Monday Afternoon
July 21 1823¹

Dear Peggy,

I have been on thorns lest you might without thinking mention something I said about a certain couple which I did not request you not to mention but which you would oblige me very much not to hint to any one & if you have request [thins] not to tell & my reasons I will tell when I see you, which will be before long. You did not get home till eleven o'clock but met with no accident. Hill says he means to go up on Miss Perkins's invitation & appeared this afternoon some time with me. Tho to tell the truth I had rather visit you but will settle it some other time. He said he had a very pleasant time up & that he admired you & my letter [?] thought you very agreeable. Where [rivals] too had. If you please mention to [Adrian] not to mention what we said. I have sealed this with wax as you know it might get the same trick [?] as it as you did on a certain letter. I wish you would write but be very careful at what you say in [?] & express no names.

Love to the girls & [?] much love to yourself.

¹ The year 1823 is estimated based on the information that Monday, July 21 occurred in 1823.

² To learn more about Margarette Barker Lerned [McQuesten] please see W0609.