Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 30 November 1822
To John Barnes
Monticello Nov. 30. 22.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the1 22d is but just recieved, and I am able to answer myself your very kind enquiries after my health. the fracture I met with was as slight a case of the kind as could happen. how2 fortunate, for example, that it was neither a leg nor a thigh: that it was not my right arm: that, of my left, it was the smallest bone, and that a skilful Surgeon attended3 promptly. you see therefore, even in our misfortunes, and among so many chances of better or4 worse, how many consolations we have that it was the slightest of the chances that might have happened. the bone was well set, is doing well, free from pain, and for three days past I have begun to take my habitual exercise on horseback. still, slight as it is, I pray you may be guarded against all such accidents, and may enjoy unbroken5 health during life, without which life is not worth enduring.
Th: Jefferson
RC (CtY: Franklin Collection). Dft (MHi); on verso of reused address cover of Samuel Taylor to TJ, [ca. 4 Sept. 1821]; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Barnes John.”
The skilful surgeon was Thomas G. Watkins.
1. Dft: “Nov.”
2. Word interlined in Dft in place of “it was most.”
3. Word interlined in Dft in place of “was.”
4. Preceding two words interlined in Dft.
5. Word interlined in Dft in place of “good.”