[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband, Littleton Dennis Teackle, October 15, 1810]

Oct^r. 15^th 1810 Princess Anne

My dear husband

As you are now probably arriv’d at your journeys end, and settled in your usual lodgings, you have time to collect your thoughts about you; and I fondly flatter myself, they no[w] and then turn on home, and your family: I conclu[de] naturally, from this, that to hear of our welfare may be acceptable and interesting, even shou’d the intelligence find you surrounded with all the vexations et ceteras of a law suit, of the perplexing nature of which, I have a pretty good foretaste. Notwithstanding your sanguine hop[e] of the result of yours, I cannot but feel some degree of anxiety, concerning its issue. Independent of the result to our interests, in case of failure, in my opinion, the consequences wou’d be very generally felt in our county by such a precedent, and give rise to innumerable researches for grounds to sue for their freedom amongst the slaves; so as to cause much trouble at least, if not pecuniary losses to their masters. I shall expect to hear by the next mail how you go on.

Retta and I spend our time rather profitably, than gaily: we have waded through

1 vol. and part of the 2nd of antient Europe. We [think] from the abruptness of the conclusion of the second vol. that there must be another. Is there not and where is it? I have never seen but two of A. Europe. Thus whilst Retta reads to me I work incessantly, and attend occasionally to the family matters, which on investigation, I found in tolerable confusion, principally owing to a train they had fallen into during my illness, and a continued series of company and visiting. By the time you return to us (which I pray you hasten) I hope to have all my trifling concerns arranged. Joe attended to the apples. He says you order'd him to leave them at the S. yard. However, these things can be made known when I see you.

Do you go to Washington? If you have time, and feel disposed, I will agree to spare you, as a particular favour to Henrietta;¹and besides, I shou’d be glad to hear particularly, by word of mouth, how the “old lady look'd in her bridal accoutrements, & such sort of affairs. Give my love to them all.

Present me to the Gen^l. I have no doubt that his original view of wit and pleasantry afforded you a much more amusing

travelling companion than you cou’d have found in your old woman, and her trumpery. A Virginian wit has declared, that even a fine young lady’s society is desirable no where, but in the drawing-room, or bed-chamber: and an old wife in regular gradation, is good no where but can best be tolerated in the chimney corner, where she may attend to the multitudinous variety of sweeping up the hearth, and keeping the children out of the fire. However, after all, I am inclined to flatter myself that you are no Virginian wit. For, to do you strict justice, you have seldom aimed your ridicule at your wife.

I have ten thousand things of consequence to say to all my polite Balt acquainttenance: be so good as to utter them all, will you, and dear, dear, Mrs. Donnell! Now am I jealous? Or rather, am I not vain, to give you an empathy to her, particularly of so tender a nature, as the treaty of love I wish to continue, and strengthen with her. Well, you must take no advantage of my unsuspecting candour, be a good boy. I don’t know how it is, but I had much rather trust you with Molly, although she is so much handsomer. This brings