Part 24 (2/2)
PHILIP V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 6._
Mr _Carter_ rode to richmond court--At Dinner I had a long and useful conversation with Mrs Carter She told me openly & candidly the Several failings of her children, & indeed She knows them perfectly--In particular she knows not what to do with her perverse Son _Bob_--He abuses his Mama, Miss Sally, the children, Family, and is much given to slander. Poor unhappy youth, I fear he will come to an unhappy end!
This afternoon I found it necessary to correct Bob severely for impertinence in School--Mr Carter at Court received his Invoice from London for this Spring, in which was a gold Seal for _Ben_ with a Coat of Arms price five Guineas!--
_Teusday 7._
The morning pleasant, cool & agreeable--I corrected Harry this morning for telling me a Lie--Stomachful & sullen as any youth--The day warm but very bearable--Breakfasted with us Mr Blain & Mr Warden, all the conversation is Politicks; But People seem moderate & yet settled in their determinations to stand out
_Wednesday 8._
The morning pleasant--Mr _Carter_ rode to the Ucomiko Ware-houses to examine in the s.h.i.+pping some of his Tobacco--We have no Company. The day is very warm--A flaming sultry Sun, a dusty scorched Ground, Mr _Carter_ returned, the day being smoky introduced, at Coffee, a conversation on Philosophy, on Eclipses; the manner of viewing them; Thence to Telescopes, & the information which they afforded us of the Solar System; Whether the planets be actually inhabited &c.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO SAMUEL FITHIAN]
Nomini Hall Virginia June 8th. 1774.
SIR.
After I acquaint you that, by the kindness of providence I arrived safe and am in good health, I shall not neglect to inform you that the Virginians are warm and active in supporting the liberties of America; the first day of June throughout this Colony, by a resolve of the House of Burgesses, or a.s.sembly of Representatives for the province was kept a solemn Fast, and kept religiously too, to invoke almighty G.o.d to a.s.sist our falling country, and save us from oppression and Tyranny--The ware-Houses are already hindring the s.h.i.+pping Tobacco, and it is expected there will shortly be a general embargo laid on all exportable commodities--The people here wish for the union of all the Colonies, and for firm perseverance in what shall seem most conducive to the good of America, notwithstanding this Colony and Maryland will suffer vastly, because Tobacco is a comodity less saleable among ourselves than most of the produce of the Northern Colonies, and it is in these the staple--
I am seated once more to great sattisfaction in my business, the family and neighbourhood are well, but I propose and expect by the permission of providence to return home the latter end of October; in the mean time, I am,
Dear Unkle Your most obliged Nephew PHILIP V FITHIAN
P. S. Please to remember me to the family, &c.
[JOURNAL]
_Thursday 9._
The morning haizy, no Wind, & very warm--I wrote a Letter to Uncle _Samuel Fithian_--After Dinner Mr Carter set out for Williamsburg--by him I sent to the Post-office at _Hobbes-Hole_, My Letters to Mr _Hunter_, Uncle _Fithian_, Miss _Beatty_. & Mr _Peck_--After School in the evening I had an agreeable walk with Mrs _Carter_ in the Garden--
[Ill.u.s.tration: couple walking]
_Fryday 10._
Cool but exceeding dry--Writing at my Lecture. Mrs _Carter_ was to day sadly frighted with a Lizard, that lives under the House--After School, with Ben I wakked over to Mr Turburville's to gather Cheries, which are there in great plenty--Mrs _Carter_ in the evening after our return, gave me a Lecture for taking _Ben_ to _Annapolis_ when I went last Home without a waiting-Man--Wrote at my Lecture til eleven. Ben sleeps at the Great-House in the absence of his _Papa_.
_Sat.u.r.day 11._
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