1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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!...
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, 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...