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Peter Kean wrote from Princeton, New Jersey to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Peter penned a kind letter to his mother, Susan where he acknowledged her advice and recognized that it came from a parent who loved him more than any parent loved a child. He went on to give her an account of his affairs which included his paying Marford the bookseller, Mr. Makin the apothecary, confectioner and fruitier for the ball, and small debts in college. Claimed his extravagance was not from the polluted source of mental depravity but from a vain pride and foolish fondness of false pleasure natural to youth. Peter’s assurances were not made by him to induce Susan to discharge his debts but rather they came from one who would scorn to impose on the fondness of a parent and who would not ask for the money were he not confident that guided by the advice of a “skillful pilot” he would always be able hereafter to avoid the rocks of dissipation or the quicksands of folly. Their dance was very agreeable and Peter would have enjoyed himself had he not gotten sick. He left the room after dancing with Mrs. Pintard. Susan may conceive what extortioners the people of Princeton were, Peter and his classmates were required to pay 6 dollars a head and had no supper. Their refreshments were cakes, sandwiches, lemonade, and punch. Wrote Julian Niemcewicz a few lines and sent him his composition. Peter still felt weak but had a good appetite if he could get anything nice to eat.

People mentioned: Mrs. Pintard and Julian Niemcewicz.

Author/Creator

Peter Philip James Kean (1788-1828)

Recipient

Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, formerly Susan Livingston and Susan Kean (1759-1833)

Creation Date

1805-01-14

Creation Date

1-14-1805

Document Type

Manuscript

Location

Princeton, New Jersey

Collection

Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)

Inventory Location

103 C

Rights

This collection is open to the public for research use. Copyright remains with Kean University. Credit this material. Personal photographs may be made for research purposes. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to the Special Collections Research Library and Archive at keanscrla@kean.edu.

Publishing Repository

Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University

Peter Kean to Susan Niemcewicz, January 14, 1805

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