The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-06
A HIGHLY PRICED aELIc.
An Historic Love Letter Written q
Century and Half Ago.

Gn
Century and Half Ago.
4 letter written a century ago is a novelty
rowadavs. They are treasures for their
,uaintuess of expression Especially are
tsey highly priced when the original hand
7rriting. with its erasures. blots and phrase
ologv, are preaerved just as the author
made them.
Mrs. W. ". Gordon owns one of these
cid relics. 1t is preserved IN glass case,
aud the bold, steady hand IS very distinct.
I5 was written by DR.. Alexander Wolcott,
[,,ast-cyres t-grandfather of Mrs Gordon, to
Sis sweetheart on the eve of an expedition
a1a;nst the French at Cape Breton i'll 1745
DT Wolcott was a brother of Oliver VOL
cott siyuer of the declaration of independ-
apce.
On tdis expedition against Cape Breton.
the once famous LOuisbCrg was stripped of
its Qualifications and made a mere village.
ITS mama is now changed to Port Hood
The Wolcctts resided at taat time in Hart
ford. where the letter is dated. DIR. Alex
ander Wolcottl was the grandson of
Henry Wolcott who came over from Toll
land. England, about the year 1910. DIR.
NVoIcott's father, Roger Wolcott, was the
first governor of Connecticut His brother,
Oliver, was one Of the signers of the declara-
tion Of Independence. and later on was him.
Galt QOFGTlOT VI LII.
der Wolcotr graduated at Yale in ISL and
in 1145 at the request Of his father, he ac-
companied him as surgeon on the expedition
against the French at Louisborg He was
then engaged to Miss Mary Richards OF
Connecticut, to whom he wrote the love
letter. DR.. Wolcott is said TO
have been a man of commanding
personal appearance and great talents. He
was justice of the peace and member of
Il
large and we'll selected, and he was accus-
toned to read the ponderous Latin and
Greek folios in the original. He had a
faithful servant once-a slave, WHOSE name
was Primus. The servant assisted him in
preparing medicines for the sick.
After u while the master made Primus
free. Primus Immediately removed TO the
ether side of the river. and was at once
recognized as a doctor. On one occasion
he was sent for to the West Side TO pre-
scribe for sick child. Calling at his old
masters on his way home, he was asked
the reason of his visit and he replied,
Nothing particular. master. called to
say that had told the mother of the caiId
that it was not necessary to send so far, as
you would have done just as we'll >
Dr. Wolcott wrote verses, some of which
are quoted. In addition to possessing the
love-letter, Mrs Gordon has the engage
ment ring which DR.. Wolcott gave his be-
trothed, and also piece or the wedding
gown. The ring is a flaming topaz set in
massive yellow gold, surrounded by pearls.
The following is the highly priced letter,
just as it was written AS years ago:
HARTFORD, March is, 1745
DEAR MoLLy-Tbis Brings tidings which sup
pose II You have that Regard for me which you
pretend, will not be very agreeable-that am
going to Cape Breton lis not my Inclina
tion TO go, but my aged father, to whom l owe
my utmost service, is Going, and Insists upon
my accompanying him lis Impossible for me
10 Express the uneaslness / have ON your ac-
count find Love you with Love almost as
strong as Death, for the Publck Calls of my
The Commands of Father can scarcely
Persuade me TO Consent TO Leave
you, and even tho l do consent with my Lips
Yet my unconsenting Heart DwelS with Won
Ny Soul hovers over you as LsOath to Quit it's
lold or part with the Dearest Object Of all it's
hopes and wishes. . I Con-
Tess there is Something Bewitching in that
thing call'd Honour.
But what is war or Glory, what to me,
or Why Reflects my mind on Aughs but thee
Can thy Dear Image from my Soul Depart
Long as the Vital Spirits move my heart -
u in the Melancholy Shade below
The flames OF Friends and Lovers Cease to Glow
YET mine Shall Sacred Last, Mine uudecayed
Burn on thro Death and animate my Shade.
But why should..I pretend to Describe passion
too big for words. If you nave felt what the
word Love imports ana the Dear DiSQuletude.
the Kind tormenting uneasineSs, the Care the
Tears, and anxiety which Breast filed with
that Tender passion suffers You may guess the
present state OF my mind and what my Soul suf-
ferS for you. trust our Cause is Just and that
we have indeed a call from God, and If we 20
forth in his name and trusting in his power |
nope be viii Give US Success, if not, his holy
will be Done.
What Designs God may have in thus Hede-
ing in our way and Checking our prospects
OF Happiness know not, nor what farther Try
ais we are either of us farther to meet with
hut tits worthy of our Observation that I should
had appointed for our Marriage
but tits the Lord. Let him do what seemeth
him Good, and Let neither of US murnur at his
DispenSations, this Disappointment may turn
out finally to both our advantage.
My Dear my very Soul Yearns for YOU
and forms Thousand Wishes
and prayers for your Tempo
raj and everlasting well fare for whether live
or Die / wish you best Good. $ . hope as our
Rendezvous is to be at New Londn to see You in
Short time. l heartily thank YOU for your
Goodness to me in times past, which nope God
will give me opportunity to Reouite if not NAV
the Good God himself Requte sevenfold into
your own Bosom all your Kindness and Labour
OF Love. May he have you continually in his
keeping and Crown all your future Days with
honour and happiness. May he confirm his
Covenant with your Soul and finally admit you
TO the complete Enjoyment of himself in Glory
80 wishes and So Prays your Sincere Friend
and Faithful Lover till Death.
ALEX. WoLcoTT
DIR. Wolcott returned 60 Connecticut
uuscarred and in few weeks married Miss
Richards, who made her faithful lover' a