To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 23 December 1788
From Maria Cosway
London 23 dece:
My Dear Friend
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]1 envy her and every body that can converse with you: pray write, pray write, pray write, and dont go to America without coming to England.
God bless you and believe me Your Most affte frind
M.C.
RC (ViU); endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received, together with a letter from Hannah Cowley, 28 Jan. 1789, q.v., on 29 Jan. 1789.
1. Mrs. Cosway first wrote “I how,” then erased the pronoun and failed to insert it at this point.