Sam[ue]l L. Mitchill ALS to [Catharine] Mitchill, January 2, 1802

(Confidential)

23

Washington City Jany. 2. 1802.

The Freedom with which I write to you, my love, is a
proof of my unlimited confidence in your prudence. You must
therefore be careful that none of the letters I write get into
other People's hands. The matter they contain is meant for
your entertainment and instruction. But I positively forbid
either the lending them out, or the granting Copies of them, or
the letting them lay about house. Carry them in your pocket
or lock them in the Secretary. Show them or read them to
Margaret and Martha and Mother, because they will feel in-
terested in them, and make a proper use of their Contents
The principal use they will answer at present is to enlarge
your Mind and furnish you with the Materials of ratio-
nal and sensible Conversation.

The Reason of these Cautions
is that I have lately seen in the News-Papers several extracts
from my letters written (not to you) but to other Persons, which
I did not inted for the publick eye. This publication of the
private Correspondence of public Men is one of the great E-
-vils of our Times. Be therefore on your guard, my
dear