Metadata
Title
David E. Hale to Sarah Josepha Hale
Date
1830/1839-11-13
November 13, [1830s]
Subject
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-170
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Annapolis Nov. 13th
My dear Mother -
I delayed writing to you as
I was uncertain whether I should remain here this
winter. I shall remain and study Engineering -
- next Spring I shall go to Washington and get
employed on Engr or Topographical duty, as
several of my class have done, by which I shall
obtain such a knowledge of Engr as will enable
me to resign at any time and get rich, if I
should take such a fancy. Besides, I get $30
per month extra pay. My expenses will be [DE: ?]
more than at present, but any extra pay will more
than recompense me. What do you think of my
plan? If you want me to get rich and instead of
sending you occasionaly [occasionally] a hundred dollars, to send you
a thousand, this will be the time to decide. If I get
employment in those Departments for three or four
years and then resign I can make money as a
Civil Engr. if I have health and strength. But I
tell you frankly I would rather remain in the
army, and if I pursue this plan which is the
only one I should choose; it will entirely on your
account and that of my brothers & sisters.
I have never till lately known the want of money,
or the value of it. I have studied law this summer
but though I like it, I find that it takes too long
a time, and has too many difficulties in the way of
success.
Promotion is very rapid in our Regt.; there
have been two or three resignations since I wrote to
you and more are counted on. If it goes on
at this rate as I have reason to think it will, I
shall be a first Lieut. in a year from this time
There will be a bill introduced at this
session of Congress for the increase of the pay of
the Officers of the Army, similar to the one for the
Navy sent in last year. It is thought that it will
certainly pass as we have stronger reasons, and stronger
friends than the Navy, and they succeeded.
Why do you refer to Sarah Parker's
engagement in every letter. I care more for
the lovely Isabella than for her - she never in fact
interested me - she is not to my taste. I have
fallen in love with so many pretty girls since I
left Boston that if she had struck my fancy
I should have forgotten her by this time.
Unfortunately I have not found youth, beauty,
and riches united, till I find them I shall remain
a bachelor and -
Your affectionate Son
D.E. Hale
P.S. I shall certainly send you $70 by the 5th
Jan. if not more. I cannot send it before as
I do not receive my pay till the 31st Dec.
It will reach you by the 5th or 6th Jan. Will that do?
My dear Mother -
I delayed writing to you as
I was uncertain whether I should remain here this
winter. I shall remain and study Engineering -
- next Spring I shall go to Washington and get
employed on Engr or Topographical duty, as
several of my class have done, by which I shall
obtain such a knowledge of Engr as will enable
me to resign at any time and get rich, if I
should take such a fancy. Besides, I get $30
per month extra pay. My expenses will be [DE: ?]
more than at present, but any extra pay will more
than recompense me. What do you think of my
plan? If you want me to get rich and instead of
sending you occasionaly [occasionally] a hundred dollars, to send you
a thousand, this will be the time to decide. If I get
employment in those Departments for three or four
years and then resign I can make money as a
Civil Engr. if I have health and strength. But I
tell you frankly I would rather remain in the
army, and if I pursue this plan which is the
only one I should choose; it will entirely on your
account and that of my brothers & sisters.
I have never till lately known the want of money,
or the value of it. I have studied law this summer
but though I like it, I find that it takes too long
a time, and has too many difficulties in the way of
success.
Promotion is very rapid in our Regt.; there
have been two or three resignations since I wrote to
you and more are counted on. If it goes on
at this rate as I have reason to think it will, I
shall be a first Lieut. in a year from this time
There will be a bill introduced at this
session of Congress for the increase of the pay of
the Officers of the Army, similar to the one for the
Navy sent in last year. It is thought that it will
certainly pass as we have stronger reasons, and stronger
friends than the Navy, and they succeeded.
Why do you refer to Sarah Parker's
engagement in every letter. I care more for
the lovely Isabella than for her - she never in fact
interested me - she is not to my taste. I have
fallen in love with so many pretty girls since I
left Boston that if she had struck my fancy
I should have forgotten her by this time.
Unfortunately I have not found youth, beauty,
and riches united, till I find them I shall remain
a bachelor and -
Your affectionate Son
D.E. Hale
P.S. I shall certainly send you $70 by the 5th
Jan. if not more. I cannot send it before as
I do not receive my pay till the 31st Dec.
It will reach you by the 5th or 6th Jan. Will that do?