. 2) Mama’s of 27th, yours of 25thFeby, your supple-mentary Note & the sweet Little Boy P’s. – I read - & wip’d my Eyes - & read & cry’d. & wip’d & wip’d again – Indeed my dear I think it very foolish to let our feelings run away with us. at this rate – I’m sure at least it must look so to the Insensibles who may notice it – no wonder – For how can any One conceive of what ^that which he never knew ^Felt. But no matter my Dear, it is better to cry with pleasure than sorrow or pain & if You would call this pain it is a very pleasing One. If my Children are happy in their Parents, the Parents are no less so in their Children – This is the Happiness that Heaven design’d for the Virtuous. Not that I boast of unexampled Virtue in myself or Family, yet sure it is (p. 3) that we all have ^Sought the happiness of each other by Suitable & rational Means, by incubat-ing & cultivating those principles & practices that naturally turn to mutual & Social Felicity - & hither to have been crown’d with Fruition & an unceasing Prospect. This Heaven begun! And this con-tinued & continually improving answers my Idea of ^a Future state of never ending Felicity – Can we feel such Happiness & not adore the Author, & not behold the Crea-tor in The Mirror of his Works Face to Face! ---- Think not your Papa an Enthusiast my Dear, it has long been my Opini-on that Heaven is, here, begun & that when We ^shall be are resuscitated, it is merely a Consciousness that we are the same, (p. 4) & the Virtuous are virtuous still – The same existence, but in different stages. -----
But I am nearly left alone in the Hall. The Morng is beautifully warm & fine – the Streets are dry & clean on the foot Walks & I should enjoy a walk with my Daughters, superla-tively – I should enjoy their Curiosity It is a mighty addition to my own pleasure when those I accompany are in a State of Novelty. We would in the first Place go into High Street. This is the finest street in the City, ^& are, I presume, in America; if not the World. If not in Magnificence, yet in its simpli-city & Grandure[sic] combined. It runs East & West from The Delaware to The Schuylkill. two miles in length – very wide. In the mid-dle of which stands the Grand market, extending from the Delaware three Squares. then about three (p. 5) miles, where we were at the Top of Chestnut Hill so call’d (10 miles from the City) tho in our Country we should think it only a rising Swell of Ground. Here stood a large Stone Tower four story high – The ^A Monument of the Folly of some former rich Land Lord who once in-habited there – Here we allighted[sic] again & mounted by winding interior Stairs to its Top – it was something in mires - however there was a very fine prospect of the Country round about & the Steples[sic] of the City were discernable with the naked Eye. Our stay here was but momentary, we soon descended & drove towards the Place of dining.
(p. 6) On our way back we had time to contem-plate the progress of the Action before alluded to. traveling ourselves on the same Rout in which Genl W. march’d to the Attack – Here was the ground on which the Enemy lay encamp’d, surpriz’d[sic] & driven from their Tents – here was the pursuant, & here a strong Opposition & here, fatal Spot, the using ground on which two dif-ferent Corps of our Own, mistaking each other for the Enemy by means of the thickness of the Fog & the darkness of the morng, slaughtered each other & enriched the Field with their Blood. Brave Heroes we are now enjoying that Happiness which is the price of your Lives - & we drop a Tear to your sound memory - & here the fatal House (p. 7) which prov’d a final Check to our Victory & turn’d the Face of the Day, from a pur-suit to A bloody retreat – let’s quit the Scene – Twas a part of the great Plan. It was in Gods own way – We are sav’d And to him be the Glory –
At three we reach’d the Inn where we with very good Appetites, very liberally partook of the preparation made for our return – we were very merry - & - very wise - & very civil & after we had ate & drank as much as seemed good in our Own Eyes – We took a little Ramble along street & in the Fields, which began to put on a green hue & put us in mind of the Verdure of Spring. We set out very seasonally on our return, & reached home just at Sunset. after a very soci- (p. 8) able Day with which I think you would yourself have been well pleased had you been one of us –
Thus my Zilpah have I fulfill’d my promise as well as I am able – if it gives you or any of the Family any Plea-sure in the perusal, I shall gain my ob-ject, For I love to communicate pleasure to those I Love –
I have the Pleasure to acknow-ledge yours of 16th Inst: poscripted[sic] with several from the little Boys – I am sorry that Allexr[sic] has lost his attention & has no-thing to say to his papa – I must try to catch his Curiosity by some means or other & get back his eagerness or I shall loose[sic] the little Fellow – with his fine full Eyes & open Countenance - Adieu my Dear, & believe me your Affectionate Papa.
[Side bar note] I believe Miss Edith thinks herself rather neglected by your not acknowledging her letter.
Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#57
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#57)
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
2021/03/17
03/10/1798
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#57)
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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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