ladies, at one of his mansions, seven miles off in the wilderness, on a beautiful plantation of several thousand acres of cotton and corn, and full of well-treated negroes. I went thither on horseback, attended by a horseman (a slave of Mr. Douglas) riding behind me, and remaining with me all night until I returned. Graciously and heartily received and entertained by the hospitable general, who was a prisoner to the British during the revolution, and was very rudely treated. He is one of the finest old fellows I have met with {57} in the South. "I once," said he, "told Colonel Rugeley that I thought we rebels should succeed." "What! they succeed?" rejoined the colonel, "Aye! you may as well expect the sky will fall, to catch larks." What a miserable prophecy, my uncle! How soon didst thou find thyself mistaken, and fly, a refugee, to the West Indies, to return no more, until all was peace and pure republicanism.
18th.—A splendid breakfast this morning, with the general, of tea and coffee, flowing from the most elegant urns of silver, and other vessels of corresponding beauty and costliness. Returned to Camden after viewing the plantation, on which I saw a small village of negro-huts well peopled, and, in the garden, a long and beautiful dark bowery walk, formed by grape-vines, laden with fruit. Visited Messieurs M'Caws' store, where I saw British broad-cloths, second quality, costing seven, and selling at ten dollars, or 45s. per yard. "A mighty fine price!" At a late hour this evening, came an invitation from Mr. Douglas, forbidding my departure on the ensuing morning, and insisting on my company to dinner at his house, with General Cantey and family, and a large and splendid circle of friends. I, being nothing loth, obediently complied.
