The Andrew Wylie Family Letters - Indiana University Bloomington

[note on the side] Received Aug 1850
Date May 28 th -50
Ningpo
China
Fragment of letter from Samuel Wylie, Cincinnati, to Elizabeth Wylie, Bloomington, July 3 rd ,
1850
. . . courted about one hundred times unsuccessfully. This must all depend upon your success in
breaking off the Quaker match (which you have no right to do)
I think if you would send him such a dose as you sent me, it would open his eyes until he
thought he had been playing one of the characters in Midsummer’s Night Dream.
I went down to L[ouisville] on business which paid most of my expenses. I had a most
delightful time of it, for which I was indebted entirely to Dr Gross. My business was with him
& it was thus I formed his acquaintance. He invited me to his house - spoke of me to the Ward
family who made a small party for me &c &c. Of course I enjoyed the distinguished honor of
talking to and escorting the notorious Mrs Sallie, who was lately divorced from B Lawrence of
Boston. Her mother I was very much pleased with. & Sallie too so far as her politeness to me
was concerned. I was detained so long in the city, I could not go into the country as I intended,
& thus missed the chief pleasure which might have been derived from my visit. I may go down
however in the course of a month or so. I have never asked that little gal of mine what she got
pouted about & don’t intend to do so. I am satisfied however I could put her in a good humor if
I should try. When John was here I took him around to see some of our young ladies, with all of
whom he was quite pleased.
I suppose you will have some grand doing in B[loomington] tomorrow the 4th. I never in
my life witnessed a more quiet approach of the 4th of July. I had forgotten until this moment that
it appeared again with the morrow’s Sun. This is the third one which has (I speak a few hours in
the prospective) greeted me in Cincinnati. I do begin to feel old--and have not yet started in life
& what is the worst of it, do not feel qualified to stand forth and take my place in society as a man
strong in intellectu al power & acquirements.
I recollect a remark however of Judge McD[onald] that even the greatest man gained as
much by the ignorance of others, as by his own knowledge. This is however a very dangerous
consolation to hug in one’s arms.
I am truly glad to learn that Dr. D[odd]’s propects are improving. I suppose the bullion is
getting plenty in your neighborhood since the discovery of the Brown County gold mines.
Bryan had a letter from home the other day. All the family / including Carry /, with the
exception of And.w are going to the Springs.
Tell Aunt A[bbie] - she is a great goose to think of going back to Pa. when she might catch the old
judge O[tto] by staying in Ind.a [Indiana] next winter.
Love to all
yours affect y .
Sam’l T. Wylie
Miss Liz Wylie
Bloomington Ind.
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P.S. Ain’t you ashamed of your vanity in comparing your hand -writing with mine.
Tell father not to forget that when he attends the conven tion he is to have his trunk sent
directly to McG[uffey] He spoke of it again yesterday.
S T. W
Andrew Wylie to John H. Wylie, Terre Haute, Indiana
Bloomington July 17 th 1850
Dear Son:
Your letter of the 11 th did not reach me in time to allow me to answer it as you requested
“by the return mail,” of Saturday: That day I had to prepare three discourses to be delivered yesterday,
besides other sundries of duty. Today I will be engaged examining the Senior class as for
their Degree so that I may not be able to finish this in time for the next return mail. I mention
these things that you may see how it is that I having so many cares am not able to do as I would
wish in writing letters. From your letter from Cin.ti I inferred you had made up your mind to
remain there. A letter from Sam. let us know you had gone to Terre Haute And till your letter of
the 11th was received I rested somewhat easy in the hope that you had found “an opening” (as
the phrase is) in that place. That letter leaves the matter of your stay there even for a few days
so doubtful that I know not what to do. Your mother, who got home safe Saturday—two weeks,
used 30 dollars of your money, she says, for travelling expenses. This I would have borrowed
& sent you in this letter had I been certain of your remaining till it should reach Terre Haute.
As it is, by shewing this part of what I now write, or by repeating it, to Mr Jenks he will furnish
you with what money you may want on this my pledge to pay him when he comes to our ensuing
Commencement. There is due me from S. P. Farley, according to his own acknowlegement,
a balance on the 2d note given in purchase of a Press in April 1843, as follows.--this statement I
copy from a letter of Jn Cowgill Esq r now before me dated “Green castle June 13th --46
Amount of Note due 9th May 1845 84.00
Interest on same to Dec.r 10th --45 --7 months 2.94
86.94
Deduct payment then made -- -- -- 46.00
40.94
Interest to June 10th --46--6 months 1.23
42.17
Last summer on my return from Terre Haute, I received of the above sum 20 dollars on
order on a man in Spencer. My receipt will shew the time. From these data you can see what
is due on that note from said Farley. The note was lost by Lows to whom I gave it to give to
Judge Morrison for collection: but Farley will admit the truth of the above statement--& I hereby
authorize you to get the money from him & receipt for it in my name. He is in a printing office in
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