[Letter] 1829 December 16, Savannah [to] Alethea Coppée, Boston, Massachusetts / Henry Coppée.

This letter includes three letters written respectively by Henry, his father Edward, and his sister Eliza Coppée to their sister Alethea in Boston. See also additional letters in the collection from Coppée as well as a letter from his daughters to Edith Wharton about their father's work.

Coppée writes to his sister to relate the family news of studies and illness and plans for visiting, asking her to convey Christmas messages on his behalf, and stating that he is glad to hear she's happy. On the verso, their father Edward Coppée states that this was Henry's first letter, and urges Alethea to strive to "get understanding." Henry and Alethea's sister Eliza takes up the pen next and expresses how welcome it would be to see her sister again; as far as her own studies go, she has not improved much, and she lists her coursework, and rejoices that their parents have been spared to them as a local girl, Evelina, has been recently orphaned. She also sends greetings from Old Mama who has a sprightly seven-month old baby named Ann. Prior to assuming the duties as the first President of Lehigh from 1866 to 1875, Coppée worked on the railroad, fought in the Army during the Mexican War, and taught at West Point and the University of Pennsylvania. During his term in office, many buildings including the President's house, Packer Hall, and the University Center were constructed; Coppée also delivered lectures on history, logic, rhetoric, political economy and Shakespeare.