Fort Worth Daily Gazette

COURTING IN OLD TIMES.

Interesting Correspondence Between Lover and a Father.

Norfolk Virginian.

Of the following letters one is from Mr. John Wise, father of the late General Henry A. Wise, written to General John Cooper, seeking permission to address his daughter, and the other is General Cooper's reply.

In Mr. Wise's letter he says:

"Feeling myself irresistibly impelled by inclination, and prompted by a sense of propriety, I have presumed now to address you upon a subject of importance and delicacy.

Having conceived an affection for your daughter (Miss Sally), I beg leave to solicit your permission to make address to her, and at the same time let me express the hope that should I be so fortunate as to succeed in gaining her affections, my first wishes may not be frustrated by your disapprobation. I have thought proper to make this application to you on the subject in this manner, rather than in person, because my character (if I had acquired any), my condition and my situation in life, are not altogether unknown to you, and if objections are made they can be more freely communicated in this than in any other way. I have hitherto proceeded no farther with the lady than merely obtain her permission to make this application; and, sir, I now pledge you the honor of a gentleman, that in case you have an objection of an insuperable nature to the proposed union whatever may be the chagrin, regret, and mortification which I may feel on the occasion, I will not disturb the quiet of a parent extremely solicitous, no doubt, for the happiness of a beloved daughter, by persisting any farther with her."

Under date of May 11, 1797, General Cooper responded, saying:

"Although the application made by your letter of this day was unexpected, yet my reflections heretofore on the subject have prepared me to answer: That however solicitous I may be for the temporal felicity of my daughter, and the future respectability of my daughter, she is the only proper judge of the person best calculated to make her happy. Respect and impartiality ought to be shown by me to any gentleman that might make his address to my daughter, and I confide in your candor and judgment."