[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband, Littleton Dennis Teackle, January 16, 1835]

Baltimore, Jan^y. 16^th 1835

My dear husband,

Your kind letter of the 14^th was received today, and I thank you for it. Its enclosure of $20 dollars came very opportunely, as it enables me to purchase my wood upon better terms, probably, than I could have done a fortnight hence, when I should have been obliged to buy it at all events. I have engaged a cord today for $4.37 ½ delivered at the door free from the expense of carting. If I am not disappointed, I shall receive it tomorrow. I shall pay Mrs. Ayres ten dollars, and the residuum, will husband with economy, for unavoidable contingencies, after paying for the sawing and packing my wood.

We are glad to learn that your precious health is improving but had hoped to hear that its advance was more rapid and [torn page]ded. May God realize these hopes, yet, and, speedily. I fear that your natural ardour, and eagerness, in the pursuit of whatever object engrosses your mind, misleads you into a carelessness of your health. You must not suffer yourself to be overburthened with the drudgery of your legislative business, which will always be abundantly heaped upon you by the idle and the calculating.

I am rejoiced that the material, which comforts your honourable body, is of a more promising aspect than I had imagined, and congratulate you upon it, and upon any point, or points, the accomplishment of which you have achieved. I was told, the other day, that you would have a very obstinate opposition to contend against, and I could not help observing, that I thought you would be able to “smooth [down?']” their adversity or overrule it. As I said in my last letter (Saturday last) there is nothing like a consistent course. A strong power applied with steadiness to a practicable end,

must produce its natural and inevitable consequences. The accomplishment of the object, be it for good or evil; and when I assure you that I pray for your success in all your endeavours, it is a sufficient proof of my confidence in the wisdom of your views and aims to promote “the general welfare”.

We are sorry to learn that Moses had suffered from a cold; although thankful in the assurance of Mr. Polk, that “he is now well again”. To one of his constitution, and with his duties to perform, a cold is no trifle, and I sincerely hope that Mr. Polk will take care that his duties are not of such a nature as to expose him, to the injury of his health. He must be much exposed in going on so many errands, no doubt, through all weathers. His family are, constitutionally, consumptive, and having a weak chest, it is the disease of all others, which he is, in my opinion, most to be guarded against. I wish you would write to Mr. Polk, and thanking him for his considerate "anticipation of my wishes" urge him to spare our servant well in his power, and to keep a watchful eye over his health, not suffering him to be exposed, and sending him to bed upon the slightest symptom of indisposition. In an establishment so very large, as Mr. Polk intimates, I think his servants are too few and Moses would be fully occupied independent of going on all the errands, and carrying wood; the first exposes him to all weathers, and the last is exceedingly laborious, particularly so to a weak breast. But this, however, Mr. Polk says he is assisted in, and I am glad of it. Sitting up at night, too, and broken rest after a day of labour, is very severe upon servants, who are not always properly cared for, or considered, so long as they go freely. The winter I was at Mr. P’s I would not suffer him too go on errands in bad weather. It was an understood thing. Nothing could repay

us for the loss of such a servant; and it is our duty as well as interest, to see that he does no more than is, reasonably, his duty. It will be important to him to have flannel next his skin: I fear that that which he has is old and thin. I did not think to inquire of him concerning this matter, and if you write to Mr. Polk, please to request him to see that he is supplied with it.

Elizabeth sends you her best love, with her prayers united with the love and prayers of your affectionate wife

E.U. Teackle

Since writing, I have received your's of the 15^th, and, accordingly, have found your bank reports in the box you left with me. You left no trunk. I have inclosed 10 copies, in two parcels, as directed and addressed as you desire: clumsily done, I fear, but I had no proper wrapping paper. I shall enclose Mr. Polk’s letter [hole in page] this.

I had bought the wood before your letter came; for I [bespoke?] it last evening. I believe that justice is done me in this matter, after the wood comes: so that if anything is wrong, it is in the measurement of the cord. I have thought, sometimes, that the quantity was less than it ought to be: but, I have been told, that from the waggons, and street carts, this abuse is almost always committed; and this is one reason why I have not desired to buy it from them. The other is that it passes without sawyers &c, and I do not know where to find them, and have no one to send. When I bespeake a cord of wood, they always send a sawyer and a packer at my request. I paid today $4.37 ½ for that which I received, as I told you from carting costs. I will attend to your request in regard to the paper. The truth is, I have so many of these half sheets, that it appeared an object to use them in this way. You gave them to me.

I congratulate you again on your success, and sincerely hope