Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP14875
Date
1915 August 11
Source
Edith Bolling Wilson Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia
Language
English
Text
10 Park Place– Geneva
945 a.m.
Welcome home, my precious One, and oh! if I were only really there to throw my arms 'round you and make you know how welcome you really are – Always – I have just gotten your delicious long letter of Monday night and Tuesday morning–every word of which thrills me with happiness –and the little hurried note telling me your plan to leave today for Washington – Dearest my thoughts will follow you every mile of the road – and fly before to welcome your coming– I believe, in a way, you will be happier in Washington and certainly more content that you are in direct touch with things that are so vital –Bless your heart for wanting to do as I asked about the trip down— But if it is rainy and cold you would not enjoy the motor, so I am glad you are going by train– I will be at the station in Windsor at 3 to bid you God speed and then by your side all the way in my thoughts. And I do hope this will reach you early tomorrow – but am afraid it can't much before lunch time.
Please don't plunge into things so deep that you will wear yourself out, and do try to get out for golf and long rides– I read in your letter a certain restlessness to be back at the source of things – and that you were uncertain as to the full report submitted to you. We got back from our trip to Dansville and thence to Letchworth Park late yesterday afternoon– and found your precious letter of Sunday andMonday Saturday Monday — (Please pardon such a mix up) waiting for me with the additional pleasure of the contents of the big envelope– I could hardly wait to get my things off and get rid of people, to come to you for our daily talk together– But at last I did close my door – and, refreshed from brushing up – and a hurried plunge in the tub– settle down on the big bed with your letter. I read it through three times without stopping – and wanted it to go on and on — It brought you so vividly to me –and I could feel your dear heart beating against mine as I held you close and told you all about our trip – and how glad I was to get home–to your arms again – and how safe I felt when they encircled me– The trip was nice – and the Park very beautiful – An old fashioned farm house in the centre of a thousand acres of wood land from the windows of which you can see the Falls below in a deep ravine–roaring and tumbling from a great height – They are very lovely, but absurd in comparison to Niagara – and to my mind the trees are the feature of the place
–We enjoyed wandering around and seeing an old Indian camping ground and a rude sort of hut called the “Council House” where the Indians are supposed to have met to settle affairs –This part of the country is really wonderful for farming and fruit growing and is a swelling, fertile landscape quite different from the ruggedness of Vermont and New Hampshire — We came all through the famous Genesee Valley and saw the Wadsworth's places – and many others finer and much better kept up. Since the terrific storm I wrote you of on Sunday – we have had no rain, but really lovely weather, and today is so fresh and invigoratingWe have just come from a spin to Mr. Roses' farm (1145) and he is calling me to come join him on the porch – so I can't write as long a letter as I wanted to – We are going to the country club tonight for dinner– and afterwards home for “Auction”– I have not yet begun golf as we have been away the only days it has not rained — and some way I feel I would rather wait and have you teach me= Thank you for sending me Mr. L's letter regarding the A.B.C. — It does sound as though they might accomplish what you want and you are the most marvelous person in the world if you can do this with those wretched Mexicans
I am awfully interested to know what reply Mr. L. made to the German gentleman in regard to his letter about “cotton”— It is extraordinary to a degree, and shows howthis his country watches day and night. I am keeping all these things locked up–and will return them at any time if you need them– I think what you say regarding Mr. Page is true, that there seems much more reason for him to stay there to keep you informed – than to come here to inform himself unless he is so steeped in the English point of view that he does not see straight.Oh my precious Woodrow how I do want to talk to you and know if you are worried over things and just keeping up a show to me – to “play the game” as you say– Don't do this, always tell me frankly – will you – the true state of things? and if you are well and your eyes and head are behaving?
What a wild trip Margaret and your sister “et als” had– I hope little Josephine was none the worse for it. They will all feel desolate today without you I know–Thank you again for all your sweet sympathy about Panama– and your permission to use your dear name. I have not written to either Rolfe or his wife again because I did not want any other letter to get there at the same time mine did to Elizabeth, for fear she would think they had asked me to write – I told her “if she wanted to get away where she could think things over quietly for awhile, to come to me– but not to let Mr. Boyd follow her– for that would defeat what she wanted – and I could not help her–” Another letter from Rolfe said the uncle was to arrive the next day so I am holding my breath to see what happens– I am sorry you have really worried over it–but please don't any more–for “we” have done all we can– Now I must go– I will write tomorrow–
My tender love and a welcoming kiss–from,
Edith
945 a.m.
Welcome home, my precious One, and oh! if I were only really there to throw my arms 'round you and make you know how welcome you really are – Always – I have just gotten your delicious long letter of Monday night and Tuesday morning–every word of which thrills me with happiness –and the little hurried note telling me your plan to leave today for Washington – Dearest my thoughts will follow you every mile of the road – and fly before to welcome your coming– I believe, in a way, you will be happier in Washington and certainly more content that you are in direct touch with things that are so vital –Bless your heart for wanting to do as I asked about the trip down— But if it is rainy and cold you would not enjoy the motor, so I am glad you are going by train– I will be at the station in Windsor at 3 to bid you God speed and then by your side all the way in my thoughts. And I do hope this will reach you early tomorrow – but am afraid it can't much before lunch time.
Please don't plunge into things so deep that you will wear yourself out, and do try to get out for golf and long rides– I read in your letter a certain restlessness to be back at the source of things – and that you were uncertain as to the full report submitted to you. We got back from our trip to Dansville and thence to Letchworth Park late yesterday afternoon– and found your precious letter of Sunday and
–We enjoyed wandering around and seeing an old Indian camping ground and a rude sort of hut called the “Council House” where the Indians are supposed to have met to settle affairs –This part of the country is really wonderful for farming and fruit growing and is a swelling, fertile landscape quite different from the ruggedness of Vermont and New Hampshire — We came all through the famous Genesee Valley and saw the Wadsworth's places – and many others finer and much better kept up. Since the terrific storm I wrote you of on Sunday – we have had no rain, but really lovely weather, and today is so fresh and invigoratingWe have just come from a spin to Mr. Roses' farm (1145) and he is calling me to come join him on the porch – so I can't write as long a letter as I wanted to – We are going to the country club tonight for dinner– and afterwards home for “Auction”– I have not yet begun golf as we have been away the only days it has not rained — and some way I feel I would rather wait and have you teach me= Thank you for sending me Mr. L's letter regarding the A.B.C. — It does sound as though they might accomplish what you want and you are the most marvelous person in the world if you can do this with those wretched Mexicans
I am awfully interested to know what reply Mr. L. made to the German gentleman in regard to his letter about “cotton”— It is extraordinary to a degree, and shows how
What a wild trip Margaret and your sister “et als” had– I hope little Josephine was none the worse for it. They will all feel desolate today without you I know–Thank you again for all your sweet sympathy about Panama– and your permission to use your dear name. I have not written to either Rolfe or his wife again because I did not want any other letter to get there at the same time mine did to Elizabeth, for fear she would think they had asked me to write – I told her “if she wanted to get away where she could think things over quietly for awhile, to come to me– but not to let Mr. Boyd follow her– for that would defeat what she wanted – and I could not help her–” Another letter from Rolfe said the uncle was to arrive the next day so I am holding my breath to see what happens– I am sorry you have really worried over it–but please don't any more–for “we” have done all we can– Now I must go– I will write tomorrow–
My tender love and a welcoming kiss–from,
Edith
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1915 August 11, WWP14875, Edith Bolling Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.