Letter to her nephew. Considerable discussion of closing of the river... "By this time you are aware that navigation is closed, and all our travelling must be done by land... The whole available force of King George are drilling for a home guard and for active service. Charles is among the latter; who is to gather in our crops we cannot tell. Dark piratical looking ships of the 'Old United States' pass up and down the river and a few tiny craft sometimes flit by like birds. The little ferry is still hidden in Machodoc Creek, having been searched at Fort Washington and then brought to by a shot across her bow and being forced to hoist a Union flag. I have heard she is to resume her trips subject to examination, but that is rumor. No one here seems afraid so far, the thorough arming of the county will keep good order among our working class and even ladies are (?) furiously military...the stillness of death rests on the river.'