1To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 9 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I recive this Moment Your kind letter, by Mr. Morris, I thank you much. I did long Most excessivly for a letter from you. Mr: Trumbull is Coming to Paris. I have only as he will tell you half a moment to say this little but I will write a longer letter very soon. En attend believe me yours Most affly., RC ( ViU ); addressed: “Monsieur Monsieur Jefferson &c &c”; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [7 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot breakfast with you to morrow; to bid you adieu once is sufficiently painful, for I leave you with very melancholy ideas. You have given my dear Sir all your commissions to Mr. Trumbull, and I have the reflection that I cannot be useful to you; who have rendered me so many civilities. RC ( DLC ); unsigned, unaddressed, undated, and unrecorded in SJL ; dated from internal evidence and...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [27 November 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Ho scritto due volte senza aver ricevuta una lettera da lei doppo la prima quale trovai all mio arrivo qui, e quale mi prometteva il piacere d’una piu frequente corrispondenza: Ogni giorno di posta o aspettato con inquietudine. Temo che il suo braccio sia peggio, ma anche questo non l’impedirebbe scrivermi. Prendo questa occasione di mandarli due linee per domandarli se a ricevute le mie...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 10 December [1787] (Jefferson Papers)
You promised to come to breakfast with Me the Morning of My departure, and to Accompany me part of the way, did you go? I left Paris with Much regret indeed, I could not bear to take leave any More. I was Confus’d and distracted, you Must have thought me so when you saw me in the Evening; why is it My fortune to find Amiable people where I go, and why am I to be obliged to part with them! T’is...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 23 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I will write two words, to show you I can write if I please but as I dont please I shall say no More, as I wait to hear from you. If my silence is of consequence, you will easily be sensible that yours is Very much so with me, but [I] must have patience, oh I break my first intention. Should I have wrote so much if Mr. Trumbull had not Come to ask me to send a letter by a person who is going...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 19 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Many thanks My dear friend for your two letters, had I not reason to scold you? was such a long Silence friendly? and can you wish me not to take notice of it? No, that would be a Mark of too great an indiferance; Next to the pleasure of seing ones friends, is that of hearing from them; I never think so much of the distance we are from them, as the lenght of time we dont hear from them. I am...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 15 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
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!...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I must not look back to the date of our last Correspondence it would alarm & discourage me from taking the pen up this Moment. Your kindness to me has been of all times, & your friendship & mine took its date from its beggining: Circumstances, not your will I am sure have deprived me of the pleasure I used to value so much of receiving your letters. Many Many times my thoughts […] towards you,...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 19 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you a letter, for the short one I sent by Mr. Trumbull, has not cleard my debt to you, and not satisfied my pleasure. I wish always to converse longer with you. But when I read Your letters they are so well, wrote, so full of a thousand preaty things that it is not possible for me to Answer such charming letters. I could say many things if My pen could write exactly My sentiments and...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [5 October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
I am very, very sorry indeed, and […] for having been the Cause of your pains in the [Night]; Why would you go? And why was I not more friendly to you and less to Myself by preventing your giving me the pleasure of your Company? You repeatedly said it wou’d do you no harm, I felt interested and did not insist. We shall go I believe this Morning, Nothing seems redy, but Mr. Cosway seems More...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 23 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to present you Mrs: Cowley the first femal dramatic Author in this Country, she has most distinguishd talents, she is the most elegant writer, great poet, and a great Genius, a particular friend of mine and an amiable woman. You have I hope some frindship for me, speak of me with Mrs: Cowley. You will like her, take care of your heart, she may run away with it. How [I] envy her...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [20 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[I hope?] you dont always judge by appearances [or it wo]uld be Much to My disadvantage this day, without [my] deserving it; it has been the day of contradiction, I meant to have had the pleasure of seing you Twice , and I have appeard a Monster for not having sent to know how you was, the whole day . I have been More uneasy, Than I can express. This Morning My Husband kill’d My project, I had...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 13 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I am come home to England , and have the great pleasure to find I am not forgoten by Mr: Jefferson , t’is impossible to express my happiness, the less I say the better, and am Sure what I dont say will be added by a Heart who can conceive and interpatrate Sentiments of a feeling and greatfull heart. My Angelica has been the greatest joy on my return. She has flatterd me much by telling me my...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 6 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited some time to trie if I could recover my usual peace with you, but I find it is impossible yet, therefore Must adress Myself to you still angry . Your long silence is impardonable, but what is the Name I Must give To ———Mr: Trumbull and Mrs: Church not bringing Me a letter from you? No, My war against you is of such a Nature that I cannot even find terms to express it. Yet I will...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [1 December? 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Why will you Make such a great dinner? I had told the Princess of the pleasure I intended My self tomorrow and she seemd very glad to go with me, but had not thought of any body else; to begin by Mr: d’Hancarville he is very sorry not to be able to wait on you as he has been particularly engaged for some time past. Mr: St: Andre I shall see this Evening. Monr: Nimscevik accepts with pleasure...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 6 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your last letter, My dear friend, it is short, tho’ a long while indeed writing, but you give me such reasons for your silence that I must forgive it, but it is with reluctance. You are going to America, and you think I am going with you, I thank you for the flattering compliment, I deserve it for I shall certainly be with you in spirit, I shall walk thro’ the beautifull acres...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 6 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear My Dear freind has forgot me; Not One line ever Since your Departure from this part of the world! I have heard of you, tho’ not from you. Dont let my reproches be too Severe for I am willing to think you have been prevented by important reasons. However Silence from a person who feels the privation of your letters, would be impossible. The greatest effort I can Make is a short letter,...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 9 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not answer your last letter, my dear friend, because I was in doubt whether it would find you at Paris, but now I shall profit of Mr: Trumbuls departure to send you a line to put you in Mind of me in those still more distant parts of the Globe, where your friends perhaps all your heart and sentiments are. It will be very flattering to me if you think of me some times. I was very near...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 25 December [1787] (Jefferson Papers)
How do you do My dear friend? You came to the invitation of my breakfast the Morning of my departure! and what did you think of Me? I did it to avoid the last taking leave, I went too early for any body to see Me. I cannot express how Miserable I was in leaving Paris. How I regreted not having seen More of you, and I cannot have even the Satisfaction to unburden My displeasure of [it] by...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 25 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure of writting to you several times, but not that of hearing from you for a long time. Surely you have not forgotten such an old friend! I am now in the place which brings me to mind every day our first interview, the pleasing days we pass’d together. I send you the prospectus of a work which is the most interesting ever published as every body will have in their...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 4 December 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
At last I have the long wished pleasure of receiving a letter from you ? I cannot tell how much it has made me happy for I could not suspect you could forgit me, tho am sensible My not having sufficient Merit to engage your remembrance, but can only trust to the Sentiments known to me for so long a time and formed Upon So much Sure foundation. How glad am I to hear your detachment from the...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, with a Note from Maria Cosway, 9 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The only proper apology, for not having written you since I left Paris, is this which I now offer, a long letter, and I trust your goodness to pardon my negligence. Mr. and Mrs. Cosway arriv’d this morning at 3 o Clock having rode all night in the rain, not much I fear to the benefit of his Health. I am very sorry to learn from them the unfortunate accident which has happen’d to you; much pain...
23Maria Cosway to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at last finished all the affairs which have kept me here after the loss of poor m r Cosway and am returning to the tranquillity, good climate & favorite as well as usefull occupation of my dear College at Lodi . I promised in my last to acquaint you of my destination that I might have the pleasure of hearing from you, little did I expect I should be detaind So long.— In appearance m r...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [30 October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[How I wish I?] could answer the Dialogue! But I hon[estly think my hear?]t is invisable, and Mute, at this moment more than usual[l it is?] full or ready to burst with all the variety of Sentiments, wh[ich] a very feeling one is Capable of; sensible of My loss a[t] separating from the friends I left at Paris, I have hardly time to indulge a shamisly tribute; but My thoughts Must be contrasted...
25Maria Cosway to Thomas Jefferson, 7 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
You must allow that all those who have had the happiness of your Acquaintance, will ever remember you its value. Those, Still farther favourd by a Correspondence have a constant Satisfaction of reading over your Sentiments, your heart, all in Short that can imprint everlasting acknowledgements of esteem, Admiration, freindship & gratitude . What share I must possess of all these, I leave you...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 29 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
At last I receive a letter from you, am I to be angry or not? I think when we go to question and doubt it is a good syng, tho’ I dont know whether it is in favor of you or the Manner in which you appollogies. Many Contradictions will make me answer article by article your letter; My hand for writing made you Open my letter in preferance to all the others you received on your arrival, I am not...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 24 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you a very short letter On My Arrival here, but promised Soon a longer One, here I am ready for it, from a great wish to converse a little with One whom ought to be my freind from a simpathy of Sentiments: You know this does not Mean that the reasons are the same, Mine may be raised by the Consciousness of your Merits, in that case I have nothing to pretend from you, but you May then...
28Maria Cosway to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
The Appearance of this letter will inform you I have been left a widow . Poor M r Cosway was Suddenly taken by an Apopletic fit—And being the third proved his last . at the time we had hopes he would enjoy a few years—for he never had been So well & So happy—the change of Air was recond necessary for his health; I took a very Charming house & fitted it up handsome & Comfortable, with those...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 1 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Ho aspettato con infinita ansietà la lunga lettera che m’annunziò, ma non so per qual delitto devo provar la penitenza di Tantalo, la credo ogni giorno vicina, ma quel giorno non arriva mai; nella sua ultima lettera d’un secolo passato mi dice aver ricevuta una mia lettera, ne o scritte fino tre, che mi ricordi, tutte dirette all’ Banchiere secondo l’indirizzo che mi dette Mr. Trumbull. La...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 15 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of receiving two [letters from you, and though th]ey are very short , I must content Myself, and lament Much fo[r the] reason that deprivd Me of their usual length. I must confess that the begining of your corrispondence has made Me an enfant gatée. I shall never recover to be reasonable in My expectations, and shall feel disapointed whenever your letters are not as long as...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, [17 November 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Cosa vuol dir questo silenzio? O aspettata la posta con tanta Ansietà, ed ecco che ogni volta arriva senza apportarmi alcuna lettera da Parigi, veramente sono inquieta, temo che sia indisposizione o che il braccio stà peggio, penso a Mille cose alla volta fuor che i miei amici si sieno già scordati di me; se medita di farmi un altro gran regalo di una lunga lettera, la supplicherò di...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 9 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Do you deserve a long letter, My dear friend? No, certainly not, and to avoid temptation, I take a small sheet of paper; Conversing with you, would break on Any resolution. I am determind to prevent it. How long you like to keep your friends in anxiety!—How Many Months was you without writing to Me? And you felt no remorse?—I was glad to know you was well, sure of your being much engaged and...
33Enclosure: Proposal to Publish Etchings of Pictures in the Louvre, 1 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
GALLERY OF THE LOUVRE, AT PARIS It is proposed to publish by subscription highly finished ETCHINGS, done by Mrs. MARIA COSWAY, of all the PICTURES which compose the superb collection in the gallery of the Louvre, comprising the most celebrated CHEFS-D’OEUVRE of the ITALIAN, FLEMISH, and FRENCH schools; with an historical account of each picture, and such authentic anecdotes of the artists, as...