[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband, Littleton D. Teackle, January 31, 1807]

Kegotank, January 31^st, 1807

My dear husband

Yesterday mornings mail brought me your two favours of the 15^th Inst, one from Anns, the other from Alexandria, which are the first I have receiv’d since you left Haddaway’s¹. You do not know how the privation mortified me, for I knew I had letters at home, but was obliged to wait ‘till Mr. Barns cou’d forward them on to me.

We have had a severe spell of weather since I came down. The day after I came a great fall of snow prevented my going up, as I intended in two days after my arrival, since which the roads have been almost impassable, insomuch that Israel only came down last night. Today it rains, but tomorrow I shall return with my little dear Elizabeth.

I have been really mortified not to have been at home all this time, particularly as you requested my attention to many matters which I hope have not suffer’d by my absence. When I do get back I shall minutely attend to every thing that I can possibly do. Israel says that all is well, except our washerwoman Martha who was deliver’d in some danger a week ago of a dead child, and he tells me the old horse you purchased of Mr. Bloo[d]sworth is dead - of the Botts.¹ The house you directed Harris to

build is nearly done. You expected it wou’d have been finish’d before, but their operations have been impeded I suppose, by the badness of the weather. The people are following the avocations you directed.

I really sympathize with poor Margaret, she certainly has had bad luck. I think she deserves a good husband as much as most girls and hope that one the day her merit may be rewarded with one as amiable as herself. I suppose you have seen the pretty Mrs. Thornton and have had a full detail concerning the Georgean Potere. I never felt more reverence for Gold than I now do. I wou'd we had our hands full, I think we cou’d estimate it justly and make an handsome use of it. But, after all, what is it? A vain deceitful meteor or rather a will o’ the wisp, which but too often allures to betray us to the bogs of misery and self-condemnation. But my dear husband! You will never be the man to follow its’ light when the possession leads through improper paths. I have hoped from the cheerful tenor of your letters that your plans are in a good train, altho you are at all times bless’d with good spirits and fortitude enough to bear with calmness real mortification. This appropriation for the Navy Department is good news. I suppose you will make larger engagements than usual. I am clearly of the opinion that this business has been the best and will be the most profitable you ever entered into, from what you have explained to me.

We were surprised yesterday at the arrival of one of Mr. Bancker’s young men

H. Nicoll. I thought at first that he was the messenger of additional bad tidings, and God knows this family have felt severely enough the pressure of calamity in the death of our dear belov’d Henry. But the young man came down as soon as Mr. B. heard the intelligence of the fatal event of our brother’s illness, to beg the family to go on to Phila. as a necessary change. They have all declined going except Eliza, and she will go on with Mr. N___ as soon as the Horse he rode rests. The family have been in a state of unpleasant suspense regarding Mason’s house, having never had letters from that gentleman in answer to papa’s ultimate determination. I shou’d suppose by what you say regarding the effect of the Bridge Bill, on property in Geo Town that Mr. M. wou’d be solicitous to sell and perhaps reduce his price, however I don’t know.

You did not mention any thing in particular of the new B Ambassador of your own knowledge. It is very natural that Mrs. Merry wou’d not be likely to be his eulogist, or much a friend to his wife. I suppose Mr. Foster will go out with Mrs. M. I should have liked to have been present at your tete a tete. If you see the lady again, present her my tip top consideration. You do not say a word of M. Guerlain. What is he about? There were letters from