7 March 1820

7 March 1820 is the date attached to a letter from Andrew Wright to his wife, Angeline Wright, written near the end of his long and distressing journey to Buda. Its significance lies in the tension Andrew records: he is close to seeing his sister again, yet fears the fate that awaits him there.

The Dated Letter

The date appears on an excerpt of Andrew’s letter to Angeline. Its first concrete news is practical: he and his companions have secured a carriage for the journey to Buda. The letter is therefore a record of movement toward the city, not a report of what Andrew finds after arriving.

The Journey’s Last Stage

Andrew describes the trip as long and terrible. Bad weather at sea and his effort to resist despair have left him weary, even as the journey enters its final stages. The carriage promises forward motion, but does not dispel the hardship or uncertainty that have accumulated along the way.

Anticipation and Dread

Andrew’s thoughts turn to two people in different places: he takes solace in knowing Angeline is safely at home, while anticipating a reunion with his sister. That hope is inseparable from fear; he doubts he can bear to learn what fate has befallen her and says he has no peace. The letter fixes the date at a threshold in his journey, where the prospect of reunion brings not reassurance but the expectation of painful knowledge.