After Judge Cooper’s death Richard Fenimore, his eldest son, became the head of the family, and it was to him that James wrote from

     New York, May 18th, 1810

     I wrote you yesterday, a letter in a great hurry, as its contents
     are of some importance.  I employ the leisure time offered today, to
     inform you more fully of my views.

When you were in the City, I hinted to you, my intention of resigning at the end of this session of Congress, should nothing be done for the Navy—­my only reason at that time was the blasted prospects of the service.  I accordingly wrote my resignation and as usual offer’d it to Capt.  Lawrence, for his inspection—­he very warmly recommended to me to give the service the trial of another year or two—­at the same time offering to procure me a furlough which would leave me perfect master of my actions in the interval—­I thought it wisest to accept this proposition—­at the end of this year I have it in my power to resign, should the situation of the Country warrant it.

Like all the rest of the sons of Adam, I have bowed to the influence of the claims of a fair damsel of eighteen.  I loved her like a man and told her of it like a sailor.  The peculiarity of my situation occasion’d me to act with something like precipitancy.  I am perfectly confident, however, I shall never have cause to repent of it—.  As you are cooly to decide, I will as cooly give you the qualities of my mistress.  Susan De Lancey is the daughter of a man of very respectable connections and a handsome fortune—­amiable, sweet-tempered and happy in her disposition.—­She has been educated in the country, occasionally trying the temperature of the City—­to rub off the rust—­but hold a moment, it is enough she pleases me in the qualities of her person and mind—.  Like a true quixotic lover, I made proposals to her father—­he has answered them in the most gentlemanly manner—.  You have my consent to address my daughter if you will gain the approbation of your mother—­He also informs me that his daughter has an estate in the County of Westchester in reversion, secured to her by a deed in trust to him—.  I write all this for you—­you know I am indifferent to anything of this nature.  Now I have to request—­you will take your hat and go to mother, the boys, girls, and say to them have you any objection that James Cooper shall marry at a future day, Susan De Lancey.  If any of them forbid the bans may the Lord have forgiven them—­for I never will—.  Then take your pen and write to Mr. De Lancey stating the happiness and pleasure it will give all the family to have this connection completed—­all this I wish you to do immediately, as I am deprived of the pleasure of visiting my flame until this is done, by that confounded bore, delicacy—­be so good as to inclose the letter in one to me, at the same time don’t forget to inclose a handsome sum to square the yards here and bring me to Cooperstown.

     I wish not to interrupt you in your attempt to clear the estate—­my
     expenditure shall be as small as possible.