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 godfather,
Salò, 29 December 1859
I consider it my duty to wish you a happy New Year and a happy remainder of it. I beg you in this letter, should there be any way of obtaining work for my husband, to do so. His workshop is ready. Should you hear of any merchant who puts out work, please bring us to his attention; he will be satisfied with the work.
Believe me, dear godfather, my heart weeps because I am unable to satisfy you. But you must understand that since 1855 our new workshop has stood completely finished and idle, apart from a few very small jobs. This is one of my most anguishing troubles. To support my children, I must work day and night with my daughters until Providence opens some path for me and the boys are old enough to earn.
I therefore beg you in this letter to have pity on me and forgive my debt. Your reward in Heaven will be all the greater; at the least, you will gain eternal merit by relieving an unfortunate family that prays much for you.
It is true that I own several houses, but they are burdened with mortgages, so that it is never possible to keep up with the interest and legal and official expenses. Trade in our town has collapsed. I hope that the Lord will hear my feeble prayers and put an end to my misfortunes. Forgive me; I ask it of you from my heart.
With esteem,
Angela Cosi
In the left margin
I beg your kindness to have the enclosed letter delivered to its addressee; I shall be grateful. And if I can be of any use to you, do not spare me, whether in work or in anything else here in town.

Discovery Terms

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

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