Metadata
Title
Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale
Creator
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Date
1837-01-19
January 19, 1837
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-155
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Boston, Jan. 19. 1837
My dear Son
Your letter of Dec. 10th reached
me safely - and I have since learned
by the papers that the expedition to the
Wahoo Swamp was unsuccessful, and
that the troops have been to Tampa
Bay. - Pray write every opportunity,
as I find a great satisfaction in
knowing where you are. I have
a Map of Florida and Cohen's history
of the operations of the "Left
Wing," in 1836 - which I study for
the localities - I know all the ground
you have been over - and have often
cast a fearful eye on the "everglades"
- I do hope you will not be compelled
to explore that terra incognita.
- I see, by the Globe, that you [have?]
obtained your promotion and are
now 1st Lieut. - Mr Barton, your
Uncle, was here last week. - he
says you will obtain a Captaincy
at the close of the war -
- I hope it - the war, will soon be over -
- It seems an age since I saw you -
and besides if you do not come home
this spring, you will not see Horatio
for - years - perhaps -
"And thereby hangs a tale' which
I think will surprise you -
Know then, that Horatio has been
appointed Philologist in the Scientific
Corps, which is to be attached
to the Expedition soon to
be sent to the "South Seas" on an
exploring adventure. He has accepted
the appointment, left College,
and is now with me in Boston,
[coursing?] the Languages of every "nation
tongue and people" he can find in books..
- It is a great thing for him, as it
opens to him the career he has always
desired; and that too in a
manner so highly honorable.
- His salary is two thousand dollars
per year, besides rations and travelling expenses
the same as a Naval officer,
and he expects $1500 as an outfit.
He will probably be absent three
years at least; and be employed by Government
a year or two after he returns
to complete his work on the Languages
of the Strange people they find - if they
find any. - You know the languages
are his particular favorites in his literary
pursuits - yet President Quincy
says he is the first in his
class in every branch of study - So
you may form some opinion of the
rank he holds at Col. He is to recieve [receive]
his degree, the same as tho' he graduated.
It is not expected that the Expedition
will sail till May - I do
hope you will reach Boston before
that time, or if not, that you will
[ED: page torn] H. in Washington. The Scientific
Corps will assemble there before
they sail. - I know you will rejoice
at this good fortune for your brother - he
will now be able to assist me and his
sisters; and spare your purse for a
time, at least. - If you obtain a Captaincy
in the course of the year, we
shall be very "well to do in the world."
as Mrs. Trollope says. - And Oh, how much
I have to be thankful for! That my
children are all capable of recieving [receiving]
an education, and that they appear
disposed to improve the talents they
possess. - If I could only see all of
them together once more, before H.
goes, I think I could part with him
without regret. But tho' you and he
are successful, yet it diminishes much
of my happiness when obliged to part with
you for such long periods.
David E. Hale
Lt. U.S. Artillery
Volusia
Florida.
G.[C.?]Thomas [ED: this name appears to the left of "Florida"]
Your sisters and Willey are well - I forwarded
you a letter from your Aunt Sarah
Hale, not long since - Your cousin Sarah
is in Boston at school. Your Mother
My dear Son
Your letter of Dec. 10th reached
me safely - and I have since learned
by the papers that the expedition to the
Wahoo Swamp was unsuccessful, and
that the troops have been to Tampa
Bay. - Pray write every opportunity,
as I find a great satisfaction in
knowing where you are. I have
a Map of Florida and Cohen's history
of the operations of the "Left
Wing," in 1836 - which I study for
the localities - I know all the ground
you have been over - and have often
cast a fearful eye on the "everglades"
- I do hope you will not be compelled
to explore that terra incognita.
- I see, by the Globe, that you [have?]
obtained your promotion and are
now 1st Lieut. - Mr Barton, your
Uncle, was here last week. - he
says you will obtain a Captaincy
at the close of the war -
- I hope it - the war, will soon be over -
- It seems an age since I saw you -
and besides if you do not come home
this spring, you will not see Horatio
for - years - perhaps -
"And thereby hangs a tale' which
I think will surprise you -
Know then, that Horatio has been
appointed Philologist in the Scientific
Corps, which is to be attached
to the Expedition soon to
be sent to the "South Seas" on an
exploring adventure. He has accepted
the appointment, left College,
and is now with me in Boston,
[coursing?] the Languages of every "nation
tongue and people" he can find in books..
- It is a great thing for him, as it
opens to him the career he has always
desired; and that too in a
manner so highly honorable.
- His salary is two thousand dollars
per year, besides rations and travelling expenses
the same as a Naval officer,
and he expects $1500 as an outfit.
He will probably be absent three
years at least; and be employed by Government
a year or two after he returns
to complete his work on the Languages
of the Strange people they find - if they
find any. - You know the languages
are his particular favorites in his literary
pursuits - yet President Quincy
says he is the first in his
class in every branch of study - So
you may form some opinion of the
rank he holds at Col. He is to recieve [receive]
his degree, the same as tho' he graduated.
It is not expected that the Expedition
will sail till May - I do
hope you will reach Boston before
that time, or if not, that you will
[ED: page torn] H. in Washington. The Scientific
Corps will assemble there before
they sail. - I know you will rejoice
at this good fortune for your brother - he
will now be able to assist me and his
sisters; and spare your purse for a
time, at least. - If you obtain a Captaincy
in the course of the year, we
shall be very "well to do in the world."
as Mrs. Trollope says. - And Oh, how much
I have to be thankful for! That my
children are all capable of recieving [receiving]
an education, and that they appear
disposed to improve the talents they
possess. - If I could only see all of
them together once more, before H.
goes, I think I could part with him
without regret. But tho' you and he
are successful, yet it diminishes much
of my happiness when obliged to part with
you for such long periods.
David E. Hale
Lt. U.S. Artillery
Volusia
Florida.
G.[C.?]Thomas [ED: this name appears to the left of "Florida"]
Your sisters and Willey are well - I forwarded
you a letter from your Aunt Sarah
Hale, not long since - Your cousin Sarah
is in Boston at school. Your Mother