LETTER CXII.
Farmville, Saturday, Nov. 6, 1813.
My dear Theodore,
Jupiter got down here, last night, with your letter.
I do not wonder that he forgot your books when he returned
without what I chiefly sent him for—my dirk, pocket pistols,
goggles, and best coat, with dress shoes, and gaiters.
Pray speak to John Garritt to come down here and build a
house for St. George. He wishes it to be set about as soon
as possible. Garritt must leave at Roanoke all the tools he
found there, and such as I have purchased since. Phil and
Morocco can do what work I want, until poor St. George gets
a shelter over his head.
If a GOOD opportunity offers, be so good as to send me the
things above named, with my father's picture, and three lockets;
they are in my writing-table drawer. I shall direct Jemmy
to bring up some herd's grass seed, from Mr. Wm. L.
Morton's, which I wish sprinkled over the new meadow, and,
if any left, over the old. Let Billy and Ned join the axemen
at Hog Island.
Jupiter also forgot Mr. Garritt's saddle. If the post-boy
cannot carry it, I will send it by the wagon.
I fear you have a sad time of it. Tell Pentecost he can
have the accommodation he asks, in respect to the goods. I
hope he sent down Ryland's horse.
I think it would be a good plan to put one of the three
years' old colts, with a steady, dull horse, to break up the
pasture.
B. Woodson, Redford, and myself, are going a cocking in
Nash's low grounds. I will keep my letter open until
we return. I killed a duck in Mr. Dupuy's mill-pond, on
Monday evening, and three partridges and a cock, on Thursday,
at Bizarre. Game is very scarce. Send me a memorandum,
by the post, of such things as you want, as well as
overseers and carpenters.
Farewell, dear Theodorick.
Your friend and kinsman,
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.
It is not possible to write tolerably with such tools.
Pray teach Dash and Clio to fetch. W. Randolph, from a
thorn wound in the knee, has a dreadful abscess formed; for
a fortnight his life was in great danger. Dr. I. now thinks
his limb may be saved.
Not a cock found in Nash's famous grounds. No wonder.
Plenty of hogs, oxen, and horses.
Found two woodcocks in a branch; killed both. The second
after, Woodson missed; also, a brace of partridges. St.
George, one woodcock. Woodson and Redford, not a feather.
Game very scarce. Left the puppy at home. Dido behaved
to admiration. Woodson and Redford's guns are more than a
quarter of a pound heavier than mine.
