The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-05

Dear Husband With a heart oppressed by disap-
pointed hope, am compelled to address you. In
viewing the past year, and calling to mind Gods dis
tngushed goodness to US, in giving health and all
the blessings Of this life and especially domestic peace
and endearng friendship find that have placed my
fond heart with too much confidence you
Permit me to revert for moment to the time when
we renewed covenent vows. After separation Of
FIVE years we were permitted to meet again in this
world. God had seen ft in his unbounded goodness,
to carry through Of trial and danger, and
again permit Us TO behold our little family more
seated al happy Preside. You well remember the
struggle had about the time consented to leave my
fathers house for your sake. Every friend | had
forsook for you, aud threw myself entirely your
mercy and protection. You had me in your power, to
treat you peased-to make me happy or misera-
BILE For two years, my dear friend, you have shown
to and the surrounding world that your prvi
ege to make your family happy you had i. in your
power to do. You denied yourself every unreasonable
qualification, and passed through every temptation and
had gained, as fondly hoped, complete victory
yourself To your children you have been kind, ten
der, and afectionate father and your utmost have
endeavored to promote the comfort and happiness Of
your family Surely, my dear husband, you have given
the world reason to call US the happy family By
your kind treatment to you have bound the heart
the sorrowing heart you bad previously well nigh bro
ken Whenever business called You from home Gas it
did almost daily) was waiting calmly for your return,
happy to you with cheerful heart and smiling
cOuntenance. i 100 IOnuly DeleVeu tndt you WOuld
prove faithful to me to the end Of life. believed that
your family dearer to you, far dearer to you than
all the vain pleasures you could find on earth. had
fondy hoped that home the centre Of your
enoyments well as mine. Our evenings we're spent
in cheerfulness-our nights in quietness The hours
Of midnight did not witness as formerly the trembling
heart the departed Of your companion, waiting in
fearful suspense for the Of him who is dear to
us all.
And now, my dear companion, permit me seriously
inquire whether those days gone return
Do you ntcnd make wretched, when it is in your
power to make me happy
Oh! if you have no regard for me, shall / plead in
vain for those innocent babes Of whom you the ia
ther Must it be sadly felt and awully realized that
these children are behold their dear father, their
earthly protector, forsakng them, and joining the
pany Of drunkards o, my heart sickens at the thought
of bsholdng you of their number The which
recently shown with such brightness on path,
and cheered hearts, and inspired bosoms with
hope is yelled with sadness, and the clouds ready
10 burst upon US. "....
feel like criminal condemned to die. and for the
last time pleading for life 1t is in your power TO pre-
serve that life or to destroy it, Yes, is on you, my
dear husband that my future destiny for this world de-
ponds. And what is your decision Who is to gain
the vic,ory' May you peruse these lines with kind
ness, weigh wel their import.
Your affectionate,
...'. But heart stricken wife.