151From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter for T. B. Randolph containing his appointment as a Cadet. but the lodgings at the Military school at Westpoint being entirely full, he cannot be recieved there till the 1st. of March. indeed he could do nothing there sooner, as their vacation begins with November & ends with February. Genl. Dearborne proposed to me yesterday a new regulation respecting the Cadets. there...
152From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume mr Randolph writes to you and informs you he continues well. he has rode twice on horseback; yesterday about 4. miles without feeling it. my fit of yesterday was so mild that I have some hope of missing it to-day. I write this in the morning, but will keep it open till the evening to add the result of the day. we both think we may very safely fix on Monday sennight for our departure,...
153From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking for granted that mr Randolph writes to you regularly and much engaged by business & company myself, I have been more remiss. we are all well here, and our accounts from Eppington are favorable, & particularly that our dear little one there has two teeth. Francis is in remarkeable health: and I hope the objects of our affections with you are equally so. I send you some magazines which...
154Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 August 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you this day week and this day fortnight . we have been here in a continued state of fluctuation between the numbers of 40. & 60. a greater proportion of ladies than formerly: but all invalids, and perfectly recluse in their cabins. mr Glendy joined us to-day and will stay till Sunday. we had been many days without venison till the day before yesterday, in the course of which 8....
155Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It is our purpose to set out from this place for Monticello on Monday the 13 th or perhaps on Sunday the 12 th of next month. As Henry , his mule and little cart will be necessary to carry our baggage, I would wish him to leave Monticello on Sunday morning the 5 th making stages at Tooler ’s on this side the river at
156From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph’s convalescence proceeds steadily, not a single circumstance having arisen to throw him back. yet his strength increases slowly. as yet he only rides out in the carriage every day. it will not be till he can get on horseback that we can judge when he will be able to travel. my fits of head-ach have shortened from 9 hours to 5. but they have stuck some days at 5. hours, and when...
157From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Jefferson which I presume will inform you he is well, and I send you one from Dr. Wistar which will give you satisfaction. be so good as to return it. I had one from Anne 2. or 3. days ago, when all were well. she says they will be with us early in March. I sent you the last week by the post rider your watch, watch key & ring, which I hope got safe to hand. I forgot...
158From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 29 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I was taken with a tooth-ache about 5. days ago, which brought on a very large & hard swelling of the face, & that produced a fever which left me last night. the swelling has subsided sensibly, but whether it will terminate without suppuration is still uncertain. my hope is that I shall be well enough to recieve my company on New Year’s day. indeed I have never been confined by it to my...
159Extracts from Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Grand papa and myself are in the habit of sitting, some time after dinner, in conversation, upon different subjects, and it was but the other day, that, speaking of education, & the influence exerted by mothers over their children, he paid to his grandchildren the compliment of all others the most valuable, that of alluding indirectly to what he considers their excellences, and ascribing them...
160Benjamin Vaughan to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume to send you the inclosed, the writer of which seems to wish to put the religious party on his side.— A new attack has been made on vaccination by a certain D r Brown in Scotland ; but the sum total of it is, want of candor in argument, & the use of spurious kine pox in practice. D r Jenner , D r
161From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have barely time to tell you that mrs Madison has executed your desires and I dare say to your mind. the commission to me has given me the greatest pleasure, as it always would that you would say to me freely at all times what want you have which I could gratify. my wishes are always to do what would be pleasing to you; but knowing nothing of what would be proper or acceptable, I do nothing....
162From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
We got in good time to dinner at Montpelier the day I left you, and the next two days being cool, we reached this place a little in the night, having come a little over 100. miles in the two days without inconvenience to ourselves or horses. mr Madison arrived here the next day. mr Gallatin & Rodney are still absent. mr Ogilvie has been here sometime lecturing, to very unequal audiences of...
163From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 17 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a considerrible time, my very dear Martha, since I have written because I have been in expectation you were all at Eppington: and tho’ I have not heard of your return to Edgehill, I presume it has taken place. I have some hope of being able to leave this on the 23d. & to be with you on the 26th. but it is possible I may not be able to get thro’ my business. mr Gallatin & Smith are gone....
164From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here this day week, having travelled through the rain of that day rather than stay in disagreeable quarters. I experienced no inconvenience from it. the Marquis Yrujo arrived two days after me, and mr Madison & Genl. Dearborne got here the last night. the latter has left his family in Maine for the winter. Yrujo is said to be very ill, taken two days ago. I inclose a magazine for...
165From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all well here, my ever dear Martha, but I shall not be able probably to set out tomorrow, but shall on Tuesday. we shall be five days on the road. in the mean time the roads will be getting better, & the weather perhaps milder. but indeed it looks as if this winter would run through the summer. not a bud is swelled here yet, except of the red Maple. kiss our dear children for me, and be...
166From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 30 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume mr Randolph informs you himself that he is quite well. indeed I have no doubt he could now very safely undertake the journey; but we continue to fix on Monday next for departure. as to myself altho’ I have no actual head-ach, yet about 9. oclock every morning I have a very quickened pulse come on, a disturbed head, & tender eyes, not amounting to absolute pain. it goes off about...
167From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph continues well without the least retrograde circumstance. he sleeps well, walks a good deal about the house, rides out in the carriage every day this cruel weather will permit & breakfasts & dines with us. but his strength returns so slowly that he certainly will not be able to undertake his journey on Monday as we had hoped. indeed I do not think a time can be fixed. when he...
168From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters from Edgehill mentioned that you had been indisposed but had got the better of it. having no letter from Edgehill by this mail I can only hope you continue well.—in a conversation with you on the subject of Jefferson’s going to Philadelphia you mentioned that mr Randolph thought of declining it, and I do not know whether I inferred rightly, from what you said that a supposed...
169From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 30 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot to bring with me the gravy spoons to be converted into Dessert spoons. I must therefore pray you to send them to me. I think you mentioned a spare ladle. two ladles I think are necessary. if there be more it may come. if any body should be coming from your neighborhood to Washington, by the stage , they might be packed in a great mass of waste paper & a light box. Shoemaker or J....
170From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
As it seems now tolerably probable that the British squadron in our bay have not in contemplation to commit any hostile act, other than the remaining there in defiance & bringing to the vessels which pass in & out, we are making all the arrangements preparatory to the possible state of war, that they may be going on, while we take our usual recess. in the course of three or four days a...
171From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 2d. my fever left me the day I wrote to you, and the swelling abated through the whole face, but still remains in a knot as big as a pigeon’s egg, over the diseased tooth, which has now been suppurating so long that the Doctr. thinks he shall have to extract the tooth (altho’ perfectly sound) to prevent a caries of the bone. a day or two will decide. in the...
172From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
John delivered safely your letter of the 14th. I am sorry you did not continue at Monticello until your house was in compleat readiness for you. you will run the double risk of green plaister, & a less perfect preparation of it for your winter’s residence. I do not know what stores remained for your consumption, but it is always my wish you should take whatever does remain. many of them will...
173From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you the last week, but a pressure of business at the time prevented my answering a part of your letter of the 16th. Jan. the regret which you there expressed at the supposed effect of your visit to this place on my ordinary expences, gives me real uneasiness, and has little foundation. your being here with your family scarcely added any thing sensible to the ordinary expences of the...
174From 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...
175Thomas 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...
176From 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...
177From 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...
178From 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...
179From 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...
180From 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...
181Thomas 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...
182From 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...
183From 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...
184From 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...
185Extracts from Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
In spite of the desperate condition of Col. N ’s affairs , I cannot help hoping that my dear Grand-father will escape, or at least that he will receive some indemnification. the 20,000 $ as you observe would still leave a large estate behind, if it was simply a loss of 20,000$, but in times like these, to raise such a sum, you must sell property perhaps to the value of 100,000 or even more....
186From 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...
187Thomas 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...
188Extract of Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Grandpapa has been taking such a long nap, my dear Mother that I began to despair of getting ink in time to write to you, but he has at last made his appearance, and as I have very little to tell you, I shall in spite of my fatigue, make an effort to write. we did not stop at Warren the first night as we intended, but after dining with M rs Patterson got on to M rs Gibson’s who received us...
189From 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...
190From 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...
191From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Davy arrived last night and will set out tomorrow on his return. by him I send the flower-pot & plant in it which you left here, & a box No. 5. containing a bonnet for yourself. he carries also a cage with a pair of Bantams for Ellen. I must ask the favor of you to have the box No. 4. opened, to take out a piece of linen, & then let the box go on to Monticello. the linen I must ask you to have...
192From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Davy arrived last night with your letter of the 23d. and as he will stay some days, & then return slowly with a lame horse I take advantage of this day’s post to answer it. the recommendations for military appointment came too late. as it was impractical for the Executive to select the best characters for command through all the states, we apportioned the men to be raised and the officers to...
193From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 13 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you by the carts yesterday morning; but as you will not get that letter till Monday evening, and may recieve this written a day later on Monday morning, I again inform you that mr Randolph continues well. he rode yesterday 5. miles, without fatigue, was much exhilarated by it, & had a fine night’s sleep. an Easterly storm having set in this morning will interrupt this salutary...
194From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 19 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I drop this line merely to inform you that it is still doubtful whether I shall be ready to set off tomorrow or not till the next day. but indeed should the weather be as warm as it has been for some days I doubt whether I should venture on the road as I believe it impossible the horses should stand it or even ourselves. this day however is moderate, and if it continues so I shall have the...
195From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 11th. recieved here on the 15th. is the last news I have of you. mr Randolph having written to mr Coles that he should be here on the 15th. & not having come, & no letter from you by that post, I was thrown into inexpressible anxiety lest a relapse into your complaint should have called him to Edgehill. from this I was not relieved till three days ago when a letter from mr...
196From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the inclosed magazine supposing it may furnish you a few moments amusement, as well as to the reading members of your family. Mr. Randolph arrived here Sunday evening in good health and brought me the welcome news, that you were all well. Congress has as yet formed but one of it’s houses; there being no Senate. my heart fails me at the opening such a campaign of bustle & fatigue:...
197From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Tomorrow Congress will close; but I hardly expect to get away under a week. it will take that time at least to get all the laws put into a course of execution & some other matters settled. on Monday last mr Randolph & myself took a ride to Maine’s to engage our thorns. the day was raw, he was without a great coat, and was before indisposed, as I had mentioned to you. that evening he was taken...
198From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 17th. and 24th. are both recieved. Beverly T. Randolph called at the hour at which I had rode out, & left your letter of the 17th. Taking for granted he was to stay a day as you mentioned, I wrote an invitation to him the next morning to come and dine with me. but he had already gone on. he called in like manner on his namesake Beverley here, who being out did not see him....
199From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night recieved a letter from mr Taylor of Baltimore informing me he had sent by the stage to this place the trunk of articles ordered by mr Kelly. I sent this morning to the Stage office; the trunk was arrived, & goes on this evening to Fredericksburg, where I shall desire mr Benson to forward it by the first stage to Milton. I had paiment made here for transportation as far as...
200From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 9 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the happiness to inform you that mr Randolph is entirely well. his fever had left him at the date of my last but I did not then know it. + he moved here on Saturday and Dr. Jones with him. He has now nothing but weakness to contend with. he was able to walk two or three times across the room to-day, he eats with some appetite & sleeps tolerably. the Doctor will leave us tomorrow, as...