[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband, Littleton Dennis Teackle, July 26, 1813]
Mentioned in this letter
- Business, Economy, and Travel
Travel - Watercraft - Ships- Government, Law, and Military
Politics- Historic Homes and Places
Mount Vernon- Home, Health, and Social Life
Food - Fish
Food - Grains
Food - Meat
Health- Home economy
- Home expenses
PA. 26 July '13
My dear husband
Your several amusing letters are just receiv’d, forwarded from Northampton, also one announcing the pork and herrings, of which Mssrs. Waters & Bayly have also apprized me. I expect these articles up today or tomorrow from the vessel which has arriv’d but the goods have not yet come up the river. I receiv’d by Milligan 2 bbls. flour and two of fish with a letter enclosing 10 dollars. Milligan informs me the 20 dollars did not hold out in the purchase and add $2.50 to his bill which I shall pay him when he calls. I receiv’d also today 15 dollars enclosed in one of your letters. The workings and counter workings of the parties political are very amusing and have from your hints diverted me much, but I envy you the sight of the venerable Mount Vernon more than every other should you have witness’d. All their bustle and fine doings appear to me like vanity and vexation shou’d be
and I am convinced no real happiness can be derived from any such scenes to those who seek in them their chief enjoyments, but however it is also my creed to take any evanescent good as it passes in whatever situation I am placed if it be consistent with convenience and although I wou’d not put myself to the least trouble to enter such scenes, yet if they came in my way I dare say I shou’d mix with the motley groups and try what might be glean’d useful or assuring from them. There is no scene, no situation from which an engineering mind may not derive some benefit, by moral reflections on men and things, or by making such observations as tend to reconcile us to our own lot and peculiar situation. Therefore, I think you are right in going along with the current as far as it suits the main object in view.
Whilst you are turning with the news of the Metropolis, I am barren of matter to answer the debt I owe you. Nothing at all goes on here that you have not witness’d a thousand times. Nevertheless I spend my
time tranquilly and not altogether unbless’d to find a never ending source of interest in my domestic concerns, which the more I yield to the more they attack me.
Your father left here yesterday morning in good health. I shall send your letter to the girls.
Elizabeth’s love to her father unites with my prayers for your prosperity.
Your affectionate wife
E.U.T.
P Anne Md
July 20
Free L. D. Teackle PM
Littleton D. Teackle Esqr.
Mail
City of Washington
Dist Columbia
26 July 1813