Thomas Jefferson to Sarah Grotjan, 10 [January] 1824
To Sarah Grotjan
Monticello June [Jan.]1 10. 24.
Your letter, Madam, of the 1st instant has been recieved informing me that I have a name-sake in your family, to whom you wish me to address a line of exhortation to a virtuous and patriotic life. I have done it in the inclosed letter. I am duly sensible of the indulgence with which you have kindly viewed the part I have acted in2 life. the times in which my lot was cast3 called on every citizen for every effort4 of his body and mind; and if in the parts assigned me I have been able to render any5 service, I am thankful for having been made the instrument of it.
I learn with pleasure that you have the blessing of a promising family, and6 sincerely pray and trust7 that it may continue a blessing through life, and I tender to yourself and family8 my best wishes and respects.
Th: Jefferson
RC (Mrs. Henry Wiseman Cook, Wayzata, Minn., 1944); misdated. Dft (DLC); correctly dated; at foot of text: “Mrs Grotjan.” Recorded in SJL as a letter of 10 Jan. 1824. Enclosure: TJ to Thomas Jefferson Grotjan, 10 Jan. 1824.
1. Corrected by Grotjan above dateline to “January.” Dft: “Jan.”
2. Preceding six words interlined in Dft in place of “my character and conduct thro’.”
3. Sentence to this point reworked in Dft from “I have happened to live in times which.”
4. Reworked in Dft from “for all the efforts.”
5. In Dft TJ here canceled “useful.”
6. In Dft TJ here canceled “persuaded it will have from yourself every incitement of precept & example, I.”
7. Preceding two words interlined in Dft.
8. Reworked in Dft from “and tender you.”