Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale

Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale

Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879

1837-07-10

July 10, 1837

Manuscripts

eng

text

Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

46-M-153

http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html

Boston, July 10, 1837.

My dear Son - Your letter reached me
a day or two since - I have been
reflecting deeply on your prospects, and
what course it would be best for you to
pursue, and am decided that you had
better resign at once and come home
Your brother Horatio has written on
the subject of money - he will be able
to advance you funds to begin with,
after you have spent a few months
at home, and got rid of your
war habits, you can go to the
West or South and engage as a
Civil Engineer. I doubt not, in a
situation far more pleasant and lucrative
than even a Captaincy in
the army would offer.
I have friends who could, were
you out of the army, assist you
to obtain business, but who cannot
promote your objects while
you remain in the service.
You have served four years,
long enough to cancel your

[ED: the following text appears upside down at the top of the page]

Secy. Woodbury has been a friend to me, and I
think he will, if possible, assist you in obtaining
employment as an [Engnr.?]

[ED: the following text appears along the left side of the page]

But you must be free from the army before my
friends can help you to business.

obligations to the Government for your
education - and now that you have
been refused a furlough when it was
yours by right, affords you a good
opportunity to resign, without any
[DE: ?] imputations that you fear the dangers
of the service &c. [etc.} -
I hope, therefore, that you will send
your resignation immediately, and take
your course northwards very soon -
- We have a pleasant home for you,
and our school promises to be a
profitable one. You need be at little
expense while with us, and you have
assisted me when I had no other
resource, so you need not feel
any troubled thoughts you do not
bring much money with you.
By the way, you had better only take
sufficient to pay your travelling expenses,
if you have more due, you
can draw, can you not? - It will
be better, because there is a discount
of from five to fourteen
per cent on Southern bills. -

I wish you had resigned a year
ago - but I thought that the last
campaign would settle the war, and
that there would be the best opportunity
for you to leave. I have never been
willing to admit the idea that you
were to remain your life-time in the
army. And your last letter makes me
feel every moment an age till I
hear that you are free. You are
now only twenty two - and [ED: page torn]
years if you work hard [ED: page torn]
judicious, you may be [ED: page torn]
on an estate if your own [ED: page torn]
Illinois or Michigan, I doubt [ED: page torn]
and be independent. Now is the time
for you to enter on some passion[ED: page torn]
[ED: page torn] fixed design of persevering
- and, my son, remember that your
success and happiness are essential to
the happiness of your mother and sisters -
and that your brothers will be greatly
influenced by your conduct. [?] you
have contracted any habits that are
not, in your own estimation, such as
you would have them imitate, let me
convince you to correct them. Leave

The faults and follies of the camp with
your commission in Florida - and
come home to engage in a better
and happier career. I shall expect
you in a few weeks. Come soon or
Horatio may be gone on his
long voyage. Your sisters send a
thousand kisses and love unmeasurable
They hope to see you soon. - William
is now at home - all but you are
here. - Come and the table will be
full. Your affectionate
Mother. S.J. Hale.

Lt. David E. Hale -
U.S. Army
Micanopy
Florida.



P.S. - If you come through Washington
call on Secy. Woodbury - I wrote him in
relation to a furlough for you, he made
a strong representation to the Secy. of War, but
it has failed I suppose.