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Lot 364
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Yale Student Writes to His Friend and Future Congressman from New York
Yale Student Writes to His Friend and Future Congressman from New York
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Yale Student Writes to His Friend and Future Congressman from New York

“Put away with such a subject as anything. I will now choose another for instance Nothing which doubtless you discovered long ago, what an extensive matter it is especially for letter writing.”

In this charming letter, Yale student Elisha Dana Whittlesey writes from New Haven to his friend Charles Humphrey in Newburg, New York. Both went on to become lawyers, but Whittlesey died twelve years after graduating from Yale, at age 31. Humphrey went on to serve as an officer in the War of 1812 and represent a region of New York in Congress (1825-1827) and in the New York Assembly (1834-1836, 1842).

[YALE UNIVERSITY.] Elisha Dana Whittlesey, Autograph Letter Signed, to Charles Humphrey, June 3, 1809, New Haven, Connecticut. 2 pp., 8" x 9.5". Expected folds; some small holes and two significant tears affecting three lines of text; some staining.

Complete Transcript
N. Haven Y. College 3d June 1809
Dear Friend
Although I have excuses that will justify me in my own opinion from my long delay of writing, yet shall confess myself guilty and therefore forbear from any apologies; for apologies in a letter were never made unless to fill up the blank sheet which lies before the person who writes. Accordingly I shall omit them and proceed to my never worn out subject anything. I would not wish, however, to be understood to mean the anything of women: because I have long ago done with treating in any manner on that object (without it is occasionally). You likewise observe I use the word women: I do on this account viz. that they do not deserve any other appellation, such as fair-[sex &] Ladies. Unless in the first case it is because they are decorated with all the dazzling splendor which genius & art can invent, but within, to be concise, are doubly impotent and vain. In the other case I suppose that sex are called ladies only by those who are overpowered by the charms of love and thus cannot obtain a certain something which is desireable to most persons to gain which they are called ladies for their affection and esteem.
I have this moment dropped my pen to take a quid of Tobacco and on retaking it & reading over what I have written I could not but exclaim to myself. Put away with such a subject as anything. I will now choose another for instance Nothing which doubtless you discovered long ago, what an extensive matter it is especially for letter writing. Why I could even give you scriptural proof were it necessary that we are the Grandsons of nothing, if it allowed we are the sons of Adam. And that is not all I could demonstrate to a tittle were it not self evident that at present I am about nothing. But what need of so much nonsense, I am sure it is not pleasing to me why then should it be to you. For a person to read what he cannot understand indeed it must be pleasant. I guess Sir by this time you think I have followed Cicero’s instructions, ie “never [digress?] from your subject.” Thus endeth the second point.
In the third place, I shall assume no more subjects but offer my non sentiments as occasion requires. Well then, since the time that has elapsed between our daily seeing each other, have you not thought of little naked Cupid? has not his arrows been drawn upon you? have they not been aimed? have they not been fired? have they not been effectual? If you can justly answer these questions in the negative all is well, if otherwise – then – consider, be not too hasty in choosing a companion for life, for on that our happiness and enjoyment depend (as some think). But what need of talking about such things since every one is best acquainted with his own situation, as though one was directing a superior to observe some great instructions. If you are tired of reading, as you actually are, throw my letter aside, you are not compelled to read against your will, but this I know, you are obliged to pay postage against your will. If so, then why should I even suffer the thought of sending such a scrawl. surely it is unanswerable. Oh enough; enough of such stuff.
Then let us once more wheel about. Although in the first place I determined to restrain from excuses yet I cannot forbear, especially when I consider I should have written you long since had I but known you was at N Burg or at what place you resided, having for a long time past enquired but not being able to hear any thing of C. Humphrey my old companion, till at length I had almost despaired of ever hearing from you again. I concluded you must be engaged in a seafaring life, in which I recollect you determined if possible to be employed, then you must let this suffice for my long delay of writing, & for the future let us keep a correspondence long wished for me. I should have visited you at N. Burg in the last vacation which I have for a long while wished, but not finding any one who would accompany me and there were many who conveniently could especially [T Closk?] at last gave over the idea and determined to write. The reason is probably that he of late having become a complete Gallant among the girls and appears so well to understand the art of pleasing that he is busily employed – all your Friends speak frequently of you wishing at the same time to see you. If it should suit your convenience to visit Danbury at any time when I am home or N Haven when I am here I should be extremely glad to see you and converse with you as well as to correspond with you while at N. Burg for a communication with my old acquaintance is one of my greatest enjoyments
With high considerations of esteem I remain your very humble Servt
Elisha Dana Whittlesey

P.S. married on Sabbath Evening Last Alanson Hamlin Esq. to Mrs. Mary Whittlesey

Elisha Dana Whittlesey (1792-1823) was born in Danbury, Connecticut, to prominent Danbury attorney Elisha Whittlesey and his wife Mary (Tucker) Whittlesey. After his father died in 1802, his mother married Alanson Hamlin in 1809. Hamlin had been the younger Elisha Whittlesey’s tutor to prepare him for college. Whittlesey graduated from Yale College in 1811. He studied law and practiced in Waterloo, New York. He was ill for several years and returned to his mother’s house in Danbury, where he died at age 31.

Charles Humphrey (1792-1850) was born in Little Britain, New York, but moved with his family to Newburgh, New York, at an early age. He attended the Newburgh Academy and then studied law. He entered the United States Army as a sergeant at the beginning of the War of 1812 and was commissioned a captain in the 41st U.S. Infantry in August 1813. After the war, he resumed the study of law and gained admission to the bar in Newburgh in 1816. Two years later, he moved to Ithaca, New York. He won election to the Nineteenth Congress as an Adams candidate and served from March 1825 to March 1827. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1834 to 1836 and in 1842 and served as Speaker in 1835 and 1836. He served as clerk of the New York Supreme Court from 1843 to 1847.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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