[Letter from Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle to her mother, Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, June, 1818]

Baltimore June 1818

But a few days ago, my beloved mother and I had the supreme pleasure of gazing upon that dear face which I now so long to behold. But a few days since, and we were both sheltered by the same roof and now, an hundred miles divide us.

I left Easton yesterday morning before ten o'clock in order to reach the Steam boat in time, as we were informed it left that place before that hour: and Oh! How truly did I wish myself again in the hospitable mansion of aunt Teackle, when they informed me that, owing to some mismanagement, the Steam boat would not get off until the expiration of some hours. I was the only lady on board and only think, my dear mother, how lonesome I must have felt when I found myself mistress of a whole cabin: indeed I might almost say mistress of two, for there were three in the boat and scarcely any one staid in the one joining that of the ladies, except my dear father, who visited it occasionally, and indeed left the deck pretty frequently; but for all that, I could not divest myself of that feeli[ng]

of ennui which had fastened itself upon me, and whenever father was out of sight I felt, I must really believe, like my poor forlorn little pet used to do when he staid in the little room by himself. In vain did I make the tour of my prison in vain, did I endeavour to steep my senses in balmy slumbers. All would not do: I tried to intrist myself in the adventures of Demetrius, the tale was dull and unentertaining. Dinner arrived, and the boat was still in the same place. After dinner, I took a short nap, and was happy to be waked by some noise occasioned by the arrival of two ladies who, poor souls, had had the extreme pleasure of being broiled by the sun for about two hours. Impatiently waiting the time when the Steam boat would but in fit condition to set off; for you must know, the delay was caused by the works having been screwed too tight that the boat had to be detained until those works were taken to pieces, and then they had to cool, which too[k] two hours as there was no putting them together while they were hot. About one or two o'clock, the boat was set in motion and we arrived at Baltimore about three, I think it was. The ladies left the boat in a short time after she stoped; but father and myself remained in her until this morning. When he left me (snugly put-away in one of the berths) to find out if M^rs. West had prepared rooms for us or not, which was not the case, although she received our message. It was out of her power to entertain us as all her houses were full, and your amiable daughter is now sealed in her bedroom at Gadsby's Hotel. Having filled up nearly half my letter with my unfortunate passage in the Steam boat, (which was rather

worse than when I was stuck on a sand bank for four hours), I now proceed, my beloved mother, to tell how kindly I was treated at Easton. In the first place, aunt Teackle and cousin Retta were more like a mother and sister to me than any thing else. Cousin Retta invited some company to drink tea with me on saturday evening, they did not all accept the invitations, but not withstanding, we had a very agreeable little party. Next evening I opent with Mrs. Edmonson and her daughter: the agreeable sprightly girl I told you of of in my last letter. Mr. Ker and his daughter called on me. Mr. K enquired for you, and so many did, that I scarcely know who did and who did not. Mr. Theodore Lockerman and his mother and sister also called on me, and M^rs. L. told me she regretted I could not stay longer in town. Poor M^rs. Ker is just recovering from a severe illness. I did not see her. I expect you will wonder how I made out for something to wear to the tea parties that I have just been telling of; why, dear aunt Teackle got a tooth brush and in spite of me, would give my sunday frock a good scrubbing which made it look a great deal better than it did before it was done, and cousin Retta assisted me in making a new white cape ruff, which I bought after my arrival in Easton and what with my amulet, ornaments, and my gold chain, I made a tolerable appearance. Whenever I would remonstrate whith cousin Retta about the trouble she took with me and beg her to not to fatigue herself so much, she would laugh at me and say that she remembered the time when you used to fix her up. See my dear mother, although you are not with me, I am forever feeling the affects of goods which come through you.