To Thomas Jefferson from Elize Winn, 20 February 1803
From Elize Winn
Louisville Ky Feby 20th 1803
Hail
Father of the nations our emperor the man we love
Next heaven if I said more twere scarce a Sin
You are all thats good and god like
In the full vintage of thy flowing honours Sat Still
And saw it presst by other hands fortune Came Smileing
To thy youth an wood it and purple greatness met thy
Ripend years
When first you Cam to Empire was borne on tides of people
To thy triumph the wish of nations and the willing word
Received as thy pledge of futer peace
O peace sweet union of States what else but thou gives
Strength and glory to a people me think again I see those gentle
days renewd that blessd our isle I see our
plains unbounded waveing with the gifts of harvest
Our Seas with Commerce Throng our busey ports
with Cheerful toil
Our nymphs and Shepherds Sporting in each vale inspire
New song and wake the pastoral reed—Come my Sons I long
To See this prince of whom the world Speaks largely
Well whose name Ile teach you to lisp whose fortunes
You shall follow
His cause thy nerveous arms shall defend and may those
wings that spreds from Shore to Shore Vouchsaf to Shelter me and
My little familey … and long may he live to rule america
O may he be blessd as he deserves is the prayers of his most Humbl and obedient Servt
Except as a pledge of my love and ready obedience a few peccans they were sent to me by a french lady from St vincenes I never opend them but send them On to you with my preyers and beg you may recieve them I am Dear Sir your ever faithful Servt
Elize Winn
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Presedt. of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.