[Letter from Andrew D. Campbell of Glasgow to Elizabeth Upshur Teackle - April 11, 1801]
Mentioned in this letter
My very dear Friend will not be surprised at my so long delaying to acknowledge and thank her for her letter of October nor conclude that my silence originated from not thoroughly appreciating its merits, knowing how much I must have felt and suffered in the loss of a valuable and much loved parent. Few are the real friends mankind find in this world. Then loss of one—and that one a Father, is among the heaviest of all calamities. It has been my lot to endure it, but I cannot tell you how much I have mourned, or the pain of endeavoring to give comfort to my Widowed Mother and Sisters who alas could not be comforted. The Turbulence of grief has at length subsided and silent sorrow has succeeded. But We are also not without occasion[al]
hours of happiness which returning health inspires for sickness has been added to sorrow, and the whole Family has ultimately suffered from depression of spirits, occasioning a total want of energy and constant confinement. My Mother and myself have been the principal sufferers in health. We are however all getting the better of our complaints, and Summer and the country will, I trust, restore us to our wanted vigour. I speak to you of us all from the kind interest you take in us and assure you your friendship for my Sisters as well as for myself is warmly reciprocated and they desire me to say to you every thing that sincere esteem
can dictate.
I cannot enter with the spirit I could wish to reply to your engaging letter and
shall delay it for some time longer, but I could not refrain writing to shew I am neither unmindful nor ungrateful for the Favor bestowed.
An immense packet would probably reach you soon after dispatching your letter, which I fear you would see however as containing uninteresting description, but I wish I knew how you liked it, as I am upon the eve of making a trip to England, partly upon business and partly to restore loss of health and Spirits. And if the former had given you any pleasure you will be sensible that it would give me much pleasure to write another.
I must not [close] this without saying how happy I am to find a change of
in your situation has wrought no change in your friendship for me, and when another dear tie is added to existence,1 I flatter myself, yourself, and my, or rather your, worthy Littleton will still continue the same.
If your extended comforts and occupations have you less time to write me, you will yet find time to tell me that you sometimes think of me and in sociable hours speak of me. Of you I think too often.
To your Sister and to all your dear society, remember me. Continue me in your regard and assure yourself of the unalterable friendship of your devoted
Glasgow
1801