Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-09
MARTHA WASHINGTON LETTERS.
Oneida Historical society Has One
of the Ouly Two In Existence.

Utica Morning Herald)
In a communication to the New York
Tribune OF March Hat Kate Field stated
that there II no other letter of Martha
Washington I'm existence except the one
she wrote; In reply to Congress, In 1923,
In relation to the death OF Washington.
General Charles W. Darling, correspond
Ing secretary OF the Oneida Historical
Society. begs to differ with Miss Field
most empha tically. The society was re-
Gently so fortunate az to come into pos
session OF another letter OF Martha h,rt1a.
in her handwriting and signed by her.
IL Is In the archives OF the society, ana
can be seen az any. time; Tnroush the
courtesy OF General Darling we are en-
abled 10 print the text OF this valuable
historical epistle. Vt Is as follows:
PHILA DELPHIA. April the 9TH. lIs5.
My Dear FANNY was exceedingly
pleased 10 hear by Mr.. Lear that you
was arrived safe at home. The roads
are not so bad down the country az they
are here. II they had been anything like
the roads in this part OF the country
IL would have been very difficult for you
am sorry TO find by your letter OF the
2lst of March that your brother Is dis
appointed in his election. see by the
Richmond paper that Mr. Ciopton IL the
representative. / am sorry to hear that
Mr. NJ Bassett enjoys such bad health,
and she can have very little pleasure III
her life he slways indisposed. They hay.
tried the Sweet Springs-wish they would
try a northern trip. as they might then be
able to judge which air would be best
for them. Young folks will have their
own way.
board OF vessel with several things or
Mr.. Peters. and am surprised that you
have not got them, as Mr.. Lear told
me that the vessel was arrived. Your
two boxes were directed TO the care OF
f.firipo 1 hnna have got
them by this time. j was anxious 10 nave
them done by the time you come up.
hope your gowns Will TT and are MADE
as you like. There was no silk TO be
got nearer the colour that you mentioned
than the one sent: | thought II very
pretty one.
/ am very much grieved to hear that
my poor sister is In such a wretched
situation: It is impossible that things can
go on tolerable If Mr.. Henley Is always
drinking brandy. Everything he has must
suffer, besides the pain IL must give TO
his family. | fear he has but little anec-
ton for them or he would devote his
time TO take care of them rather than
10 be always drinking. Poor dear Bet
ty has had a hard lot in this world.
hope her children will be a comfort 10
her as they grow up. and not follow their
unhappy Fathers bad example. l often
think OF her with the greatest concern.
! should be very glad II II could so happen
that she would come up TO see me when
| fear she will never have resolution
TO leave her children TO come so long
A journey I shall let her know when
am coming home If she can come your
brother H. promised to let her have
man servant to bring her up. | gives me
pleasure my dear Fanny. 10 hear that
your children are well. and | think II very
proper that Maria and Fayette are put
TO school. as they will learn much better
at school than at home. If the teacher
is toerably good.
Mr.. Lear arrived here on Tuesday, and
intends TO set out tomorrow to the east
ward.
Betsy Gusts told me she wished TO stay
with me and | wrote her Mother for her
permission which she readily gave.
was in hopes that being in the gay world
would have "a good effect on her. but
she seems to wish 10 be at home and
very much by herself. She takes no de-
light to go out 10 visit: she would not
go with Nelly and myself 10 the assembly
last week. she don't like 10 go 90 church
every Sunday: thinks II too fatiguing.
She often complains OF not feeling well.
but Is much better and looks better. The
girls are To go 10 Miss Morris wedding
on Thursday next. She is TO be mar
ried 10 one Of our cOuntrymen. Mr.. James
Nanhat. COT Humphreys has made US a
short visit: he has Just taken leave OF US
to return TO Portugal again.
Thank God we are all well; The Presi-
dent expects TO set out on Monday, the
li'h. TO visit Mount Vernon.
The girls send their love 10 you. The
President joins in love TO you and your
children.
am. my dear Fanny. your ever af-
fectionate. NJ. WASHINGTON.