[Letter from Margaret Campbell to Littleton Dennis Teackle, November 3, 1799]

Stockwell Street, November 3, 1799

I take the opportunity my dear friend of a Box going to the Eastern Shore to write a few lines, were it only to assure you that you have had my sincerest wishes for a safe and speedy passage across the Atlantic, and that if heaven has deigned to hear my prayers, you will long ere this reaches America, be enjoying every happiness in the midst of your family and friends. You are right in supposing and do not think the worse of God for wishing to be among those friends, your strong attachment to them, was one of the many reasons that induced me to think so favorably of you, I have ever reckoned domestic happiness the greatest this world can afford, and having enjoyed it myself, in an uncommon degree, I am pleased to meet with others, who have not only been equally fortunate, but are also sensible of the value of being born a friend to, and ever united in the bonds of love with respectable and worthy relatives.

Yet I would wish you in Columbia’s happy Land! Sometimes to remember Stockwell Street, and Cottage upon Avon, to remember that you have there friends, who whether they ever see you again or not, will always think of you with affection and esteem, and who, some of them at least, are disposed to think more favorably or the Americans, than they were before you came among them. I for my own

part must acknowledge, that from [missing] those of your Countrymen who behaved something [missing] Virginians you saw here, altho’ not willing to invoke a whole nation in a censure that from my knowledge could only belong to Individuals, did not expect to meet with so many accomplishments as belong to friend Littleton, in one wholly bred in the modern world, real goodness. I did not doubt to meet with, as it is agreeably to be found every where. Let the acknowledgement of this error suffice for having been guilty of it.

I shall now hope soon to hear from Henrietta, and to have the long letter you have already promised, and which I ought to have had from London. You will not be so completely engrossed by Vile Traffic at Kegotank as in the great City. So let me have a history of your transactions, and your sentiments. Did you carry out many new books with you to add to your library and to amuse you on the voyage?

I have not enlarged my stock of ideas much since you left us, indeed the principal occurrence of my life since last writing has been teaching Lilly to play chess, for two reasons, one of which is to improve myself to be able to beat you when next we meet, the next is to prevent the said young Lady from objecting to our playing, as she used to do formerly. Now that she understands a little of it, she has some pleasure in looking on. When shall I hear of the first move in the Transatlantic game? I often think of the last time I played with you, when I [got] so blameably keen. I do not believe I ever was

[missing] any game in my life, as I was that night, and the more earnest I got, the worse I played.

We left the country about a week ago for the winter, but intend returning next spring, or rather summer. Spring is the season that towns are most agreeable, at least in this country. It is our season of gaiety which never begins earlier than the 18th of January, and altho’ a country life is what I prefer, when I am in town I like to share soberly in all that is going on. My dear Anna is still at Dysart, where our valuable friend continues to recover. You saw me take leave of that respected man, when I thought it would be the last, but I now hope to see him again restored to his wonted health and spirits.

I had your short and hurried letter from Deal, and have to thank you for remembering [us] in a time when you must have been much [hole in page] Donaldson wishes you by this opportunity [hole in page] I have the news department.

Will you remember me with affection to Miss Teackle, and Misses Upshur, also to your lovely sister Sally. On your next trip to Scotland, I hope at least one of your fair female friends will accompany you. Many inquiries are made for you since you left us, particularly by Mr. Jeffrey and Mr. Biddie. All here unite in best wishes for your welfare.

Believe me ever your friend
Margaret Campbell