2006.002.

0038 Letter Wing Family

[Dated circa 1838 based on letter content.] Middlebury September 26th I cannot account for my neglect of ones I have ever loved and whose affection and friendship I valued so highly; oh! believe me dear Harriet those that have once been dear to me I shall ever love, and can never forget the very happy hours we have enjoyed together, no never! And were I sure you would still consider me as your friend as in those bye gone days and forgive and forget my neglect I should feel happier far happier than I have felt for many days, for always the thought of this neglect clouded the sunshine of my happiness: I am well aware that I am undeserving of this. but in making such a request I trust in your affection for me, and the goodness of your heart of which I have many proofs that you will answer this and forgive me? I will not make any promises of future punctuality, for I feel you cannot have much faith in them. Receive my congratulations dear Harriet, and would I could see your dear little boy as well as yourself and your dear Husband of whom I have the warmest esteem and affection, oh! how happy you both must feel. I can well realize it blessed as we are with a dear little girl, oh! how much I wish we could meet with our children; my little girl is the image of her Father and I think her very pretty, I call her after my mother, oh! Harriet dear, if you will only answer this, if it is only three lines, you will make me so happy oh! I did receive a letter from you a short one in August, before that for a long time, before I left Baltimore every day I would think of writing; and I thought as soon as I had regained my strength, my little girl required so much of my care that I again put it off from day to day. I have been being negligent since I have been married in writing to all my friends, but I am determined but no matter enough I can assure you I felt very happy to see my dear Parents and sisters, after an absence of most 2 years and to find every one well and every thing almost as I had left it, it requires no great effort of the imagination, to fancy myself. Miss Hagar again, and to live those days when you were with me; and those days of courtship. oh! what a delightful evening we could pass in talking over the past. I hope

we may have that pleasure, when I return, we should go to Washington and reside there hereafter Franklin is there now, he is doing business at present for his Brother the Editor, I think he will come for me in October, although I am uncertain as yet. I have not heard from him for sometime and begin to feel very anxious it is nearly 3 months since I left him; I shall have many hopes of seeing you in Washington, oh! Harriet how much I wish to see you, if you will write to me, tell me how long you think of staying with your dear Parents in Montpelier? All about our little Boy what you think of calling him ___ oh! I would love to see him, it is singular we should both become mothers about the same time. I never felt so happy as I have felt since the birth of our little girl if my dear Franklin was only with me and you dear Harriet your dear Husband and child, I think I should feel perfectly happy. I have been very happy since I have been married. Franklin has been the kindest and most indulgent of Husbands. dear Franklin he has been unfortunate in Business! Oh! Harriet I think our lot has been a happy one we have both realized all our most sanguine wishes and hopes, as far as it regards our Husbands, do you recollect our conversations of the future; our conversations in the grove? All my Fathers family are as well as usual, and desire to be remembered - most affectionately to you and your friends oh! how much I wish you could make me a visit while I am here. kiss your Baby thousands of time for me Excuse this hasty scrawl, my excuse for sending such and ill Written letter, is, I am sick with a cold, I can scarcely see to write it is unworthy an answer but I shall hope for one. Remember me with affection to Halsey and rest assured you have a large share of the affection. Of your friend Clara V. Niles