John Barnes to Thomas Jefferson, [30] November 1818
From John Barnes
George Town Coa 31 [30] Novr 1818.
Dear Sir—
Your very Acceptable favr 11 Inst as it assurred me, of your nearly perfect recovery—was not only gratifying to my self but to many inquiring friends—more Especially—it will be to your Venerable and highly Esteemed—The Honble John Adams Esqr in his Eighty fifth year—when late interesting letter of the 20h Inst Addressed to Mr Joseph Milligan—I have most feelingly read. requested Copy—(herewith inclosed)—as a Valuable Memento for preserving—. The powers of his Mind still strong—but the hand feeble and quivering—excites the Melancholy gloom of decayed Nature, scarce ledgible.—to gratify his Urgent request to Mr Milligan—induced me to risque that confidence reposed in letters—by transmitting to Mr Adams—(thro Mr Milligan—) your Original to me—for which I promise my self you will excuse
I am Dear Sir
John Barnes
RC (MHi); misdated; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Dec. 1818 and so recorded in SJL. RC (MHi); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to James Eastburn & Company, 3 May 1819, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello, Virginia”; franked; postmarked Georgetown, 30 Nov.
John Adams had recently begun his eighty-fourth (not eighty fifth) year (). In his letter to Joseph Milligan, Quincy, 20 Nov. 1818, a copy of which was enclosed here, Adams thanked Milligan for a book, commented on agriculture and horticulture, and concluded: “Can you give me any Intelligence of Mr Jefferson, I have received allarming intimations, without any certain information. He is the last and oldest of my confidential bosom friends, let party, faction and politicks, say what they will” (Tr in MHi, on verso of Tr of TJ to Barnes, 11 Nov. 1818, at head of text: “Copy,” at foot of text: “Mr Joseph Milligan George Town Columbia”; FC in Lb in MHi: Adams Papers). Milligan transmitted the original of TJ to Barnes, 11 Nov. 1818, in a 30 Nov. 1818 letter to Adams (RC in MHi: Adams Papers).