[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre, February 14, 1813]

Feb^y 14^th, 1813 Princess Anne

My dear sister

I wrote you a queer sort of a rigmarole jumble of nonsense in the epistolary style of a few nights ago which was to set off by the “duke of bray” next morning with Mr. Hill (not mountain in magnitude) Dorsey. But as the movements of your buckish erratics are extremely uncertain, Mr. T. has hinted to me that my letter may possibly not reach you in less than a fortnight. Now, had I guess’d as much, I should not have sitten up ‘till a late hour to write under the expectation of your receiving it before mail cou’d get to N- n. So then all this goes for nothing, and I must write by the mail just as much as if Mr. Hill had never thought of going there for 6 years; or ‘till Mount Caucasus took a trip to those parts to carry it. I am looking out for you and my brother every day. Do come along, can’t you! Here we are to have such a “fash and to doo” on the 22^d! You must be here I say! I wrote you a very succinct account of it all, by way of inducement to you to pull up and make haste, by Mr. Dorsey, told you that there were strangers expected down from Dorset, Mr. Martin for one. Indeed there is to be a grand parade - Musick, orations, cannons, Washington society are to meet, and I can’t tell what all. Notwithstanding all this, if you don’t come, I shall not go, for I shall not be in spirits unless you are here to put me up to it. I’m serious, I assure you.

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But I can’t help indulging the hope that you will be here before this reaches you. It is high time if you think of going to Philadelphia, for you to be on your way, as the winter, and winter amusements will be at an end shortly; and I fancy you would as leave be there when the town is most gay and a great was not. Mrs. Bancker wrote to me a short time since expressing her pleasure at the prospect of seeing you. How does Louisa’s suit to her father succeed? Is she likely to gain her request? She desired me to let her know as soon as I heard from you, what her fate is. It begins to draw near the time when she is to go home, and poor child! She wou’d willingly [covered page] [torn page]inate the period and embrace a plan [covered page] [torn page]ises so much enjoyment in the issue [covered page] dashing away in a gay city. General Gale’s death has in some sort thrown a gloom over our society and tarnished that gay colouring which had marked our circles when he first came to the county. Notwithstanding, there are still dinners given, and dinners eaten, but chiefly amongst the men who don’t care for dancing when they can eat and drink. The ball was on the decline for some time, and we began to think none would be given, but two or three gentlemen have set it a going again, and with great spirit: and this I presume, will finish off our winter gaiety.

Since writing the above, I have receiv’d a letter from my father-in-law in which he mentions that your county is in a great bustle, on account of the English

squadron that is expected in your court to attack the French fleet there in Linhaven Bay. I may have misconceiv’d, but I think he says that the British vessels are expected, or come, or some such thing. Whatever it is I hope this will not prevent or retard your visit to me, if it does any other plan of yours.

Write me very soon by the next mail, for I shall be more anxious than ever, now, to hear from or see you. I requested Arthur who owes me a trifle of a dollar or some such sum, to send me 2 bottles of Lemmy Johnson’s Lorilairds snuff. Will you bring it? Give my love to Mr. Eyre. Mr T. also desires to be remembered to you both. I think he will set off for Baltimore either Monday or Tuesday.

E.U.T.

Mrs. John Eyre
Eyre Hall
Mail Northampton
Virginia

Mrs. Teackle
1813