101From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 28 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was happy, my dear Patsy, to receive, on my arrival here, your letter informing me of your health and occupations. I have not written to you sooner because I have been almost constantly on the road. My journey hitherto has been a very pleasing one. It was undertaken with the hope that the mineral waters of this place might restore strength to my wrist. Other considerations also concurred....
102From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Randolph’s letter of the 11th. and at the same time one from mr Eppes . he had just carried Maria to Eppington with the loss of a horse on the road. they are to leave Eppington tomorrow at farthest for Monticello, so that by the time you recieve this they will be with you. from what mr Randolph writes I should think you had better go over at once with your sister to...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of last week to Mr. Randolph I mentioned that I should write every Wednesday to him, yourself and Polly alternately, and that my letters arriving at Monticello the Saturday and the answer being sent off on Sunday I should recieve it the day before I should have to write again to the same person, so as that the correspondence with each would be exactly kept up. I hope you will do...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph’s letter of the 18th. has been received since my last. The one it covered for Great Britain is sent by the packet now about to sail from New York. His commission to Doctor Barton shall be fulfilled to-day. Maria is with me keeping her Easter holidays. She is well. She allows herself to write but one letter a week, and having written to some acquaintance already she has nothing but...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Nov. 29. and Mr. Randolph’s of Nov. 28. came to hand five days ago. They brought us the first news we had received from Monticello since we left it. A day or two after, Mr. Millar of Charlottesville arrived here and gave us information of a little later date, and particularly of Colo. Lewis and Mrs. Gilmer’s illness. His account of Mrs. Gilmer was alarming, and I am anxious to hear...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 19 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My latest news from Edgehill was Ellen’s letter of the 1st. inst. which seems to have closed her weekly engagements, as otherwise the 8th. & 15th. would have been here. I think Congress will certainly rise on the 25th. the only question of length is the giving the Executive a power to suspend the embargo in the events of peace or of the orders & decrees being withdrawn. the members seem...
107Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 July [1819] (Jefferson Papers)
I have just learned from the Enquirer the death of my old & valuable friend Cathalan of Marseilles , an important loss to me, & at this time particularly requiring attention, as my orders are now on the way to him for the supplies of the year, & the money to pay for them. but I can do nothing without his papers which I request you to send me. in my Cabinet, & in the window on the right of my...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of this letter, my very dear Martha, is merely to inform you I am well, and to convey to you the expressions of my love. it will not be new to tell you that your letters do not come as often as I could wish. I have not heard from Albemarle or Chesterfield since I left home, now 5. weeks. this deprives me of the gleams of pleasure wanting to relieve the dreariness of this scene,...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Our neighborhood my dear daughter furnishes us with not one word of news to you, and I am so fatigued with writing for this post that I can only inform you we are all well, Jefferson robust as a beef, and all our desires alive to see you. My kisses to dear Anne, and best affection’s to Mr. Randolph and yourself. Adieu my dear and love me as I do you. RC ( NNPM ); addressed: “Mrs. Martha...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. my dear Martha, which was not recieved till the last night has raised me to life again. for four days past I had gone through inexpressible anxiety. the mail which left you on the 5th. will probably be here tonight, and will I hope strengthen our hopes of Maria’s continuing to recover, and mr Eppes’s arrival which I presume was on the 6th. will render her spirits...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
This place being entirely clear of all infection, the members of Congress are coming into it without fear. The President moved in yesterday, as did I also. I have got comfortably lodged at the corner of 7th. and Market street.—Dr. Waters is returned; not well, but better. Still always Hectic. He and Mrs. Waters are just gone to housekeeping for the first time. Mrs. Trist is also returned to...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter received from Mr. Randolph or yourself is of Oct. 7. which is near seven weeks ago. I ascribe this to your supposed absence from Monticello, but it makes me uneasy when I recollect the frail state of your two little ones. I hope some letter is on the way to me. I have no news for you except the marriage of your friend Lady Elizabeth Tufton, to some very rich person, but whose...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post-days have slipt away from me without adverting to them till too late. I learnt by a letter from Maria that you all got home safe, after a very disagreeable journey. indeed I suffered for you in imagination beyond any thing I had long felt. I found the road, in the short distance I went with you, so much worse than I expected, that I augured a dreadful journey, and sincerely...
114Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 4 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here on the third day of our journey, without any accident; but I suffered very much both mornings by cold. I must therefore pray you to send my wolf-skin pelisse and fur-boots by Moses ’s Billy , when he comes to bring the two mules to move the Carpenters back. he is to be here on the 27 th by my directions to mr Bacon .
115V. Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Maria yesterday, while sailing on Lake George, and the same kind of leisure is afforded me today to write to you. Lake George is without comparison the most beautiful water I ever saw: formed by a contour of mountains into a bason 35 miles long, and from 2 to 4 miles broad, finely interspersed with islands, its waters limpid as chrystal and the mountain sides covered with rich...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday recieved letters from mr Eppes & Maria. she has been for a considerable time very unwell, with low but constant fevers, and the child very unwell also. mrs Eppes had gone there and staid with her till she was well enough to be removed to Eppington, where the air & the bark had already produced a favorable effect. she wishes to proceed to Monticello as soon as she is strong enough,...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here in good health on the 7th. day after my departure from home, without any intervening accident and am as well as when I left home. I recieved here the inclosed letter from Mr. Pintard our Consul at Madeira who sais it was given him by one of your old convent acquaintances settled there. I suppose the letter will inform you of more particulars. We yesterday recieved the...
118Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose the within, to you, my dearest daughter & friend, because it is of great consequence, to be put into the post office at Charlottesville from which place it will go safer to Staunton than from hence. Ellen writes to you and of course will give the news of this place if she can muster up any. the history of our expedition to the Natural bridge she will write you of course. the sun,...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on Monday evening, and then expected that a morning or two more would have produced a compleat intermission of mr Randolph’s fever. but it did not. yesterday morning the remission was such as to leave the fever scarcely sensible, and at 3. P.M. the usual hour of it’s access it was more moderate than it has ever been. I left him at 4. P.M. with not much fever, entirely at ease and...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter I have had from Edgehill was Anne’s of June 20. that informed me that the family had been generally unwell, that Ellen was still ill, and your self too sick to write. I am very anxious to hear from you & hope that this day’s post will inform me you are all well. this day fortnight I propose to leave this place and to be with you Thursday morning the 24th. absence from you...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 19. & mr Randolph’s of Apr. 27. have given me the agreeable information of mr Randolph’s success, & the more agreeable & important information that you are getting well. for the restoration of your stomach my chief dependance is on your own resolution to observe rigorously whatever regimen you find from experience to agree with you: and it will take a long course of this...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the last week, Maria has received one from Mr. Randolph which lets us know you were all well. I wish I could say the same. Maria has for these three or four weeks been indisposed with little fevers, nausea, want of appetite, and is become weak. The Doctor thinks it proceeds from a weakness of the stomach, and that it will soon be removed.—I learn from the head of Elk that a...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been expecting by every post to learn from you when I might send on to meet you. I still expect it daily. in the mean time I inclose you 100. Dol. for the expences of yourself, Maria & all your party. mr Randolph would do well to exchange the bills for gold & silver which will be more readily [. . .] on the road. the indisposition I mentioned in my letter by Bowles turned out to be...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Milton post not having come in last night, we are without news from you. I suppose he has been delayed by the weather, a severe snow storm having begun yesterday morning & still continuing. the snow is supposed to be now a foot deep, and is still falling with unabated fury. as it is the first, so I hope it will be the last of our severe winter weather. it is so tempestuous that I presume...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Randolph’s letter of the 23d. giving me the always welcome news of your health. I have not heard from Maria since I have been here. it is a terrible thing that people will not write unless they have materials to make a long letter: when three words would be so acceptable. Mrs. Madison left us two days ago, to commence housekeeping, so that Capt Lewis & myself are like...
126Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 August 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you by our last mail of the 8 th having been now here a week & continued to bathe 3 times a day, a quarter of an hour at a time, I continue well, as I was when I came. having no symptom to judge by at what time I may presume the seeds of my rheumatism eradicated, and desirous to prevent the necessity of ever coming here a 2 d time, I believe I shall yeild to the general advice of a...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 22 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I hoped before this to have received letters from you regularly and weekly by the post, and also to have had a letter to forward from you to one of your aunts as I desired in my letter of November 27th. I am afraid you do not comply with my desires expressed in that letter. Your not writing to me every week is one instance, and your having never sent me any of your copies of Mr. Simitiere’s...
128From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Randolph continues well. nothing has happened to throw him back. he rides out now on good days in the carriage. he came down to breakfast with us to-day. but the quantity of blood taken from him occasions him to recover strength slowly. it is now certain that his calculation for departure will be truer than mine. judging by the advance of his strength for the last week, it will take another...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 28 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
After four days journey I arrived here without any accident and in as good health as when I left Philadelphia. The conviction that you would be more improved in the situation I have placed you than if still with me, has solaced me on my parting with you, which my love for you has rendered a difficult thing. The acquirements which I hope you will make under the tutors I have provided for you...
130From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Feb. 20. came to me with that welcome which every thing brings from you. It is a relief to be withdrawn from the torment of the scenes amidst which we are. Spectators of the heats and tumults of conflicting parties, we cannot help participating of their feelings. I should envy you the tranquil occupations of your situation were it not that I value your happiness more than my own. But...
131From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your last letter, as mrs Madison was and is still in Philadelphia, I wrote to her for the articles you desired, and they may be expected by the stage probably in a few days. I now inclose you an hundred dollars for your expences on the road, and you must consider every thing which yourself or the family will want here as to be furnished by me so that the visit may...
132Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here, my dear Martha , well & without accident, favored on the road by the weather. the caravan also came well, except overpassing their stage the 2 d day, sleeping in the woods all night, without cover, and overwhelmed by a rain, in the center of which they were, while it did not extend 5 miles in any direction from them. the spinning Jenny is at work, well while with washed...
133From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
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...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 14 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you, my dear Patsy, the 15 livres you desired. You propose this to me as an anticipation of five weeks allowance. But do you not see my dear how imprudent it is to lay out in one moment what should accomodate you for five weeks? That this is a departure from that rule which I wish to see you governed by, thro’ your whole life, of never buying any thing which you have not money in your...
135From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 15 August 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Ellen appeared to be feverish the evening you went away: but visiting her a little before I went to bed, I found her quite clear of fever, & was convinced the quickness of pulse which had alarmed me had proceeded from her having been in uncommon spirits and been constantly running about the house through the day & especially in the afternoon. since that she has had no symptom of fever, and is...
136From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Being apprehensive we have mistaken, by one day, the departure of the horse post from hence, I write this on Thursday instead of Friday. mr Randolph is quite strong enough to begin his journey even now. I think that to-day for the first time I have had no sensation of any remains of my head-ach. we continue our purpose of setting out on Monday, but I foresee a particular circumstance which may...
137From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of May 27. came to hand on the very day of my last to you, but after it was gone off. That of June 11. was received yesterday. Both made us happy in informing us you were all well. The rebuke to Maria produced the inclosed letter. The time of my departure for Monticello is not yet known. I shall within a week from this time send off my stores as usual that they may arrive before me. So...
138From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Excess of business prevented my writing to you the last week or even having time to inclose the papers to Mr. Randolph. Since my last I have received yours of Feb. 28. and Mr. Randolph’s of Apr. 9. 16. and May 4. Congress rose three days ago. Colo. Monroe sets out three days hence, and by him I shall send your watch, and the 2d. part of Payne’s Rights of man for Mr. Randolph. Also, for...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 11th . was recieved and gave me the first intimation of your illness. it has filled me with anxiety respecting you, and this is increased by your not having communicated it to me. because in endeavoring to spare my feelings on your real situation it gives me the pain of fearing every thing imaginable; even that the statement of your recovery may not be exact. let me pray you...
140Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here, my dear daughter after a disagreeable journey, one day shut up at Warren by steady rain, the next travelling thro a good deal of drizzle & rain, and the last excessive cold, the road being full of ice. but all well in the end. Johnny Hemings had made great progress in his work. his calculation is that he may possibly finish by this day fortnight, but possibly & almost probably...
141From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received this day Mr. Randolph’s letter of Aug. 31. with the horse, rather thin, having performed his journey in 7. days. However I shall hope to recruit him before I set out. The servant gives a very good account of him. The President sets out the day after tomorrow for Mount Vernon, and will be back about the last of the month. Within 4 or 5. days or a week after his return I can set out....
142From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 10 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been a month now without hearing from Edgehill, mr Randolph’s letter of May 11. being the last I have recieved. Anne then had the mumps which of course were expected to go thro’ the family, and heightens my anxiety to hear from you. our post is now I believe permanently established at three times a week. the spring here continues sickly & cold, & poor prospects of crops. we had...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was uneasy at not hearing from you by the last post, that is to say, by the one which arrived Tuesday morning last, the 19th. I thought it certain I should recieve information as to sending a carriage. I take for granted I shall have a letter tomorrow morning; but in the mean time this goes out this evening. we find more difficulty than I had expected in getting a carriage. it seems that all...
144From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 5 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I got back to Aix the day before yesterday, and found there your letter of the 9th. of April, from which I presume you to be well tho’ you do not say so. In order to exercise your geography I will give you a detail of my journey. You must therefore take your map and trace out the following places. Dijon, Lyons, Pont St. Esprit, Nismes, Arles, St. Remis, Aix, Marseilles, Toulon, Hieres, Frejus,...
145From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 29th. has relieved me from the great anxiety I had felt on your previous entire silence about your journey. there was no hair inclosed in your letter: but I sent the letter to mrs Madison who has had the order given as you desired, for colours from her own judgment, perhaps those of your own hair. if this should not please, send hair in your Friday’s letter, and within a...
146Enclosure: Itinerary from Edgehill to Washington, 3 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
From Edgehill to Gordon’s 18. miles. A good tavern, but cold victuals on the road will be better than any thing which any of the country taverns will give you. lodge at Gordon’s go to Orange courthouse 10. miles to breakfast. a good tavern. on leaving Orange courthouse be very attentive to the roads, as they begin to be difficult to find. Adams’s mill 7. miles. here you enter the flat country...
147From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 17 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This is merely, my dear Martha, to say that all is well. it is very long since I have heard from you, my last letter from Edgehill being of the 6th. of Dec. a letter of Jan. 6. from mr Eppes at Richmond informed me that Maria was entirely reestablished in her health, & her breast quite well. the little boy too was well & healthy.—Dr. Gantt has inoculated six of his Cow pox patients with the...
148Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
We all arrived here without accident, myself the day after I left home , having performed the journey in two days, reaching Noah Flood ’s the 1 st day . the story of the neighborhood immediately was that I had brought a croud of workmen to get ready my house in a hurry for Bonaparte . were there such people only as the believers in this, patriotism would be a ridiculous passion. we are...
149From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The last news we have from Monticello is by your letter of May 7. I am in hopes tomorrow’s post will bring us something, for some how or other your letters (if you write by post to Richmond) miss a post and are sometimes a week longer coming than they ought to be.—The news from the French West India islands is more and more discouraging. Swarms of the inhabitants are quitting them and coming...
150From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Randolph on the 30th. of Jan. having just then recieved his of the 19th. it was not till yesterday that I learned from the Post office that our post now departs on Wednesday morning from this place. my letters hitherto have been written for Thursday morning, so that you will have recieved them a week later. tell mr Randolph that the day on which I wrote to him, but after I had...