Cloudy & cool. I rise now by half after six--I found it necessary to flogg _Bob_ & _Harry_ on account of lying in bed, after I come into School--At twelve Mr & Mrs _Carter_, with all the Family except _Ben_, Harry & Myself; Ben staid of choice, & Harry I kept at Home on account of a sullen Impudence when I dismiss'd them--I told them that they both had my leave to go but at the same time it was my advice that they should stay--Harry then answered "D--n my Soul but i'll go!" At this I informed him that he had at once dismiss'd himself from my authority. & without singular signs of Submission I should never take him under my direction more--And therefore that he had general & unbounded Liberty to go not only to the Horse Race, but _where_ & _when_ he chose--He seem'd startled, & began to moderate his answer: I ordered him out of the Room, & told him to use his liberty. Mrs _Carter_ took with her all the young Ladies & all her children--_Ben_ & I with great satisfaction dined alone. Nelson, to Day, kill'd another Rattle Snake; near the place where he kill'd the other, which had twelve Rattles--Harry grew sick and refused to go to the Race, he came soon to my room & with every Sign of Sorrow for his conduct begg'd me to forgive him, at first I refused, but at length I took him in, yet informed him that I shall pass over no other instance of what may be called rudeness only.--The Colonel on his return, in the evening informed us that the Race was curious, & that the Horses were almost an even match--That the Betts were Drawn & no Money paid--That the Rider of one of the Horses weighed only forty Seven pound--Strange that so little substance in a human Creature can have strength & skill sufficient to manage a Horse in a Match of Importance--Something alarming happened a few nights ago in the Neighbourhood at Mr _Sorrels_[200] a House in sight--It is supposed that his Negres had appointed to murder him, several were found in his bed chamber in the middle of the night--his Wife waked--She heard a whispering, one perswading the other to go--On this She waked her Husband, who run to his Gun; but they escaped in the dark--Presumption is so strong together with a small confession of the Fellows, that three are now in Prison--The ill Treatment which this unhappy part of mankind receives here, would almost justify them in any desperate attempt for gaining that _Civility_, & _Plenty_ which tho' denied them, is here, commonly bestowed on Horses!--Now, Laura, I sleep in fear too, though my Doors & Windows are all secured!-- [200] Thomas Sorrel owned a plantation near "Nomini Hall" in Westmoreland County. _Fryday 9._