In a space under a desk drawer, two letters were found.

They were all that remained of any correspondence between George Washington and his wife Martha. That’s because all of Washington’s intimate papers were burned by Martha when he died in 1799, to keep their relationship private and out of the prying eyes of history.

When Martha died, her desk passed to one of her granddaughters, who found that two letters had slipped beneath a drawer and escaped destruction. She preserved them, and they have survived to this day as the only remaining evidence we have of the notoriously stoic Washington’s sensitive side.

Here is one in full, written the day the man departed for the grand assignment that would result in the creation of a new country, but would also take him away from his family for most of his life.

Phila. June 23d 1775.

My dearest,

As I am within a few Minutes of leaving this City, I could not think of departing from it without dropping you a line; especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write again till I get to the Camp at Boston-I go fully trusting in that Providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy meeting with you sometime in the Fall-I have not time to add more, as I am surrounded with Company to take leave of me-I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time or distance can change, my best love to Jack & Nelly, & regard for the rest of the Family concludes me with the utmost truth & sincerity.

Your entire,

Go: Washington