26, 1812.
"My dear Governor, "It has cost me more than I can tell you, that I have not been able to witness your triumph.

Nothing could hinder my sharing it.

I shared it even before I heard a word of it.

I shared it all last week, while the scenes were enacting; but when papa's letter came, it made an old boy of me -- I would have thrown off my hat and hurrahed, if I had not been afraid to trust four walls with my feelings; and I finally took up with the safer indulgence of some very sweet tears.

I told you it cost me a great deal to stay away from Shagarack.