The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-10-09
TO BENEDICT CALVERT.
Mount Vernon, April 3, 1913.

Mount Vernon, April B, 1773
Dear Sir,-I am now set down to write
to you on a subject Of importance, and Of
no small embarrassment to me. My SON.
in-law and ward, Mr. Curtis, has as have
been informed, paid IS addresses to your
second daughter, and having made some
progress in her affections, has solicited her
hand in marriage How far union of this
sort may Oe agreeable to you, you best can
tell but / should think myself wanting in
candor, were | not to confess, that Miss
Nelly's amiable qualities are acknowledged
on all hands, ard 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,
End unripened education, are, and will be
insuperable obstacles in my opinion, to the
completion of the marriage AS his guar
dian, ] conceive it my indispensable duty
to endeavor to carry him through a regu-
lar course of education, (many branches of
which am sorry to add, he is totally de-
fcient 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 L
have any doubt of the warmth of his affec-
ton, nor hope 1 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 consc-
quences of the marriage state, which is ne
cessary to be given by those who are about
to enter it, and of course, | am unwilling
he should do it until he is. If the affection
which they avowcd for each other is fixed
upon solid basis, it will receive no dimi-
mutton 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, un-
fortunately, as they are both young, there
should be an abatement of affection on Ell
ther side, or both, it had better precede
than follow marriage.
Delivering my sentiments thus freely
will not, | hope, lead you into belief,
that | am anxious of breaking off the match.
70 postpone it is all 1 have in view for
shall recommend to the young gentleman,
with the warmth that becomes man of
honor, Notwithstanding he did not vouch-
safe to consult either his mother or me on
the occasion), to consider himself as much
engaged to your daughter as if the indisso-
lublc knot were tied and as the surest
means Of affecting this, to apply himself
closely to his studies, (and in this advice L
fatter myself you will join mc,) by which
he will in a great measure avoid those little
frtations with other young ladies', that by
dividing the attention, contribute not a lit
tie to divide the affection.
At all times when you, Mrs. Calvert or
the young ladies, can make it convenient
to favor us with "a visit, we should be happy
in seeing you at this place. Mrs. WASH
ington and Miss Curtis join me in respect
full compliments.
l am, dear sir, your most obcdient ser
want,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Notwithstanding the remonstrancc of his
guardian, Mr. Curtis married Miss Calvert,
Sd Feb. 1774.-Pha. Ing.
$50