[Letter from John Teackle to Charles Nicoll Bancker, February 7, 1805, Vol. 1]

Kegatank 7^th February 1805

Dear Charles,

Your much wished for letter of the 30^th Ult^o. with one of the 24^th came in the mail of Tuesday, neither acknowledge the rec^t. of our's by a M^r. [Durnney?] or a Mr. [Gitchell], which ought to’ve been handed you before the last date if not the first; these opportunity’s were embraced because we have had no mail, since the first day of the Year. Your letter affords us all, satisfaction, altho it communicates the Indisposition of my dear Daughter but under the comfortable prospect of soon being replac’d again; I feel in unison with your Mother much Solicitude, to undersand Sarah’s real situation. I think I understand in the general your intimations, but would gladly know the result of her illness, from whence we may Judge and advise. Miss A. Guest knows not how much we all regard and love her, for the uniform tenderness she has manifested both to you, and Sarah; her kindness will ever be remember’d. She has my Secret blessings and thanks; do write me on receipt hereof in reply, for I am and shall be desirous to hear from

you. My last was by Henry. I wrote at a late hour after being hurried to write much for Alexandria and some for Phil^a. That letter I suppose you’ve got, and will inform that his Visit to Washington, was to wait on M^r. Merry, the Brittish Embassator to advise him that I possessed many Valuable's of his, which were wrecked in the Packett Sally Hand, from P. to Alex^a and Washington. Amongst these things, are I believe most of the original State papers, relating to this Government, and the Cyfers and decyfers of private diplomatic correspondence. But I mention the Papers to you in confidence. I am Gratifyed in the determination I have taken, to keep with inviolable sacredness this accidental Trust, and shall wait the Ministers order. These Documents occupy one of our Chambers, kept constantly locked with the Windows up, nor do I talk of having such things.

Henry went up to Wilmington, on acct of the [In?] below, and should have called on you, but will have either to accompany a Secretary, or himself bear dispatches to me, yet we hope to hear from

you by him in all next Week. In regard to your intended Visit, It would surely, my dear child, have given general Joy in the family, as well as gratifyed all your connections here, who are often inquiring after you, but in the first place, the extreme weather forbids it, and secondly the late providential incident has put it out of the question. Yet I and all, hope for the period when every circumstance will Justify the Meeting. The 30^th of January was not forgotten here, you both were frequently talked off, in language of affectionate remembrance; be assured my son, many enquire sincerely after you, whom you never saw.

I had a letter from Littleton on Saturday they were well. I presume Betsy will be confined at the first of the ensuing month, when your mamma will goe up and stay a week or two with her. I shall send your letters to Princess Ann, under cover Tomorrow by Doctor Gardner who is here, on his way there. If your much respected Father is yet with you, do present to him my best regard, for altho I never had the pleasure of seeing him, yet I feel the connection and entertain suitable sentiments towards him