john h. peyton to his wife.
Richmond, Jan. 15th, 1840.
My Dear Wife:
Your affectionate letters, one written on the 5th, the other on the 11th, have been duly rec'd and read with delight.
I presume that ere this reaches you, that Mr. Woodville will have arrived and delivered to you those beautiful specimens of plate which I forwarded to him, and which cost so much that it has greatly straightened my pecuniary means—Mrs. Telfair's loan having been invested in State stock. He will also have given you all the information as to what has transpired since we parted. On yesterday I dined with Judge Tucker, where I met, among others, Mrs. Wm. Moncure, and two sons, of Stafford—old friends. In the evening, I attended, with Gerard Stuart and Mr. Worthington, of Jefferson, a party at Anthony Robinson's, but finding the company too youthful for my enjoyment, I returned and was in bed before ten o'clock. To-day I dine with Mr. Patton (J. M.), on tomorrow with Dr. Brockenbrough, so that you see that I have plenty of good eating and drinking, but I really do not enjoy it. It gives me a fullness in my blood vessels, and is such an inroad on my habits that I would greatly prefer being at home. These sensual pleasures are not to my taste, and in the future I shall avoid night parties. The business of legislation, so far as the Senate is concerned, has hitherto been anything but laborious. We meet at twelve o'clock, sit about an hour, pass a turnpike bill, or some such frivolous bill, and then adjourn.
This, however, will not be the case in the latter part of the session when bills of more importance are sent to us.
Who will be Senator or Governor is as yet altogether uncertain—numbers are nominated for each station, of course, many must be disappointed.
The wound inflicted on Dr. Stribling and the death of the Rev. James C. Wilson have filled me with grief. I do not think the Superintendent of the Hospitals should permit the lunatics to carry arms and wander about town. You know that I have more than once expressed apprehensions as to our connection Towles.[15]
I have not seen Anne Robertson since my return. I was invited to an evening party at Judge Robertson's to-day, but declined.