St. Louis June 11/61

My dear Sir:

The subject which you introduced to me yesterday has had the Consideration which its importance demands. I have always regarded the “Giving Away” of a loved daughter in marriage, as one of the severest trials to which a fond parent is subject, and more peculiarly so, when, as is the present Case, it is An Only One; always dutiful, affectionate and devoted to her parents, whose hand is solicited – It is natural that everything appertaining to & Connected with her present & future in all the relations of life, should deeply interest her parents, and her happiness being with them paramount to every other Consideration, I Could Not do any thing which would have a tendency to mar it. In thus giving my Consent, I do not feel as though it were to One Comparatively a Stranger, but to One whom I have known for several years & in whose uprightness of Conduct I have every Confidence, whose father was One of my Earliest friends & whom I still hold in high estimation for his many sterling Virtues.

This is No Small degree tends to lessen the Anxiety which naturally fills a parent’s heart in such an Event, and now having given my assent, My prayer will be that your Union & journey through life will be a happy one. To be exempt from trials in a sinful World like this, and so much of it in our own hearts, you will not expect. No, they will Come, and Divine Grace Alone can qualify you to meet them with a Christian Spirit & to bear you up under them; And I fondly trust that such Grace may be bestowed upon you both, as that you may not be only be found walking together in ‘Wisdom’s pleasant Ways,” but sharing in Each other’s pleasures, sympathizing tenderly in Each one’s Cares they dwelling together in love, and so Cheerfully “fulfilling the law of Christ.”

Truly Your Friend,
William Nisbet

To Leonard Matthews Esq.