Williamsburg July 5 1780
Very Honour'd Madam
Your Health concerning which I have been very uneasy papa writes me he thinks is better this is a Comfort which would have been great indeed had I not too credulously prided myself up with the hopes of hearing of a total Recovery However I earnestly pray that by the greatest attention on the Doctors side & care on yours this last will be soon affected. I feel myself much more at ease in thinking that you will let me know if any of the family should be ill & on my side I promise the same which I hope will prevent both from un[nec]essary allarms— I Reciev'd my Cloaths with the greatest thanks & though it is impossible to make the many favours I have reciev'd appear more manifest yet it still serves to show that inexhaustible fund of parental affection which has ever distinguish'd you. as to my Situation here it is I confess as agreable as I could wish having my choice in the Society of Gentleman whose characters are Good & examples edifying. Here then when free from scholastick employment we either entertain ourselves with innocent diversions or recapitulate what we have read through the day & deliver without reserve those observations we have made on different objects. The unhappy fate of Charles Town has forc'd many of the Inhabitants of both Sexes to become citizens of Williamsburg their misfortunes are indeed great & such as attract the compassion of every1 Inhabitant here as much as virtue is wanting. Some of the females have Come ignorant of the fate of their tender Husbands & Husbands in the same predicament with regard to their fond Wives—but both certain of the entire loss of their estates. This is the fate of war & what no one can concieve unless those that have felt it. I cannot omit relating an affair that happen'd here since soon after their arrival— The Townspeople giving a Ball invited them to it but they returned an answer replete with that patriotick virtue which I could wish to see diffused over America. That they thought it a very improper time to give themselves up to mirth when the very bowels of their Country was likely to be torn out. I Refer you to Papa for news & wishing you a speedy recovery of your Health Remain with every Sentiment of affection Very Honour'd Madam your Dutyful Son
Bushrod Washington
P.S. I have sent the things you desir'd.
I cannot omit mentioning a Phænomina that I saw to day very surprising. It was a Calf who had a Wool pack on his head as exactly similar to the Ladys Head Dresses as 'tis possible to concieve two or three Ladys they say on Seeing it threw their's into the fire— Pray let this be known to all the Ladys in Westmoreland.
B. W.
Source Note
ALS (photostat), ViMtvL. The cover was addressed to "Mrs Hannah Washington" at Bushfield in Westmoreland, the letter to be conveyed "By Jerry." BW wrote and initialed beneath the seal, "The enclosed packet is recommended to your Care & shall be oblidg'd to you to send it to Cabbin Point."
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