George W. Erving to Harriet Hackley

My dear Mrs Hackley I am sure that it will give you pleasure to learn that I have arrived safely at this city, & still more that I have found here your excellent husband in perfect health & all things considered in good heart; The misfortunes which he has had to encounter have been sufficiently severe to break that of most men, but he has met them with an admirable philosophy, & in the midst of difficulties & vexations of all sorts preserves that tranquillity of spirit which forms such an aimable feature in his character.—It is impossible to conceive of more various, more complicated, & more abominable iniquities than those which have produced his misfortunes: Satan himself seems to have labord in the work of his ruin, all that deep & abandoned villainy, most horrid ingratitude, & envenomed calumny, can do have been brought against him:—the trials of Job were not more severe, I cannot think that his patience was greater.—I have examined with attention the papers relating to McCanns roberries, they are a frightful amount if Mr H. coud only get back half of it, he woud be a rich man & all his debts paid:—finally not to dwell on this painful subject, I will conclude by observing, that in all the transactions referred to I can see nothing for Mr H. to accuse himself of, but too much charity & mildness.—

Now Mr H. has good hopes of bringing his affairs to a tolerable conclusion, & of returning to you and his country:—about all these matters he has written to you particularly & it is unnecessary for me to say any thing. My principal object in writing to you is to assure you of my constant desire to promote his [. . .] views & that he will have all the assistance which I may be able to afford him

Believe me my dear Mrs Hackley to be always with most respectful regard Yours
George W. Erving
RC (NcU: NPT); addressed: “Mrs Hackley (at Post Office) Farm-ville Prince Edward Cy Virginia”; stamped and postmarked.
Date Range
Date
August 1, 1816
Collection
Repository