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The Officer's Letter to the Lady's Father

HONORED SIR: The generosity which I experienced from you whilst our regiment was stationed at West Point, will ever lay me under the greatest obligations; but at present I have something of more importance to communicate, upon which all my happiness or misery in this world depends, and your answer will either secure the one or hasten the other.

The many amiable accomplishments of your beloved Sophia stole insensibly on my heart, and I found myself passionately in love with her before I was able to make a declaration of my sentiments; nor did I do it until the day we were ordered to march. I hope, therefore, you will forgive my not mentioning it to you; I was really so much agitated, as to be nearly unable to attend to my duty. I doubt not that one of your sensibility knows what it is to be in love. Your daughter, I freely acknowledge, is adorned with so many virtues, that she is entitled to the best husband in America; and although I dare not hope to merit that appellation, yet I will make it my constant study to promote her happiness.

I have often told you that my parents died whilst I was young, and left me to the care of an uncle lately returned from the East Indies, where he had acquired a considerable fortune. My inclination led me to the army, and my uncle had procured me a commission.

Ever since, he has treated me as his own son; and being a bachelor, has made a will in my favor. He is now a Senator in Congress, and has given me leave to choose a wife for myself, without any other qualifications than virtue. I have written to him concerning your daughter, and his answer is, that he shall consider me as extremely happy in being connected with so worthy a family as yours. I hope you will not have any objection against my being in the army. It was originally my own choice, and I doubt not of rising in time to the command of a regiment. There is a sort of reve- : rential fear upon my mind, whilst I am writing to so worthy a person as the father of my beloved Sophia.

Dear sir, excuse my youth and the violence of my passion. Let me beg your answer, and oh! let it contain your approbation.

I am, honored sir, yours with the greatest respect.