Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 29 December 1822

To William Short

Monticello Dec. 29. 22.

Dear Sir

I have duly recieved your favor of the 17th with it’s kind enquiries as to the state in which my late accident has placed me. the fracture was of the most favorable character, of the smaller bone of the left fore-arm, without, as is still hoped, deranging1 those of the wrist. it was promptly and well set by a skilful surgeon, has been constantly doing well, without incurring any accident, and has given me not much pain. it hinders me from nothing which can be done with one hand, and I have been able to ride out since the 2d week. the only disadvantageous circumstance is the sloth with which old bones knit. a younger person would have been clear of his2 sling in 6. weeks. I am now in the 7th and have neither use nor motion of that hand; and I would willingly compromise with my sling for 3. weeks more. it adds much to the difficulty and awkwardness of writing, which a crippled right hand and wrist had before brought on me. while this will3 lessen the frequency of expressing my attachment to my friends, it will not4 lessen the warmth of my feelings towards them, and especially the sincerity of my5 affectionate friendship to yourself.

Th: Jefferson

RC (ViW: TJP). Dft (MHi); on bottom half of reused address cover of Daniel Brent to TJ, 5 Sept. 1821; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Short Wm.”

The skilful surgeon was Thomas G. Watkins.

1Word interlined in Dft in place of “affecting.”

2Word interlined in Dft in place of “the.”

3In Dft TJ here canceled “prevent.”

4Word interlined in Dft in place of “never.”

5Preceding two words interlined in Dft in place of “and.”

Index Entries

  • horses; TJ rides search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; fatiguing or painful to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; broken arm search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; injured in fall search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; wrist injury search
  • Short, William; and TJ’s health search
  • Short, William; letters to search
  • Watkins, Thomas G.; and TJ’s health search