[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband, Littleton Dennis Teackle, February 22, 1813]

Princess Anne Feb^y 22^th '13

My dear husband

Your letter by Joe was the cause of considerable uneasiness to me on account of the difficulty I fear’d you might experience on board the packet, in consequences of your painful indisposition. It was undoubtedly some relief to learn that you had experienced a mitigation of the pain; but nevertheless in close confinement in a narrow cabin must have been productive of disagreeable consequences to you. I was extremely sorry when the snowstorm came on, that you had not profited of the good weather preceding your departure, for your journey. Indeed, it was mortifying no doubt to you to be disappointed in getting to Balt. at the proposed time (the 22). We were all much chagrined here too, as in consequence of the bad weather. Colonel Done did not venture out on that day, and so, we passed the oration and all the sights that were to have been exhibited. Louisa came to town and went to the ball in the evening which, I am told, was graced by few of our set. However as Mr. Kerr from Easton and some of the Dorchester beaux were present, she passed her evening very pleasantly. Last night a trio of two instruments and a voice gave us a serenade, or, I shou’d further say gave her a serenade, as I am convinced my amusement was not

dreamt of by beau knave and the rest. However, no thanks to them, I did enjoy the musick, which was really pleasant, just as much as if it had been ordered and intended merely for my gratification. Mrs. E has settled it to be on her journey homewards by Thursday next; and I suppose you can easily imagine the vacuum she will leave behind.

No intelligence from Mr. Eyre yet in answer to her proposed plan of setting out northwards on the 22^d, which she writes me was her intention. I am led to suppose this scheme is abandoned or postponed as it is now past the time of my calculation for her arrival. I suppose Mr. Eyre is alarmed for the safety of his property as there is great confusion. Mr. Bowdoin writes to Louisa, in their county on account of British now in their neighborhood. Indeed, some ladies dining at Mr. B’s really witnessed an engagement 7 or 8 miles from the shore between two American privateers and a British vessel of war, the particulars of w^h. had not been ascertained when Mr. B wrote. The coast along there is so much exposed that I am more than ever of opinion that I shoul’d deprecate a residence in that quarter. Mrs. E. writes me that some of the enemy’s men had actually landed on Maggothy Bay shore and had taken what provisions they wanted,

but had paid honestly for every thing. Papa also tells me that a company of five or six men of the Militia had set off to [guard?] the coast, but they all returned in a few hours to the place they set off from without even getting to their destined station. The old gentlemen left here yesterday morning for Phila.

My health is just as it was. That is my head gives me infinite pain. Indeed, if the exercise I may be unable to take in upcoming pleasant weather of spring does not set me to rights, I shall petition to go some[place havi]ng the summer and try what waters and [soak]ing will do again. You have never known, nor can you judge how much this malady tortures me. It prevented me from writing to you by the last mail. Exercise always helps me; but the weather has been so bad for several days that there was no walking out at all, nor have I left the house but once since you left it, and that was merely to Mrs. Dennis’.

If you have been able to collect the money to purchase my family stores &c, you will have soon an opportunity by Mr. Done, who goes up in a few days to B. to send them. I shall be in want of some of them, particularly the flour, by that time. I wish you to add to my memo a few lbs. of whiting & 16 yds of white silk cord, not too

small, and 8 yds white silk footing lace, which Louisa tells me Mr. Dorsey bought in Baltimore for 16½ per yd. Elizabeth is well and sends her love to her father. Also Louisa begs to be presented.

What took “the smirkish flirtatious” widow to Baltimore? You must take care or I shall set out for a beau myself and turn the tables on you. With a little rouge and smart powder I might astonish the natives.

God bless you!

Your affect. Wife
EUT

Litt'n D. Teackle
Gadsby’s Hotel
Baltimore

22 July 1813