Item 49: Letter from A. L. Stewart to Chester Butler, 1826 July

Item — Box: 10, Folder: 49

Staff Only

A. L. Stewart to Chester Butler, 1826 July.

Dates

Created: 1826 July

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

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Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Letter.

Condition Note:

Good.

Measurements:

9 ⅛ in. x 7 ⅜ in. (closed); 14 ¾ in. x 9 ⅛ in.

Description:

This letter, dated July 1826, is written by A. L. Stewart, to Chester Pierce Butler, a United States congressman and representative of Pennsylvania. In the letter, Stewart regails Butler with information of his travels through Europe and caring for his ailing wife. Stewart mentions that they largely stayed in London, as Mrs. Stewart’s health and familial needs kept him needed close at hand. He continues on to write that she is recovering and that they are on their way back to the states. He suggests that, though the vistas were beautiful, he did not find anything that replaced the sentiments of his home. Stewart also mentions an itemized list of his professional intentions, stating that he will move from New York, through Owego, and on into Pennsylvania. The remainder to the letter shifts in tone, taking on a more intimate sense between Stewart and Butler as the man writes that he wishes to see him by October, before the year is out. Stewart mentions that he had thought they may never see each other again, but now that he is returning, he hopes that Butler will not find him lacking in sentiment or enthusiasm.

Transcription:

The Richmond at Sea July 1826 My dear Butler, In the course of a very few days I hope again to tread the American Shores:--- you were among the last of those I most love who witnessed my departure, & you shall be one of the first to be informed of my arrival. The postmark of this letter, should it ever reach you, will give you the date of our landing at New York—Should that happiness be ours. We are on board a smalle (sic) ship, & unless peculiarly unfortunate shall finish our voyage by the 25th or 30th. I do not recollect the date of my last letter to you, but am inclined to think it was before our departure from the Islands but became certain. Of that departure, its cause & circumstances, however, it is most probable you have by some means been fully informed— as well as of our safe arrival in England in the beginning of April. Mrs. Stewart was still very ill when we landed from the Town but improved rapidly from the time of our going on shore at Gravesend: & when we left London, three weeks since, was quite a different creative & has now the prospect of enjoying again comfortable, if not, confirmed health. It is a blessing we little expected a year since. Indeed every dispensation has been most kind-and we return to our country & our friends overshadowed by the goodness & mercy of God.

Inside, Page Left:

You can have but an imperfect impression of the state feeling with which we anticipate an approach to our favorite city of the abodes of some of our nearest relatives. The latest intelligence from any part of our family is of two years date- of course there is wide room for anxiety. I cannot but show back at times, in thought of the number & names of those who may be found wanting in the circles in which share known much of my Earthly happiness— I shall not be surprised if the joy of our return should on this account be mingled with much sorrow. The three months resident in England was very delightful We received much kind attention & made some warm & charming friends. Mrs. Stewarts health obliged me to be confined much to the vicinity of London, but I made some highly gratifying excursions. Two were particularly delightful- one to Windsor & its vicinity & another to Cambridge. I wished exceedingly to visit Ireland Wales & Scotland, & had a most favorable opportunity of going to France for a week, but could not leave the family a sufficient length of time in succession. I saw nothing, however, that made one desirous of exchanging the name of an American for that of a Briton or of Residing [illegible] my home on the Eastern side of the Atlantic.

Page Right:

I once thought, my beloved B, that I was giving you any last embrace in this world but I now hope, before many months at farthest, again to give the grasp of that hand which more than ten years ago was pledged to you in a friendship which in my heart has never been surpassed by any other in faithfulness & undiminished warmth. I can scarce say what my arrangements after reaching America will be— My plan at present is to go to Boston after spending a week in New York- consult the wishes of the Board as to my immediate employment for their interest- return to New York- visit Jersey for a week, & then move northward- say about the first of September to Owego where it is probable Mrs.J & the children will pass the winter. My present determination is to see you at least as early as October- even should I not be happy enough to meet you out of the boundaries of Wyoming before that time. Write at least a line immediately to the care of A. L. Stewart Hudson Square- My next will fully inform you of my managements for the winter. When you read this- perhaps you will say I have lost some of my enthusiasm of character-general on, I mean- but wait till we meet & you will know that I am still the unchanged—the warm the devoted boy you knew me in 1815.

Back:

I need not request to be affectionately remembered to your mother sisters & brothers & to all who remember me in your valley— Jitgreary(?), Jones, &c &c [etcetera] Could I meet you all I wish you to

To Chester Butler Esquire Wilkes Barre Luzerne County Pennsylvania

be my heart would be satisfied. I could draw a fortune of our meeting & of our intercourse in one point that would make one beside myself with joy. Yours as ever Stewart.