LETTER XLI.
To Henry Colden.
Philadelphia, Dec. 3.
Sir,
My daughter informs me that the letter she has just despatched
to you, contains her resolution of never seeing you
more. I likewise discover that she has requested, and expects
a reply from you, in which, she doubts not, you will
confirm her resolution.
You, no doubt, regard me as your worst enemy. No
request from me can hope to be complied with, yet I cannot
forbear suggesting the propriety of your refraining from
making any answer to my daughter's letter.
In my treatment of you, I shall not pretend any direct
concern for your happiness. I am governed, whether erroneously
or not, merely by views to the true interest of
Mrs. Talbot, which, in my opinion, forbids her to unite herself
to you. But if that union be calculated to bereave
her of happiness, it cannot certainly be conducive to yours.
If you consider the matter rightly, therefore, instead of accounting
me an enemy, you will rank me among your benefactors.
You have shewn yourself, in some instances, not destitute
of generosity. It is but justice to acknowledge, that your
late letter to me avows sentiments such as I by no means
expected, and makes me disposed to trust your candor to
acquit my intention at least of some of the consequences of
your father's resentment.
I was far from designing to subject you to violence or ignominy,
and meant nothing by my application to him but
your genuine and lasting happiness.
I dare not hope that it will ever be in my power to appease
that resentment which you feel for me. I cannot
expect that you are so far raised above the rest of men, that
any action will be recommended to you by its tendency
to oblige me; yet I cannot conceal from you that your reconcilement
with your father will give me peculiar satisfaction.
I ventured on a former occasion to make you an offer,
on condition of your going to Europe, which I now beg
leave to repeat. By accepting the enclosed bill, and embarking
for a foreign land without any further intercourse,
personally or by letter, with my daughter, and after reconciliation
with your father, you will confer a very great favor
on one, who, notwithstanding appearances, has acted in a
manner that becomes
Your true friend,
M. Fielder.
