Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 9 September 1814

To Francis Eppes

Monticello Sep. 9. 14.

My first wish, my dear Francis, is ever to hear that you are in good health, because that is the first of blessings. the second is to become an honest and useful man to those among whom we live. you are now in the high road of instruction for this object, and I have great confidence you will pursue it with steadiness and attain the end which will make all your friends happy. I shall carry with me to Poplar Forest the proper books for instructing you in French. whether you can pass your time with me while there, and be employed in learning French must depend on the will of your father and of your tutor. I expect to go there within about three weeks, and to make a longer stay than usual. if that should be employed wholly on French, and you can afterwards pass your Christmas at Monticello where your aunt and cousins can assist me in helping you on, you will afterwards be able to proceed of yourself—in this you will be obliged to separate from your cousin who is too young for an undertaking to be pursued afterwards alone. in the hope of seeing you soon, and conveying to you the wishes of your aunt and cousins to be remembered to you, be assured of my affectionate love.

Th: Jefferson

PoC (CSmH: JF); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; at foot of text: “Francis Eppes”; endorsed by TJ.

Eppes’s tutor was Thomas A. Holcombe. His aunt was Martha Jefferson Randolph, and his cousin was John Wayles Baker.

Index Entries

  • Baker, John Wayles (TJ’s grandnephew); and study of French search
  • children; letters to; F. Eppes search
  • education; at Monticello search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); at Monticello search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); education of, at Monticello search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); education of, TJ on search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); health of search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); letters to search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); relationship with father search
  • Eppes, John Wayles (TJ’s son-in-law); relationship with son search
  • French language; TJ on study of search
  • Holcombe, Thomas Anderson; tutor to F. W. Eppes search
  • Monticello (TJ’s estate); schooling at search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); TJ plans visit to search
  • Randolph, Martha Jefferson (Patsy; TJ’s daughter; Thomas Mann Randolph’s wife); mentioned search