Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="Randolph, Martha Jefferson" AND Period="Washington Presidency"
sorted by: date (descending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-16-02-0272

From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 June 1790

To Martha Jefferson Randolph

New York June 6. 1790

My dear daughter

Your favor of May 28. from Eppington came to me yesterday, with the welcome which accompanies ever the tidings I recieve from you. Your resolution to go to housekeeping is a good one, tho’ I think it had better be postponed till the fall. You are not yet seasoned to the climate, and it would therefore be prudent not to go to a sickly position till the sickly season is over. My former letters to Mr. Randolph and yourself will have apprised you of the pleasure it will give me to see you fixed in Albemarle; and the wish to co-operate in this, and to effect it, will determine me to come to Virginia in September or October at all events. Till then I should think it better that you should take no measures for Varina which might be inconvenient.—The lower house of Congress have voted to remove to Philadelphia. It is thought the Senate will be equally divided on the question, and consequently that the decision will rest with the Vice-President. Were we to be removed there, I should be so much nearer to you. I had an attack of my periodical head-ach, very violent for a few days. It soon subsided so as to be very slight. I am not quite clear of it now, tho I have been able to resume business for this week past. It can hardly be called a pain now, but only a disagreeable sensation of the head every morning. I am going tomorrow on a sailing party of three or four days with the President. Should we meet sea enough to make me sick I shall hope it will carry off the remains of my headach. Assure Mr. Randolph of my affectionate remembrance. I suppose Maria is not with you. Adieu my dear Daughter Your’s affectionately,

Th: Jefferson

RC (NNP). PrC (MHi). Mrs. Randolph’s letter of 28 May 1790, recorded in SJL as received 5 June 1790, has not been found. That from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. of 25 May 1790 was received the same day, announcing the decision respecting Varina—but TJ did not reply to that letter until 20 June 1790, and even then in less emphatic terms than in the present. Thus, at the outset, gently but with undeniable force, began the tensions among three persons that, born of love, nevertheless influenced the course of their lives profoundly.

Index Entries