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

P Anne. Jan^y 15^th, 1810

My dear husband

Yours of the 11th Inst., Mr. Brown this instant brought up. It is astonishing you shou’d not have heard from me, for not one mail has elaps’d, since Christmas that I have not taken advantage of: Last night that I might have my letter ready, I wrote a great deal of nonsense to be sure. I answer’d yours requesting me to send you the hair for my locket, by last mail. I enclosed you an accurate description of the thing I wish’d and directions to the Jewellers. I did not intend to send the hair, as I had very little of it and was afraid he might lose it. I wish’d a locket with glass on both sides set round the rim with pearl, that wou’d open at pleasure, so that I might put the hair in myself when I got it at home.

I am very much obliged to mama for expressing a wish to see me. I shall always be happy to shew my

affections to her and shou’d certainly have written to her my reasons for not going either to B. or G. Town, had I understood that for independent of the affection and respect I owe your friends. An excursion of pleasure can not be supposed to have any objections to it, in the mind of a gay young woman, who knows how to enjoy, discriminately, the delights of a refin’d and polish’d society. I can trace, my love, throughout your last very welcome letter, the delicate and unvarying respect you forever shew to my feelings and my happiness, and when you do come, I shall meet you with open arms, and as warm a heart, as if no plan of pleasure was contemplated for me. You are always welcome to me. It shall be my boast to make you welcome, either coming clothed in splendid affluence, in decent competency, or in the humble garb of a beggar. I trust in God I have a mind by too, too far elevated above the pitiful views of mercenary ambition. I trust in

God I have an heart to which the misfortunes of my friends will endear them.

I have nothing “strange or true” more to say having written so much last night. Elizabeth is well, and at school.¹ I feel a great pride in her. She is very pretty and her soul is as meek as Humility.

I can imagine all the splen[did] [torn page] doings you are witness to. I must confess I have a strong curiosity to see this comet of American Nobility. I know she is beautiful. But remember there are some, who, strange to tell! Profess to think your wife as attractive, and elegant as any country lady whatever. There is no accounting for taste you know.

God bless, preserve and keep you. your dutiful
Elizabeth

If you have not receiv’d my letter you will be good enough to send the enclos’d duplicate memo to the Jeweller.

I did not go to Arnold’s today. I am indispos’d. I am afraid to say how. Mrs Gales little boy came over yesterday to Mrs. Dennis from the Academy with a very severe wound on his hand occasion’d by an accident with an axe. I was unfortunately alarm’d, and in the night felt the consequences. So you see I have suffer’d all the toothache for nothing! God’s will be done.

L. D. Teackle Esq.
Barney’s Hotel
Light Street
Baltimore