Eliza M. Douglas Monroe, Farmwood, to William Thompson Van Zandt, 1843 September 28

Farmwood Sept 28th 1843 –
Indisposition has prevented my replying earlier to your note and I regret it the more as you appear by one of your remarks to be under some great error. You say "That even had the communication you have made me been necessary"
Had your attentions to my daughter ceased as soon as you were informed her parents could not give their sanction it would certainly not have been necessary for me to write you or enclose the communication I did—But tho, from more than one source, you were made perfectly aware of our views, still your manner openly continued and report a thing I decidedly dislike was daily getting more busy—
It then became my duty to my child as well as an act of justice to you to show you plainly the proper course. It was done in no unkindness William but your good mother is too honest in all her ways not to have done just as I did
You were welcomed here almost as a child of my own and truly did I rejoice to receive you under our roof—As soon as I saw your manner to my daughter, tho it pained me to do it, I took measures to have you early informed it could not be. At last, I had to vote you a stranger for the time being and write as I did
By and by, we will all be as if the thing had never occurred and you will be at home again at Farmwood—I enclose you, your letter & as I deem if best all correspondence of this kind should be
in the possession of the writer—
Truly your friend
E. M. Monroe