Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-08-21 page 1 |
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fits mUU H 4 hp FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1835. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SCOTT & WRIGHT. No. G2, Voi,. XXIV Whole No. 1403. JOURNAL AND SENTINEL. P. C. GALIAQIIEIt, EDITOR. Office on High-street, second door south of Armstrong's Hotel. TERMS Two Dollars and Fifty Cents, in advance, or Three Dollars, at the end of the year. No subscriber allowed to discontinue while he remains Indebted to the office. Interesting Trial. From tho Ncw-Ynrk Transcript, BREACH OF PROMISE OP MARRIAGE. Cincuy Court. Tuesday. George G. Barnard vs. John J. Gaul, and Mary II., his wife. Damages laid at ten thousand dollars. The readers of the Transcript will remember that two or three weeks since wo reluted some particulars of a breach of promise case, pending in the Supremo Court, between somo highly res pectable parties residing at Hudson, the plaintiff i. -i i i i . in wnicn wo consiucrcu iu imvo ueeu must uu- -pardonably ill-treated, by the wife of iho defen dant, to whom, previous to her murriago with the latter, she had plighted her most solemn vows of affection. The cause came on for trial to-day, and the court room wus in consequence crowded to hear the extraordinary developments that was stated would be made. Mr. Jordan, of Husdon, appeared as Counsel for the pluintifT, and Messrs. Bushncll and Gaul, of the same ' place, togethor with Henry R. Storrs, Esq. of this city, was engaged lor the dctendunts. Mr. Jordan opened the case for tho plaintiff, who, he stated, was a young man ot respectable stand ing and connexions, carrying on tho business of a painter at Hudson, and that the defendant was a man of considerable influence and wealth in that place as a merchant, and also a partner in the extensive house of Messrs. Plum, Crandall & Co.. No. 3 Piatt St., in Ibis city. Tho action was instituted to recover damages for a breach of marriage contract, mutually entered into be tween the plaintiff and one of tho defendants, after a five yenrs' courtship, at tho luttor end of the year 1832. During the period ot this intercourse between them, a viist number of letters pusscd from ono to the other; the first of which was written in 1827, and commenced in a very modest and distant style. The correspondence increased, however, in warmth ond fervor of ex-pression with each additional billet doux, until at lenelh the declarations of regard, and mutual promises of marriage was made, the violation of which lormcd the grounds ot the presentcontroversy. Mr. Jordan now read the first letter written to Mr. Barnard by Miss Power (now Mrs. Gnul.) It was dated July 28th, 1627, and was as follows:My much esteemed Friend I was much grati. fied nt tho receipt of your letter, und will at tempt answering it, hoping by the delay I have not forfeited your friendship; but I may have a little claim upon your generosity. I began to think you had entirely forgotten that you had a correspondent in Hudson. I was exceedingly pleased at receiving your letter, and take great pleasure in answering it. I found no imperfections in it to be excused: I feel sensible that there are a great many in mine, and beg you will skip over them. Grandmamma has at last pretty much made up her mind to pay New York a visit. If she comes, I shall gallant her down and leave her. Your mother said if she would come down, she would see her home. I cannot set the time when wo shall come crawling along, but before a great many weeks. I want to come to New York, for a great many particular reasons. I cipect Mrs. West and her daughters will leave here for New York somo time next week. We heard this morning that Sarah was coming up with her. Nothing more. As ever your friend. MARY 11. POWER. Mr. George 0. Bernard, 92 Madison street, New York. Amelia Hyatt says she is and ever expects to bo, that is the same old two and six pence. lour mother will be the bearer ot a low plums to you, which you will please accept from me as a token of remembrance. 1 attach to your letter a small song book, which you will please accept from me. Perhaps you may now and then find mo worthy ot your at- tcntion. You will have tho day before you to read this letter. 1 think you will require to write to me soon. Good night health and happiness I wish you. I remuin as ever truly, your sincere friend. M. U. I Addressed G. G. B., New York. Hudson, March 10th, 1830. Much esteemed Friend Have I, by my long silence, forfeited all claim to your generosity, or will my promising to do better for the future make up? I have been thinking that by delaying to wrilo I might find something to write that was worth communicating; but at any rate, my let-ter is commenced, and no doubt it will bo finished with soinothing or other. I was quite surprised to hear of your return to N. York this winter. I did not expect to hear it until Spring. I can judge what your feelings are in a measure, to once more have the opportunity of embracing your friends, which you have so long been absent from, and arriving to a place you call home yes, home; how sweet the sound. I am in hopes you will think by the timo the steamboats get to running, that it is high time you visited your Hudson friends. At any rate, I want you should listen to mo I think it is timo. Tell Daniel when he can come and make us a visit, we shall be happy to havo him. He must not come calculating to court the widow Mary, for I do not believe she will have him. 1 should like to know what ho wrote to Margaret, immediate ly after your return, that was so very private; we can neither get a peep at thu letter, nor get him to tell any of its contents. She carried it in her pocket until it was very much worn, and then she removed it to so salo a place that 1 can-not find it; I mistrust she has consigned it to the flames. I don't do so with mine; tho flames arc not lucky enough to get them. No, I save them to read in my old ago, when I livo a Joanna Nichols. Tell Daniel if he writes to our Peg, ho may depend on an answer; for she is highly delighted with her new correspondent, and 1 daro say will not let ono letter or ono question go unanswered. She says but little; but oh, actions speak as loud as words, and sometimes louder. As for Mary Hopkins, she bus got as much as she can do to attend to her dancing and singing schools. If you are going to move this spring, pleaso write us word whore. From tho appearance of my letter, you might judge that it was written with '.he spur of a rooster, but my opology is great haste. Those seeds you mention, it would give me much pleasure to accept, and 1 will endeavor to cultivato with much care what springs from them. Ac- cept this miserable epistle from your sincere friend and well wisher, MARY II. POWER Tho reader must understand that the above correspondence, as well as several of the letters which follow, wore not introduced by the conn act for the plaintifT fur tho purpose of proving the promise of marriage, but merely to show the friendly feelings which existed between tho parlies several years bnck, and which, ho al leged, led to the subsequent mutual exchanges ofaffoction and ultimate treaty of marriage. It was not pretended in Court thnt the first four letters which were introduced, had any other bearing on the case than the one above stated. Thore were forty-seven letlcrs, in all, produced as being rcooived by tho plaintifT from the do-fendant, but upon the three or four last only he relied to make out his case. We have only room for a small portion of this long correspondence; the following being the most interesting part of it: Hudson, August 28th, 1828. Doar George On Saturday the 2d, soon after the arrival of the barge, in comes II. P. Hopkins, reaches me a lettor, and says, "to Mary H. Power;" and Mary Hopkins and mother say ihey know it is from George. 1 took the letter and says, now we will see. I opened it and said then Reuben, from your afTcctionato aunt, M. D. Poh! poh! says he, and then went away, aying he knew it was from you. After he was gone, grandmother snys, now come and read tho letter, and let us hear what it says about tho folks. I told her tho sick ones were better; Sarah and Daniol got home safe; aunt Polly com. ing up soon; I then took my letter and hid it. 1 had no notion of reading it to any body, or hav ing it read. Did you seo Surah's last letter to her mother? she said, "do write to mo, I am so anxious to hear. If you cannot get time to write, get George to write for you: do not let him write to Mary Power, for if he did I should not be able to get any thing out of her, for she will not shew her letters to any one." Oh how jealous somo folks fuel thoy think. Oh, oh, if they could only know! Surah pretended she could give Margaret so much information. Between you and mo, I nm very sorry to say it, but I think Miss Bean spoiled tho hit ter part of Daniel's visit. When alio concluded to go, it was like hurrah for Jackson; n person could not got n word in edgeways, y0u! say you hate to hear old maids talk; then I guess I shall have to stop writing, fur this is oio kind of tulking. Perhaps you mean verbal, for you know 1 n m called an old maid. Ask Surah if 1 did not tell her I was ono indeed you have seen enough of me to know that I am. 20th. I resume my pen again, and find it as New York, August 24, 1831 Much esteemed Friend Hearing that you ob. served it was some time since you had a rower ful lottor, I thought I would send you; not knowing whether it will meet with acceptance, but hope it may, as it is from your old friend Ma ry, who is still the old two nnd-sixpenco. I had a letter from Mary yesterday, saying they had two excellent corn puddings. 1 suppose she thought sho would just make my mouth water; but us it happened we wcro going to have ono hero for tea. I fear you would think wo were greedy if I were to tell you what a monstrous ono wo devoured. Just mention to Dun icl you hear that he has offered his noble person age to the lady, and told her while she wus gone in the kicthen to get somo hot water to fill up tho tea-pot, to muko up her mind, alio did; she concluded to refuse him, as sho strongly mistrusted, or actually knew, that her sister had won his affections; and more than all, sho did not caro about a man thnt could uot raise a decent pair of whiskers. I think it must bo that the weather is too warm. Mary has quite grown up has commenced preparing, for housekeeping has got a quilt almost pieced. This is tho way with tho girls, ulways making ready in cuse they havo an invitation, which you know seldom fails of giving an inclination. Do think this worthy of an nnswer, and ncccpt tho good wishes of all your friends, and of courso of MAKY 11. ruwuii. Addressed toG. G. Barnard, New Orleans. ing among my old friends; but I huve found out to my satisfaction, since I have been here, that New York will not do for me. I am too independent to beg for a living, and deal out my existence like a slavo in one part of the world, when I know I can do better in another. Undoubtedly New Orleans will be my future place of residence. If I livo, I flatter myself with the idea that I shall do well there. If I die, perhaps I shall do better. If matters and things should go as I expect, I shall of course make a visit once in a while to this part of the country. It is pos sible I may be here next summer, but this de pends upon circumstances. Being at leisure one day last week, in order to amuse myself, I went up stairs and overhauled my chest, containing coutrcments, curiosities, old letters, &c. I am so much of an old maid as to save all these things. It took; mo no small time I can assure you, to look over my letters, see who they were from, (Sic. I found among them twenty-six from you. Some were written within a week of each other (these were the first,) somo within a month, and some within a year. Towards the latter part, I have ull that ever I re- ceived from you; and was much entertuined in reading them over, as much so as a person who, ufter reading a good book, lays it aside, und after a lapse of years, when tho contents are near. ly forgotten, takes it up with double the interest he did at first. Your first letter was dated the 2-Sth July, 1827 How time has slipt away. Had I not the letters before me, I could hardly have believed it. Up. wards of five years have rolled by sinco we first became acquainted, sinco first we corresponded; and what has it amounted to? Nothing at all, as yet, but what it commenced upon just mere friendship. It is natural for somo persons, after being acquainted for a length of time, to form somo different opinion from that I have just spo-ken of. I have formed mine long ago, hut nev. er expressed them. I will express them, although I may be sorry for it, for I may lose your friendship by so doing. 1 shall not, ns some romantic persons have done, swear by the stars, by the clouds, or by the trees, that I adore you to dis- traction thut without your consent 1 should go crazy, 1 should cut my throat, or drown myself. No, Mary; I shall merely tell you in plain words, as I am a plain man, as well as an odd sort of a person, thut ever sinco we became acquainted, 1 have always had thut regard, that love, if I may so express myself, that one could have for anoth- cr, although you may think I have a curious way of showing it, or that I was very careful in keep. ing it to myself. Very truo, if so you think. 1 have endeavored to do so, and liace my reasons. Ever since we were acquainted, 1 have been shift-ing about from placo to place; but now that my mind is lixed where to locate mysell, and bohev ing thut two whose dispositions aro the same, can live together with much happiness; and be lieving that yours accorded with mine, 1 have thought proper to ask you whether, ufter what acquaintance, what knowledge you have had of me, you think you could without sacrificing your own happiness consent to take, for better for worse, such a person as me ns a husband as a protector through ull the ills and joys of this world? 1 ask it of you candidly, und hope you will deem it worthy of an answer -bo it good or bad. Consult your own interest; tuko every thing into consideration; and if you say No! rest assured that I always havo been your sincere Ineud and well wisher, u. G. BARNARD, Hudson, July 15th, 1832 My dear Georgo -Did I not trust that your disposition was forgiving, and thut you wi be willing to pardon past offences on my part, I should not dare to uddress you by letter. Do not stop here long enough to say, so you mean to trifle with my good disposition. No, George, Idonot mean todo so; my thoughts are wundering this evening, und would it bo boldness in mo to confess that they center nt Cincinnati, and on a friend who I thought in all probability was there, and ono who I vulue and esteem very much. There has been a good many marriages with us this spring, mostly strangers to you. Lansing Hopkins wus married to a Miss Hicks last December this Spring commenced houso keeping mighty snug. I often pop in and seo them, or rather up, as it is quite upstrect. lex-pect he is delighted with his change. Ho often says, Mary, why don't you got married begins to set forth tho advantages, &c. Not wishing to flatter, but George 1 liko tho looks of your portrait. I told your mother and aunt Ann that I should not blister it in their presence Georgo 1 want to see you cun tell you more than 1 can write. Late at night, from your sincere friend, MARY. George G. Barnnrd, Cincinnati. N. York, Wednesday Evening, Sept. 12, 1832, Hudson, September 10, 1832, Most respected Friend Yours, bearing date Sep. 12th, is now before me, ami 1 have perused and re-perused tho contents, and I must say with a good deal ol surprise. It was something alto gethcr unexpected to inc. I know it is sometime sinco our first ncouaintanco and first correspon deuce; but I did not dream thnt our letters of friendship were like the seed sown, and would spring up and nrrivo at maturity, Your letter was a very excellent one, and your proposals to mo wcro very handsomely made, and I thank you for tho preference von have given mo. But George, my answer must be in the negative. In tho light that I view the subject, und with my present feelings, I cannot say that I will become your partner for life. It is a solemn question to ask and to answer. I havo tried to view it on all sides, so that if I could give you a satifucto-ry one 1 would. I presume I huve suid enough lor you to consider your letter answered. Here let us purt in friendship, hoping to meet again the same as we ever have dono. If this is the beginning of your disappointments in life, do think it trilling. I will commend you to that all-wise Providenco which is ablo to protect in ull times of troublo. From your sincere friend und well-wisher, M. II. P. Mr. Barnard, 403 Broome-st. New York. Hudson, Sept. 23th, 1832. My dear friend G. G. B. Perhaps under existing circumstances you will be very much surprised and chngrined at the receipt of this letter, but I am in hopes beforo you finish perusing it you will alter your mind. Uncc, 1 know my ietters wero weloomely received by you, and perused with satisluction, and luid away with enre, or you would not have twenty-six by you; but 1 do hope this may be received by you und welcomed as ono I rom your dear Iriend Mary. Feeling as I do now, I shall never forgivo my self for marring your feelings in tho manner I have. I do hopo that if thore is n particle of your afTection Tor me remaining, you will suffer it to re-kindle. I know thut 1 brought my un-happiness upon myself, and I indeed feel wretched, miserable, and almost friendless. What can I do to reclaim your friendship? What hasty unpardonable steps have I taken? Could I hear you say that forgiveness was granted to your Iriend Mury, it would indeed bo music in my ear. Your loiter was not more than out of my reach boforo I felt melted. I thought, why hod I dono so? What reasonable reasons hud 1? Why had I been suffered to injure- tho feelings of ono then call myself tho happiest lady living. Oh, then I could sing. My dear George, I pledge myself that you shall hold tho affections of my heart double fold, if you will say I am for given. When 1 write again you shall have pages, and perhaps lean then say something more to your satisfaction. George, for mercy sake, do not let this lie many hours unanswered. All that 1 have said has been said with a full,1 sincere, and penitent heart. When you mentioned in some letter that in all probability you should reside in New Orleans, the idea seemed dreadful to me, and I do think that my mind was biased in a groat measure by my feelings; but thut cloud is dissipated; I have made up my mind that the eye of protection is ever on us in all places nnd situations, and that should I live there, who should I want on earth more than my bosom friend und conipunion? Could I know that the sentiments of my letter would bo like oil and water to your wounded heart, then my heart would leap for joy. Your letter by barge wus received. I was glad you wrote it; but oh, my feelings! they were better felt thun described. My heurt wus full. I left the room I read it over nnd over ugain to find one encouraging word. You said perhaps it was the lust. I thought that was not suying certain so. Tlicro-was ono ray of hope. Oh, how it made me feel when you mentioned your fears of your letters being ridiculed. No, George, never, while thoy aro in my possession. My dear friend, blame not yourself for making your chances. 1 hope you may yet rejoice. Of course, unless you receive your heart broken Mnry.our corres- pondenco will cease. I may bo too late. If I am, or if your affections are placed upon ono whom you prefer to Mary, then only say so. Please accept this from your sincere Ti lend and penitent. MARY. P. S. Please to say to mo whether your mother or any of the Yorkers, oro know, ing to theso matters nnd affairs. Perhaps it might occur to you thut father or mother wus opposed to our union; but no, George, they vnluo and esteem you much. My heurt will go pit a pat until I hear from you. I pray for forgiveness. From your MARY. New Orleans, Oct. 27, 1832. Much esteemed Friend I write these few lines merely to aeknowlodgo tho receipt of yours, which I have just received und read with pleasure Since I arrived here I have been miserably un well: part of the time 1 have been conuncd to the house. Yesterday 1 mustered strength enough to move on board of the ship thut I cuinc out in, nnd it 1 live long enough shnil return in her. isiic will suil in tiio courseof the ensuing week. We arrived just in tho midst of tho yellow fever, which is worse now than it has been lor the lust ten years. Many of our passengers have gone to their lust home many more aro lying ill. To cap the climax, tho cholera bus just made its appearance, and is raging with a vengeance. I never was more disgusted wilhu place hearses aro continually flying through thu street, night and day. When 1 get in New York I shall answer your letter more fully. I am in a poor mood for it now. You niuy rest assured, how. ever, that it was favorably received. Hoping that this may find you and all your friends in good heullh, I subscribe myself, respectfully, your friend and well wisher. GEORGE G. BARNARD. M. H. Power. across my mind beforo tho well known rap-tup your parents, and I hope that yOu may all con. of the post boy came. I flew, got my letter, and sider that to dron all will be for the best; you just had time to huve a good road before dinner, must say what I shall do with your ring. I llelished my dinner nicely. Ueorge, I guess it i will return it to ftlary Barnard. Hudson, iYci). 23, 1832. The arrangement is between ourselves, und I consider thut no ono ought to say why or where fore nnd, further, I consider that now you nnd I are solemnly engaged to each other, I consider such engagement is no common place ufluir, if well considered. Mother usked inc ll my greatest objection to you last fall was not on account of : your going to New U.iouns to settle. 1 told her it was. Shu said she knew so. I beg of you do not think of going uwny again. George, you may say Mary bus been fickle, but she is not now, and no one but you can say they claim my u flections. Fiom your best friend, MARY. G. G. Barnard, New York. the letter currier is u married man, thut he must havo courted his wife a good while, don't you? But as to the length of time he is to bring your letters to mo, you can tell better than I. But 1 guess my courting letters will be scarce ut the end of four years. It is shameful hero to sit writing, and our folks uro poking fun at mo, and now and then make a speech, and say, "Mury, look out you dont write them down." My dear Georgo.whon I get to thinking how very much I wunt to seo you, and to cast my eye qu the barrier that is between us, und it looks so indissoluble, why then 1 feel kinder bud; then my heart jumps softly. But I hope the timo will soon come thut we may enjoy thesonoty of cuch other tt little while. Thut timo 1 shall cull precious. George, I never thought you one of thoso kind of deceitful men; I confide in your candor und uprightness. May that hideous word deceit never be found with either of us; but may our endeavors be mutual, und may I reward your labors with un endearing smile, and in mo may you place conlidence, and say that the comforts of the fireside repay you for your arduous labors of the day. I am sorry for Sarah's Johnny, und her too. I turn tlio case to myself, und say, how should 1 feel if my Georgy wus sick. Do write nica good long letter by tho bearer of this. Good bye for this time. From vours us ever. MOLLY TWO SHOES. Hudson, 23 Feb. 1833. My Dear George Father arrived safely ut home on Saturday morniiMT, before breakl'ust. It was not long beforo your anxiously looked for letter wus handed me. " I had a real good time in reading mine, and enjoyed them much. Sarah's letter wus very short for her. George, -she did not mention your name After ull, 1 do not think she really believes there is any thing serious passing between you and mi!. Sho knows that we have for many years been in the huliit of corresponding. Never mind; if she is uctuully in the durk, let her remain there. George, you do not know uny thing about my scolding. You may yet think 1 urn a reul scold. I camo very near scolding in my dream last night. 1 dreamed I went to New York, and you was out ut work. Shortly alter you came home you were told that I was there. It did not move you; nnd when you were ready you camo into tho room, and oh, how cold was the reception. It was witnessed with ustonishmcnt. I wanted you to kiss mo nnd make up friends, but no kiss did I f:ct. I felt myself to be one of tho most miserable of creatures. I thought, I am sorry I came, liut to be candul, when 1 scold 1 do ex pect I shall huve to laugh between whiles. Y'ou may get tired of being my humble servant. Have you not heard these remarks made: Where is the man who has tho power nnd skill To stem the torrent of a wonmn's will For if she will, she will, you limy ik-pi'iul on't, And if she wont, she wont; and there's an end on't." It cannot be that you think lain different from tho common rim of woman kind, for I am not. What do you think that some folks say? Why, they are wondering, and say, "ll is very strange Mary Powers does not have a beiiu;" they say, " she is growing old," nod what not. A week ngo lust S tturday evening, young mail culled here, as I thought merely lor n moment, feo 1 seated him in Ilic cold room, lie staid and staid, until I thought I should havo to say, for pity stiko go home. Well, he went, nnd I thought 1 had sold him by entertaining him in the cold room; but lo and behold, last Saturday evening he comes ngaiu, and stuid till ahoiit 10, und then began to talk about going. After he was gone, 1 went into mother's room. Father and mother laughed, und said that they guessed entertaining hiin in the cold room was the most profitable. Before he went, I began to think n good warm stove was not objectionable. Do write mo soon, und very soon. This is indeed a long yarn, from MOLLY. Do not think but that we are parting honor. ably, for I call it honor when I tell you my can. did feelings. An unswer from you, however short, is requested by ull, immediately. Do come out independently and gentlcmaulike, and say that us it is my wish, so it shall be yours. Surely you cuunot want me, if I am to be un. hnppy. My good wishes for your happiness will ever continue; and 1 am in hopes you will think it for the best. I am your friend still; and hope thut you, as a friend to me, will grant all I ask. Were we ever to meet, it would be friendly on my purt. An immediate answer must bo given. My respects to your parents, and don't tail to show them this letter. I know they will think, from whut hus recently transpired, thut 1 cuunot be huppy with you that the best way is to drop ull. I think so too. MARY II. POWER. P. S. When you return my letters, I should like this ono to bo sent likewise. Hudson, Dec. C0ti, 1832. My dear George I seated myself ubout two hours ago with the determination of answering your loiter immediately; but Esther Power, a cousin of ours, is here, und wo have been carry You rs of the 23d I huve reud with no small de. grce of surprise. All the satisfaction I can give you is, that when I make contracts, I consider thoin invinlnLlo. ! yn, mnthpr is so mimh in need of your company, you hud better, for tho present, give up the idea of getting married, and like a dutiful child administer to her wants. Your Hudson citizen may find another partner by'soarohing this wide world, money will get lii tn a wife at any place. When you made your earnest appeal to mo while at New Orleuns, you well knew my situation und circumstunccs; you made me believe then thut your future huppiness or misery was ut my disposal. I ufterwards gave you an opportunity of retracting if you wished; but you said no, you could not be ficklo again, and on no one else would you place your affections. 1 took your word for it; und, (had it been presented) do you think that money would have inado mo ulter my intentions? No, Mary, I would havo scorned such an offer. If I am a poor painter, allow mo to have some feelings; those feelings aro not to bo trifled with. You say positively thut you will not havo me for a partner. Mark mo now, Mary; I caution you against my consent. Hud I been treated in a genteel or civil manner, 1 might have complied with some of your requests. Your last letter is replete with abuse sorry I am to see it, but if, alter this you are unhappy, blame nono but your-self talk hot ubout superiors, you are of an age to net on your own responsibility." As regards your letters, I value them too highly to lot them goon uny consideration, they form part of my history, Y'ou can do as you pleaso with mine. In respect to the ring, you suid you received it ns a tribute of affection, as such you said you would ever keep it. If the sight of it is disagreeable to you now, destroy it if you think best, hut do not send it here again. 1 nm no Indian when my sister Mury wants a ring, I can get her one, perhaps. 1 believe now thut your letter is answered; if not to yours, it is lo my satijlacliou it generally takes two to mnko a bargain, it should take two to break it. I have delayed writing until now, in order the mora fully to consider und weigh the matter. What I have said, huve been my own free and candid ideas. Y'ou must have thought mo liko a weath- creock, that would change when tho wind told mo to. Though strange it may scein to you, yet you will be convinced thut u mechanic has somo spirit. Y'ou llirice asked me in your let. ter to act gentlemanly, lo wash my hands nnd be honorable. My bunds, with tho exception of u little paint between tho nuils, aro at this moment tolerably clean. Convince mo, if you can, that I havo acted dishonorable. Did ever I make you a promise that I was not uble to fulfil? When I solicited your favors, did I uso any devi-ecs to gain lliem? Have I not pursued a plain, straight. forward course? It appears that you have considered me ns u sparesail to throw off when convenient, learn from ino, thut if love is so sweet so is revengo.and you will find me firm it you break your engagements without my con. sent. At present, I object to it. In doing so, I trust Hudson 23, April, 1S33. Geonoi; Strange ns it may seem to you, yet j not more strumrc thun true. 1 do earnestly, sin cerely and ufleetionnlely nppcul to you for a i liavu shown us much honor ns you have in re-. . i i i i ' 11 - " .i I ; l lini.. ii,n,,,.i,i ,1... ,:i.i i total unu uiiui release irom you, irom uu iny en-1 h-"b "-- mo muu, uiu guuu. gagemcnts to you, as it regards our being uni- j tempered, the candid Mary Power, would come ted. My reason lor asking of you this fuvur j to lllis- Tuko my advice and mind. Tell your is, that a young man, n citizen of this place, has superiors that Georgo Barnard is inflexible, thnt recently made known lo mo his attachment for ll0,'s perfectly independent, that ho is swayed by itin in tho strongest manner. He husonencd his ' principle, thut ho is sensihlo of nn iniurv. nnd ing on here in fine style. I wish you could huvo nm,j jn t0 ln,wt tViinlc manner, and has even ' wllt'n injured has the spirit to resent it. I think slept in and laughed with us. Esther, Peggy, nliu0 known his attachment to our family, j I llllV0 SiliJ enough for you to consider your lot. and mo are in tho buck room, und u fino coul lire ' (Jcorrr. this is unexpected news to von, I know; I tor answereda repetition of your request would to set by. Dun t you think it must bo enjoy. b,u mvo wt.'iy lii'i tho matter, nnd advised with ' uo useless. When I chango my mind I will lot ment for three old maids to spend their evenings 1 my superiors, and I do think ull the advantages ' '01' know. N"t that it would bo difficult lo find together? Wo have got wallnuts in a wooden ' ,lat i ,uvu m)w presented lo me, overbalance another, for a fine lady actually made me an of. bowl, apples in a plate, nnd water in a glass; I 'i')0 situation of my mother I havo con-; for u few evenings since But I think it best to but never mind, Georgo, 1 will promiso myself j sturvi deeply, and I now havo an opportunity take a resting spell. I had courted so hard, so the pleasure of huving your company one of; 0f administering to her wants when called upon; ! earnest all winter, thnt I had began to grow poor, these days, nnd then 1 will tell the girls they I nnj j u0 .i.j,, from her daily manifestations of. You will, I hope, consider this an independent, muat cleur tho coop. My most hi,r nttaehment for mo. that'to he shouted ns I ; uu honorable an I gentlemanlike answer to the hearty thanks lor your bcautilul present, which mve a opportunity of, would, as far as it could, I valuo much. W hen I look at it, it says, . his ; b0 t,0 completion of her huppiness here; nnd, lo is ullection's tribute. Mary, forget mo not. 1 110 cnni tj.i tim situation I do invself nrefe 1. . ' , . . t 1 1 Donr Mary Y'oursoftho 10th I huve just read who 1 know wus ready to do ull in his power for with pleasure I was vain enough to expect n my happiness and comforl? Could I huvo usked letter from you somo timo ago, but bargo enmo your forgiveness how quick I would; for I was after barge and still there was nothing for mo, then, and have been ever since, nil grief and sor. nnd I finally thought to myself, so then hero the row, and I hail to conceal it, which only iucreus. correspondence closes; but yours coming to-day , cd my heart's pain. (.Hi, George, if you put mo in tho humor of writing this evening, as slill value mo as your friend, and say you will I shall leuvo this place for New Orleans on Thurs day next. I did think when I left that city that I should never return. I was in hopes thnt I should be fortunate enough to find business in this purt of the country, suitable to enable ine to settle myself down, and got a comfortable liv- receive me us the one of your choice, I shall then say I urn huppy; but not until then, for I never thought I loved enough to marry till now. Poold I henr von snv thnt nt this latn hour you would receive me nnd allow me to return lo you like a prodigal daughter, I should No, I w ill not forget von, and wish I hud some, thing to enclose in this for you; but perhaps ut ' some future timo 1 will repay you. 1 told moth, j er tho other day that I thought it was a reul shamo that you was clear off to New Y'ork and I in Hudson. Snys I, "Who docs he suppose is to beau mo around this winter? I suppose he thinks home is the best place for me, and when I gi I go alone. But I know one thing; when he lias an opportunity to gallant me, ho shall he doubly attentive, and gallant mo the more." But you and I will make things straight. Grandmother asked me not long since if I expected you up to seo mo in the first boat in the spring. I feigned astonishment and raised my voice and said, "Tho first boat? I guess not; if ho dors cornel will tune him." "Whut's that thoosays? tuno himt ' "ics, tuno linn. flly nnswer was so different from what sho expected, that sho was put to tho stumps completely, while I was laughing in my sleeve George, you will como and see mc ns soon as you cun conveniently, wont you? 1 nm vours. MARY II. POWER. Hudson, Feb. 10, 1833. My dear George I most ulwnys seem to have a litilo kind of presentiment when I nm going to have a loiter from you. It was boiween 12 and 1 o'clock, wo wcro waiting dinner, and the thought that in all probability I should havo a letter from you soon, had not more than flitted I do not say hut you will make mu a kind com. panion, and 1 do not say but your character is unspotted; but from my recent peculiar feel, ings, I cannot make you u hnppy wife. I have recently hud the que stion put lo me, what your nppcal which you last made to your friend, GEO. G. BARNARD. To M. 11. Power. New York, April 2!, 1S33. New York, May. 17, 1833. Friend Mary Mother received yours of the 13th on Wednesday last ns sho is cnlirlv out situation in life is, and whut your prospects were? j of letler-writing, she does not feel ublo to answer And 1 hud to tell them, that although wo bail t it m tho manner it deserves. As the letter was corresponded so long, you hud never 11s yet 1 concerning my iifl'iirs, of course it was shown placed that confidence in inc. I havo said you j to me. My parents pcrus 'd the two lust letters wero painting, and wcro inclined to industry, that I wrote to you: I shall also show them this Since whut has passed between ih, 1 havo hud, beforo I seal tt. According to their account, no interview with yon, and no timo has been set and I believe they tire correct, I am actually of for union: therefore I think llvut a bold bund is now to be taken at any rate I must take it. Remember in a loiter of yours, Nov. 21, 1832, you said, perhaps I hud seen somo ono who I could moro cheerfully give my ufloelions to than you; and you said, if so, sooner than have me harbor ono puinlul thought, you would ueqiiit mo of ull ohllgiitinns to you; und you said a long life of trouble wus very had, und that a few words would often save a person from this. And now again I beg yon to como out liko a gen-(Ionian: wash your hands from ull that has passed, nnd consider thnt if my regard for you is in any way drawn off, 1 cannot m.iko you happy. And 1 hope tho answer lo this will be immediate, as I request. Candidly, George, feeding ns 1 lo, 1 ciiiirot marry you. Ho lorg"t mi I lorgive til that has passed, nnd lemk on the right side. I'ho world is wide. My parents tiro aware of age, and moro too nnd they consider that I am acting on my own responsibility: they do not wish lo seo n disturbance amongst the fumily; thoy do not think our individual affairs should creato one; ihey have the samo feeling of amity towards you und tho fumily nt Hudson that they ulways had; they do not wish to qunrrol with me fir managing my own affairs as I think proper. If there is uny censure to como here, I 11111 the ono to reeeivo it; the courso I havetnken is 0110 of my own. As long ns I think myself right, so long will I keep it. Entreaties are uso. less; I have, by dear experience, become nccus. lomed to them. I rend jour letter; it was as artful us woman's hand could muko it. Ladies havo the credit of possessing moro cunning thun men. I must give you credit for possessing more than tiny lady I know of. And 1 begin to have some conceit of mvsolf all this thut I urn doing. You will read this to for outwitting you (excuse me for playing the
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Title | Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-08-21 |
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Title | Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1835-08-21 page 1 |
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Columbus (Ohio) Franklin County (Ohio) |
Searchable Date | 1835-08-21 |
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Full Text | fits mUU H 4 hp FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1835. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SCOTT & WRIGHT. No. G2, Voi,. XXIV Whole No. 1403. JOURNAL AND SENTINEL. P. C. GALIAQIIEIt, EDITOR. Office on High-street, second door south of Armstrong's Hotel. TERMS Two Dollars and Fifty Cents, in advance, or Three Dollars, at the end of the year. No subscriber allowed to discontinue while he remains Indebted to the office. Interesting Trial. From tho Ncw-Ynrk Transcript, BREACH OF PROMISE OP MARRIAGE. Cincuy Court. Tuesday. George G. Barnard vs. John J. Gaul, and Mary II., his wife. Damages laid at ten thousand dollars. The readers of the Transcript will remember that two or three weeks since wo reluted some particulars of a breach of promise case, pending in the Supremo Court, between somo highly res pectable parties residing at Hudson, the plaintiff i. -i i i i . in wnicn wo consiucrcu iu imvo ueeu must uu- -pardonably ill-treated, by the wife of iho defen dant, to whom, previous to her murriago with the latter, she had plighted her most solemn vows of affection. The cause came on for trial to-day, and the court room wus in consequence crowded to hear the extraordinary developments that was stated would be made. Mr. Jordan, of Husdon, appeared as Counsel for the pluintifT, and Messrs. Bushncll and Gaul, of the same ' place, togethor with Henry R. Storrs, Esq. of this city, was engaged lor the dctendunts. Mr. Jordan opened the case for tho plaintiff, who, he stated, was a young man ot respectable stand ing and connexions, carrying on tho business of a painter at Hudson, and that the defendant was a man of considerable influence and wealth in that place as a merchant, and also a partner in the extensive house of Messrs. Plum, Crandall & Co.. No. 3 Piatt St., in Ibis city. Tho action was instituted to recover damages for a breach of marriage contract, mutually entered into be tween the plaintiff and one of tho defendants, after a five yenrs' courtship, at tho luttor end of the year 1832. During the period ot this intercourse between them, a viist number of letters pusscd from ono to the other; the first of which was written in 1827, and commenced in a very modest and distant style. The correspondence increased, however, in warmth ond fervor of ex-pression with each additional billet doux, until at lenelh the declarations of regard, and mutual promises of marriage was made, the violation of which lormcd the grounds ot the presentcontroversy. Mr. Jordan now read the first letter written to Mr. Barnard by Miss Power (now Mrs. Gnul.) It was dated July 28th, 1627, and was as follows:My much esteemed Friend I was much grati. fied nt tho receipt of your letter, und will at tempt answering it, hoping by the delay I have not forfeited your friendship; but I may have a little claim upon your generosity. I began to think you had entirely forgotten that you had a correspondent in Hudson. I was exceedingly pleased at receiving your letter, and take great pleasure in answering it. I found no imperfections in it to be excused: I feel sensible that there are a great many in mine, and beg you will skip over them. Grandmamma has at last pretty much made up her mind to pay New York a visit. If she comes, I shall gallant her down and leave her. Your mother said if she would come down, she would see her home. I cannot set the time when wo shall come crawling along, but before a great many weeks. I want to come to New York, for a great many particular reasons. I cipect Mrs. West and her daughters will leave here for New York somo time next week. We heard this morning that Sarah was coming up with her. Nothing more. As ever your friend. MARY 11. POWER. Mr. George 0. Bernard, 92 Madison street, New York. Amelia Hyatt says she is and ever expects to bo, that is the same old two and six pence. lour mother will be the bearer ot a low plums to you, which you will please accept from me as a token of remembrance. 1 attach to your letter a small song book, which you will please accept from me. Perhaps you may now and then find mo worthy ot your at- tcntion. You will have tho day before you to read this letter. 1 think you will require to write to me soon. Good night health and happiness I wish you. I remuin as ever truly, your sincere friend. M. U. I Addressed G. G. B., New York. Hudson, March 10th, 1830. Much esteemed Friend Have I, by my long silence, forfeited all claim to your generosity, or will my promising to do better for the future make up? I have been thinking that by delaying to wrilo I might find something to write that was worth communicating; but at any rate, my let-ter is commenced, and no doubt it will bo finished with soinothing or other. I was quite surprised to hear of your return to N. York this winter. I did not expect to hear it until Spring. I can judge what your feelings are in a measure, to once more have the opportunity of embracing your friends, which you have so long been absent from, and arriving to a place you call home yes, home; how sweet the sound. I am in hopes you will think by the timo the steamboats get to running, that it is high time you visited your Hudson friends. At any rate, I want you should listen to mo I think it is timo. Tell Daniel when he can come and make us a visit, we shall be happy to havo him. He must not come calculating to court the widow Mary, for I do not believe she will have him. 1 should like to know what ho wrote to Margaret, immediate ly after your return, that was so very private; we can neither get a peep at thu letter, nor get him to tell any of its contents. She carried it in her pocket until it was very much worn, and then she removed it to so salo a place that 1 can-not find it; I mistrust she has consigned it to the flames. I don't do so with mine; tho flames arc not lucky enough to get them. No, I save them to read in my old ago, when I livo a Joanna Nichols. Tell Daniel if he writes to our Peg, ho may depend on an answer; for she is highly delighted with her new correspondent, and 1 daro say will not let ono letter or ono question go unanswered. She says but little; but oh, actions speak as loud as words, and sometimes louder. As for Mary Hopkins, she bus got as much as she can do to attend to her dancing and singing schools. If you are going to move this spring, pleaso write us word whore. From tho appearance of my letter, you might judge that it was written with '.he spur of a rooster, but my opology is great haste. Those seeds you mention, it would give me much pleasure to accept, and 1 will endeavor to cultivato with much care what springs from them. Ac- cept this miserable epistle from your sincere friend and well wisher, MARY II. POWER Tho reader must understand that the above correspondence, as well as several of the letters which follow, wore not introduced by the conn act for the plaintifT fur tho purpose of proving the promise of marriage, but merely to show the friendly feelings which existed between tho parlies several years bnck, and which, ho al leged, led to the subsequent mutual exchanges ofaffoction and ultimate treaty of marriage. It was not pretended in Court thnt the first four letters which were introduced, had any other bearing on the case than the one above stated. Thore were forty-seven letlcrs, in all, produced as being rcooived by tho plaintifT from the do-fendant, but upon the three or four last only he relied to make out his case. We have only room for a small portion of this long correspondence; the following being the most interesting part of it: Hudson, August 28th, 1828. Doar George On Saturday the 2d, soon after the arrival of the barge, in comes II. P. Hopkins, reaches me a lettor, and says, "to Mary H. Power;" and Mary Hopkins and mother say ihey know it is from George. 1 took the letter and says, now we will see. I opened it and said then Reuben, from your afTcctionato aunt, M. D. Poh! poh! says he, and then went away, aying he knew it was from you. After he was gone, grandmother snys, now come and read tho letter, and let us hear what it says about tho folks. I told her tho sick ones were better; Sarah and Daniol got home safe; aunt Polly com. ing up soon; I then took my letter and hid it. 1 had no notion of reading it to any body, or hav ing it read. Did you seo Surah's last letter to her mother? she said, "do write to mo, I am so anxious to hear. If you cannot get time to write, get George to write for you: do not let him write to Mary Power, for if he did I should not be able to get any thing out of her, for she will not shew her letters to any one." Oh how jealous somo folks fuel thoy think. Oh, oh, if they could only know! Surah pretended she could give Margaret so much information. Between you and mo, I nm very sorry to say it, but I think Miss Bean spoiled tho hit ter part of Daniel's visit. When alio concluded to go, it was like hurrah for Jackson; n person could not got n word in edgeways, y0u! say you hate to hear old maids talk; then I guess I shall have to stop writing, fur this is oio kind of tulking. Perhaps you mean verbal, for you know 1 n m called an old maid. Ask Surah if 1 did not tell her I was ono indeed you have seen enough of me to know that I am. 20th. I resume my pen again, and find it as New York, August 24, 1831 Much esteemed Friend Hearing that you ob. served it was some time since you had a rower ful lottor, I thought I would send you; not knowing whether it will meet with acceptance, but hope it may, as it is from your old friend Ma ry, who is still the old two nnd-sixpenco. I had a letter from Mary yesterday, saying they had two excellent corn puddings. 1 suppose she thought sho would just make my mouth water; but us it happened we wcro going to have ono hero for tea. I fear you would think wo were greedy if I were to tell you what a monstrous ono wo devoured. Just mention to Dun icl you hear that he has offered his noble person age to the lady, and told her while she wus gone in the kicthen to get somo hot water to fill up tho tea-pot, to muko up her mind, alio did; she concluded to refuse him, as sho strongly mistrusted, or actually knew, that her sister had won his affections; and more than all, sho did not caro about a man thnt could uot raise a decent pair of whiskers. I think it must bo that the weather is too warm. Mary has quite grown up has commenced preparing, for housekeeping has got a quilt almost pieced. This is tho way with tho girls, ulways making ready in cuse they havo an invitation, which you know seldom fails of giving an inclination. Do think this worthy of an nnswer, and ncccpt tho good wishes of all your friends, and of courso of MAKY 11. ruwuii. Addressed toG. G. Barnard, New Orleans. ing among my old friends; but I huve found out to my satisfaction, since I have been here, that New York will not do for me. I am too independent to beg for a living, and deal out my existence like a slavo in one part of the world, when I know I can do better in another. Undoubtedly New Orleans will be my future place of residence. If I livo, I flatter myself with the idea that I shall do well there. If I die, perhaps I shall do better. If matters and things should go as I expect, I shall of course make a visit once in a while to this part of the country. It is pos sible I may be here next summer, but this de pends upon circumstances. Being at leisure one day last week, in order to amuse myself, I went up stairs and overhauled my chest, containing coutrcments, curiosities, old letters, &c. I am so much of an old maid as to save all these things. It took; mo no small time I can assure you, to look over my letters, see who they were from, (Sic. I found among them twenty-six from you. Some were written within a week of each other (these were the first,) somo within a month, and some within a year. Towards the latter part, I have ull that ever I re- ceived from you; and was much entertuined in reading them over, as much so as a person who, ufter reading a good book, lays it aside, und after a lapse of years, when tho contents are near. ly forgotten, takes it up with double the interest he did at first. Your first letter was dated the 2-Sth July, 1827 How time has slipt away. Had I not the letters before me, I could hardly have believed it. Up. wards of five years have rolled by sinco we first became acquainted, sinco first we corresponded; and what has it amounted to? Nothing at all, as yet, but what it commenced upon just mere friendship. It is natural for somo persons, after being acquainted for a length of time, to form somo different opinion from that I have just spo-ken of. I have formed mine long ago, hut nev. er expressed them. I will express them, although I may be sorry for it, for I may lose your friendship by so doing. 1 shall not, ns some romantic persons have done, swear by the stars, by the clouds, or by the trees, that I adore you to dis- traction thut without your consent 1 should go crazy, 1 should cut my throat, or drown myself. No, Mary; I shall merely tell you in plain words, as I am a plain man, as well as an odd sort of a person, thut ever sinco we became acquainted, 1 have always had thut regard, that love, if I may so express myself, that one could have for anoth- cr, although you may think I have a curious way of showing it, or that I was very careful in keep. ing it to myself. Very truo, if so you think. 1 have endeavored to do so, and liace my reasons. Ever since we were acquainted, 1 have been shift-ing about from placo to place; but now that my mind is lixed where to locate mysell, and bohev ing thut two whose dispositions aro the same, can live together with much happiness; and be lieving that yours accorded with mine, 1 have thought proper to ask you whether, ufter what acquaintance, what knowledge you have had of me, you think you could without sacrificing your own happiness consent to take, for better for worse, such a person as me ns a husband as a protector through ull the ills and joys of this world? 1 ask it of you candidly, und hope you will deem it worthy of an answer -bo it good or bad. Consult your own interest; tuko every thing into consideration; and if you say No! rest assured that I always havo been your sincere Ineud and well wisher, u. G. BARNARD, Hudson, July 15th, 1832 My dear Georgo -Did I not trust that your disposition was forgiving, and thut you wi be willing to pardon past offences on my part, I should not dare to uddress you by letter. Do not stop here long enough to say, so you mean to trifle with my good disposition. No, George, Idonot mean todo so; my thoughts are wundering this evening, und would it bo boldness in mo to confess that they center nt Cincinnati, and on a friend who I thought in all probability was there, and ono who I vulue and esteem very much. There has been a good many marriages with us this spring, mostly strangers to you. Lansing Hopkins wus married to a Miss Hicks last December this Spring commenced houso keeping mighty snug. I often pop in and seo them, or rather up, as it is quite upstrect. lex-pect he is delighted with his change. Ho often says, Mary, why don't you got married begins to set forth tho advantages, &c. Not wishing to flatter, but George 1 liko tho looks of your portrait. I told your mother and aunt Ann that I should not blister it in their presence Georgo 1 want to see you cun tell you more than 1 can write. Late at night, from your sincere friend, MARY. George G. Barnnrd, Cincinnati. N. York, Wednesday Evening, Sept. 12, 1832, Hudson, September 10, 1832, Most respected Friend Yours, bearing date Sep. 12th, is now before me, ami 1 have perused and re-perused tho contents, and I must say with a good deal ol surprise. It was something alto gethcr unexpected to inc. I know it is sometime sinco our first ncouaintanco and first correspon deuce; but I did not dream thnt our letters of friendship were like the seed sown, and would spring up and nrrivo at maturity, Your letter was a very excellent one, and your proposals to mo wcro very handsomely made, and I thank you for tho preference von have given mo. But George, my answer must be in the negative. In tho light that I view the subject, und with my present feelings, I cannot say that I will become your partner for life. It is a solemn question to ask and to answer. I havo tried to view it on all sides, so that if I could give you a satifucto-ry one 1 would. I presume I huve suid enough lor you to consider your letter answered. Here let us purt in friendship, hoping to meet again the same as we ever have dono. If this is the beginning of your disappointments in life, do think it trilling. I will commend you to that all-wise Providenco which is ablo to protect in ull times of troublo. From your sincere friend und well-wisher, M. II. P. Mr. Barnard, 403 Broome-st. New York. Hudson, Sept. 23th, 1832. My dear friend G. G. B. Perhaps under existing circumstances you will be very much surprised and chngrined at the receipt of this letter, but I am in hopes beforo you finish perusing it you will alter your mind. Uncc, 1 know my ietters wero weloomely received by you, and perused with satisluction, and luid away with enre, or you would not have twenty-six by you; but 1 do hope this may be received by you und welcomed as ono I rom your dear Iriend Mary. Feeling as I do now, I shall never forgivo my self for marring your feelings in tho manner I have. I do hopo that if thore is n particle of your afTection Tor me remaining, you will suffer it to re-kindle. I know thut 1 brought my un-happiness upon myself, and I indeed feel wretched, miserable, and almost friendless. What can I do to reclaim your friendship? What hasty unpardonable steps have I taken? Could I hear you say that forgiveness was granted to your Iriend Mury, it would indeed bo music in my ear. Your loiter was not more than out of my reach boforo I felt melted. I thought, why hod I dono so? What reasonable reasons hud 1? Why had I been suffered to injure- tho feelings of ono then call myself tho happiest lady living. Oh, then I could sing. My dear George, I pledge myself that you shall hold tho affections of my heart double fold, if you will say I am for given. When 1 write again you shall have pages, and perhaps lean then say something more to your satisfaction. George, for mercy sake, do not let this lie many hours unanswered. All that 1 have said has been said with a full,1 sincere, and penitent heart. When you mentioned in some letter that in all probability you should reside in New Orleans, the idea seemed dreadful to me, and I do think that my mind was biased in a groat measure by my feelings; but thut cloud is dissipated; I have made up my mind that the eye of protection is ever on us in all places nnd situations, and that should I live there, who should I want on earth more than my bosom friend und conipunion? Could I know that the sentiments of my letter would bo like oil and water to your wounded heart, then my heart would leap for joy. Your letter by barge wus received. I was glad you wrote it; but oh, my feelings! they were better felt thun described. My heurt wus full. I left the room I read it over nnd over ugain to find one encouraging word. You said perhaps it was the lust. I thought that was not suying certain so. Tlicro-was ono ray of hope. Oh, how it made me feel when you mentioned your fears of your letters being ridiculed. No, George, never, while thoy aro in my possession. My dear friend, blame not yourself for making your chances. 1 hope you may yet rejoice. Of course, unless you receive your heart broken Mnry.our corres- pondenco will cease. I may bo too late. If I am, or if your affections are placed upon ono whom you prefer to Mary, then only say so. Please accept this from your sincere Ti lend and penitent. MARY. P. S. Please to say to mo whether your mother or any of the Yorkers, oro know, ing to theso matters nnd affairs. Perhaps it might occur to you thut father or mother wus opposed to our union; but no, George, they vnluo and esteem you much. My heurt will go pit a pat until I hear from you. I pray for forgiveness. From your MARY. New Orleans, Oct. 27, 1832. Much esteemed Friend I write these few lines merely to aeknowlodgo tho receipt of yours, which I have just received und read with pleasure Since I arrived here I have been miserably un well: part of the time 1 have been conuncd to the house. Yesterday 1 mustered strength enough to move on board of the ship thut I cuinc out in, nnd it 1 live long enough shnil return in her. isiic will suil in tiio courseof the ensuing week. We arrived just in tho midst of tho yellow fever, which is worse now than it has been lor the lust ten years. Many of our passengers have gone to their lust home many more aro lying ill. To cap the climax, tho cholera bus just made its appearance, and is raging with a vengeance. I never was more disgusted wilhu place hearses aro continually flying through thu street, night and day. When 1 get in New York I shall answer your letter more fully. I am in a poor mood for it now. You niuy rest assured, how. ever, that it was favorably received. Hoping that this may find you and all your friends in good heullh, I subscribe myself, respectfully, your friend and well wisher. GEORGE G. BARNARD. M. H. Power. across my mind beforo tho well known rap-tup your parents, and I hope that yOu may all con. of the post boy came. I flew, got my letter, and sider that to dron all will be for the best; you just had time to huve a good road before dinner, must say what I shall do with your ring. I llelished my dinner nicely. Ueorge, I guess it i will return it to ftlary Barnard. Hudson, iYci). 23, 1832. The arrangement is between ourselves, und I consider thut no ono ought to say why or where fore nnd, further, I consider that now you nnd I are solemnly engaged to each other, I consider such engagement is no common place ufluir, if well considered. Mother usked inc ll my greatest objection to you last fall was not on account of : your going to New U.iouns to settle. 1 told her it was. Shu said she knew so. I beg of you do not think of going uwny again. George, you may say Mary bus been fickle, but she is not now, and no one but you can say they claim my u flections. Fiom your best friend, MARY. G. G. Barnard, New York. the letter currier is u married man, thut he must havo courted his wife a good while, don't you? But as to the length of time he is to bring your letters to mo, you can tell better than I. But 1 guess my courting letters will be scarce ut the end of four years. It is shameful hero to sit writing, and our folks uro poking fun at mo, and now and then make a speech, and say, "Mury, look out you dont write them down." My dear Georgo.whon I get to thinking how very much I wunt to seo you, and to cast my eye qu the barrier that is between us, und it looks so indissoluble, why then 1 feel kinder bud; then my heart jumps softly. But I hope the timo will soon come thut we may enjoy thesonoty of cuch other tt little while. Thut timo 1 shall cull precious. George, I never thought you one of thoso kind of deceitful men; I confide in your candor und uprightness. May that hideous word deceit never be found with either of us; but may our endeavors be mutual, und may I reward your labors with un endearing smile, and in mo may you place conlidence, and say that the comforts of the fireside repay you for your arduous labors of the day. I am sorry for Sarah's Johnny, und her too. I turn tlio case to myself, und say, how should 1 feel if my Georgy wus sick. Do write nica good long letter by tho bearer of this. Good bye for this time. From vours us ever. MOLLY TWO SHOES. Hudson, 23 Feb. 1833. My Dear George Father arrived safely ut home on Saturday morniiMT, before breakl'ust. It was not long beforo your anxiously looked for letter wus handed me. " I had a real good time in reading mine, and enjoyed them much. Sarah's letter wus very short for her. George, -she did not mention your name After ull, 1 do not think she really believes there is any thing serious passing between you and mi!. Sho knows that we have for many years been in the huliit of corresponding. Never mind; if she is uctuully in the durk, let her remain there. George, you do not know uny thing about my scolding. You may yet think 1 urn a reul scold. I camo very near scolding in my dream last night. 1 dreamed I went to New York, and you was out ut work. Shortly alter you came home you were told that I was there. It did not move you; nnd when you were ready you camo into tho room, and oh, how cold was the reception. It was witnessed with ustonishmcnt. I wanted you to kiss mo nnd make up friends, but no kiss did I f:ct. I felt myself to be one of tho most miserable of creatures. I thought, I am sorry I came, liut to be candul, when 1 scold 1 do ex pect I shall huve to laugh between whiles. Y'ou may get tired of being my humble servant. Have you not heard these remarks made: Where is the man who has tho power nnd skill To stem the torrent of a wonmn's will For if she will, she will, you limy ik-pi'iul on't, And if she wont, she wont; and there's an end on't." It cannot be that you think lain different from tho common rim of woman kind, for I am not. What do you think that some folks say? Why, they are wondering, and say, "ll is very strange Mary Powers does not have a beiiu;" they say, " she is growing old," nod what not. A week ngo lust S tturday evening, young mail culled here, as I thought merely lor n moment, feo 1 seated him in Ilic cold room, lie staid and staid, until I thought I should havo to say, for pity stiko go home. Well, he went, nnd I thought 1 had sold him by entertaining him in the cold room; but lo and behold, last Saturday evening he comes ngaiu, and stuid till ahoiit 10, und then began to talk about going. After he was gone, 1 went into mother's room. Father and mother laughed, und said that they guessed entertaining hiin in the cold room was the most profitable. Before he went, I began to think n good warm stove was not objectionable. Do write mo soon, und very soon. This is indeed a long yarn, from MOLLY. Do not think but that we are parting honor. ably, for I call it honor when I tell you my can. did feelings. An unswer from you, however short, is requested by ull, immediately. Do come out independently and gentlcmaulike, and say that us it is my wish, so it shall be yours. Surely you cuunot want me, if I am to be un. hnppy. My good wishes for your happiness will ever continue; and 1 am in hopes you will think it for the best. I am your friend still; and hope thut you, as a friend to me, will grant all I ask. Were we ever to meet, it would be friendly on my purt. An immediate answer must bo given. My respects to your parents, and don't tail to show them this letter. I know they will think, from whut hus recently transpired, thut 1 cuunot be huppy with you that the best way is to drop ull. I think so too. MARY II. POWER. P. S. When you return my letters, I should like this ono to bo sent likewise. Hudson, Dec. C0ti, 1832. My dear George I seated myself ubout two hours ago with the determination of answering your loiter immediately; but Esther Power, a cousin of ours, is here, und wo have been carry You rs of the 23d I huve reud with no small de. grce of surprise. All the satisfaction I can give you is, that when I make contracts, I consider thoin invinlnLlo. ! yn, mnthpr is so mimh in need of your company, you hud better, for tho present, give up the idea of getting married, and like a dutiful child administer to her wants. Your Hudson citizen may find another partner by'soarohing this wide world, money will get lii tn a wife at any place. When you made your earnest appeal to mo while at New Orleuns, you well knew my situation und circumstunccs; you made me believe then thut your future huppiness or misery was ut my disposal. I ufterwards gave you an opportunity of retracting if you wished; but you said no, you could not be ficklo again, and on no one else would you place your affections. 1 took your word for it; und, (had it been presented) do you think that money would have inado mo ulter my intentions? No, Mary, I would havo scorned such an offer. If I am a poor painter, allow mo to have some feelings; those feelings aro not to bo trifled with. You say positively thut you will not havo me for a partner. Mark mo now, Mary; I caution you against my consent. Hud I been treated in a genteel or civil manner, 1 might have complied with some of your requests. Your last letter is replete with abuse sorry I am to see it, but if, alter this you are unhappy, blame nono but your-self talk hot ubout superiors, you are of an age to net on your own responsibility." As regards your letters, I value them too highly to lot them goon uny consideration, they form part of my history, Y'ou can do as you pleaso with mine. In respect to the ring, you suid you received it ns a tribute of affection, as such you said you would ever keep it. If the sight of it is disagreeable to you now, destroy it if you think best, hut do not send it here again. 1 nm no Indian when my sister Mury wants a ring, I can get her one, perhaps. 1 believe now thut your letter is answered; if not to yours, it is lo my satijlacliou it generally takes two to mnko a bargain, it should take two to break it. I have delayed writing until now, in order the mora fully to consider und weigh the matter. What I have said, huve been my own free and candid ideas. Y'ou must have thought mo liko a weath- creock, that would change when tho wind told mo to. Though strange it may scein to you, yet you will be convinced thut u mechanic has somo spirit. Y'ou llirice asked me in your let. ter to act gentlemanly, lo wash my hands nnd be honorable. My bunds, with tho exception of u little paint between tho nuils, aro at this moment tolerably clean. Convince mo, if you can, that I havo acted dishonorable. Did ever I make you a promise that I was not uble to fulfil? When I solicited your favors, did I uso any devi-ecs to gain lliem? Have I not pursued a plain, straight. forward course? It appears that you have considered me ns u sparesail to throw off when convenient, learn from ino, thut if love is so sweet so is revengo.and you will find me firm it you break your engagements without my con. sent. At present, I object to it. In doing so, I trust Hudson 23, April, 1S33. Geonoi; Strange ns it may seem to you, yet j not more strumrc thun true. 1 do earnestly, sin cerely and ufleetionnlely nppcul to you for a i liavu shown us much honor ns you have in re-. . i i i i ' 11 - " .i I ; l lini.. ii,n,,,.i,i ,1... ,:i.i i total unu uiiui release irom you, irom uu iny en-1 h-"b "-- mo muu, uiu guuu. gagemcnts to you, as it regards our being uni- j tempered, the candid Mary Power, would come ted. My reason lor asking of you this fuvur j to lllis- Tuko my advice and mind. Tell your is, that a young man, n citizen of this place, has superiors that Georgo Barnard is inflexible, thnt recently made known lo mo his attachment for ll0,'s perfectly independent, that ho is swayed by itin in tho strongest manner. He husonencd his ' principle, thut ho is sensihlo of nn iniurv. nnd ing on here in fine style. I wish you could huvo nm,j jn t0 ln,wt tViinlc manner, and has even ' wllt'n injured has the spirit to resent it. I think slept in and laughed with us. Esther, Peggy, nliu0 known his attachment to our family, j I llllV0 SiliJ enough for you to consider your lot. and mo are in tho buck room, und u fino coul lire ' (Jcorrr. this is unexpected news to von, I know; I tor answereda repetition of your request would to set by. Dun t you think it must bo enjoy. b,u mvo wt.'iy lii'i tho matter, nnd advised with ' uo useless. When I chango my mind I will lot ment for three old maids to spend their evenings 1 my superiors, and I do think ull the advantages ' '01' know. N"t that it would bo difficult lo find together? Wo have got wallnuts in a wooden ' ,lat i ,uvu m)w presented lo me, overbalance another, for a fine lady actually made me an of. bowl, apples in a plate, nnd water in a glass; I 'i')0 situation of my mother I havo con-; for u few evenings since But I think it best to but never mind, Georgo, 1 will promiso myself j sturvi deeply, and I now havo an opportunity take a resting spell. I had courted so hard, so the pleasure of huving your company one of; 0f administering to her wants when called upon; ! earnest all winter, thnt I had began to grow poor, these days, nnd then 1 will tell the girls they I nnj j u0 .i.j,, from her daily manifestations of. You will, I hope, consider this an independent, muat cleur tho coop. My most hi,r nttaehment for mo. that'to he shouted ns I ; uu honorable an I gentlemanlike answer to the hearty thanks lor your bcautilul present, which mve a opportunity of, would, as far as it could, I valuo much. W hen I look at it, it says, . his ; b0 t,0 completion of her huppiness here; nnd, lo is ullection's tribute. Mary, forget mo not. 1 110 cnni tj.i tim situation I do invself nrefe 1. . ' , . . t 1 1 Donr Mary Y'oursoftho 10th I huve just read who 1 know wus ready to do ull in his power for with pleasure I was vain enough to expect n my happiness and comforl? Could I huvo usked letter from you somo timo ago, but bargo enmo your forgiveness how quick I would; for I was after barge and still there was nothing for mo, then, and have been ever since, nil grief and sor. nnd I finally thought to myself, so then hero the row, and I hail to conceal it, which only iucreus. correspondence closes; but yours coming to-day , cd my heart's pain. (.Hi, George, if you put mo in tho humor of writing this evening, as slill value mo as your friend, and say you will I shall leuvo this place for New Orleans on Thurs day next. I did think when I left that city that I should never return. I was in hopes thnt I should be fortunate enough to find business in this purt of the country, suitable to enable ine to settle myself down, and got a comfortable liv- receive me us the one of your choice, I shall then say I urn huppy; but not until then, for I never thought I loved enough to marry till now. Poold I henr von snv thnt nt this latn hour you would receive me nnd allow me to return lo you like a prodigal daughter, I should No, I w ill not forget von, and wish I hud some, thing to enclose in this for you; but perhaps ut ' some future timo 1 will repay you. 1 told moth, j er tho other day that I thought it was a reul shamo that you was clear off to New Y'ork and I in Hudson. Snys I, "Who docs he suppose is to beau mo around this winter? I suppose he thinks home is the best place for me, and when I gi I go alone. But I know one thing; when he lias an opportunity to gallant me, ho shall he doubly attentive, and gallant mo the more." But you and I will make things straight. Grandmother asked me not long since if I expected you up to seo mo in the first boat in the spring. I feigned astonishment and raised my voice and said, "Tho first boat? I guess not; if ho dors cornel will tune him." "Whut's that thoosays? tuno himt ' "ics, tuno linn. flly nnswer was so different from what sho expected, that sho was put to tho stumps completely, while I was laughing in my sleeve George, you will como and see mc ns soon as you cun conveniently, wont you? 1 nm vours. MARY II. POWER. Hudson, Feb. 10, 1833. My dear George I most ulwnys seem to have a litilo kind of presentiment when I nm going to have a loiter from you. It was boiween 12 and 1 o'clock, wo wcro waiting dinner, and the thought that in all probability I should havo a letter from you soon, had not more than flitted I do not say hut you will make mu a kind com. panion, and 1 do not say but your character is unspotted; but from my recent peculiar feel, ings, I cannot make you u hnppy wife. I have recently hud the que stion put lo me, what your nppcal which you last made to your friend, GEO. G. BARNARD. To M. 11. Power. New York, April 2!, 1S33. New York, May. 17, 1833. Friend Mary Mother received yours of the 13th on Wednesday last ns sho is cnlirlv out situation in life is, and whut your prospects were? j of letler-writing, she does not feel ublo to answer And 1 hud to tell them, that although wo bail t it m tho manner it deserves. As the letter was corresponded so long, you hud never 11s yet 1 concerning my iifl'iirs, of course it was shown placed that confidence in inc. I havo said you j to me. My parents pcrus 'd the two lust letters wero painting, and wcro inclined to industry, that I wrote to you: I shall also show them this Since whut has passed between ih, 1 havo hud, beforo I seal tt. According to their account, no interview with yon, and no timo has been set and I believe they tire correct, I am actually of for union: therefore I think llvut a bold bund is now to be taken at any rate I must take it. Remember in a loiter of yours, Nov. 21, 1832, you said, perhaps I hud seen somo ono who I could moro cheerfully give my ufloelions to than you; and you said, if so, sooner than have me harbor ono puinlul thought, you would ueqiiit mo of ull ohllgiitinns to you; und you said a long life of trouble wus very had, und that a few words would often save a person from this. And now again I beg yon to como out liko a gen-(Ionian: wash your hands from ull that has passed, nnd consider thnt if my regard for you is in any way drawn off, 1 cannot m.iko you happy. And 1 hope tho answer lo this will be immediate, as I request. Candidly, George, feeding ns 1 lo, 1 ciiiirot marry you. Ho lorg"t mi I lorgive til that has passed, nnd lemk on the right side. I'ho world is wide. My parents tiro aware of age, and moro too nnd they consider that I am acting on my own responsibility: they do not wish lo seo n disturbance amongst the fumily; thoy do not think our individual affairs should creato one; ihey have the samo feeling of amity towards you und tho fumily nt Hudson that they ulways had; they do not wish to qunrrol with me fir managing my own affairs as I think proper. If there is uny censure to como here, I 11111 the ono to reeeivo it; the courso I havetnken is 0110 of my own. As long ns I think myself right, so long will I keep it. Entreaties are uso. less; I have, by dear experience, become nccus. lomed to them. I rend jour letter; it was as artful us woman's hand could muko it. Ladies havo the credit of possessing moro cunning thun men. I must give you credit for possessing more than tiny lady I know of. And 1 begin to have some conceit of mvsolf all this thut I urn doing. You will read this to for outwitting you (excuse me for playing the |
Format | newspapers |
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File Name | 1036 |