Being true to history

Cassandra tells Mary that all we can do is pass history on with honesty and hope that what lives on is true. Considering her destruction of the letters, can we expect an honest historical picture of the family, particularly of Jane?

Sure we can--what history that has come down may be completely true and honest--it just isn't complete! Omission is not lying or stretching the truth--it is minimizing the details

There cannot be a complete or truly honest historical picture of the Austen family if parts of their history is hidden or untold. By omitting the letters that revealed secrets of their life that she did not think should be public, Cassandra chose to skew the historical picture of the Austen family.

I agree that it cannot be a complete history if some of it is destroyed and part of Jane's history will always remain a mystery. I similar thing happened in our family when an aunt decided to burn some items.