Part 31 (1/2)

SIR.

I have an oppertunity by some gentlemen, who go from this Colony to the Congress, of writing you a line according to promise, since I saw you, I have been in good health; The reigning spirit in Virginia is liberty--And the universal topic politicks--I suppose it to be the same with you G.o.d Almighty knows where these civil tumults will end; probably not without War & Blood!--I have but little to say but to present you my best regards, remember me to your sister--To Miss Cunningham--The Miss Armitages--Miss Cooks--I hope to see you the last of october, when I expect to be in Town--Probably you can make it convenient for you to take a ramble into the country at that time. I hope to be at leisure, and shall be proud to attend you--Mr Blain, who favours me by carrying these is a Gentleman of my acquaintance in this Colony, a Merchant of Note, I shall thank you if you will take some notice of him,--And by him, as he is to return immediately I beg you write--Tell me how matters go in Town--Tell me what you know of the Country--Tell me much about the _s.e.x_ you love--Remember to ask Mr Blain the hour he returns, and dont fail to send me a line

I am, Sir, with great regard, Yours.

PALATIAH WEBSTER.

PHILIP V. FITHIAN.

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO NATHANIEL DONNALD, JR.]

Nomini Hall. Augt: 21st. 1774.

SIR.

I wrote you a line in great haste, just before I left home, and two days before that I had the pleasure of your company with ladies in an evening excursion--We have here no artificial gardens; Nor can we select out a company of sociable equals whenever we are in a humour for a walk--Here we either strain on Horseback from home to Church, or from house to House if we go out at all--Or we walk alone into a dark Meadow, or tall wood--But I love solitude, and these lonely recesses suit exactly the feeling of my mind--I recieved lately a letter from Cohansie, in which I am informed of the Death of Uncle _Seeley_--The family and neighbourhood will have suffered a great loss!--I suppose you join in the general language, and a.s.sert your liberties and oppose oppression. I hope at least you are on the right side of the question.

The City, I dare say, is in great tumult if not in consternation. I wish it was convenient for me to be in town when the gentlemen from the respective Colonies shall meet in general Congress--This is out of my power, but I can wish for their union, and usefulness. Mr _Blain_, the gentleman who forwards my letter, is a Merchant of Note, in this Colony, you will oblige me if you take notice of him while he is in Town.--You will not fail to write me a line, and give to Mr Blain the moment you recieve mine, least he leave town and I be disappointed.

My compliments to all friends, from Sir, Yours P. V. FITHIAN.

Mr Nathl: Donnald Junr:

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO MISS RUTH WEBSTER]

Nomini-Hall August 21st 1774.

MADAM.

I send you these inclosed in a line to your Brother.

I do this that you may recieve the letter, for there seems to be little security in a letter directed to you, the youngsters are so curious to examine what is written for you--I understand that you never recieved my last dated ”May 1774. Delaware River on board the swallow.” I wish I could detect the impudent interceptor--You have then at last condescended to visit Cohansie! I hear by Mr _Ewing_ that you was in the Country several weeks--Does it delight you, to hear the noise of Birds, of Lowing Cows, of Sheep, and of chatt'ring poultry, instead of the City-Cries? But I forget myself--Did you see that your Merchant, who, as I mentioned to you, is so moved with youn[g] person and manner? I suppose he was your constant and unwearied gallant--I expect that according to promise, you spent some part of your time with my sister--She a little Vixen, has never scribbled me a line, but I am level with her, for I have been as silent as she--Miss Beatty, that girl you seem so pa.s.sionately fond of, is I expect, before this returned--She is indeed a lovely girl, if I say more you will call me partial--At any rate, as you correspond, I beg you will present her with my compliments, which are indeed but empty, thread-bare things--But Madam, I a.s.sure you they are the most valuable articles I can now transmit--I expect to be in town by the latter end of October, or beginning of November--If you are not too busy when you recieve this, I beg you will sit yourself instantly down and write me a friendly answer--This I think my due since I have written to you only, and to no other Lady either in town or country

I am, Madam, P. V. FITHIAN To Miss Ruth Webster.

[JOURNAL]

_Monday 22._

Mr _Grubb_ & Ben returned last evening--They spent their Day in _Richmond_[196]--I wrote to day several letters. to Philadephia One to Miss _Webster_. To her _Brother_. To _John McCalla_ junr--To Mr _Donald_--These I send by 'Squire _Lee_ who is to be of the Party--After School _Ben_, _Grubb_, & Myself rode to the _'Squires_--He took us into his Garden, shewed and gave us great Plenty of fine Peaches, _Nectarines_ &c

[196] Richmond County.

He has a large Garden, & great abundance of fruit--His People were shaking the trees to prepare the Peaches for Brandy

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN MCCALLA, JR.]