Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Nicholson letter to Major Burwell, 14 March 1700/1

I desired my very good friend Coll. Ludwell to speak with you concerning the most important
affair of my whole Life, being for ought I yet see, 'twill dispatch me into another world, or
make the small remainder of my life most unfortunate & uncomfortable in this; unless you, Sir,
be pleased to give me leave to make my addresses to yo^r daughter Madam Lucy: who by her beauty
many extraordinary vertues and rare accomplishments &c hath charmed me to a degree beyond expression &c.

The person who pretends to her I am sure cannot really be in love with her any otherwise
than for his own Interest; for certainly he would never have been so many days from seeing
her, when it was in his power so to do, for which one act alone I think he hath justly—
deserved to be debarred the honour & happiness of waiting upon the Lady: and by the strong
and mighty Law of Love he hath most justly forfeited any promise made either by yo^rself, or
the young Virgin. And then, Dear S^r, for Gods sake consider me, and whatever proposals
you shall make, if possible, I hope in God shall be complyed with by him who is

MS43.4: Francis Nicholson Papers
Lewis Burwell to Nicholson, 15 March 1700/1

Yo^rs of the 14^th instant have receiv'd, by w^ch do find you in extacy of trouble,
w^ch am heartily sorry for, but know not how to relieve, w^ch makes my concernm^t the more.
But to recall what is past is not in my power; for what is done was by my Leave which
for me to endeavor to prevent, being consenting to it, will make me seem odious in the sight
of God and man. And as for the young mans forfeiting by absence, she must be the only
Judge of. So hoping yo^r Excellency will excuse me for what is past, and wait with patience
the will of God, which I hope will bring all to pass for the best, is the hearty desire of

MS43.04: Francis Nicholson Papers
Nicholson to Major Burwell, 21 March 1700/1

To have been the messenger my self to enquire after the health and welfare of yo^r good family
in general, but more particularly for yo^r daughter Madam Lucy's would have been very
acceptable to me: but to then you how I can govern my common passion, I inflict this
punishment upon my self of staying here, rather than give yo^rself, or that most Angel-like
daughter of yo^rs (who hath so fully captivated all my passion) the least trouble.

But I hope, and that without offence, you will both of you be pleased to give me leave
to be concerned what in me lyes both for y^r Temporal and eternal felicity, w^ch if ever I can
be so fortunate as to be in any ways instrumental therein, I shall look upon it as a peice
of the best good fortune that hath befalne me in my life: and it may in some measure
alleviate the greatest misfortune thereof, Viz, that of not obtaining yo^rs and the fair &
vertuous Ladys consent and making me one of the most happy men alive. There's
nothing keeps me from sinking under the great weight of my misfortune, but that
the thing is not yet fully done, and that I conforme my self to ^the latter part of yo^r Lett^r
Viz to wait with patience the will of God, who I hope will bring all things to pass
for the best, which are my most hearty desires and prayers, as also that God Almighty
will graciously be pleased to protect, keep and guide yo^rself, as also that most incompa-
rable, and every way most accomplish'd Lady yo^r daughter M^rsa Lucy, whose great,
admirer and most faithfull Lover is