Busy in getting ready to set away. Wrote a Letter to Dr _Beatty_--& one to Miss _Pratt_. The morning warm. I took my leave of the People in town of my acquaintance & set out for Virginia a little after noon--Mr Donaldson is very ill--There are strange & rediculous reports concerning him--That he has sent since his illness to Mr Ewing to be married to Tempy Fithian--Left Home about two o Clock--at the Ferry by five. The Boat is on the other side--Half after five she set off, the wind fair over by half after six--We left the shore at Seven. The wind light at West North West before we were over the wind fell--I was obliged to take to the Oar--& pull like a Turk--The flood strong against us--I rowed thus a full hour--My poor hands, when I got ashore were sore enough--I was set ashore more than a mile above _Port Penn_--Had to ride down on high rotten Bank through the dark--Once I got mired--On the whole it has been the worst adventure I have had in my travels.--I reached the Tavern in Port Penn by half after Nine. Call'd for half a Gill of bitters to qualify my humours; & a dish of Tea to cheer me, & soon to Bed. Ferriage 5/. _Teusday 24._ The morning pleasant & cool. Expence at _Port Penn_, 3/--Rode thence by the Trap five miles thence to middleton[174] five miles. Thence to Warwick four miles. Here I breakfasted. Expence for myself & Horse 1/7.--Thence I rode to George Town. Expence for oats 6d--Thence I rode to _New-Town_[175] fifteen Miles expence for--2/--For having my Coat altered in the Sleeves and Shoulders 2/. Expence for a pair of black worsted Stockings 6/.--Mr _Stephen Reeve_[176] is in George Town Working for Money Money to Gamble--This evening I feel more fatigued & dispirited than since I first went to Virginia-- [174] Middleton, Delaware. [175] New Town, Maryland. [176] Stephen Reeve was a Philadelphia silversmith. _Wednesday 25._