(seq. 48)

Miss Lydia Nightingale
Providence

MMF letter #3 Charleston February 29 1791

Unwilling to let this Opportunity pass
without sending a line to my dear Aunt I hartily seize my pen in hopes
that a very few lines of it come fraught with the still warm effusion of
affection will meet a kindly welcome to the friendly bosom of my dear Aunt Lydia.
I sincerely thank you for the charming present you have so obligingly
made me (.) the apples came very will tho' a few were spoiled, they are
really very nice & of a kind which we seldom meet with in this country
the preserves are also very good I hardly know how to thank you enough for
your many kindnesses.
Jack Nightingale has not yet arrived at Charleston Mr Rhodes is I
believe at Georgia as I have not had the pleasure of seeing him for some
time --- I shall really be glad to see Jack not only as the nephew of one
I so much esteem but as an old acquaintance I knew him very well once &
have not the least inclination of breaking our acquaintance but rather
continue it, I am sadly afraid he wil not like Carolina the people are so
reserv'd paricularly the ladies[.] My Northern friends tell me that I
am a little infected with the desease so natural to my country however I
will not allow it -- but you shall be our Judge, next spring I will come
and give you great proof to the contrary, My Uncle & Aunt desire their
love & compliments & every kind thing I can think off [sic] to you with
thanks for the fruit trees which have all put out in blossom & likewise
beg you will never say a word of xxxxx their attention to Mr Rhodes --
they like him very well indeed and that is sufficient -- My eyes ache
very much occasion'd by want of sleep -- last night we were disturbed by
the cry of fire which consumed a large house & out buildings without
further damage ---