1To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a long time—since I was honoured with any favour from your hand, and little less—that for the last time I took the Liberty of addressing you. I plainly perceive, that writing may be to you a penible task—but—would it require great exertions—to induce one of your family to inform the man, whom you favoured—voluntarily with your kind regards, and influential recommendations—of which he...
2From Thomas Jefferson to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 19. was long on it’s passage to me, and finds me in a condition but shortly to acknolege it’s reciept. a dislocation of my right wrist while in Paris, and the impracticability of reducing the carpal bones to their order has always been an impediment in my writing, and the effect of age has been gradually increasing the difficulty till now the motion of the wrist is nearly...
3To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you cordially for your last favour of Jan. 19 as I too received again a fair proof. that whatever difficulty may attend the expression of our mind in writing—yet—you possess the full powers of body as well as of mind—whenever you can do good, as art inclined to bestow a new act of kindness—In this every reader would coincide, could I, without your consent, publish the contents of...
4From Thomas Jefferson to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind letter of May 26. has laid too long by me awaiting an answer. the truth is that the difficulty of writing has obliged me even when in better health to withdraw much from correspondence, and now an illness of some week’s, from which I am just recovering, obliges me to use a borrowed pen to acknolege it’s reciept. and indeed that is all I can do even now, my mind being entirely...
5To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Although the last favour with which I was honoured by you on Aug. the 3 d leaves me Scarce any hope to receive another proof of your regard from your hand. yet I should deem myself undeserving former kindnesses for which I Shall ever remain thankful could I leave your letter without any answer and I am confident you will not consider it as an importune intrusion. It is a high gratification...
6To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Confident that a few lines shall not be unacceptable, as you cannot but approve my grateful feelings, for your distinguished kindnesses; which shall never be obliterated I once more are prompted to address—to thank you cordially. thank you for your noble minded Letter to my Revered friend J. Adams. This is a general sentiment in our neighbourhood and state. It is a laurel around your head...
7To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust from your former, so often renewed, kindnesses, that after such a long silence, you will not take it amiss, if I address you once more a few lines, although I have it not in my power, to communicate any subject deserving your attention but it can not be unpleasing to you. see, that my gratitude remains unabated. You enjoy the inexpressible delight, to have survived the slanderous...
8From Thomas Jefferson to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 28. is duly recieved. it gladdens me with the information that you continue to enjoy health. that is a principal mitgation of the evils of age. I wish that the situation of our friend M r Adams was equally comfortable. but what I learn of his physical condition is truly deplorable. his mind however continues strong, and firm, his memory sound his hearing perfect, and his...
9To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I may not longer delay to answer your unexpected, affectionate and interesting favour of Jan y 11 th as it afforded me an inexpressible delight in my deep retirement, and honored me with a fresh proof of your continued esteem, which I trust can never be forfeited by me. Health and comfort remain yet my share, and I do not consider that these are cancelled by excruciating head-ache, to which I...
10To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust, that you will not deem it amiss, if, after such a long silence, I take once more the liberty of writing you to assure of my continued affectionate regards. It might be the last time, as, although your age is far more advanced, mine is already arrived at 74 and the dimng of my eyes—dayly increasing makes reading and writing highly difficult. Since I was honoured with your favour of...