October 18, 1774
said thing which I hear of that turn-Coat
Laura, that She loves & courts one Mr.
Rodman this distresses me exceedingly
But this relieves me, for I have had
it always in my View that
---- ----Varium & mutabile semper
Femina ---- ---- ----
Tho I have made a Solemn vow which I
have no inclination at all to forego, yet
if it shall appear that she has listened
to another, my dearest vow is not
inviolable; I will retreat from every
former Promise, I will not hearken
to womanish solicitations, but I shall
in return for her want of goodness
treat her with contempt; & Sincere-
ly pity, instead of resent, her ineffect-
ual Caprice----
Fithian Papers, Manuscripts Division,
Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Published with permission of Princeton University Library.