The Washington herald., 1913-05-18
While Only twenty-five Years
Old, He Expresses Ardent
Affection for Miss Letitia
Christian of New Kent, Va.

| One hundred years ago John Tyler.
afterward tenth President of the
United States, was very much in love.
He was young John Tyler then. be-
tween twenty-five and twenty-three
years of age, and not altogether I'M
known TO fame, as he had already
achieved the distinction of an election
to a seat in the Legislature of Vir-
! ginia, his native State.
| The object of Tyler's affections was
Miss Letitia Christian, of New Kent,
Va. II any evidence of the state of
his heart at that time be required 1t
will be amply afforded by the senti-
menis that fill two pages of letter
! that he sat down TO write on Decem-
| Der 5, 1879.
| At once ardent and reverential, its
tone discloses something of the condi-
ton of mind that belongs to the golden
age of youth: at the same time Ut 10
stamped with not a little of the Pc
dantic spirit that ruled among men OF
education in those days, even in the
preparation of their love missives.
Letter yellow with Age.
The letter now a yellow and tat
tered sheet, is here given publicity for
the first time, after a century OF Sc
clusion:
Richmond, Dec. 5. 1912.
Although / could not entirely obtain
your permission to write to you, yet
| am well aware that you will not be
displeased at my exercising a privilege
so valuable to one standing in the re-
lation that / do to you. To think OF
you and to write to you are the only
sources from whence l can derive any
real satisfaction during my residence
in this place. The prerogauve OF
thinking of those we love, and from
whom we are separated. seems to be
guaranteed to us by nature, as we can
not be deprived of 1t, either by the
hustle and confusion of a town or the
important duties which attach to our
existence.
Believe me. my L, that this observa-
ton has been completely verified by me
since last saw you. for. altho' deafen'd
with noise. and attention to the duties
of my station. yet you 800 the subject
of my serious medita tions and the object
of my fervent prayers to heaven. From
the first moment of my acquaintance
with you ] felt the influence of genuine
affection; but now. when l reflect upon
the sacrifice which you make to virtue
and TO feeling. by comforting your hand
on one who has nothing to boast OF out
an honest and upright soul and q heart
of purest love. l feel gratitude super
added to affection for you. Indeed, do
esteem myself most rich in possessing
you The mean and sordid wretch who
Yields the unspeakable bliss of possess
ing her whom he ardently loves may
boast of his ill-acquired wealth and dis
play his treasures in all the pride of
ostentation to the world. But who shall
administer to him in the hour of affiic-
ton? Whose seraph smile shall chase
away the fiends which torment him?
The partner OF his bosom he neither
esteems or regards-and he knows not
the balm which tender affection can be-
stow. Nature will still be true to her
self, and as your favorite Thompson ex-
pressed it, ''Nought but love can answer
love, or render bliss secure
You expressed some degree Of aston
ishment, my L, at an observation
which I once made to you, that would
not have been willingly wealthy at the
time that ADDRESSED you" Suffer me to
repeat it. II 1 had been so, the idea
of your being actuated by prudential
considerations in not rejecting me would
have eternally tortured me. But I ex-
posed to you frankly and unblushingly
nv situation in life. my hopes and fears,
my prospects and dependencies, and you
nobly disregarded them. To insure you
whether I float or sink in the stream
OF fortune, you may be assur'd Of this,
that / shall never cease to love YOU
Forgive me for these remarks, which /
have been irresistibly led to make.
Col Christian will deliver you this, to-
gether with the two first volumes of the
forest, of Montabano. would not trouble
him with the last twp volumes because
was fearful of incornmoding him. and
because / shall be at your fathers on
Wednesday evening, If the business be-
fore the Legislature be not very mn
portant. You will feel much sympathy
for the unfortunate Angelina and admir- /
alton for the character of good Father
Patrick Fedr- . - inexplicable until
you read the
Suffer me to assure you OF my con-
slant esteem and affection, and believe
me to be, Yrs most affectionately.
JOHN TYLER.
Letter Typical One.
This letter was written on the FIRST
and second pages OF a folded sheet. The