Files
Download Full Text (3.9 MB)
Description
PF2.1.122
Date
5-17-1833
Transcript
Kenyon College Gambier Ohio May 17th 1833
Dearest Mary
I have arrived at Kenyon after a long and tedious journey of twenty days, which is about eight days more than I expected it would take. This was not in consequence of the greatness of the distance, but of being detained at many places on the way, and having headwind going up Lake Erie. The distance from New York to this place by land is only five hundred miles, but the rout which I came is eight hundred and ninety seven. I must give you some description of the place. Gambier is the name of the village, and Kenyon the name of the College only. It is a very pleasant place situated on a hill, so that there is a view all around to the distance of 4 or 5 miles, nothing however can be seen, but the wind and flourishing woods. The college has rather the appearance of an antient[sic] Castle than anything else, its walls being five feet thick, its windows small, and a steeple arises from the centre. I am now far from you my dear Mary, but while I remain thus far, you shall have sufficient proof from my pen, of my constancy and truth, nor shall my pen ever write anything which does not proceed from a cincere[sic] heart, and I hope you will excuse me if I se the same freedom in writing to you that I always have in expressing my feelings to you, when in your company. And inasmuch as, the reading of your letters will be my greatest pleasure, while I am here; always express yourself more freely to me than you would to a brother, for we are even now, more nearly related in the sight of him who alone has witnessed those promises which bind us together, than a brother and sister. You will sometimes be told, and probably by your intimate friends, that there is a possibility of your being deceived by me, and that you act improperly in placing confidence in my fidelity, but never believe it Mary remember the promises I have made which I shall renew in ever letter I write, Remember also that, for us to forsake each other after making those promises, would be no less cruel and unfeeling, than it would be, were we united by the marriage ceremony. Perhaps you will, sometimes, think, that the time will be long before you will see me again, but it may not be so long as you would suppose, and even should it be; it is far more probably that you would then be happier, having been true to me, than you would be having given your hand to another. I do not write thus, because I doubt at all your cincerity[sic]; no, if I were ever deceived by her who, I can in truth say, is as dear to me as my life, I shall be greatly deceived, but for my own happiness I must and always will believe my dearest Mary to be; as cincere[sic] as as[sic] myself. I shall expect a letter from you soon after you get this; I have hastened to write to you even before I have got things regulated, and this I hope will excuse the bad style in which I have written, my trunk I was compeled[sic] to leave at the village of Roscoe about thirty one miles from this place, and it has not yet arrived, otherwise I should have written on better paper so that you could read it. I wish you to have mt portrait which I left, and did wish to leave it with you when I left, and you recollect I gave you my reason for not doing it, but I have thought since that, that reason is of no consequence and if you think so, and are willing to get it, write to me, and in my next letter, I will enclose an order, which you can give or send, to Mrs. Shearman and she will deliver it. I will also give you the No of the house where it is, which is 248 Grand. When you write direct the letter, Kenyon College, Gambier Ohio
Give my compliments to all the family, especially to your Mother, and let no one but her, see any of my letters to you.
I am, and always shall be Yours cincerely[sic]
Hiram L White
P.S do not forget to direct your letter to Gambier, if you do not I shall not get it
And alway[sic] tell me where to direct mine if Mr. Piersall, or yourself should move away from where you are
Recommended Citation
White, Hiram L., "Letter from Hiram L. White to Mary Jane Davis" (1833). 19th Century Correspondence. 24.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/24