Lucy Grymes Lee Carter to Alice Shippen

My dear Mr Carter returned home yesterday and brought me your Welcome letter and kind and pretty presents – the Gold Necklace I will wear for your sake and the Cornelian shall be given to my daughter who at twelve years old shall best deserve it – they all at present Lay claim to it and all think you must be the best Aunt in the world – I often wish I was fixed in a neat Snug tenement near you I think our children would be much benefitted by the exchange – Altho we have everything here that is comfortable and many of the luxuries – still I think I should like to be fixed in your city where we could have the advantages of Society and of educating our children in the best manner and where I could sometimes have the pleasure of seeing you – I have frequently thought there was no chance of our ever meeting again but if it Should please Heaven to spare our lives a year or two longer I may again surprise you with a sight of my charming Self – perhaps all this may be a delusion but let us indulge the hope of our meeting once more – Mr Carter tells me your Grand Son is now in Virginia I am very anxious to see him and hope he will not Leave the State without paying us a visit – My Brother is still in Washington tho he expects soon to be ordered to Frederic Town in Maryland – he is I believe a very ardent Soldier as I hear he is always in camp – I have just read the account of the Capture of the Chesapeake – I sincerely deplore the destruction of Officers and Seamen on both sides but the Gallant Lawrence is most to be deplored – I hear he has left an affectionate wife to bewail his early and affecting exit – Tell me again which of the Prophicies you wish me to read as I cannot understand whether it is Isaiah or Ezekiel – Write me again my dear Aunt and be assured of the constant attachment of Your affectionate

L Carter