Mrs _Carter_ yesterday, in the Character of a truely fond Mother, altered her mind concerning _Ben_ many Times and in several different manners: At first she agreed for him to go with me as far as Anopolis without a waiting Man; then She concluded he was not well and had better decline going entirely; towards Evening She gave him full liberty if he will take a Waiting-Man; & will not set away till Monday morning; This I urged not being pleased from the Begining with going on the Sabbath--I gave yesterday to the Shoemaker a Bit--& a Bit to the Wash woman; half a Bit to her little Girl; & half a Bit to _Nelson_ the Boy who waits on our School; the whole is 11½. This morning is extremely pleasant the Country full of Flowers, & the branches full of lovely singing Birds.--Before Breakfast, I saw a Ring of Negroes at the Stable, fighting Cocks, and in several parts of the plantation they are digging up their small Lots of ground allow'd by their Master for Potatoes, peas &c; All such work for themselves they constantly do on Sundays, as they are otherwise employed on every other Day. Sermon to Day, is at Ucomico, too far for my Horse immediately before his Journey--Neither Mrs _Carter_ nor any of the Family go--At Dinner I received a Letter from Mr _Lowe_, with his Testimonials from the College in Edinburg which I am to present to the Presbytery of Philadelphia and if it shall be accepted, I am to bring such Exercises as they may appoint-- _Monday 11._ Bens Mare lame; Nat must stay, Ben & I set out at eight Rode by Westmoreland Court-House, Mattox Church; fed at Mattox-Bridge,[151] Rode by round-hill Church,[152] to Tylors Ferry[153] by three o-Clock 36 Miles--passed over the Ferry 7 Miles Ferriage 6/2--At a small House in Virginia for a gallon of Corn 1/4.--At a small Tavern at the Ferry on the Maryland side Expence 9d rode from thence three Miles to Squire Lees who has the Naval office here--Spent the Evening with young Mr _Lee_, Miss Lee, Miss Booth, & Miss Washington--Toasts--I gave Miss Nancy Galloway--Between the Ferry & Mr Lees we passed through four gates. [151] Mattox Bridge was some eighteen miles from Westmoreland Court House, and twenty-eight from "Nomini Hall." [152] Round Hill Church was the "upper church of Washington Parish" and stood at the site of what is now the town of Tetotum. [153] Tyler's Ferry in Westmoreland County, Virginia, was opposite Cedar Point on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. _Teusday 12._