The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-09-07
washington TO his VIE.

The only letter extant OF Washing
ton to bis wife is au epistle Of unusu-
al interest, both on account OF Its sub
jeets and date. 1t was written June
is, I775, and is as follows:
"MY DEAREST-I am now set down
to write to you on 3 subject which
fills me with inexpressible concern,
and this concern Is greatly aggravated
and increased when [ reflect upon the
uneasiness I know II will give you.
It has been determined In Congress
that the whole army raised for the
defence Of the American cause shall
be put under my care, and that it is
necessary for me to proceed immedi-
ately to Boston TO take upon me the
command Of it. You may believe
me, my dear Patsy, when assure
you, in the most solemn manner,
that, so far from seeking this appoint
ment, I have used every endeaVor In
my power to avoid it-HOt only from
my unvillingness TO part with you
and the family, bat from conscious
ness of its being trust too great for
my capacity, and that I should enjoy
more real happiness In one month
with you at home than / have the
most distant prospect Of hnding
abroad, II my stay were 10 Be ssvsn
wears. But as it has been 3 kind Of
destiny that has thrown me upon
this service, I shall hope that my
undertaking Il Is designed to an
sWer some good purpose. You might 4,
1 suppose did, perceive from the tenor
OF ny letters, that was apprehensive
I eD;s!d not aVeld this appointment,
/ as did not pretend 70 Intimate wheA
/ should return. That was the ease.
It was utterly out Of my pOwerto re-
fuse this appointment, without ex-
DOsing nv character to such. eensures
as would have reflected disbonOr mp
on myself aud given pain 70 my
friends. This, am sure could not,
and ought not, 10 be pleasing 70 you
and must have lessened me eonsIdera-
bly, in my own esteem. i shall rely,
therefore, confidently on that PrOvi-
dence which has hststOfors preserved
and heen bonntiful to me, not doubt
ing but that shall return safe to you
In the fall. I shall feel no pain rom
the toll or the danger OF the cam
balgn: my unhAppiness win dow
from the uneasiness know yOu will
Ieci lFulu D4luS lcAb 1A0Au- \ snoAV-
fore beg that you will summon yOul
whole fOrtitude, and pass your tins
as agreeatIy As possible. Moth.
. ing VIII give me 50 much sin.
ceFe satisfaetiOn as 70 hear this,
!, and 70 hear IL from your 70WI
pen My earnest and ardent desirS
Is, that you would pursue any PiaT
that Is most likely 10 produce content
/ and tOlerabls degree Of tranquility
as It must add greatly to my uneasy
I feelings to hear that you are dissatis
{ fed or complaining at what really
/ could not avoid. .-1rET ..--.
} Gas life Is always uncsTtain, AM
I common prudence dictates to svefN
D man the necessity Of settling his tenn.
' pOraI concerns while in hisPoger an'
! while the mind q calm. and undis
: turOed, I have, since came to thi
T place (for / hGd not time to do 70 be
e fore left hOme). got Colonel Peudle
8 ton TO dFaft win for me, By the di
/ 1 rectiOns / gave him. which viii
= now ineloss. The provision made 70
n yOa Ia case Of my death will, | hop
g be agreeable.
g shall add nothing more, % I hsv
: several letters to write, butdsslre tha
n you viii remember me lt1 you
]. friends, and to assure yon that I an
|, with the must unfeIgned regard, NJ
o dear Patsy, your afecti0nats,
II a e-F g. W.
3, To Martha Washington.