Maria Magdalen Flagg Letters, 1790-1793 (inclusive). A/F5745, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Bethlehem August 22 1792

Dear Aunt

Your favour of several dates which was given me by Papa was very acceptable, and I find that on the 26th of May we were both on an island enjoying the fine day; a party of us were taken over on an island sourrounded by the river Lehigh, by Mr Van Vleck we drank tea & coffee, & went up a very high hill, had a beautiful prospect of Bethlehem, but were overtaken by a storm before we reach'd home; however, none of us receiv'd any hurt.

Papa sets out tomorrow for N. York and will probably see you soon, pray excuse this short letter, as I have so much business on hand that I have not time to write much.

I suppose you have many agreable parties of pleasure now & the winter will again return with the usual balls; as a proof of my love for relviement you see I shall stay 8 months longer here, and devote that time to religion & learning, which might otherwise be spent in pleasures of shorter duration, that cannot secure my future happiness. I am anxious to lay a sure foundation for that and in the spring I hope to be reunited to my worthy friends in Providence. Yours affectionately in haste

M. M. Flagg

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[in upper right corner] Miss Mary M Flagg Bethlehem August 22 1792

[in middle of page, upside down] Miss Lydia Nightingale Providence

New York August 17th ..93

I think my dear Aunt you have but little cause to complain of me in the letter way, as this is the third I've written in return for one. I do not mean by this to be ceremonious with you. I intend to write when I can & hope you will do the same. Papa is gone to Long Island to see what accomodations we can have; as he was preparing to go a gentlemen gave him your friendly packet, containing a letter for me; I eagerly open'd & perus'd those lines of affection from my ever dear Aunt Lydia, highly gratified by this proof of your remembrance. Now I will answer your enquiries. The promise I made you at parting I perform'd, but our friend will give you the letter himself. I suppose by this time you have receiv'd it. I wrote more particularly before I left N. port as I was afraid to trust so much of my mind in any other hand. I intended to answer your questions as they follow, but pardon me if I leave a great many, & answer your last which most concerns me. Yes Aunt Lydia, I acknowledge to you that my esteem for my friend - is such as I never felt before for any one. You ask my sentiments on this subject: they are favourable to the wishes of Mr G - but how shall I know if he still wishes it? My confidence in him makes me think he will not change the object, but I know there can be one more worthy of him. I shall begin soon to prepare for my housekeeping in Carolina. I think I shall want my mother more now, every day of my life, than I ever did. Your little Mary must follow the dictates of her own reason. My dear mama provided amply for her darling before she died & I was born, but the war has depriv'd me of the pleasure she intended I should have, in saying Mama made these for me. This is a subject not very pleasing, I can't reflect without pain, that I was the innocent cause of her death. I always thought & think now, that

if I am ever married, what she suffer'd for me, I shall for another, believe me in such a case it will comfort me to think I am paying the debt I owe. I have not read much since I left you, but thought a great deal . I began a tour with Brydone on our way here. but was glad to leave him, as sick as myself, on board the Molly. I am very much delighted with Mrs. Ward & her little Anne. Mrs W. wish'd one to stay with her while in town. I should have been glad in accepting her kind invitation to have enjoy'd her agreea ble society, but Papa, took me away from Grandpapa Bowens & would not let me play with Betsy, so we thought I could not with propriety, that we have no reason as we had to refuse in P-. How does J- go on. in the old way, this day is exactly a year since he left Beth'm in a violent passion, because I rerurn'd him his letters, without saying farewell even to his cousins. I know it was only to see me that he came to Beth'm. Had I receiv'd & read his letters on a day which we devoted to prayer, & without the knowledge of Mr. Van Vleck contrary to rules I should have mark'd that as the greatest crime I ever committed in my life. I wrote to Betsy yesterday & told her she might tell him that he who dares not revisit the place where he was, in some measure educated, on account of his ill conduct - should never have my heart or hand. ---- ---- Do Aunt Lydia write me by ev'ng packet. I shall be a great while here. Tell me all you think about me &c &c. How is Mr W -you may give my love to him, if you chuse. I can't send any love to somebody, if I even wish'd it. because, he has enough already Do give my comp'ts [compliments] to your Mama & Mr M. & Mrs Gramon[?] & indeed to all.

Belive me I am yours with sincerity, I know you do, for I would not tell as much as this letter contains to but one person besides yourself. Not Papa, it is too delicate a subject to speak to a parent about I mean a Father. Mr Sam'l Greene will take this. Congratulate him on his arrival at Providence, in my name.

[recto page] Don't let Mr. G know of the freedom, with which I've expresd my sentiments --- --*[to go with verso page, bottom "I mean a Father"] I mean not that I would not tell Papa what I have said about Mr. G but the sentence at the top of the 2d side