[Letter from John Teackle to Charles Nicoll Bancker, May 30, 1806, Vol. 1]

Snowhill 30^th May 1806

Dear Charles

I have received your letter of the 20th Ins^t explanating of you conversation with M^r. Craig, and remarks on that business. After the Statement of the object to your mother I discovered that such a situation did not meet her wishes, which disposition of mind has gained confirmation (which with my own view on the the thing during my Journey and Voyage home joined have convinced me that it was best to give over further Ideas of that purchase, and thus I have per this mail written Mr. Craig, a copy of the letter I have annex'd for your sight; your mother Objects to the distance from the City, whereby she would be deprived of the pleasure of the intimate society of your family and those of her acquaintance from whence she would enjoy her greatest happyness, as well that the benefits of educating our youngest Children and placeing in some respectable business, those of more maturity under my own eye would in a great measure be lost. And further she doubts in regard to that situation be so congeneal to her constitution on the Score of health and some of these things suggested to me, and at same time, It does seem that it would be imprudent and greatly so, to make a large pecuniary Sacrifice without retribution in points of health or advantages reaped by my family; I can see no calculation when I extend myself to expenses of different kinds, now necessary and fast approaching to yield an annuity of 2 per Ct.

You are acquainted, and I dare say feel fairly impressed with the causes which have induced me to remove my family. They have been mentally operating several years and conclusively last fall preponderated to a determination, to make the experiment, notwithstanding the other Scale, was laden with many weighty objections. Not without due deliberation did I (with the approbation of my beloved partner and worthy Mother of my Children, who merits every Cherishing aid and comfort I can afford her) concluded to make Geo Town our place of residence, but this appears now to me quite done away. Impressions on that view, are infavourable several ways, to which I feel bound to yield, and continue to look towards your parts for the fulfilm^t. of the contemplated objects. I have had Ideas leading to an

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enquiry whither it would not be best for me, to take a house in some pleasant part of the City on rent, by which means I could not only have an opportunity of the benefits afo^d. to my Children, but also with less expence gaine experience regarding the content which would be obtained in the change, and as well give me a good chance of [leasing] a place on best Terms, in a more suitable situation. This matter will be under maturation, but only known in my family; You would render to me an additional mark of affection and kindness to think yourself of the adviseableness of the thing, and lay it before me at some leisure hour. If a mention could be made by Samuel Crippen, from time to time the elegibility might be treated in between us. The confidence I have in your Judgment would greatly guide me.

I will repeat that in addition to the hope of better health in your mother, My Children stand in need of the full exercize of all my paternal affection, to lead them to some establishment in life, better than the Country I live in is likely to afford. It is [penosusalated?¹] and confined with limitations, incident to it. Our Society of the better sort is much Scattered, and we all I may say altogether denyed and like to be so, the pleasure of social Worship, except we participate in Rhapsody and Ingnorance, so that my Children are kind who with their Parents, live characteristic of Infidelity.

You will please to send down by S. Crippen the Trunks, the Rice, and Cassimere to be dyed. Henry knows where it is, I gave him the money to pay for it, and also the acc^t, or what is equal The ballance which now stands. I only wish to Close the acct and begin again.

If Henry Teackle is in P. he should have his likeness taken. We are all in usual Health, and so our friends, except poor J. Dennis and I fear he is advancing towards his

long home. He is not able to be out at Court here. We shall go there as soon as the Horses are down, I have yet heard nothing of them. I sent your linen by S. Crippen and a flourr barrell of Cyder per Capt. Capes pr Sally who expects to like Cyder and I shall prepare by an early opportunity a [Blk?] Vinegar for you of the best I have. I also wish to learn if Miss Amelia wants her Hams, I can get the Doz. of M^rs Bayley for her at the same price of M^r Guests sent you.

I send herein $70 for Col^o Bayley, which he was to advance for me on his way to your place. I saw him on the Road, and requested him to do it, please to give it to him. Henrietta has not got home, nor have I heard from her since we parted in Baltimore. I will conclude by the [repeateded] of my affectionate love towards you and your house hold, The dear little Babe. I pray to the God who has protected and blessed her G.T. to preserve her in body and innocence to your and our Comfort. My love to Henry Nicol, I am

Your father
John Teackle Sr

Copy
D^r Sir
Kegatank Accomack C^o [illegible]

Your letter of the 16^th Ins^t. which I had the pleasure to receive a few minutes before I left your City, replying to my hasty note of the same state on the subject of your place in now before me; permit me to notice the Civility of its Contents and the Gentlemanly disposition which it embraces.

In the course of my Journey homeward I had a good opportunity to deliberate on the object for which we had been treating and since have explained to M^rs Teackle whatever related thereto, The result of our conversations have led to a Conclusion, which directs me to advise you, That I have declined further Ideas of making the contemplated purchase; I am highly pleased with your Water prospect, and the numberless Conveniences and advantages, resulting from the Room and I am bound to admire your tastey plantations of of Shrubery about your excellent establishment, offering Comfort and pleasure to the possessors. Prompted by such inducements, I was strongly inclined to've given you a larger sum than every calculation of Retribution has yet suggested to me but, as the

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