September 6th, 1782: This Monument of his Love is inscribed. * * * * * If in the melancholy shades below, The flames of friends and lovers cease to glow, Yet mine shall sacred last; mine undecayed Burn on through death and animate my shade.[22] [22] These four lines Mr. Jefferson left in the Greek in the original epitaph. [Illustration: MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH. _From Portrait by Sully._] CHAPTER IV. Visit to Chesterfield County.--Is appointed Plenipotentiary to Europe.--Letter to the Marquis de Chastellux.--Goes North with his Daughter.--Leaves her in Philadelphia, and goes to Congress.--Letters to his Daughter.--Sails for Europe.--His Daughter's Description of the Voyage.--His Establishment and Life in Paris.--Succeeds Franklin as Minister there.--Anecdotes of Franklin.--Extracts from Mrs. Adams's Letters.--Note from Jefferson to Mrs. Smith. A short time after Mrs. Jefferson's death, Jefferson went with his children to Ampthill, in Chesterfield County, the residence of Colonel Archibald Cary. This gentleman had kindly offered his house to him, that he might there have his children inoculated for the small-pox. While engaged as their chief nurse on this occasion, he received notice of his appointment by Congress as Plenipotentiary to Europe, to be associated with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams in negotiating peace. Twice before the same appointment had been declined by him, as he had promised his wife never again to enter public life while she lived. Mr. Madison, in alluding to his appointment by Congress, says: The reappointment of Mr. Jefferson as Minister Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace, was agreed to unanimously, and without a single adverse remark. The act took place in consequence of its being suggested that the death of Mrs. Jefferson had probably changed the sentiments of Mr. Jefferson with regard to public life.[23] [23] Madison Papers. Jefferson himself, in speaking of this appointment, says in his Memoir: I had, two months before that, lost the cherished companion of my life, in whose affections, unabated on both sides, I had lived the last ten years in unchequered happiness. With the public interests the state of my mind concurred in recommending the change of scene proposed; and I accepted the appointment. Writing to the Marquis de Chastellux, he says: Ampthill, November 26th, 1782.