The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
SIR,--The enemy, which lately invaded us, left our capes in the night
of the 22d instant. What course they steered afterwards, is not known.
Another fleet of transports, under the command of Admiral Rodney, fell
down to the Hook on the 11th instant. As this, as well as the fleet,
which lately left us, is destined for Charleston, we shall march from
their present encampment all the forces who are so equipped as that
they can proceed to distant service. With them, will go on between
three and four hundred tents belonging to this State. Three hundred
more are on the road from Philadelphia, and as many to follow. As
Baron Steuben remains here to organize our forces, I shall be obliged,
by special returns of the eighteen months' men, eight months' men,
and three months' Militia, which have or shall come unto you as
frequently as convenient. The Assembly being now met, will shortly,
I hope, furnish us with money, so that we may be once more able to
send supplies to the southward. We have collected here, at length, by
impress principles, about thirty wagons, which have been delivered to
the Continental Quarter-Master, to be sent on with stores to Taylor's
Ferry.
I am, with great esteem, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant.
TO LT. JOHN LOUIS DE UNGER.[97]
RICHMOND, November 30th, 1780.
SIR,--The letter which covers this, being of a public nature, I
wished to acknowledge separately the many things personally obliging
to me, expressed in your two letters. The very small amusement which
it has been in my power to furnish, in order to lighten some of your
heavy hours, by no means merited the acknowledgment you make. Their
impression must be ascribed to your extreme sensibility rather than to
their own weight. My wishes for your happiness give me participation
in your joy at being exchanged, sensibly, however, alloyed by a
presentiment of the loss I shall sustain, when I shall again be
permitted to withdraw to that scene of quiet retirement, abstracted
from which I know no happiness in this world. Your line of life must
have given you attachments to objects of a very different nature.
When the course of events shall have removed you to distant scenes
of action, where laurels, not tarnished with the blood of my country,
may be gathered, I shall urge sincere prayers for your obtaining every
honor and preferment which may gladden the heart of a soldier. On the
other hand, should your fondness for philosophy resume its merited
ascendancy, is it impossible to hope that this unexplored country may
tempt your residence by holding out materials wherewith to build a
fame, founded on the happiness and not the calamities of human nature?
Be this as it may, whether philosopher or soldier, I wish you many
felicities, and assure you that I am, with great personal esteem, Sir,
Your most obedient, and most humble servant.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account