The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-06
n GENUINE LETTER.
u was Written by Martha Washington to q
Friend.


IUticd Herdtd.1
A communication to New York paper.
stated recently that there is no letter of
Martha Washington in existence except the
one she wrote in reply to Congress in 1893, in
relation to the death of Washington Cen
Charles w. Darling, Corresponding Secretary
of the Oneida Historical Society, begs to diff
fer with Miss Field most emphatically. The
society was recently 50 fortunate as to come
into possession Of another letter of Martha
Washington, which is undoubtedly in her
handwriting and signed by her 1t is in the
archives of the society and can be seen at any
time. Through the courtesy of Gen. Darling
we are enabled to print the text of this yalu-
able historical epistle. 1t is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, April the 5th, 17o5.
MY DEAR FANNY: was exceedingly pleased
to hear by Mr.. Lear that you was arrived safe at
home The roads arc not so bad down the coun-
try as they are here. Ii they had been any
thing like tho roads in this part of the country,
1t would have been very difficult for you to have
got on.
/ am sorry to find by your letter of the 2lst
OF OF March that your brother Is disappointed in
M Copton IS the a
to hear that Mrs. NJ. Bassett enjoys such bad
health. and she can have very little pleasure If
the Sweet springs-wish they would try "A
Northern trip, as they might then be able to
Judge which air would he the best for them.
Young folks will have their own way.
had all your things done and put on board
OF vessel with several things of Mr.. Peters,
and am surprised that you have not got them,
as Mr.. Lear told me that tho vessel WIS arrived.
1our two boxes were directed TO the care OF
Colonel Gilning. hope you have got them by
his time ! was anxious to have them done by
the time you came up. | hope your gowns will
ut and are made as You like. There was no
SILK 10 be got nearer the color That you men,
toned than the one sent: ] thought it n very
pretty one.
am very much grieved to hear that my poor
sister is in such wretched sltllgtion il is inn
probable that things can go on tolcrable II Mr..
Henley isaways drinking brandy Everything
he has must suffer, besides the pain IL must give
to his family. / fear he has but little affection
for them or he would devote his time to take
care of them rather than to be always drinking.
Poor dear Betty has hud hard lot in this world.
hope her children will be a comfort to her as
they grow up and not follow their unhappy
fathers bad example. / often think OF her
with the greatest concern. / should be very
glad If it could SO happen that she would come
up ana see me when go home. She is in such dis
tress that fear she will never have resolution
TO leave her children to come so long n journey.
l Il shall let her know when ] am coming home.
III she can come, your brother b promised to let
her have a man servant to bring her up. 1t
gives me pleasure, my dcur Fanny, to hear that
yourchildren are well ard think IL very proper
that Maria md Fayette are put to school, as
they will learn much better ut school than at
nome II the teacher istoiergbly good.
Mr. Lear arrived here on Thursday and intends
to set out tomorrow to- the eastward.
Betsey Gusts told me she wished to stCy rith
me and wrote 10 her mother for her permission,
which she readily gave Sic seemed to be very
grave. i was In hopes that being III the gay
world would have a good effect on her, but she
seems TO wish TO be nj home and very much by
herself She takes no delight to go out To visit;
she would not go with Nelly aud myself to the
assembly last week. She don't Ike to go to
church every Sunday; thinks it too fatigung.
She often complains OF not feeling well. She
took III when she first came here, but is much
better I.. and looks better The girls are to go to
Miss Morris wedding ON Thursday next. She is
TO be married 10 one Of our oountrymen, Mr..
James Manhat Col. 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 President ex-
poets 10 set out on Monday, the 18th, to visit
Mount Vernon.
The girls send their love to you. The Prcsi-
dent joins in love to you and your children
NJ WASHINGTON.