To Mrs. Wm. Browne (Octavia Southgate).
New York, Jan. 13, 1808.
I have been in daily expectation of hearing farther from you, my dear
Miranda. I received a letter from Octavia by the same mail that
brought me yours, informing me of the melancholy change in their
prospects, which I answered immediately and used every argument I
thought could console her at such a time. Her firmness and resolution
in relating the particulars, her reasoning on the subject, displayed
the real superiority of her mind. She has had severe trials; the
danger of her child, and now this stroke; I tremble when I think with
how much less firmness I should probably have acted in the same
trials. I am extremely anxious to hear all the particulars of their
failure, how Mr. Browne bears it, where they will spend their winter.
I wish with all my heart Octavia and her child would come and stay
with me until Mr. Browne could arrange his affairs a little. But I
suppose ’twould be in vain to urge her to leave her husband at this
time. You mention that you were in hopes Papa would secure Octavia’s
furniture for her. I wish you would write me particularly if he did.
Octavia writes me he attached all the personal property he knew of at
the time. Pappa too I fear will be quite a sufferer by their failure.
I hear Webster is gone,—he, I think, had money of my Father’s. Mr.
Bowne has always thought he played rather a hazardous game in letting
out money in that way. I hope he is not materially injured,—he will,
at any rate, have the consolation to know that the education of his
children is principally accomplished; he will always have enough to
live with comfort and ease, and as to leaving a great deal, I think
’tis very immaterial. I am glad to find his stock here has produced a
very good dividend this month. I hope this won’t depress his spirits
any,—old people feel the loss of property much more than younger ones.
However, Papa’s is nothing to mention at these times, as he is not in
debt, has a good farm, and will always have all the comforts of life;
indeed, I think ’twill have a good effect. He has always been
determined on leaving such a sum untouched, and from that darling
object has deprived himself of the comfort of a comfortable house for
many years past. Accident has interfered with the fulfilment of his
plan; he will now enjoy what he has left without thinking of leaving
just so much; his children are, or soon will be grown up, and he ought
to have no other care but to enjoy what he has dearly earned, now in
his old age. I am sure all his children most heartily wish it, if he
should not leave a farthing for them. Old Mr. Codwise has failed, a
dreadful thing for so old a man. Mr. Macomb [Ann and Robert’s father]
is gone too; all the Franklins too, and a great many others I do not
now recollect. Adieu; write me immediately and tell me every
particular. My love to Arixene; is she at Miss Martin’s, for I have
never heard?