Front: 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 oppo-
sition 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 scru-
ples 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