1861 Sep[ember] 3 Melrose Place

My dear Clarence,

I am almost ashamed to
address you at a period so distant from
your marriage day; the Card of in-
vitation arrived safely, & we were gra
tified at the compliment, if we could
not be with you, in the most interesting
& important event of your life I sat
down to my desk, to offer you my
fervent wishes, for your happiness in
this new relation; but being called
away by some household duty, before
finishing my letter, I consigned it to
my Port-Folio, for a future period
not dreaming that I should have
it there, for several weeks--I then
comforted myself with the thought,
that you would take it for granted
that your Old Aunty Carlotta, most
fervently rejoiced, in your pleasant
prospects--and it was not necessary

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to affirm it in any way by writing--
Then too--I was afflicted with old
age--(the Poets declare that it is "Dark
& unlovely") Heart Disease, Bronchitis,
Asthma, Neuralgia, & loss of memory
a train of evils, that make me almost
forget that I am married myself.
I only hope dear Clarence, that the
kindly feelings, you once entertained
for me, have not passed away; and
you will take into consideration the
excuses I have here made, for my ne
glect: Procrastination is a miserable
habit; & I hope you may never fall
into it. I will now say that you, &
my new niece are the subjects of
many a thought, and I promise my
self the gratification of seeing you
at my house, at no very distant pe-
riod--A hearty Welcome to our family
Circle awaits you: may Heaven's blessing
be on your heads, & may you live
many years to contribute to each

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each others felicity. Now I wish to
say Please impress on your Wife's
cheek, an affectionate kiss from
your ancient friend, & if not dis-
agreeable to yourself, bestow three, as
the Dr. & Ned, desire also, to have
a share in so pleasant a matter.
--Having shewn yourself so good
an Union Man, on one respect, I trust
you will prove a strong Union
Man in these troublous times of
our Country's need; & give no coun
tenance to those restless, & reckless
spirits, who ae seeking the overthrown
of our mild, & excellent government
--I confess the subject of this civil war
with all its attendant horrors, has such
an all absorbing interest for me, that
I can hardly occupy my mind with
any thing else. My Katie's husband
who was doing a very fine Law business
on Broadway N. York City for Stewart
and the principal Merchants, left it all

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with his Partner & taking leave of his
Wife & six children hastened to the
threatened danger at Washington.
He is now at Alexandria--
We have written to Katie to come to
us until the close of the War, which
I trust will speedily end.---
Clarence, I often think of that
nice ride, you & I had, to the "Water
Cure," when you drove "2-40"--& fright
ened your venerable Aunty, so much
to your own amusement--& now
what a change! a married Man!!
with the weighty responsibility of taking
care of Wife, house affairs &c &c--
Well! dear Clarence, may you never
prove recreant to these important
duties; but as each year rolls on be
found more useful, more happy
and at last receive a bright portion
in another & more enduring state
of existence With much love to
your spouse, and her relatives
believe me as ever yours afft, Carlotta

Carlotta refers to Clarence driving a mile in 2 minutes, 40 seconds, once a racetrack record and already popularized in the 1857 song "Jingle Bells."

MSS 38-382