Noah Webster letter to Emily Ellsworth, 1840 July 3

New Haven July 3. 1840

Dear Emily.

We are all in tolerable health, as your husband & son will inform you. Your mother has had an ill turn, but has again seated herself to needle work. I have been in part confined for two or three weeks, with my leg; but now there is a hope that I may recover entirely.

You urge us to visit you. but you will readily understand that your mother's attentions are soon to be called for in her own family. As for myself, I can not think of leaving home this summer; & in truth, I have little wish to visit Hartford. The opposition made in that town to some of what I believe to be my most valuable improvements in school books, & in the version of the Bible alienate my views from my native town. I lately sent to Mr Mitchell a notice of the introduction of my Testament into our public schools, with an advertisement for insertion in his paper; but he wrote to me that he had scruples about inserting it, without an apology to the public for doing it. He wrote to me what he should say to the public - & on receiving this, I sent for the Notice & the book bill inclosed, which he returned to me & I sent them to the Courant. The illiberality of the clergy is surprising. But I shall give them no further trouble. I have other opposers in Hartford, & my native town is to take the lead in frustrating my best efforts to serve my country & advance its

moral & literary character.

But the Log Cabin - Oh how our country is degraded, when even men of respectability resort to such means to secure an election! I struggled, in the days of Washington, to sustain good principles - but since Jefferson's principles have prostrated the popular respect for sound principles, further efforts would be useful. And I quit the Contest forever.

Mrs Edward Ellsworth & her two children are here, & Julia has more cousins than beds; but Mrs E & her children go soon to Durham for a residence.

We sympathize with Judge Williams on account of his loss, which is also a serious loss to the pious & to the poor.

Our love to you all

Affectionately yours

N Webster

74109

Mrs Emily W Ellsworth

Hartford

1972.96.78 74109