| Title | Letter from Charles J. Longsdon at Mount Pleasant, Illinois, to father William Longsdon at Little Longstone. Father's letter of 30 October received on 24 November, day on which Charles sent his last letter to father, and [sister] Emma. Father's letter of 28 November now received and Charles thinks it time to try to relieve father's anxiety which "your affection still preserves undiminished amid causes for your own personal fears amid losses and sacrifices". Charles had not expected such disapproval of his selling part of the farm because he had warned father twice of his intention; had sold before receiving letter asking him not to sell before advising father; encloses summary statement of account to show capital and expected receipts; promises to invest any capital not used for farm buildings until he settles down and needs it; expects farm to give him his living and pay 4 annual instalments of $350 on Railway land. Charles proposes to work own land another summer by which time it should be in good shape to rent, then to move into Bloomington neighbourhood. If he wishes to farm he can live with Mr Ellis and farm as much adjoining land as he can work without hired help. So he will place himself within reach of religious and social advantages and avoid carrying on a large farm with much hired help which his position as a single man renders irksome and unprofitable. Charles asks if it is necessary to make attainment of wealth the criterion of successful life, shows hurt that father considers him a failure, and denies that he acts on any settled opposition to his father's advice. The daydream of his life is to win his father's confidence.
Charles claims that 10½ years ago at 17 he came here to Hankey, a man they both trusted, set up a farming partnership in which mutual responsibilities not sufficiently distinct, and so entailed a heavy debt on father which for years produced embarassments and changes of plans which prevented him winning father's confidence. Charles claims not to have returned from England with clear field but to have advanced a little each year.
Property now worth twice $5000 in money advanced by father. Charles protests his affection and good intent. He does not understand father's remarks about his will and the loss to father and Emma if Charles dies. He asks to be told what father wants, and adds that he thinks his present will best as it is. 24 December 1857
Postscript from Blessington. Charles is staying with Mr Hodgson's family who send regards to father, Mrs James Longsdon's family, and Mrs Harris'. 9 January 1857 [sic] [1858]. |