1833 March 21, White Cottage, Woodbourne, to Susan Newbold

              I have experienced some little embarrassment in my recent intercourse with thee, and in that spirit of candour which I admire, however small may be the portion of it that I possess, I wish to explain, or advert to the cause of it. the amount & substance of what I wish to say, is, that I hope, if I may have shown that I like thee, or that I have a partiality for thee, then wilt not suppose that I am striving to alienate thy affections from another quarter. and injustice has been done me if it has been represented to thee, that I have in any way, made such an attempt. I do not altogether like this formal mode of making this communication, but there has not seemed to be a suitable opportunity of doing it in conversation. whatever may be our future connexions or situation in life, I am desirous that nothing should occur to mar the friendship which I believed has always subsisted between us since we have been acquainted with each other. and I think it is not surprising that I should have some feelings on this subject, when it is considered that thou art the only person in the community, whose sentiments coincide with my own. I have often admired the moderate firmness with which, almost single handed and as it were alone, thou hast adhered to principles, and as I believe correct principles; and not the less, because they have been adhered to by thee, more steadfastly than by