Library Collections: Document: Full Text
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Thomas Gallaudet To Mason Cogswell, January 17, 1816
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To Dr. M. F. Cogswell
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| 2 | Havre, January 17th, 1816. | |
| 3 | My dear Sir:- | |
| 4 | To-morrow I expect to sail from these parts in the Mary Augusta with Captain Hall, for New York, in company with Mr. S. V. S. Wilder, Mr. Upson's particular friend, and a Mr. Clerc whom perhaps you may have heard of or seen his name mentioned in some of the papers. He is a Frenchman born near Lyons, and ever since one year of age has labored under the same difficulty with Alice. The Abbe Sicard has had him under his care for these fifteen years past, during eight of which he had charge of one of the classes in the institution. He is the identical Clerc who with Massieu made such a figure among the nobility in London last summer. He goes with me somewhat in the character of an assistant in our intended establishment and as I do not like to have anything uncertain when it can be made sure, after having obtained the Abbe's consent, I have entered into actual stipulations with Mr. Clerc by which he is bound to remain with me for three years for a certain sum, which I will not mention at present, but which if the good folks, my follow citizens, do not choose to pay- I will quite off their hands. But I am ironical when I ought to be very serious. Yes, my dear friend, Providence, has most kindly provided for my study and successful return by furnishing me with the most accomplished pupil of the Abbe Sicard and one, too, who is not less recommended by the probity and sweetness of his character, so far as I have been able to ascertain it, than by his rare talents. He already understands a good deal of English. We shall work together on the passage so that he may acquire more. A few months in America will quite make him master of it. The train of events which has thus led to my very unexpected departure I have not even time to tell you. I should have written you before but the affair was not entirely finished till within a few days past, and I did not like to write while there was any fear of disappointment. | |
| 5 | A few weeks will I hope conduct me to you. I look to God for his protection and blessing. To Him be all the glory if our undertaking is at last crowned with success. I had a letter from you lately but it was an old date, February 4th. | |
| 6 | I hope you are all well. I write in great haste. My best love to Mrs. C. and the children. Remember me to the rest of the family and friends. | |
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Yours truly,
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