Rose by half after six--Wrote a Letter to Dr Witherspoon concerning my going to Virginia--I hear that many of my Friends in this Place are unwilling I should go--I am indeed in a Dilimma--But I have agreed--Well, I must away--And I hope in the Kindness of him who was my Fathers God, & has been the Guide of my Youth, that he will save me from being corrupted, or carried away with the Vices which prevail in that Country--Wrote a Letter to And: Hunter--In the Evening, rode with my Letters, to the Stage--Saw there by Chance, the famous Miss _Betsy Elmore_: famous for _Wit_, Extensive Knowledge, but especially for _Volubility of Tongue_-- [LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO DR. WITHERSPOON] Greenwich august 30th 1773. _Revd Sir._ I am sorry that I may inform you of the dissattisfaction which my friends in general since my return home seem to discover, with my intention of going this fall to _Virginia_. However willing I am myself to accept the proposal and go, it will not be easy to break through the entreaties of those who are my neares[t] relations, and who have all along, with the warmest friendship interested themselves to procure my welfare. I do not intend by any means, abruptly to decline the fulfilling my agreement, but only desire to know, if there are not some to be found among the late Seniors who would willingly discharge me by accepting the offer themselves. If not I have only further to beg, that you would be pleased, Revd Sir, to favour me with the proposal of the gentleman; and so soon as there is a return from him, I shall be glad to know the time when I must leave home; I am Revd Sir, with great respect your humble Servt PHILIP V. FITHIAN P. S. Letters come safe sent by the princeton stage, and directed to me at Greenwich. [PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY] Princeton. August 31. 1773. TO LAURA. As an old Sinner, who has been long accustomed to Mishief, cannot bear to think of quitting his much-loved Practice; so I, from Time to Time, with few Returns, am intruding my Epistles upon you. I have just been reading Yorrick's celebrated Letters to Eliza: They are familiar--They are plain--They are beautiful. I love Eliza, from the admirable Description he has given of her: But possibly he has been wholly romantic; & only painted the Woman he could love; or, if has given his own candid Sentiments, & described that Woman in Truth; There is in America an Eliza I would venture, from Yorricks own Picture, to set against it; & let Yorrick himself be Judge, should I venture never so largely, I am sure I should succeed--