Sidney Breese
Henry Livingston's Letters



Transcription
New York Public Library
Gilbert Livingston Collection


Jan. 23. 1822

Your letter my dear Cousin Helen was received a few days since and here accept my best thanks for the favor. The intelligence communicated by you of the sickness of my dear sister gave me much uneasiness until assured her disorder was not alarming. I did not much like your declaration that you wrote at Sarah's request alone, signifying that your regard for me was not of itself sufficient to move you to write me. Well Helen be it so. I can only say that I have lived a great many years in ignorance of your real sentiments. Perhaps, however, for I am willing to hope the best, that your inclination seconded the request of my sister tho' you do not assure me that that was the fact.

I have wished many a time and oft, that it had fallen to my lot to be at Utica when G. Papa and your charming self visited it - nothing would have given me more real pleasure. You would I think wished me "far away", for I should have troubled you so much with my attentions.

A ride to Whitesboro to see eternity at one time - at another to Clinton to see the College and all the learned, venerable and erudite professors of botany, theology, couchology, itchyology, [x] etc.

Well, Helen Utica is a charming place and I can say with one Oliver Goldsmith
    "Wher'er I go, whatever realms to see"
    "My heart untravell'd fondly turns to it." (thee)

From the tenor of Papa's letters and you now I perceive you have taken up the idea that I shall visit you in the spring, now nothing is farther from my intentions and at the same time nearest my wishes. If I see home i.e. Utica, in less than five years from this time "I miss my griefs." The fact is I can't get ready.

How do you like the young "gemmers" of Utica Helen. Does your heart turn with any partiality for any particular one, or do you dispense your smiles on all equally? There is a very "clever fellow" there and would I doubt not make a very fine husband. I mean C.P. Kirkland. He has talent, character and family to reocmmend him. "A word to the wise etc."

I have been trying to persuade Charles yr. brother to take unto himself a wife, but my persuasions have no effect whatever. The information you gave him about a certain Po'ke'ps'e lady went to his very - He thinks she's a fool and has manifested but little wisdom in her choice.

It is now the 23rd. Jan. 1822 and we have and have had for a month the most charming weather resembling much, the month of May in N. York. This is a delightful climate - girls bloom forever and old maids are unknown. Would you not like to live here? If you have any predilections for this country please signify it, and we will forthwith send a deputation of a trusty young "gemmer" to bring you out. You might reasonably calculate on living until you was 110 years of age and be as young to appearance as you are now - provided however you would not let the bilious or agne fever attack you. If you did, you would dry up & wither like the "dear and yellow leaf" of autumn. It has a wonderful effect upon beauty and a fine thing, it completely spoils it.

Who do you mean by Miss Cujoie in your letter? Let me know - I am on tiptoe to learn, for from the name I should judge she was she was exquisitely beautiful. Please inform me is her size, figure, eyes, air, carriage etc.

Give an abundance of love to my dear sister and her boys and believe that you have no small share of my affection, if you wish it. I have not heard from Pa'ke'ps'e for a long time. I am apprehensive the cold weather has "froze the genial current of their souls."

I thank you for kissing Sarah on her birth day, and wish her for me one hundred returns of the same.

I rec'd a letter from Frances Monies the other day and shall answer it soon. In your ear I am sorry she is going to marry David Brooks. What are his prospects? and what will be here when united!

Your very affectionate nephew

Sidney Breese

Kaskaskia
Jan. 23rd 1822.

Arthur sends Love as does Charles.

Miss H.P.L.






        
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