August 20th, Poplar Hill
Dearest Elizabeth,
          Although the British troops march ever closer, Robert assures me that they will be stopped at Bladensburg and that there will be a grand victory party in the Capitol. I suppose I should send some servants to open up the house in the city, but it is such a dreadful, mucky place in August that I think I shall wait until the battle and the danger is passed. The servants can tend to the house while Robert and I are at the party. We will stay there just the one night and then return to the country.
          Cousin Anna Darnall and my brother-in-law Christopher will be accompanying us. Christopher is not one for parties, so he has agreed to supervise the opening of the house while we go on to Mr. Madison's home.
          The girls shall be left here with their nanny, although Catherine being thirteen thinks she is grown up enough to come with us. Not for another year or so, I think. She is far too young to be coming out, but we will never convince her.
Polly

August 21st
Dearest Elizabeth,
          It is just so exciting to think that we will be attending a party in the President's home, with the lovely Mrs. Madison as hostess. I hear she puts great thought into all the food, selects the wines herself, and decorates beautifully. It is very exciting.
          I have been planning the picnic basket for our sustenance in the coach and the Nelly is taking care of all the preparation. Perhaps to keep us in a celebratory mood a bottle of shrub might make it into the basket. I shall be taking Sophia with me. She's only 17, but strong and eager to please. It is time I gave her a chance to be a lady's maid. I have made up a list of things I will need and left it to Sophia to get it all packed.
          A list, I can hear you ask. I know that many disapprove of teaching our blacks to read, but I felt it important that they be able to experience the Scriptures for themselves. Margaret is tutoring my daughters and I have selected a few of the house servants to attend classes. Not only do the slaves take joy in the Scriptures, but you have no concept of how much easier it is to run a household when I can make up a list of things to do, give it to a servant, and know that every item on the list will be checked off in due course.
          Margaret is a Quaker and disapproves of the keeping of slaves. I suppose that a strict interpretation of her faith would require that she leave our service, but she is resolute to stay. I think she hopes to either change my mind and that of my husband to releasing the slaves upon our deaths, but I fear she must settle for improving the lives of those in our charge. I will certainly give her that much.
          As for manumission, those slaves that are part of my allottment really belong to my husband and will later belong to my son. I fear young Robert has already fallen into evil ways, drinking and gambling, and will no doubt waste whatever we leave him. I would rather he lose a few slaves at the gaming table than lose the entire estate. Oh, if he could just find a suitable wife to keep him to the narrow path.
Polly

Packing list:
ball gown, dancing shoes, silk purse
day dress and parasol
nightgown and toiletries
chamberpot
rugs, mats, pillows
pitcher and glassware
plates and bowls
silverware

Food:
hard-boiled eggs
artichoke pudding
smoked ham
sherry mustard
bread and potted cheese scones
minted cold tea
shrub


August 24th
Dear Elizabeth,
          We had thought to be going to the "victory" party at the Capitol tonight, but the battle did not turn out quite as expected. We were turned away by a gentleman from the Dandy 5th. I do not know where we will go now. We can not return to Poplar Hill because the roads are filled with British soldiers. I fear for my daughters, but can only pray that even the enemy would not take out vengeance on three little girls. I thank the dear Lord that young Robert is away with friends in Philadelphia.
Polly

August 26th
Dear Elizabeth,
          The British came into Washington after the battle two days ago. Some Irish sailors got into our house and fired on the party under flag of truce. I suppose General Ross was the target, but instead his horse was killed. Justly angered, the British swarmed into the house and killed all they found. I thank God that I did not send the servants to open the house. The town house was set ablaze and I am simply numb when I consider the loss to the family.
          A footman arrived from Poplar Hill with the message that the girls seem fine, but I worry. Catherine is trying to play the mother, in defiance of the Margaret, but is holding firm against all adversity. Susan and Mary are clinging to their poppets and each other.
          We stopped by a friend's house and borrowed horses so that Robert and the servants could ride back to Poplar Hill to protect our daughters. Anna and I are going ahead by coach with Christopher to seek shelter somewhere on the road away from the troops.
          All are upset at the loss of the town house. My only comfort is that most of our valuables were removed to Poplar Hill. The city house is untenable because of the heat and the stench. The sewer through the center of the city and the bawdy houses in the area are simply appalling and no place to raise children. A city only fit for the lower element and politicians. Why Robert even bothers with a house there is beyond me, but I suppose as a physician he has to have a residence where the patients are in most quantity.
Polly

August 27th
Dear Elizabeth,
          We had considered making a dash for Baltimore, but have heard that the British are now returning to their ships and will probably attack there next. Anna and I are heading towards Williamsport to stay with Aunt Catherine.
          We have practically nothing with us, having planned to pick up other necessities at the city house. Silk dresses and dancing shoes. I have a cotton day dress and a shawl. I only hope we can make the food last all the way to Aunt Catherine's.
          I do not know much about Williamsport, but I fear it may be full of riff-raff and the courser element. All I want now most in the world is to go back to my home in the country, but I suppose that is what all displaced persons say.
          God keep you, dear Elizabeth.
Polly