[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her brother, Arthur Upshur, January 11, 1830]

(Confidential)
Eyre Hall. January 11^th 1830.
My dear brother,

It was with heartfelt disappointment that I was obliged to relinquish the expectation of meeting you here on our arrival; and, subsequently, to forego the hope of your coming at a later period. But the cause of your detention has been a source of keen anxiety indeed. This has been in a measure relieved by the assurance, given in Virginia's letter to E^th, that you were then better; and I have no doubt, but that with proper care, and prudence, in the management of yourself, you will be gradually growing better, and that the spring will restore you to your wonted health. I think, too, that we have a prospect of a mild winter, which will be favourable to you. So far, it has been unusually warm; and, here, I may say, without a paradox, it has been, even, genial in its temperature. The white bells are blooming, and the grass has not yet assumed it's full suit of winter brown.

You have always, been dear to me, my dear brother, but now, the fraternal affection which was, once shared with another, is centred in you. I think of you, and your dear family, incessantly; your anxieties and your hopes; your welfare, and, even, your health, is interwoven with my own; and my prayers are constantly offered to Heaven to bless you in all things. And in these aspirations, I am comforted with a firm confidence and hope that Heaven will hear and bless them.

The children mention in their letters, lately

received by Mr Eyre, and Elizabeth, that you contemplate leaving Baltimore¹, and returning to reside here in the Spring. If so, at what period is it probable you will come? From another source, I am informed that you are desirous to leave Baltimore with your family, even in all this winter. This has given me much uneasiness, for I think it would be risking your health unwarrantably, just as you are on the recovery to expose yourself to the inclemency of a winter journey, even made in the most eligible and comfortable manner. Do not think of it my dear brother.

In regard to my own prospects and plans for the future, they are, pretty much, in statu quo. I had intended at one time to visit Baltimore this winter; but this remains doubtful. It is probable that we shall go up in the Spring to meet my husband there, and then go to Philadelphia, if he can furnish us the means of defraying the expense, of which I have hope. My plan last fall, when it was contemplated that we should spend the winter with you, was, to have taken with us many articles of accommodation, and to purchase others which would have been expensive, and this from a desire of mutual accommodation, and to lessen the cost to you; not from any doubt of your affectionate and generous hospitality; for I well know that your disposition would lead you to do more for us, than we should be willing to allow. If we go to B-e, during this winter, or in the spring before you leave the City, we shall still adhere to the same plan. But as your family remains in the same situation that it was when you last wrote, I shall wait to hear from you.

You know I promised in my last letter to you

to inform you about this time upon this subject, I have now, redeemed my pledge.

My chagrin in not having seen you here on our coming to Eyre Hall, was, and is, greater than you can think. I have a great many things to talk to you about, and some points upon which I should be glad to counsel you. But "contre tems" seems to be the order of the day. I hope, not always to be so. There are many thoughts and views which one can say, but which it is difficult to write. I wish you could be gifted with the power of divination, and could answer all that I do not ask, as well as that which I do. If you are not able to answer this letter in "propria personae"², (and God grant that you may be able, for it would be a happy proof of your amended health) ask Virginia to do it for you on your dictation and I shall thank each of you. I beg to hear from you very soon. If no immediate opportunity occurs, send your communications by the mail; which, in part, is always the most direct, and certain way. I would give a great deal to see you even for a short time; but it has pleased providence so to order our destiny, as to place our location far apart, from one another; and many a time, throughout my life of vecissitudes, I have felt that sickness and longing of the full and heavy heart, which languishes for the sympathy and comforting intercourse of fraternal love, and confidence. But you will write to me, or get Virginia to do it, and I shall "pay the Post" with a great deal of pleasure, I assure you. What with my own unsettled prospects and anxiety for those of persons I so dearly love, I have had a weary time for cogitation this winter, although