[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, August 21, 1815]

Aug 21^th 1815. P.A.

My dear child

Today’s mail brought me your two letters of the 7th and 13th Inst. which were truly acceptable. I shou’d have answer’d them both fully in this, only that company today have engross’d me until this moment, (at candlelight) so that you will not have this pleasure of reading one of your “ma’s” long letters this time. However, I shall see you soon I hope and pray, and then I can say a thousand agreeable things on a thousand agreeable subjects. In the meantime take my blessing, and approbation if your conduct in all those points mention’d in your letter. As to your bills for any little affairs between your aunt and you, and also for those same leather shoes, I shall settle a[torn page] when I go, or if I do not go so soon as I expect, I will send money when I know how much to send of which you must inform me. I by no means wish you to be in debt. I sent you the 5 dollars to Mr. Bancker’s care in a letter addresed to you. I suppose you have [illegible] this receiv’d

you shall not want a proper supply of cash, depend upon it. I entirely approve your conduct in denying yourself the fruit, as you would have felt mean to have gratified your palate on tick as the trades people say. On the other hand, it is highly proper for you to reciprocate the liberal attentions of any of your school fellows, when you can do so without drawing on any individual for the means, in which case one might suffer the inconvenience of your liberality to the rest. I am gratified to observe that Jane Gilmor’s good example was not lost on you. This is the way, my love, to arrive at that lovely character which is so justly admired and respected wherever found. Always examine the conduct of others, not with a v[torn page]w to find out faults merely, but to avoid error, and emulate excellence. To see you an accomplished woman, surely, would be a high, very high exultation to me; but to see you a good one, in the full sense of the word, wou’d be to see you all that woman can be, and my heart wou’d be satisfied. A virtuous daughter is the pride

and glory of her mother! Cousin Betsy Dennis read your letters this evening. She says you are a reasonable girl. You see, my dear, how a correct deportment advances you in the esteem of the wise and good. Your cousin said more for you in that word than twenty vain flatterers cou’d say in a long speech. May you continue to deserve the good opinion of such people as this dear girl.

And this is my promise of a short letter! The truth is that I never feel sensible of fatigue or weariness, when my dear Elizabeth is the “burden of mystery.” At this particular time I am, as Sade says, “bit to the bone by a million of mosquitoes” which noisy gentry have taken it into their heads to pay us a visit as unusual as unacceptable this season. They are singing away in full concert, while they devour my feet, hands, face, and neck, like savages as they are.

I have heard all the different newses about Bonaparte. I am afraid he will contaminate our pure republican atmosphere by his deleterious