My Dear [sis]ter,
Accomack May the 9th 1796
You say you envy me the happy disposition which I ‘pon. I must own my dear that I have nothing to ruffle it, except a d’[esi]re to see you, which every body joins me in. I was at the Public Exhibition of Mr. Jone’s students where I saw the charming Miss Cropper. She ask’d me when you were coming home and wishes to see you very much. Indeed sister I was worried almost beyond my patience with, when is a Miss Upshur coming home, why I hear she is going to be married, and indeed sister I heard it myself, and wrote you in my last, to tell me who was the man but you wou’d not gratify my curiosity. I have not been in Northhampton since you wrote to me; but when I go I intend to follow [your] directions about the compli[ment] I am to deliver very minutely. You may depend Sister, your conjectures were very true concerning my inferiority, for when I went into the Palace as you call it I was almost tempted to kiss his Majesty’s feet, but when I thought on the honor he confer’d on me in inviting me to his house, I thought myself 2 inches bigger at least, and my dear, I did not think so without cause for you must know I am Miss in my teens1, but I have not got a Medly of Lovers yet. I have solicited aunt’s pardon in your behalf, wh[ich] she readily grants on your promise of writing to her by Capt. Bell. Cousin Juliet sends her love to you in return for the good opinion you conceive of her industry, and in return for the thimble you sent her; and little Leah bless her little soul can’t express her love of you and the thanks she wishes to send you, but in return for the present you sent her she gives you