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From a Daughter to her Father, pleading for her Sister, who had married without his consent

HONORED SIR: The kind indulgence you have always shown to your children, makes me presume to become an advocate for my sister, though not for her fault. She is very sensible of that, and sorry she has offended you; but has great hopes that Mr. Stebbins will prove such a careful and loving husband to her, as may atone for her past wildness, and engage your forgiveness; for all of your children are sensible of your parental kindness, and that you wish their good more for their sakes than your own.

This makes it the more wicked to offend so good a father; but, dear sir, be pleased to consider that it cannot now be helped, and that she may be made by your displeasure very miserable in her choice; and that his faults are owing to the inconsideration of youth: otherwise, it would not have been a very discreditable match, had it had your approbation. I could humbly hope, for my poor sister's sake, that you will be pleased rather to encourage his present good resolutions by your kind favor, than to make him despair of a reconciliation, and so perhaps treat her with a negligence which hitherto she is not apprehensive of; for he is really very fond of her, and I hope will continue so. Yet is she dejected for her fault to you, and wishes, yet dreads, to have your leave to throw herself at your feet, to beg your forgiveness and blessing, which would make the poor dear offender quite happy.

Pardon, sir, my interposing in her favor, in which my husband also joins. She is my sister. She is your daughter; though she has not done so worthily as I could wish. Be pleased, sir to forgive her, however; and also forgive me, pleading for her.

Your ever dutiful daughter.