[Letter from Andrew D. Campbell to Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, November 14, 1802]

I could hardly have believed that a letter from you, my charming and most esteemed Eliza, could have remained so very long in my possession without being replied to. Believe me, my very dear friend, that it is not from any diminution of affection, but a short time previous to receiving it I had written you fully and that careless fellow of a husband of yours at very great length and very frequently, and to all my letters to him I have no answer.

You are more kind, you still favor me with an account of yourself for which I am very greatly obliged and to you, of all my correspondents, only, am I indebted for information relative to my numerous acquaintances on your happy portion of the Globe. And

also of my friends, there of whom I trust, I can still name a respectable list tho’ time and space are fanciful destroyers of the most endearing ties.

Your directing a portion of your time now from numerous and necessary and pleasant occupations became highly precious is very gratifying to me, and when you know that the employment of one or two of your hours affords me happiness for months. I am confident your goodness will induce you still to continue your agreeable epistles tho’ I should not return you that proportion which calculating upon the principle of the favor conferred, ought to entitle you to volumes

and your sheets. Still a single, tho’ by no means a solitary being, I consider myself little more than a Cypher in the World. Yet I may perhaps in time do some good. You tell me my heart is formed for Connubial bliss. They tell me so here also and wonder I do not imitate your and my good friends in Eastern Shore and pray my desires at Hymens Altar.

Five worthy Sisters and Widowed Mother are at present my care. When some of them think proper to leave me, I may move also. At present, I live in a manner similar to that which rendered my abode in America so very pleasant. Business succeeding to my wishes can hardly ever assuage me.

I enjoy every amusement that a young man can well do, between the delightful company of the Ladies and the more boisterous amusements of my own sex, I am comfortably employed. The former say I am too great a flirt ever to do any good. But here I do go on in this and every letter I write to you with that enchanting creature, Self.

My only apology is my hope at its inducing you to do the same and I shall be most happy to receive a sheet or two from you informing me how you are. How you employ yourself? What are your favorite amusements and who are your esteemed friends?

You may tell me a great deal

of your charming infant and a little of your Guidman for I hardly ever expect to hear from him again.

Do not resign the hope or our meeting again even in this world of cares. Were it for no other cause, I would most cheerfully cross the Atlantic to see how the Household cares suit the gay, the dashing, and interesting Eliza. Do not let them engross to so much of your time for I think they have a tendency to contract the mind and cause a change not favorable to correspondence. I will tell you, and freely too, if I find such a change takes place.

How have I rattled away, I hardly

can recollect at what, without me replying to some points of yours of May which require an answer. My apology is that it is not six hours since I knew of an opportunity for Virginia. Since then some Gentlemen have dined with me and I am going out to supper, and I can only say you may consider this as an Avant Courier to another letter, but do not allow this to prevent your sending me an Avant Courier to an answer to it.

You and your amiable sister, Henrietta I mean, for Anna

long deserted me, will soon be fully answered.

Farewell my dear friend, remember me to Littleton and all dear acquaintances and believe me to be now, as always, Your Sincerely devoted friend and warmest well wisher,

A.D. Campbell

Sunday 14th November
1802

If Littleton has not written to me, tell him I expect daily to hear of his having received a box I sent to him care of Robertson and Brown.

P. Ship Leanie

Mrs. Teackle