Scope and Contents Eight poems to Stella - inscribed on 1779 December 25, to "Mrs. Frances Tucker.  The subject of the preceeding poems.  A Memento, from her ever affectionate  The Writer." 1-On Absence... 1777 December 15, .  8 verses. 2-To Stella... soon after the preceeding.  3 verses. 3-To Miss E.T... about the same time.  6 verses. 4-To Stella-On seeing a Pincushion...made by her... 1778 February 8, .  42 lines. 5-On setting out on a visit to Stella, 1778 May 3, .  4 verses. 6-Motto on ornamental papers...

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Captain Bonner arrived here after his vessel the Commerce was disabled on the American coast. I furnished him with provisions to continue on his voyage. He put the most valuable materials in my care. Have disposed of the salt. (Copy of Letter.)

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His inconsistency of conduct is proof of his love. Had sworn he would never give a lady the power of laughing at the extravagancies of the passion, but now he breaks his oath. Sends enclosed rhyme as testimony of impossiblity of feeling a passion without uttering it. Poem not present.

Scope and Contents Self is at friend Leigh's and has been waiting for Tucker. Self also wanted Tucker to accompany him to Beverly Randolph's. Self doesn't know what he wants: Williamsburg, Petersburg, the Mountains. Self has lost his heart and all his own resolutions. Self swears he will be more of a philosopher. Laura's presence in the neighborhood has produced self's melancholy. She does not care for him. Self's reason for not visitng Tucker. "Wish'd much to have ? at Shirley, but ? not" Going to Colonel...

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The distress which I was last night witness to has made an impression which I fear can never be removed from my mind. If you can find but the smallest seed of love in your breast, let me cherish it till I have reared the tender plant. I have obtained a promise of your hand yet dare not hope to possess it.

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I know not what cause my spirits have been low during the whole evening. When I am melancholy, I turn to my pen for consolation. If you would give me this consolation, I would not have to turn to my pen.

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In obedience to your desire I am now preparing to leave you, but find it impossible for me at the same time to suppress the desire I have that you should be acquainted with the sensations which such an event produces in my breast. I know that my only chance of gaining your affection is by embracing every opportunity of convincing you that you have nothing to dread by uniting your happiness with mine.

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It is a severe struggle that I prevail on myself to remain so near to you without seeing you. The bare satisfaction of beholding you is a pleasure which my heart now pants after. I leave you without the smallest hope of seeing you again for many a tedious day.

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Feels confidence in writing to her on a subject which usually makes a man ridiculous. Knows it will be difficult for her, who has once been pleased, to be pleased again. Looks forward to next meeting with pleasure and apprehension. Would wish to disobey her only if she ordered him not to love her. Entreats her favourable sentiments.

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I am glad our scheme meets with yours and my Brother's approbation. With respect to your proposal as to the purchase of the quanitity of 200 or more hogsheads of tobacco on speculation. I am convinced it will answer extremely well, but as I have extent I shall make the purchase for your sole acct. account? I propose to send a waggon to Charlestown for some linens.

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Messrs. Van Bibber and Crockett have drawn in my favor on you for £1,500 saying that you owned one forth of the Brig Sally Van.I desired the payment be made to Mr. Randolph who owns one half. Thinks he has fully advanced his proportion. I am now in advance near £1,000 exclusive your order. I have not received any cash or instructions from the owners how to act. There is not a sufficient quantity of tobacco purchased yet.

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In the midst of this mighty struggle for glory, dominion, and liberty, poor little Bermuda has observed a strict neutrality. This was the most difficult poltical maneuver that could be attempted. The lives of fourteen thousand souls have been saved by it. Captain Edward Hinson has some money in the states of South Carolina and Virginia which he wishes to get collected together and deposited in the best and safest public fund. I have recommended you as a fit person.

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By recommendation of my friend George Bascome, I now send you a letter of Attorney and beg you will please call upon Mr. John Dalton at Alexandria for £794 Virginia currency and James Muir for £76. When this money is collected, you will please put it in a safe fund for the benefit of the owners of the sloop, Earl of Chatham of which I have the command.

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Thanks her for her commission and shall faithfully execute it. Her note by Syphax delighted him. Declares his love. Love and death make all men equal. Tom Davis is in the room, writing to his Betsey. Hopes self does not come on a fool's errand tomorrow.

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His heart, which has best with rapturous emotions whenever he thought of her, is now unspeakably happy at her tender returns. Will never prove ungrateful for the favor.

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Requests cost of making ship in his state. Gives dimensions. Encloses order on Messrs. Singleton, Plume, and White (not enclosed.)

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Encloses invoice of such articles as could get for him and friends. Enormous prices. Made bad bargain with tobacco, selling it at 45£ per ct. Price rose to 60£ in few days. To write more fully by St. George. Wishes him success and felicity.

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Is happy in writing to her. Friend Colonel Innes and his Betsey stole a wedding in Cumberland with only the Randolphville family there and ?. Cocke forgave them, but whole plan was discovered to be an April Fool's joke by Laura (Anne Blair Banister ?) Shall set out for Norfolk today.

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I have been prevented by some trifling accident from leaving town as soon as I expected. While I consider your happiness as the only pledge of my own, I cannot be indifferent to any circumstance which has a tendency to contribute toward it or undermine it. I request you to endeavor to render the idea of a new parent familar to the children.

Scope and Contents France and Spain seem to be at a stand as to an interference with America's quarrel for her just rights. Indeed I never expected any assistance from them. The Americans are doomed to stand another campaign unaided by any force, but that which should be derived from their own heroism and virtue. Ill judging ambition and the lust of gain has induced our fellow subjects beyond the Atlantic to rob us of possessions which had they but been wise and contented, we cultivated for their use. Inform...

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Thank you for your kindness which was shown to us while we were up the country. I hope you, the girls, and Miss Patty can visit us on the Eastern Shore this summer. This place has been lately almost as gay as Appomattox. Since we arrived there have been five or six private dances and the young gentlemen of Northampton gave an elegant ball to welcome us home.

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Captain Richard Somarsal who is here in a schooner, I have spoke to him about shipping tobacco in his vessel on freight. I shall endeavor to render him any service in my power in disposing of his cargo. I am enclosing you a memo of some articles that I need, please ship them to me by Captain Darrel.

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Will not be free of arduous jaunts this summer. A moment with her is worth an age absent from her. When he is with her, Father Time should break his glass and the distinction of days and hours be forgotten. Goes to Edenton tomorrow.

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Occasion of asking Mrs. Randolph about poetry self loaned her provides Colonel Nicholas with opportunity of getting acquainted. He despaired of introduction. Knows she has been too busy with realities to be concerned with poetry of dreams. Impossible to obey her summons by St. George Tucker. Love to sister Bland if she is with her and to Miss Banister.

Scope and Contents This intended by St. George Tucker who returns tomorrow. Can see by price of articles in wagons, money becoming less valuable here. No variety of goods. They lost selling tobacco at 45£. Price rose to 60£. T. Savage purchaser. Will share losses incurred by wagons with St. George. Business transactions with H. Hinson and Simons. Thanks him for favors and offers. Received £385.4.4 Doctor Archibald Campbell desired Hinson to deposit in own hands for St. George. Insured G. Gibbs for £12,000 at...