LETTER CXVII.
Richmond, Monday, Jan. 24, 1814.
From the Bank of Virginia.
Dear Theodore,
With their usual attention to the public convenience,
the familiars of the post-office have changed the day of arrival
and departure of the mails. I was apprized of this
fact by the receipt, this morning, of your welcome letter of
the 13th, (post marked the 18th;) the only one which I have
received from you for several weeks past. I have been too
long acquainted with the manœuvring of the sex, and especially
of the lady in question, to be surprised at what you tell
me: for which of my sins it is I know not, that I have sustained
this long and heavy persecution, (more hot and galling
than the dreadful fire which killed nine of Gen. Harrison's
mounted riflemen;) but I humbly hope that the penance
will reduce the "balance" against me (to speak à la Vèrginienne)
on a final settlement.
Bonaparte has met with another defeat, near Francfort,
(on the Maine, I presume,) and Lord Wellington has, by
this time, entered Bayonne. Pampelune surrendered with
4,500 men. I send you some newspapers by Beverley, who
arrived on Friday night, and who does not seem to be in any
very great hurry to get home. He is much pleased with
military life; and I should not be surprised (if our army were
on a better footing) at his entering upon that profession.
William Leigh promised to call on you as he went home.
Watkins Leigh is well, much fattened, and inspirited by
matrimony. Bouldin, too, is here; a heavy draft from our
country of abilities and integrity.
Perhaps you think that I never mean to go to Philadelphia,
or return home: and, indeed, you have cause to entertain
such a surmise. I have been detained here by circumstances
which, at some future day, I will explain to you.—
They are too long for a letter.
Mr. W. M. W. has made up to me a good deal this winter,
and speaks to certain persons, (B—, Mercer, Powell,
&c.,) in such a way, as leaves no doubt of his desire for a reconciliation.
He told P., that my hauteur to him caused
him to vote against me!
I fear I shall lose the opportunity of Beverley; he has
been missing ever since yesterday morning. Keep a sharp
look out on Cambay and Beadles.
Yours, truly,
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.
Dr. Dudley.
Mrs. Bell went yesterday to Kingston, Dinwiddie, to see
her mother, who has been very ill with a pleurisy, but is
now out of danger. Kingston is in the south-east part of
the county, about twenty-five miles from Petersburgh. She
will return this day week. Her sister, Mrs. Haxall, accompanied
her. Miss Barton remains at "Belmont."
I have letters from Bleecker, Quincy, Tudor, and Rutledge.
If I had answered them, I should enclose them to
you; but they poured in this morning, according to the proverb.
Dr. and Mrs. B. salute you. You must come and live
here.
