American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-07-23
WASHINGTON ON MARRIAGE.

We are indebted to friend for e copy of the
f blowing letter by Gen. Washington. 1t has
vfe believe, never been published out of the
well known Collection by Sparks. Its candor
of opinion. dignity Of seatimene and sound
ense, are characteristic ofthe man. 1t should
70 perused with attention, not only by our
ady-readers, but by young gentlemen, who are
a pit to "haste to the weddlRg" 1t will be no
ced also thet the remonstrance Of the patriot
a nd guardian were all in vain. Love in the
lden time, as now, being far mors potent than
p rudenoe:-+fhil. Ing.
TO BENEDICT CALVERT.
MOUNT VERNeN, Apa! 8, ITS.
Dear sir-+l am now set dewn towrte to you
on subj ectof importance, and ,of no small
Embarrassment to me. My son-in-law, and
ward, Mr.. Curtis, has, as have been Informed,
p aid his addresses to your second daughter. and
having made,some progress in her affections,
h. rs solicited her hand in marriage. How far a
III lion of this SORT may be agreeable to you, you
be st can tell; but Ishould thiRk myself wanting
in candor, were not to confess, that Miss Nell
ly IS amiable qualities are acknowledged on all
ha nds, and that an alliance with your family
will be pleasing to his.
This Acknowledgement being made, you
must permit me to add, sir, that at this, or in
any short time, his youth, inexPerience, and
unripened education, are, and will be, insupe-
sable obstacles, in my opinion, to the compile
zion of the marriage. As his guardian, | con-
,eeive it my Indispensable duty to endeavor to
carry him through regular course of educa-
etion, (many branches Of which am sorry to
odd, he is totally deficient in) and to guard his
youth to more advanced age, before an event,
on which his own peace and the happiness Of
another are to depend, takes place. Not that |
have any doubt Of the warmth Of his affection,
nor, hope may add, any fears of a change
in them; but at present | do not conceive that
he is capable Of bestowing that attention to the
important consequences Of the marriage state,
which is necessary TO be given by these who
are about to enter it, and of course, sm UNI
willing he should do it until he is. If the affec-
ton which they avowed for each other, is
fixed upon solid basis, it will receive 10 di-
minuten in the course of two or three years,
in which time he may prosecute his studies,
and thereby render himself more deserving of
the lady, and useful in society. If unfortunate
ly, as they are both young, there should be an
abatement of affection on either side, or BOTH
it had better precede than follow marriage.
Delivering my sentiments thus freely will
not, hope, lead you into a belief, that | am
anxious of breaking off the match To post
pone it is all have in view; for shall recon-
mend to the young gentlemen with the warmth
that becomes man of honor, (notwithstand-
ing he did not vouchsafe to consult either his
mother or me on the occasion,) to consider
himself as, much engaged to your daughter as
if the indissoluble knot were tied; and as the
surest means of effccting this, to apply himself
closely to his studies, (and in this advice | fat
ter myself you will Join me,) by which he will
in great measure avoid those little fiirtations
with other young ladies, that by dividing the
attention, contribute not little to divide the
affection
1t may be expected of me, perhaps, to say
something about property: but to descend to
particulars at this time, must seem rather pre-
mature. In general, then, shall inform you,
that MIR. Curtis estate consists of about fifteen
thousand acres of land, good part of it ad-
Joining the city Of Williamsburg, and none of
it forty miles from that place; several lots in
said city; between two and three hundred ne
groes, and about eight or ten thousand pounds
upon bond, and in the hands of his merchants.
This estate he now holds independent Of his