Our meeting was very unexpected, and I can assure you a very interesting one. I don't remember when I have been so much affected. He wrote me several times before he left Kingston. I have very much to say to you about him when we meet. When I began this letter I thought I was in a hurry, as I have others to write and the Vessell that carries them is to sail this evening. But as when blest in your society I never know when to leave you-so when writing to you I never know where to stop. Remember me to all friends. Adieu, my dear Nancy. I commit you to the protection of Him who ordereth all aright and hope very soon to tell you in person how much I am yours, RUSSELL. VI A SAILOR'S LETTERS TO HIS BRIDE FTER a honeymoon of almost two months ashore A the young husband went to sea in July, 1802, and from Havana wrote his first letters to "Mrs. Ann Russell, Bristol, R. I." While in that port he, for the first time "feasted on a letter from his wife." Communication was uncertain and broken. There were no regular mails and Captain Russell was always on the alert to find an American vessel homeward-bound by which he might send his packet to the wife who sometimes had to wait several months for any word from sea. The following letters need no more preface than this. They cover the first year of their wedded but cruelly separated lives. To Mrs. Ann Russell, Bristol, R. I. MY DEAR NANCY: HAVANA, Aug. 24th, 1802. After a passage of twenty-nine days I am safe in this Port, and most heartily wish I was safe out of it again. Every kind of business is very dull. My horses not yet half of them sold and molasses not to be procured. But amid the fatigues of a very irksome and disagreeable voy age, I have been hitherto, thank God, favoured with health-and by the safe arrival of Capt. Eddy I have been blessed with a letter from the dear Friend and partner of my heart. You my dear wife, who have often described to me the pleasure you have felt when you opened a letter from your absent Friend-you can have some idea of my sensations when for the first time I feasted on a letter from my wife. Next to the happiness of seeing you-of being blessed by your smiles and soothed by your tenderness-is that of knowing, from under your own dear hand, that you still think of me with Kindness. I hope, my dear friend, that you did not suffer much from the swelling in your face and I hope too that you have not indulged too much anxiety on my account. I do not ask you not to feel for me the knowledge that you do feel for me— that you are interested in everything that concerns me— that you take part in all my cares, as well as in all my joys 'tis this, my dear girl, that supports me in every situation, 'tis "my daily comfort and my nightly dreams." I flatter myself, my dear, that your little preparations for housekeeping will afford you much pleasure. I think that in making your little arrangements I can often hear you whispering, "This is for my husband and me.” Whatever you do will certainly be satisfactory to your Friend. There are doubtless many things which I neglected during the hurry of my flitting away so suddenly. If you want more of Mr. Bourn than I paid him, or if you want anything of anybody, as far as my credit will go, surely, my dear, you will not hesitate. You will know the unlimited Confidence I place both in your Judgment and your Prudence. You know too my ideas upon the subject of setting out in life—that we may have things comfortable, but on a small scale, and within our means. I hope, my lovely friend, soon-very soon to join you, and I fondly flatter myself that our mutual expectations of Happiness in the society of each other will not be disappointed. I left you my dear friend, with a heart oppressed with Gloom and a mind clouded with Sorrow; but do not, my best, my only friend, tax me with want of confidence. I had lost a dear and amiable relation; one in whose wellfare I had long felt an unbounded interest-but at a time when I was to part with you so suddenly and so soon after our union, knowing how much you would feel our separation, I wished not to overburden your tenderness. Perhaps I was wrong. If I was, my best Friend will forgive me. My best respects to your parents, and all whom you think I love. Adieu, for the present, my dear Ann. May angels guard you, and every attendant happiness be yours so wishes in deed and in truth your JOHN W. RUSSELL. HAVA., Augt. 27th, 1802. As Capt. Munroe does not sail quite so soon as I expected-I have set down to chat a few minutes longer with my dearest, best of Friends-I wish, my sweet Girl, I could tell you when I should sail from hence. It must, it shall be soon. You know we are told that time wears off the pangs of separation and blunts all the stings of regret. If this is true, whence comes it, that the longer I am absent from you, the more I feel the deprivation of your society, and every hour that I hear the Clock strike and think my Nancy is far from me-seems longer and more tedious than the Hour that preceded it. Think not, that I am gloomy and give way too much to complaining. My health is good-thank God, my spirits so so-but indeed my feelings are very different from what I ever experienced when abroad. Yet while my thoughts are continually reverting to the Dear Partner of my Heart, while Memory leads me back to scenes of past delights, Hope, sweet enchantress, points me forward to scenes of domestic bliss with my Nancy; Imagination lends her airy pencil and in vivid colours portrays my little peaceful Fireside my cheerful, happy home. Yes, our hopes shall be realized-we shall soon meet and be happy-for awhile we will bid adieu to corroding care, and in heartfelt enjoyment forget the past. Hope of my life-dear Partner of my Heart, Still longs to her its Feelings to impart And more Oh transport-meet its home and you. Tell sister Ellen that since I wrote my letter Capt. Wilbor has arrived from the Coast.* He left Sierra Leona river the 2nd of July, at which time Capt. Munroe was there. He was purchasing rice, and was to proceed * Africa. |