Letter from Angela Cosi to Pietro... (1859)

NRA-L-000328 / 1859

Letter from Angela Cosi to Pietro Capretti seeking work and relief from debt, December 29, 1859

Angela Cosi asks Pietro Capretti to help find work for her husband and to forgive her debt. She describes a completed but underused workshop, work undertaken with her daughters, children approaching working age, mortgaged houses and legal expenses, and asks him to forward an enclosure.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000328

NRA-L-000328 image 1 showing the address side of a pale blue Italian letter, with manuscript docketing, fold lines, tears and a large loss at the left edge. — **Image 1**Address panel, docketing and physical damage.

NRA-L-000328 image 2 showing an Italian letter dated at Salo on 29 December 1819, with marginal writing, fold damage and a triangular loss at the lower edge. — **Image 2**Letter text, marginal writing and physical damage.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000328
Date: 1859-12-29
Original date: Salo li 29 Xbri 1859
Type: Petition
Language: Italian / it
Sender: Angela Cosi
Recipient: Pietro Capretti
Places: Salo, Italy / Brescia, Italy
Extent: 2 documentary sides: Address panel, docketing and physical damage; Letter text, marginal writing and physical damage; 2 digital images.
Signature: Angela Cosi
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000328.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

SALÒ
Al Signor il Signor
pietro Capretti nelle di lui
Mani

preme per favor Brescia

Address panel

English translation

SALÒ
To Mr. Mr.
Pietro Capretti in his
Hands

urgent please Brescia

Letter text, marginal writing and physical damage

Original transcript

Brescia Signor Compar Stimatissimo

Salò li 29 Xbri 1859

Mi fo dover agurargli un buon capodanno
e il rimanente felice pregandolo con questa mia
se vi fosse il di fare aver qualche lavoro al
mio marito avendo la fabbrica in ordine nel caso sentisse
qualche Negoziante che faccia lavorar lo prego a metter
mi sottocchio che del lavoro rimara contento creda Signor
compare che mi piange il cuor a non poterlo sodis
fare ma comprenda sfino dal cinquantacinque che la
nostra fabbrica nuova è tutta compita è inoperosa
se non che di piccolisime cose per me è una pena
delle più angosciose mi conviene per sostener la mia
filgiolanza lavorar giorno e notte con le mie filgie
fin tanto che la providenza mi apri qualche strada
e che li ragasi è in età di guadagnare per cui sono
a pregar con questa mia la sua pietà a perdonar
per il mio debito che tanto più per lei sara il
premio in Cielo al meno avera il bene eterno col
sollevar una sgraziata famiglia che molto prega per lei
è bensi vero che sono in poseso di varie case ma
queste è aggravate d'ipoteche che non si può mai arivar
ad adempire alli interesi e alle spese di giudiali è comerati
nel nostro paese il comercio è annato spero che il Signor
vorra ascoltar le deboli mie preghiere e dar termine
alle mie sventure mi perdoni che di cuor li chiedo
e con stima mi firmo Angela Cosi

[Left margin]
Il prego la di lei bontà fare aver la rinchiusa a chi
è diretta che le sarò grata e se in qualche conto valgo non
risparmi tanto in lavoro come per qualche cosa nel paese

Letter text, marginal writing and physical damage

English translation

Brescia
Most Esteemed Signor Godfather
Salò, 29 December 1859
I make it my duty to wish you a good new year and the remainder happy, begging you with this letter of mine if there were the means to have some work given to my husband, having the factory in order, in case you should hear of some Merchant who has work done, I beg you to bring me to his attention, for he will remain satisfied with the work.
Believe me, Signor godfather, that my heart weeps at not being able to satisfy you, but understand that since fifty-five our new factory is completely finished and is idle except for very small things. For me it is one of the most anguishing pains, I have to work day and night with my daughters to support my children until providence opens some road for me and the boys are of an age to earn,
for which I am begging with this letter of mine your pity to forgive my debt, for which the reward in Heaven will be all the greater for you, at least you will have eternal good by relieving an unfortunate family that prays much for you.
It is indeed true that I am in possession of various houses but these are burdened with mortgages so that one can never manage to fulfil the interests and the judicial and official expenses, in our town trade is gone. I hope that the Lord will want to listen to my weak prayers and put an end to my misfortunes. Forgive me, which I ask of you from my heart,
and with esteem I sign myself Angela Cosi
[Left margin]
I beg your goodness to have the enclosure given to whom it is addressed, for which I will be grateful, and if I am of any worth, do not spare me, both in work and for anything in the town.

Discovery Terms

Poverty
Debt
Employment
Family labour
Mortgages
Workshops
Angela Cosi
Pietro Capretti
Salo
Brescia

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