Old  Dr.  F.,  whom  I  saw  in  Frederickburg,  while  my
horses  were  baiting,  begged  to  be  most  particularly  remem-
bered to  you.  The  old  man  spoke  of  you  with  a  warmth
of  approbation  that  highly  gratified  me.  Mr.  W.  made  the
most  affectionate  inquiries  after  you.  He  knew,  he  said,  my
complaint  and  constitution,  having  been  a  martyr  to  it  (dys-
pepsia) himself,  but  now  cured.  He  begged  me  to  consider
water  as  poison  to  me.
Mr.  and  Mrs.  C,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  B.,  and  Mrs.  B.,  with
whom  I  spent  the  morning,  yesterday,  made  friendly  in-
quiries about  you.  So  did  Mrs.  W.,  who  is,  "as  ladies  like
to  be,  who  love  their  lords;"  and  will  present  him  in  a  very
short  time  with  a  chopping  boy  or  girl,  perhaps  both.
Adieu,  my  dear  Theodore.
Your  affectionate  friend  and  kinsman,

JOHN  RANDOLPH,  of  Roanoke.
LETTER  CLVI.
Richmond,  Thursday,  March  13, 1817.
You  will  not  be  surprised  at  this  date,  my  dear  Theodore,-
when  you  call  to  mind  what  a  day  yesterday  was;  and  this,
too,  is  rainy  and  gloomy.     I  was  packed  for  my  journey,-


200  LETTERS  OF

and  intended  to  have  breakfasted  this  morning  at  Clay  Hill,
or  Obslo;  but  the  weather  obliges  me  to  keep  in  port.
I  believe  that  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  the  famous  frigate,
Paragon,  (a  thirty-two,)  struck  her  colours,  on  Tuesday  eve-
ning, to  the  General  S.
******

Do  not  let  Quashia  forget  to  call  at  T.  and  M's.,  and  to
bring  up  the  box  containing  my  saddle,  &c,  which  I  ordered
him  to  carry  back  last  year;  but  he  neglected  it:  the  conse-
quence is,  the  bits  and  stirrup  irons  are  terribly  rusted.
