Miss Octavia Southgate.
Lebanon Springs, Sept. 24, 1803.
Your letter, my dear Octavia, has set my head to planning at a great
rate. By all means come on with Mr. Cutts; I am impatient to see you,
and I cannot give up the pleasure of having you with me this winter.
We shall be at Housekeeping as soon as _possible_ after the fever
subsides. My husband thinks the plan a very good one. I will write
immediately to Aunt King, say that it is uncertain when you arrive,
but I have taken the liberty to request Mr. Cutts to leave you with
_her_ until I demand you. This settled, I proceed. Tell my good Mother
not to be afraid. I am as anxious as herself to be settled at home. I
am most tired of roving; it begins to grow cold, and I long for a
comfortable fireside of my own. What a sweet circle! Octavia, my dear
Husband, and myself; when we are alone we’ll read, and work like old
times. I have spent a most delightful 3 weeks at Ballston and Lebanon.
We had a charming company at Ballston, danced a few nights after I
wrote you, and I was complimented as Bride again.—Manager bro’t me No.
1,—quite time I was out of date.
Lebanon is delightful as ever; we have a small party, ride to see the
Shakers, walk, and play at Billiards, work, read, or anything. Tell
Mamma, Eunice Loring that was, is here,—she talks a great deal of my
Mother and Aunt Porter, wants to see them very much, etc., etc. She is
married to a _Mr. Neufville_ of Carolina. She is much out of health,
talks of going to England in the Spring. She wants to see you, as she
says my Mother talk’d of naming you for _her_; she wishes she had, as
she has no children. The box I mentioned was full of sugar things,
toys for the children; two little fans—a little frock for a pattern,
and another for Isabella’s children, The Children of the Abbey, and
Caroline of Lichfield for Mamma,—all in a package together; a letter
for Mrs. Coffin and several others. When we left New York Mr. Bowne
sent it to a Commission Merchant who does business for several
Portland people, and requested him to send it by the first vessel. As
you haven’t received it, I suppose the fever which broke out
immediately after induced him to shut up his store, or perhaps
prevented any Portland vessel from coming near the City, and that it
now lies in his store. Write me when you set out, and when ’tis
probable you will be in New York; direct to New York, probably I shall
be near New York in a fortnight. I have but a few moments to write as
the stage passes the village at 11. You alarm me about Ellen; pray
enquire particularly and tell me all; go to see yourself, and tell her
I can imagine no reason why I have never received a line from her
since I have been in New York,—nor Lucy Derby, neither Mrs. Coffin. I
wrote to, but it seems she did not receive my letter; love to her and
all Portland friends. I am expecting every day to hear Martha has
arrived. My best love to Sister Boyd and husband. I wrote a line of
congratulation to her, but that too is in the package. Adieu. I shall
soon see you, and then we will talk what I have not time to write. My
husband’s best love.
Yours, ELIZA S. BOWNE.
New York, October 23, 1803.
I have waited till my patience is quite exhausted. What can have kept
you so long in Boston? Mr. Bowne has been at the Stage Office a dozen
times, and I have staid at home every forenoon this week to receive
your ladyship. I expect to get to housekeeping next week; and am so
busy. Mercy on me, what work this housekeeping makes! I am half crazed
with sempstresses, waiters, chambermaids, and every thing else—calling
to be hired, enquiring characters, such a fuss. I cannot possibly
imagine why you are not here. I should have wrote immediately after
receiving your letter, but Mr. Bowne was sure you would be here in
less than a week. It is possible you may be in Boston to receive this;
if not, you will be here or on the way. If you are troubled about a
Protector, Mr. Bowne says there has been several _married_ gentlemen
come on lately, which if you had known of, would have been proper.
Perhaps Mr. Davis may hear of some one. At any rate come as soon as
possible, for I am very impatient to see you. My best love to Louisa;
tell her I should be much delighted to see her in New York this
winter, and my Husband frequently says he should like to have Mr.
Davis’ family near us in New York. I am sure I should with all my
heart. Say everything to Mr. and Mrs. Davis for me that bespeaks
esteem.
Adieu. Yours always,
ELIZA S. BOWNE.
Miss Octavia Southgate.