West says that he has written his sister Mary a scolding letter, for her (apparent) gossip that he and Stilson were engaged: "Deuce take it! Almost every young lady I ever corresponded with, has been held up by some officious person or other as my 'intended'. I don't care anything about it on my own account . . . . But 'tis often quite unpleasant for a young lady to have such reports and innuendo floating about concerning her."