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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D3580/EF/574
TitleDraft letter to Charles J. Longsdon by father, William Longsdon, stating that it has always been a matter of pain and surprise that when asked about his accounts and business operations Charles generally shows irritation and asks what is the use of it. When Charles first went to Illinois there was hope that he was starting a career in life which might lead early to a tolerable independence, and father willingly made sacrifices to provide funds to assist him. Father thinks his original opinion not ill founded, and Charles' want of more success due to lack of careful thought, methodical plan, and not keeping accounts to show cost of every kind of work, and every purpose for which money expended. A simple bank book would have done all this, and a little trouble in placing each item in its special account in another book. "Let me remark for the last time I shall ever do so, that unless you will adopt some system of kind you will never know from what causes your property dwindles away". Were Charles able to exhibit yearly statements shewing results whether profit or loss, father would have had a confidence in his future plans which it is now impossible for him to feel.
It was not in William's power to keep Charles in England with anything like so good a chance of reaching a desirable position and getting settled in life as afforded by going to America. He might perhaps have placed Charles with a Draper or a Druggist, trades which seldom fail to yield a comfortable living when conducted with diligence and courtesy. But he though the better plan the one he adopted.
William thinks it quite possible that both Charles and Emma have taken up ideas about their personal position neither consistent with nor justified by facts concerning either himself or them. If William has performed any duties in life to full it is in the acknowledgement of Charles and his sister as his children, and in the care he has taken of them. He asks Charles to reflect on what might have happened had they been left in Charleston to work for a precarious living. More might be said but some of it would be painful to Charles' sister, and as William's life is so near its end he will stop. "No man's feelings have more naturally inclined him to be affectionate than your Father's".
William writes this as his farewell letter, and will add a few comments which, if not useful, will do no harm. He tells Charles never to feel reluctant to provide for himself without the aid of a servant until he is able to pay one. Only a small proportion of the world can afford to hire the labour of others. To make one's own bed or wash one's own shirt is no great evil in new countries if other matters go right, and those who most assist themselves are always the most respected and win the most confidence.
William has already told Charles that at or soon after his death he will receive sufficient property to make a new start but in the meantime he must limit himself to the amount remaining from his aunt's legacy, which William will try to send soon. Apparent state of Charles' health gives father great concern. He advises him to try to make some arrangement to spare himself all heavy labour this year and devote time to seeking information as to some other occupation than grainfarming - coal trade, lumber trade, store keeping in a town, cotton planting, stock farming, and steam boating. He warns him to remember that a change of trades is always a good risk. He advises caution in beginning, and method and perseverance aided by systematic economy. 6 and 20 April 1866
Date1866
Extent1 volume
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Archive CreatorLongsdon family of Little Longstone
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