[Letter of 1869 May 10]

[Letter of 1869 May 10]

1869-05-10

Man-woman relationships

African Americans

Wiley, Edward A. [recipient]

image/jp2

Correspondence

This material is made available for private study, scholarship, and research use. For access to the original letter, or high-resolution reproduction, please contact the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection (blockson@temple.edu; 215-204-6632).

Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection

William Still Collection

Blockson manuscripts

William Still Collection

Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Libraries

blockson@temple.edu

BMS010X0057

Phila ,, May 10th, 69./ My Dear Edward:/ It is just seven/ minutes of twelve o’clock (at night)/ by my watch. I have been to church/ to-night and did not get home/ until ten and since then I have/ been copying that story of Mrs. H’s/ or rather punctuating it after hav=/ ing copied steadily all the after-/ noon and a good share of the/ morning. I am kind’a or tired but/ then I put tire to tire and begin/ again as the old woman said./ Your missive prized above all else/ earthly that I have since it alone/ can speak, for you to me came/ duly to hand. I was pleased to get/ it thus soon and have I believe been/ enabled to arrive at some conclusion/ concerning the contents. You know/ my love of home and what my pref/ erence is if married; however you/ know too that I am not inflexible/ but sometimes am able to be moved./ I have therefore been able to remove/ all obstacles from my mind and/ say to you if for the best that/ you go south I will follow. Of course/ you will not go yourself only under/ certain conditions and then not to/ the far south. I have undoubtedly my/ fears about certain portions and/ I want to know where my lot is to/ be cast as will you before leaving./ I can see no reason why you should/ not make all the inquiry necessary/ of the gentleman referred to and/ then if you should not be suited/ there would be no harm done./ Did Pres. Fairchild know of your/ visit to me? If so I suppose you/ made him acquainted with some/ of your intentions &c. If you should/ write to the gentleman and receive/ a reply you might forward said/ reply if you felt so disposed and/ I would get an idea without you/ having the trouble of writing it out./ I have as usual more irons in/ the fire than I know what to do/ with therefore the morning finds/ me wondering how I shall go this/ way and that and accomplish all./ I like very much your soliloquy touch=/ ing the married. Do often I doubt/ not the gratification of the animal/ passions holds sway. This should/ not be we know yet do we like=/ wise know that it is human na/ ture and must be dealt with ac/ cordingly. Truly is marriage for/ many holy purposes, but how often/ rendered a curse rather than a/ blessing. The sewing school we/ have closed for the Summer./ My two cent school comes on/ as usual the teacher being a little/ more regular in attendance than/ formerly or about a week or so/ ago. I have not had a letter/ from James since you went/ away. I shall hear perhaps/ to-day. I told him why you/ had not written but I dont/ think you ought to wait so long/ for a photograph. I shall wait patiently for mine. You ask what is said about your visit. Well/ numerous things and if I were/ in the habit of gossiping perhaps/ I would hear them. Of course/ I am to be married this one that/ one and the other heard and other/ things they say to my friends but/ not to me therefore I am spared./ Sallie thinks its no time to be trifling/ now too many deaths around us.