Metadata
Title
Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale
Creator
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Date
1836-12-01
December 1, 1836
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-156
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Boston, Dec 1st. 1836
My dear Son -
It is Thanksgiving here in the
"Bay State," to-day, but I shall keep mine
in writing to you, rather than feasting.
Horatio has gone to Mr Parker's to dine -
your cousin Sarah Hale is there also - and
I was invited but I am not very well,
and did not feel in a mood to go, so
I will devote the time to you.
Your last letter (Oct 28th) reached me
safely. Now I do hope you will be able to
follow it, safely, in a short time! I do
not, however, desire you to come north
till the spring opens - it is very cold here,
now, and I fear one of our severe winters
would seriously injure your health,
you are now so accustomed to a warm climate.
But next summer I hope to be able to take
an excursion or two with you. We will go to
Troy, and Niagara if possible. -
I have disposed of my interest in the
Ladies' Magazine to Mr Godey of Phila - publisher
of the "Lady's Book" - the two publications
are to be united the first of January,
and I shall edit the united work. It will
be much better for me than to sustain
the Magazine. I have a stated salary, which
will be better than I have ever recieved [received];
and then I am released from all care
of proof-reading [etc.] - So that I shall
have my time more at my own
disposal; and can visit my friends.
- Horatio is thinking of going out in the
"South Sea Expedition," which the Government
is about preparing to go on a
Voyage of discovery to the South Pole.
H. can go as linguist. He thinks it will
be a grand introduction to the business of
life, to be schooled by a three years, experience
of wild and daring adventures.
You know he was always sending his
fancies abroad to the ends of the earth - I do not
know how many schemes he has planned about
the Islands in the Pacific - "Owyhee" and the neighboring
ones - and he understands the language
of the natives probably better than [DE: about] any
person, who has not resided there. -
I shall not object to his going, if he can
obtain a good appointment - tho' I shall be
very sorry to part with him, for so long
a time - and the dangers of the expedition
often rise up to distress me. But God can
keep him. - The matter will be decided
soon. -
I heard from your sisters a short
time since - well and happy - only wanting
to have you safely out of Florida to be
very happy indeed. -
I see that several promotions have
been made - when are you to go up? -
I hope your very long campaign will not be
in vain - few have remained more steadily
at their duty, and that is much in such
a climate and country as that in which you are now
serving. - I do not recollect any news
of importance - Your friends are all well -
- The news from Florida gives us hope that
this campaign will decide the contest with
the Seminoles; but so we thought last year.
- Oh, I do wish it were over! Your affectionate
Mother.
P.S. Sarah Hale is here attending school - learning to
dance [etc.] She has grown considerably since
you saw her, and is a pretty interesting girl, and
very loveable. She wants much to see you, sends
a great amount of love to you, and says you
must write her, if you have a moment's time.
Yrs ever, S.J. Hale.
David E. Hale
Lt. U.S. Artillery
Garry's Ferry - Black-creek.
Florida.
My dear Son -
It is Thanksgiving here in the
"Bay State," to-day, but I shall keep mine
in writing to you, rather than feasting.
Horatio has gone to Mr Parker's to dine -
your cousin Sarah Hale is there also - and
I was invited but I am not very well,
and did not feel in a mood to go, so
I will devote the time to you.
Your last letter (Oct 28th) reached me
safely. Now I do hope you will be able to
follow it, safely, in a short time! I do
not, however, desire you to come north
till the spring opens - it is very cold here,
now, and I fear one of our severe winters
would seriously injure your health,
you are now so accustomed to a warm climate.
But next summer I hope to be able to take
an excursion or two with you. We will go to
Troy, and Niagara if possible. -
I have disposed of my interest in the
Ladies' Magazine to Mr Godey of Phila - publisher
of the "Lady's Book" - the two publications
are to be united the first of January,
and I shall edit the united work. It will
be much better for me than to sustain
the Magazine. I have a stated salary, which
will be better than I have ever recieved [received];
and then I am released from all care
of proof-reading [etc.] - So that I shall
have my time more at my own
disposal; and can visit my friends.
- Horatio is thinking of going out in the
"South Sea Expedition," which the Government
is about preparing to go on a
Voyage of discovery to the South Pole.
H. can go as linguist. He thinks it will
be a grand introduction to the business of
life, to be schooled by a three years, experience
of wild and daring adventures.
You know he was always sending his
fancies abroad to the ends of the earth - I do not
know how many schemes he has planned about
the Islands in the Pacific - "Owyhee" and the neighboring
ones - and he understands the language
of the natives probably better than [DE: about] any
person, who has not resided there. -
I shall not object to his going, if he can
obtain a good appointment - tho' I shall be
very sorry to part with him, for so long
a time - and the dangers of the expedition
often rise up to distress me. But God can
keep him. - The matter will be decided
soon. -
I heard from your sisters a short
time since - well and happy - only wanting
to have you safely out of Florida to be
very happy indeed. -
I see that several promotions have
been made - when are you to go up? -
I hope your very long campaign will not be
in vain - few have remained more steadily
at their duty, and that is much in such
a climate and country as that in which you are now
serving. - I do not recollect any news
of importance - Your friends are all well -
- The news from Florida gives us hope that
this campaign will decide the contest with
the Seminoles; but so we thought last year.
- Oh, I do wish it were over! Your affectionate
Mother.
P.S. Sarah Hale is here attending school - learning to
dance [etc.] She has grown considerably since
you saw her, and is a pretty interesting girl, and
very loveable. She wants much to see you, sends
a great amount of love to you, and says you
must write her, if you have a moment's time.
Yrs ever, S.J. Hale.
David E. Hale
Lt. U.S. Artillery
Garry's Ferry - Black-creek.
Florida.