Ward, Artemas (1727-1800) to Maria Ward
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01782 Author/Creator: Ward, Artemas (1727-1800) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 February 1792 Pagination: 2 p. ; 22 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Massachusetts Congressman Ward to his daughter Maria. Says he should write more often, but he is old and his hand shakes. Remarks that he finds the situation in Philadelphia is not to his liking saying "I can enjoy but little pleasure in this place, it is unhealthy, the people immoral and disagreeable. There is more pleasure to be had in New England by far than in this part of the Union." Complains the common people are ignorant and carry only for money. Says parents in Philadelphia need to be better guides for their children. On recto is a note in a different hand that says "Gen Ward to his sister." This is false, the closing of the letter says "your affectionate father."
Philadelphia February 6th 1792.
Dear Maria
I should have wrote you before this time but writing is become rather burdensome as I grow old my hand shakes and it is hard work to do that which in times past was not troublesome to do. I hope this will find you & all your connections in perfect health & happiness. At present I am not very well but through mercy able to keep about and attend Congress. I can enjoy but little pleasure in this place, it is unhealthy, the people immoral and disagreeable, there is more pleasure to be had in New England by far than in this part of the Union, there are many serious
people I doubt not in this City, but I fear there are more that have not the fear of God before their eyes. As ignorant as the common people in New England may appear yet it seems as though there was as much difference Between them and the common people here as there is between these and our horses they don't appear to know anything or but very little about Religion or Politicks. All their pursuits seem to be money, if they are not called upon to pay money as taxes or duty or excise they dont appear to care anything about Government. Indeed they know nothing scarcely about it. The ignorance of this people serves as a lesson to all parents to be very attentive to the instruction of [struck: their of] their children and families by instilling into them when young good morals and teach them to read & write that they may be able when they come to more mature age to increase in knowledge by their own industry. [2] Persons that are not well instructed nor governed when young rarely if ever make good members of society; it is therefore of great importance that heads of families be attentive to the education of their children and servants and teach them their duty and show them the way in which they should walk and not by a foolish fondness instead of true love for them permit them to rush into the br[inserted: o]adway to destruction. Family government is of vast importance, it is the nursery of all government; more depends in my opinion upon it than people generally are apt to think. That you and your companion in life may faithfully discharged your respective duties [struck: in life] with fidelity is the sincere desire and ardent prayer of your affectionate father.
Artemas Ward
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