Margaret Smith Nicholas to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph
| My dear Jane | Richmond Nov 10th 1818 Dec 9 |
We arrived here last night evening about sun-set, we found the roads, ruff, and bad, as long as were in Albemarle, but afterwards, they were the greater part of the way very fine, we got to Mrs Tinsleys, by four Oclock, not in the least fatigued, my cholick soon evaparated, but poor Sall, had not proceeded three miles before she threw up all her breakfast, she say’s it was riding, so soon after eating, but I suspect that she eat too much Sausage meat. however she went on quite well afterwards. Many of our friends have been to see us to day, and poor Sall has been saluted by every one with “how fat she had grown.” The truth is, she is not able to make any of new dresses meet. she with great difficulty got one hooked on her, but the hook burst off, just as the eligant Miss Wickham enter’d the house, and she was obliged to resort to a Shawl to conceal her Misfortune. We found only Margaret at home, Sid, was at Scholl, and your Pappa, was at a meetting of the agricultural Society, and I did not see him until ten Oclock. and to day he dines with them, and tomorrow the President, and some others, will dine with us. So you see I am in [. . .] business at once. They say that Carter, is to be Married, this Winter, the Wedding dresses are preparing, and two setts of handsome Jewelry, has already arrived from Baltimore. You may tell your Husband that I should think it the extreme of cruelty now, to deliver his message. I rejoiced yesterday that we did not bring our dear little Patt with us. As I never suffered more from cold in my life, I do not know what we should have done, but for your two blankets, even with one of them wraped round my legs, and feet, they were quite benumbed with cold, when stoped at Coxes, we staid there half an hour. warmed ourselves well, the day became warmer, the road was very fine and the remainder of our journey was charming. Both the girls lament that we did not bring Patt, and I would give a great deal that I I had her safe here. I shall be all anxiety until I hear how you go on? What effect her restlesness at night, has on your health? My dear child I hope you will not expose yourself? Here is Mrs Jane Mead, who is laid up with a Milk-leg, in consiquence of dressing too thinly after her confinement, and is extremely ill. how is my dear little baby, and her snuffles?, do not let our dear Mag forget us, remind her every day, that she is to visit us in the Spring. Yesterday was so fine a day, that I f[ear?] you took advantage of it, and went down to dinner, If you did, I hope you will be cautious, and not venture down on a col’d day. It was as I suppos’d, Betsy Hoy’s fault that you have not received your new dress. It is not yet finish’d, but I will persicute her with messages, until I get it. We have not received letters this Week from Baltimore.
They say William Wickham, still visits at Shirly, but that his fate is not yet decided. he has not had resolution to put the question, but his friend Frank G, thinks that he is favorably received, and that he will succeed. Margaret Picket’s lover, still keeps her in suspence, he is all attention but will not give her an oppertunity to say yes, or no,.
I flatter myself that my Sister Carr is with you, I shall not cease regreting, that I had not the happiness of seeing her. I hope you will give me a particular account of her sales, and whether she succeeded in making up fifteen thousand dollars? or if she got more? The girls say there are no decent Beaux in Town, and that they have a prospect of a very dreary Winter. But there is no saying what the Winter may turn up. The Governor’s lady does not come down this Winter, her baby, is too young, for such a journey. The Governor dines at a boarding house. I was interrupted yesterday by Company, and have written this side of my letter to day.
