A Letter

JULIUS CAESAR HUBBELL, Esq’r.

To

Judge PLINY MOORE

October 24th, 1811

 Dear Sir,

             I am sensible that honor & good‑breeding would require, under some circumstances a different course of conduct, than that I have pursued, with respect to my addresses to your Daughter.   I feel however that I am not Destitute of the former, and hope that I am not thought so, of the latter; and therefore, under these impressions, approach you at this time with more confidence --

             I have been a long and constant visitor to your house, drawn by the purest motives, and most arden[t] attachment.   At an early day my heart was touched with the goodness of your excellent daughter Ann, and a thousand subsequent instances, have rivited my affections for her, -- and also flattered me that our feelings were reciprocal.   Although I have heretofore been silent, it has not been from inclination.   I have ever wished that circumstances would warrant me in declaring to you my wishes, -- but I feared the consequences.    I have been flattered by your kind indulgence and politness, and under such favorable auspices have enjoyed my life, anticipating the time when my situation would render it consistent for me to make known my feelings and intentions.   Notwithstanding I never have explained myself to you, yet I have always deemed it of the greatest importance, (next to that of possessing the young Lady's whole heart,) that I should have your & Mrs. Moor's cordial approbation, before I could expect to be married to your daughter. --  It is your approbation to that important event or wish, that I now seek -- I think my happiness depends on a union with Miss Ann, sanctioned by your and Mrs. Moor's blessing.

             I am sensible that Parents are anxious, that their children should settle in the world, under favorable circumstances; and that commencing on moderate means, is venturing them to the mercy of Providence, and the good conduct of the person with whom they connect — I regret extreemly & consider it unfortunate, that my means are not more ample, more equal -- and feel that if I am so happy as to marry Ann, she will make a sacrifice for me, -- yet with this belief, I trust my exertions will be unremitted to render her comfortable & happy, and certainly my love & gratitude must be greatly excited --

             I don't wish to burden you with to[o] long a letter, but it may not perhaps be improper here to state to you som[e]thing of my standing. -- I commenced business, literally with nothing.   My Father is a man of property but his oldest children required his assistance more than I, and I never asked him for the common article, a horse, — Neither do I make any calculations, on what I may eventually have, and perhaps am now entitled to, and therefore will acknowledge that I expect to live by my own exertions and economy -- I estimate my property now, putting it at a moderate value, at $1,500 besides my debts — I owe som[e]thing above $150, which is principally to the Clerk and Sheriff, not yet due --

             Thus Sir I have ventured on this important subject.   If this should be favorably received, my feelings will be relieved, and I shall hope to profit by your advice.    In the mean time Sir, I remain

                                    with great respect

                                                Your Humble Servant --

                                                            JULIUS C. HUBBELL

                        Oct. 24, 1811—

 

Pliny Moor Esquire --

 [Hugh's Note:  Julius C. Hubbell, of Chazy, N.Y., and Anna Moore were married Monday, January 27, 1812, by Rev. Amos Pettengill, at the house of Judge Moore at Champlain, N.Y.]

 

 Thirty-six copies of this Letter were privately printed

by Hugh McLellan, in the month of September,

1919, at the Moorsfield Press, Cham-

plain, N.Y.  - the second

production of this

Press.