University of Virginia Library

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I send Mamas shoes up by a boy from aunt Carter's, who
is going to town to carry his father some clean clothes (a man
of Mr. Ben Perkins' in jail) none of our servants seemed inclined
to go as they would have had to walk, and this is a safe opportunity.
I presume it will not be of much consequence their not
arriving early in the day, as I suppose Mama would of course wear
her gaiters to church. I wish they were more attentive to requests
at Flannagans. The note to you Henry left there early Wednesday
morning asking them to send it to you promptly & when B. called
for the cloth you had gotten for Tucker, they told him they had
sent it to you, though you requested them to keep it. This quite
provoked me as I wanted the suit cut out early Monday. I will be
much obliged to you if you will send it back to Flannagans, as Mr.
Rives will be in town early Monday, but may not have time to go
to the U.y, and he can bring it out. I am very much pleased with
your selection of a bridal gift, it is a beautiful portfolio. I
have written a letter to accompany it this morning, but wish I
could have taken it myself. I do not think tho' it would have done
for me to have left home at this time. I have a great deal to
attend to and poor Tucker continues to suffer dreadfully with his
finger. It is the second rising he has had lately. I fear he is
going to have a succession of them, and that he will not be able to
go to school at its opening. I wish I could be at Mary's nice
dinner today. I can fancy how busy she has been. I long to see her
in her new home. I am getting anxious to make my fall purchases,
and to see you all, but do not know when I shall be able to go up,
as the horses have so many trips to make hauling timber, going
after wood, and probably two trips to take Henry & Tucker to the
U.y and to school. I am truly pleased to hear that Maria continues
so well. I suppose she has not yet fixed upon a name for the little
girl? Tell Edward he must not forget his promise of putting out
some rose slips for me. I shall have a nice little green house
under the end of the new porch. I must conclude as it is time I
was sending off the parcel. Poor Mildred Perkins is at Dr. Randolph's—what
a sad thing the total ruin of this family; servants,
furniture stock every thing has been seized and taken off. I feel
truly sorry for them. Mathew, Betsey Ann's husband, their dining
room servant is a most excellent one. She you know is our Jane's
sister-and he is the one to whom the boy is going tomorrow. With
much love to Papa, Mama, Maria, Mary & all.