Moral advice letter
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: manuscript
date made: 1791-09-11 to 1792-01-22
associated date: 1791 09 15
owner: Copp Family
place made: United States: New England
place owned: United States: Connecticut, Stonington
Physical Description: ink (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1/8 in x 8 3/8 in x 6 3/4 in; .3175 cm x 21.2725 cm x 17.145 cm
Credit line: John Brenton Copp
Sturminster Newton 15th. September 1791
To a young lady auditioning her against begging company with a gentleman of a bad character. degn. niece The sincere love and affection which I have had for you as indulgent father, but ever had for your virtues mother not long since deceased. Together with the tender regard I have for your future happiness and welfare I have presented in note to inform you. Rather by letter than by word of mouth. That the summing of your unspotted conduct and the excellent relations you like with the believe you have been seen with him of some lies not. In the side boxes at both theatres. First. your sister Sarah on Sunday night and afterwards at a certain house not a mile from thence which is a house as I have had wittingly informed of no good reports. you have both moreover been seen at rancour of spite, you can all go to hell where that still more frequent at a place of five weeks I will imagine more that I am in the least prejudiced or speak out of any private spite But let us tell you your father's with them gives me no small concern as his dear character is more of the best and as he has acted in the most ungenerous manner by two or three very motherly judgments of my
Your request that revolution of a day as the ingenious Mr. Rowe has it may bring such things as heaven itself scarce have promised. Chea- n up. Dear nephew under that thought when I hear from you again a few weeks hence. I am not without hopes. If you will but follow my advice of your carrying the siege and making her comply with your own terms of accommodation. In the mean time I depend upon it no stone shall be left unturned on my part that may any way contribute towards your success. I cannot without injustice to the lady. But approve your choice I am
Sturminster Newton 28 th September 1792
From a daughter to a father. If her cousin be loyally espoused against a match he had pro- posed to her. With a gentleman much older than herself. Tho' your impetuous should prove diametrically opposite to my own secret inclinations. Yet I am persuaded that the lady which some you find comply with these. Besides I should be very grateful should I presume in any point what considerately your numberless acts of
Parental indulgencies towards me. To which your will and pleasure the consequence thereof would prove more fatal. I am determined to be all obedience in case what I have to offer in my own defence should have no influence with you or be thought an insufficient plea for my aversion to a match which unhappily for us seems to disprove of the very probable size The gentleman you have recommended to my choice may be separated of all that substance and all those good qualities. That bias you so strongly in his favour. But be not angry. Dear sir when I realized that there is a vast difference in our years. A lady of more experience and of a more advanced age should in my humble opinion be a much fitter health mate for him to be ingenious permit me good sir to speak the sentiments of my heart without reserve for once a man almost in his grand climacterick can never be an agreeable companion for me. nor can the natural quiet of my temper which has hitherto been indulged by yourself in every innocent amuse- ment be so agreeable to him than his fondness that first may convince all the little freedoms I shall be apt to take. Yet as soon as the edge of his appetite shall be abated hell grow jealous and forever turn A mine without a cause. I shall be debauched of every diversion suitable to my years tho' never so happy
Sturminster Newton 22 nd January 1922 from a Respectful lover to his mistress.
Dear Madam
I have long struggled with the most inencurable and respectful passion that ever filled the heart of man. I have often tried to reveal it, parsonally to you in this way, but never till now could prevail upon my fears and doubts but can no longer struggle with a secret that has given me so much torture to keep and yet hitherto more when I have endeavoured to reveal it. I never entered to in the hope to see you without rapture but when I have that pleasure instead of being animated as I ought I am utterly confounded what can this be owing to but a diffidence in myself and an exalted opinion of your worthiness. And is not this one strong token of ardent love yet if it be how curious is the tormenting passion in its operations. Some time it inspires with courage while others it deprives of all necessary confidence. I can