To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 15 July 1788
From Maria Cosway
London 15 July 1788
Is it possible that I write another letter before I have My answer from My two last! What can be the reason? It is either obstinacy, or Constancy in Me: but what does your silence Mean My dear friend! It seems that opportunities absolutly force themselves on you to recal me to your remembrances, should I have otherwise so much Courage or should I be so bold as to insist in a corrispondance! Mr: St: Andrè is Coming to Paris and ask’s me particularly for a letter to you, when I think of you I forgit all formality I only remember your kindness, your friendship. You cannot change; it is only by chance (and that is seldom) if I dont think of you that I supose I could not write to any body that does not think of me; then a string of punctellios and formalités stand frowning before me waiting for the happy time, which brings me letters to answer. Such is the situation of your Most affte:
Maria Cosway in waiting
RC (ViU).
Mr: St:Andre carried other things to Paris besides Mrs. Cosway’s letter. On 21 July 1788 Trumbull wrote to Short: “Monsr. St. André is so good as to charge himself with two books:—Alfre Orosius for Mr. Jefferson, which you will please to deliver to him:—and an odd volume of Herculaneum which Mrs. Church bo’t at Froulier’s and which she begs you will have the goodness to return to him and take in exchange the 6th. Vol. … Say to Mr. Jefferson with my best respects that as Mrs. Church informs me she sends him a Tea Vase, I shall hold myself discharg’d from that Commission untill I hear further from him,—that He shall recieve His pictures in a few days,—and his Chariot as soon as I can find such an one as I would wish to see him ride in” (DLC: Short Family Papers).