The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson Compiled From Family Letters and ReminiscencesRandolph, Sarah N. (Sarah Nicholas)
History
The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson Compiled From Family Letters and Reminiscences
Randolph, Sarah N. (Sarah Nicholas)
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826; Presidents -- United States -- Biography
The following extract from a letter of Jefferson to Washington,
written early in the spring of this year (1791), shows the warmth of
his affection for him, and betrays a touching anxiety for his welfare:
I shall be happy to hear that no accident has happened to you in
the bad roads you have passed, and that you are better prepared
for those to come by lowering the hang of your carriage, and
exchanging the coachman for two postilions, circumstances which
I confess to you appeared to me essential for your safety; for
which no one on earth more sincerely prays, both from public and
private regard, than he who has the honor to be, with sentiments
of the most profound respect, Sir, your most obedient and most
humble servant.
Mr. Jefferson left Philadelphia for Virginia on the 2d of September,
and arrived at Monticello on the 12th. He remained there just one
month, leaving for the seat of government on the 12th of October.
His regrets at leaving home were on this occasion lessened by the
pleasure of being accompanied on his return to Philadelphia by his
beautiful young daughter, Maria. His establishment in Philadelphia
was one suitable to his rank and position. He kept five horses, and
besides his French steward, Petit, who presided over the ménage of
his house, he had four or five hired male servants and his daughter's
maid.
In a letter to Mr. Randolph written on the 25th of October, he writes
thus of his journey:
The first part of our journey was pleasant, except some
hair-breadth escapes which our new horse occasioned us in going
down hills the first day or two, after which he behaved better,
and came through the journey preserving the fierceness of his
spirit to the last. I believe he will make me a valuable horse.
Mrs. Washington took possession of Maria at Mount Vernon, and
only restored her to me here (Philadelphia). It was fortunate
enough, as we had to travel through five days of north-east
storm, having learned at Mount Vernon that Congress was to
meet on the 24th instead of the 31st, as I had thought. We got
here only on the 22d. The sales at Georgetown were few, but
good. They averaged $2400 the acre. Maria is immersed in new
acquaintances; but particularly happy with Nelly Custis, and
particularly attended to by Mrs. Washington. She will be with
Mrs. Pine a few days hence.
In a later letter to Mrs. Randolph, he says:
Maria is fixed at Mrs. Pine's, and perfectly at home. She has
made young friends enough to keep herself in a bustle, and has
been honored with the visits of Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Randolph, Mrs.
Rittenhouse, etc., etc.
Towards the close of this year Jefferson began to keep his "Ana," or
notes on the passing transactions of the day.
The tale of his life will be found pleasantly carried on in the
following letters to his daughter:
_To Martha Jefferson Randolph._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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