Results of Presidential Election.--Letter to his Daughter.--
Balloting for President.--Letter to his Daughter.--Is
inaugurated.--Returns to Monticello.--Letters to his
Daughter.--Goes back to Washington.--Inaugurates the Custom of
sending a written Message to Congress.--Abolishes Levees.--
Letter to Story.--To Dickinson.--Letter from Mrs. Cosway.--
Family Letters.--Makes a short Visit to Monticello.
The result of the Presidential Election of 1800 was the success of
the Republican candidates--both Jefferson and Burr receiving the same
number (73) of electoral votes. The chance of any two candidates
receiving a tie vote was a circumstance which had not been provided
for, and though all knew that Jefferson had been run to fill the
office of President, and Burr that of Vice-president, the tie vote
gave the latter a chance--which the Federalists urged him to seize,
and which he did not neglect--to be made President.
The following letter gives the first sign of the coming storm, which
for a week convulsed the country with excitement, and shook the young
Government to its centre.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes, Bermuda Hundred._
Washington, Jan. 4th, 1801.
Your letter, my dear Maria, of Dec. 28, is just now received,
and shall be immediately answered, as shall all others received
from yourself or Mr. Eppes. This will keep our accounts even,
and show, by the comparative promptness of reply, which is
most anxious to hear from the other. I wrote to Mr. Eppes,
December 23d, but directed it to Petersburg; hereafter it shall
be to City Point. I went yesterday to Mount Vernon, where Mrs.
Washington and Mrs. Lewis asked very kindly after you. Mrs.
Lewis looks thin, and thinks herself not healthy; but it seems
to be more in opinion than any thing else. She has a child of
very uncertain health.
The election is understood to stand 73, 73, 65, 64. The
Federalists were confident, at first, they could debauch Col.
B. [Burr] from his good faith by offering him their vote to be
President, and have seriously proposed it to him. His conduct
has been honorable and decisive, and greatly embarrasses them.
Time seems to familiarize them more and more to acquiescence,
and to render it daily more probable they will yield to the
known will of the people, and that some one State will join
the eight already decided as to their vote. The victory of the
Republicans in New Jersey, lately obtained by carrying their
whole Congressional members on an election by general ticket,
has had weight on their spirits.
Should I be destined to remain here, I shall count on meeting
you and Mr. Eppes at Monticello the first week in April, where
I shall not have above three weeks to stay. We shall then be
able to consider how far it will be practicable to prevent this
new destination from shortening the time of our being together,
for be assured that no considerations in this world would
compensate to me a separation from yourself and your sister.
But the distance is so moderate that I should hope a journey
to this place would be scarcely more inconvenient than one to
Monticello. But of this we will talk when we meet there, which
will be to me a joyful moment. Remember me affectionately to Mr.
Eppes, and accept yourself the effusion of my tenderest love.
Adieu, my dearest Maria.
TH. JEFFERSON
The balloting for President in the House of Representatives began on
the 11th of February. A snow-storm raged without, while the bitterest
partisan feeling was at work within the Congressional halls. A
member who was too ill to leave his bed was borne on a litter to
the Capitol; his wife accompanied him, and, remaining at his side,
administered his medicines to him. The ballot-boxes were carried to
his couch, so that he did not miss a single ballot. Had he failed to
vote, the Republicans would have lost a vote. The people throughout
the country were kept in a ferment by the wild reports which came to
them of the state of affairs in Washington. The Governor of Virginia
established a line of express riders between Washington and Richmond
during the whole of this eventful week, that he might learn as
speedily as possible the result of each ballot. The best picture of
the exciting scene is found in the following dispatches sent by John
Randolph to his step-father, St. George Tucker, while the balloting
was going on:
_Dispatches from John Randolph._[48]
[48] See Appendix to Tucker's Life of Jefferson.
Chamber of the House of Representatives,
Wednesday, February 11th, 1801.
Seven times we have balloted--eight States for J.; six for B.;
two, Maryland and Vermont, divided. Voted to postpone for an
hour the process; now half-past four--resumed--result the same.
The order against adjourning, made with a view to Mr. Nicholson,
who was ill, has not operated. He left his sick-bed, came
through a snow-storm, brought his bed, and has prevented the
vote of Maryland from being given to Burr. Mail closing. Yours
with perfect love and esteem,
J. R., JR.
Thursday Morning, February 12th.
We have just taken the nineteenth ballot (the balloting
continued through the night). The result has invariably been
eight States for J., six for B., two divided. We continue to
ballot with the interval of an hour. The rule for making the
sittings permanent seems now to be not so agreeable to our
Federal gentlemen. No election will, in my opinion, take place.
By special permission, the mail will remain open until four
o'clock. I will not close my letter till three. If there be a
change, I shall notify it; if not, I shall add no more to the
assurance of my entire affection.
JOHN RANDOLPH, JR.
Chamber of the House of Representatives,
February 14th, 1801.
After endeavoring to make the question before us depend upon
our physical construction, our opponents have begged for a
dispensation from their own regulation, and without adjourning,
we have postponed (like able casuists) from day to day the
balloting. In half an hour we shall recommence the operation.
The result is marked below. We have balloted thirty-one hours.
Twelve o'clock, Saturday noon, eight for J., six for B., two
divided. Again at one, not yet decided. Same result. Postponed
till Monday, twelve o'clock.
JOHN RANDOLPH, JR.
In the midst of these scenes Jefferson wrote the following letter to
Mrs. Eppes, in which we find strangely blended politics and fatherly
love--a longing for retirement and a lurking desire to leave to his
children the honor of his having filled the highest office in his
country's gift:
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes, Bermuda Hundred._
Washington, Feb. 15th, 1801.
Your letter, my dear Maria, of the 2d instant came to hand on
the 8th. I should have answered it immediately, according to
our arrangement, but that I thought by waiting to the 11th I
might possibly be able to communicate something on the subject
of the election. However, after four days of balloting, they
are exactly where they were on the first. There is a strong
expectation in some that they will coalesce to-morrow; but I
know no foundation for it. Whatever event happens, I think I
shall be at Monticello earlier than I formerly mentioned to you.
I think it more likely I may be able to leave this place by the
middle of March. I hope I shall find you at Monticello. The
scene passing here makes me pant to be away from it--to fly from
the circle of cabal, intrigue, and hatred, to one where all is
love and peace.
Though I never doubted of your affections, my dear, yet the
expressions of them in your letter give me ineffable pleasure.
No, never imagine that there can be a difference with me between
yourself and your sister. You have both such dispositions as
engross my whole love, and each so entirely that there can be no
greater degree of it than each possesses. Whatever absences I
may be led into for a while, I look for happiness to the moment
when we can all be settled together, no more to separate. I feel
no impulse from personal ambition to the office now proposed to
me, but on account of yourself and your sister and those dear
to you. I feel a sincere wish, indeed, to see our Government
brought back to its republican principles, to see that kind
of government firmly fixed to which my whole life has been
devoted. I hope we shall now see it so established, as that when
I retire it may be under full security that we are to continue
free and happy. As soon as the fate of election is over, I will
drop a line to Mr. Eppes. I hope one of you will always write
the moment you receive a letter from me. Continue to love me, my
dear, as you ever have done, and ever have been and will be by
yours, affectionately,
TH. JEFFERSON.
I give John Randolph's last dispatch:
Chamber of the House of Representatives,
February 17th.
On the thirty-sixth ballot there appeared this day ten States
for Thomas Jefferson, four (New England) for A. Burr, and two
blank ballots (Delaware and South Carolina). This was the
second time we balloted to-day. The four Burrites of Maryland
put blanks into the box of that State. The vote was therefore
unanimous. Mr. Morris, of Vermont, left his seat, and the result
was therefore Jeffersonian. Adieu. Tuesday, 2 o'clock P.M.
J. R., JR.
I need not add that Mr. J. was declared duly elected.
In a letter written to his son-in-law, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Jefferson
says:
_To Thomas Mann Randolph._
A letter from Mr. Eppes informs me that Maria is in a situation
which induces them not to risk a journey to Monticello, so we
shall not have the pleasure of meeting them there. I begin to
hope I may be able to leave this place by the middle of March.
My tenderest love to my ever dear Martha, and kisses to the
little one. Accept yourself sincere and affectionate salutation.
Adieu.
Mr. Jefferson thought it becoming a Republican that his inauguration
should be as unostentatious and free from display as possible--and
such it was. An English traveller, who was in Washington at the time,
thus describes him: "His dress was of plain cloth, and he rode on
horseback to the Capitol without a single guard or even servant in
his train, dismounted without assistance, and hitched the bridle of
his horse to the palisades." He was accompanied to the Senate Chamber
by a number of his friends, when, before taking the oath of office,
he delivered his Inaugural Address, whose chaste and simple beauty is
so familiar to the student of American History. I can not, however,
refrain from giving here the eloquent close of this admirable State
paper:
_Extract from Inaugural Address._
I repair, then, fellow-citizens, to the post you have assigned
me. With experience enough in subordinate offices to have seen
the difficulties of this, the greatest of all, I have learned
to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man
to retire from this station with the reputation and favor which
bring him into it. Without pretensions to that high confidence
reposed in our first and great Revolutionary character, whose
pre-eminent services had entitled him to the first place in
his country's love, and destined for him the fairest page in
the volume of faithful history, I ask so much confidence only
as may give firmness and effect to the legal administration
of your affairs. I shall often go wrong through defect of
judgment. When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those
whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground.
I ask your indulgence for my own errors, which will never be
intentional; and your support against the errors of others, who
may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts. The
approbation implied by your suffrage is a consolation to me for
the past; and my future solicitude will be to retain the good
opinion of those who have bestowed it in advance, to conciliate
that of others by doing them all the good in my power, and to be
instrumental to the happiness and freedom of all.
Relying, then, on the patronage of your good-will, I advance
with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you
become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to
make. And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of
the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a
favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.
The house at Monticello was still unfinished when Mr. Jefferson
returned there on a visit early in April. A few days before he left
he wrote the following letter to his kinsman, Mr. George Jefferson,
which, in an age when nepotism is so rife, may, from its principles,
seem now rather out of date:
_To George Jefferson._
Dear Sir--I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of March
4th, and to express to you the delight with which I found the
just, disinterested, and honorable point of view in which you
saw the proposition it covered. The resolution you so properly
approved had long been formed in my mind. The public will never
be made to believe that an appointment of a relative is made on
the ground of merit alone, uninfluenced by family views; nor can
they ever see with approbation offices, the disposal of which
they intrust to their Presidents for public purposes, divided
out as family property. Mr. Adams degraded himself infinitely
by his conduct on this subject, as General Washington had done
himself the greatest honor. With two such examples to proceed
by, I should be doubly inexcusable to err. It is true that this
places the relations of the President in a worse situation than
if he were a stranger, but the public good, which can not be
effected if its confidence be lost, requires this sacrifice.
Perhaps, too, it is compensated by sharing in the public esteem.
I could not be satisfied till I assured you of the increased
esteem with which this transaction fills me for you. Accept my
affectionate expressions of it.
The following letters to Mrs. Eppes will carry on pleasantly the tale
of Mr. Jefferson's private life:
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes, Bermuda Hundred._
Monticello, April 11th, 1801.
My dear Maria--I wrote to Mr. Eppes on the 8th inst. by post,
to inform him I should on the 12th send off a messenger to the
Hundred for the horses he may have bought for me. Davy Bowles
will accordingly set out to-morrow, and will be the bearer
of this. He leaves us all well, and wanting nothing but your
and Mr. Eppes's company to make us completely happy. Let me
know by his return when you expect to be here, that I may
accommodate to that my orders as to executing the interior work
of the different parts of the house. John being at work under
Lilly, Goliath is our gardener, and with his veteran aids will
be directed to make what preparation he can for you. It is
probable I shall come home myself about the last week of July
or first of August, to stay two months during the sickly season
in autumn every year. These terms I shall hope to pass with you
here, and that either in spring or fall you will be able to
pass some time with me in Washington. Had it been possible, I
would have made a tour now, on my return, to see you. But I am
tied to a day for my return to Washington, to assemble our New
Administration and begin our work systematically. I hope, when
you come up, you will make very short stages, drive slow and
safely, which may well be done if you do not permit yourself
to be hurried. Surely, the sooner you come the better. The
servants will be here under your commands, and such supplies as
the house affords. Before that time our bacon will be here from
Bedford. Continue to love me, my dear Maria, as affectionately
as I do you. I have no object so near my heart as yours and your
sister's happiness. Present me affectionately to Mr. Eppes, and
be assured yourself of my unchangeable and tenderest attachment
to you.
TH. JEFFERSON.
The horses alluded to in the above letter were four full-blooded
bays, which the President wished to purchase for the use of his
carriage in Washington. Mr. Eppes succeeded in making the purchase
for him, and his choice was such as to suit even such a connoisseur
in horse-flesh as Jefferson was, to say nothing of his faithful
coachman, Joseph Dougherty, who was never so happy as when seated on
the box behind this spirited and showy team. Their cost was sixteen
hundred dollars.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes, Bermuda Hundred._
Washington, June 24th, 1801.
My dear Maria--According to contract, immediately on the receipt
of Mr. Eppes's letter of the 12th, I wrote him mine of the
17th; and having this moment received yours of June 18th, I
hasten to reply to that also. I am very anxious you should
hasten your departure for Monticello, but go a snail's pace when
you set out. I shall certainly be with you the last week of July
or first week of August. I have a letter from your sister this
morning. All are well. They have had all their windows, almost,
broken by a hail-storm, and are unable to procure glass, so that
they are living almost out-of-doors. The whole neighborhood
suffered equally. Two sky-lights at Monticello, which had been
left uncovered, were entirely broken up. No other windows there
were broke. I give reason to expect that both yourself and your
sister will come here in the fall. I hope it myself, and our
society here is anxious for it. I promise them that one of you
will hereafter pass the spring here, and the other the fall,
saving your consent to it. All this must be arranged when we
meet. I am here interrupted; so, with my affectionate regards to
the family at Eppington, and Mr. Eppes, and tenderest love to
yourself, I must bid you adieu.
TH. JEFFERSON.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes._
Washington, July 16th, 1801.
My dear Maria--I received yesterday Mr. Eppes's letter of
the 12th, informing me that you had got safely to Eppington,
and would set out to-morrow at furthest for Monticello. This
letter, therefore, will, I hope, find you there. I now write to
Mr. Craven to furnish you all the supplies of the table which
his farm affords. Mr. Lilly had before received orders to do
the same. Liquors have been forwarded, and have arrived with
some loss. I insist that you command and use every thing as
if I were with you, and shall be very uneasy if you do not. A
supply of groceries has been lying here some time waiting for
a conveyance. It will probably be three weeks from this time
before they can be at Monticello. In the mean time, take what is
wanting from any of the stores with which I deal, on my account.
I have recommended to your sister to send at once for Mrs.
Marks. Remus and my chair, with Phill as usual, can go for her.
I shall join you between the second and seventh--more probably
not till the seventh. Mr. and Mrs. Madison leave this about a
week hence. I am looking forward with great impatience to the
moment when we can all be joined at Monticello, and hope we
shall never again know so long a separation. I recommend to your
sister to go over at once to Monticello, which I hope she will
do. It will be safer for her, and more comfortable for both.
Present me affectionately to Mr. Eppes, and be assured of my
constant and tenderest love.
TH. JEFFERSON.
The Mrs. Marks alluded to in this last letter was Mr. Jefferson's
sister. Her husband lived in Lower Virginia, and, his means being
very limited, he could not afford to send his family from home
during the sickly season. For a period of thirty years Mr. Jefferson
never failed to send his carriage and horses for her, and kept her
for three or four months at Monticello, which after her husband's
death became her permanent home. Mr. Jefferson left in his will
the following touching recommendation of her to his daughter: "I
recommend to my daughter, Martha Randolph, the maintenance and care
of my well-beloved sister, Anne Scott, and trust confidently that
from affection to her, as well as for my sake, she will never let her
want a comfort." It is needless to add that this trust was faithfully
fulfilled, and when Mrs. Randolph had no home save her eldest son's
house, the same roof sheltered Mrs. Marks as well as herself.
Mr. Jefferson paid his usual visit to Monticello this summer, and was
there surrounded by his children and grandchildren. On his return to
Washington, he wrote the following letters to Mrs. Eppes, in which
the anxiety that he shows about her is what might have been expected
from the tender love of a mother.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes, Monticello._
Washington, Oct. 26th, 1801.
My ever dear Maria--I have heard nothing of you since Mr.
Eppes's letter, dated the day se'nnight after I left home.
The Milton[49] mail will be here to-morrow morning, when I
shall hope to receive something. In the mean time, this letter
must go hence this evening. I trust it will still find you at
Monticello, and that possibly Mr. Eppes may have concluded to
take a journey to Bedford, and still further prolonged your
stay. I am anxious to hear from you, lest you should have
suffered in the same way now as on a former similar occasion.
Should any thing of that kind take place, and the remedy which
succeeded before fail now, I know nobody to whom I would so soon
apply as Mrs. Suddarth. A little experience is worth a great
deal of reading, and she has had great experience and a sound
judgment to observe on it. I shall be glad to hear, at the same
time, that the little boy is well.
[49] Milton was a thriving little town four miles from Monticello.
If Mr. Eppes undertakes what I have proposed to him at Pantops and
Poplar Forest the next year, I should think it indispensable that he
should make Monticello his head-quarters. You can be furnished with
all plantation articles for the family from Mr. Craven, who will be
glad to pay his rent in that way. It would be a great satisfaction to
me to find you fixed there in April. Perhaps it might induce me to
take flying trips by stealth, to have the enjoyment of family society
for a few days undisturbed. Nothing can repay me the loss of that
society, the only one founded in affection and bosom confidence. I
have here company enough, part of which is very friendly, part well
enough disposed, part secretly hostile, and a constant succession of
strangers. But this only serves to get rid of life, not to enjoy it;
it is in the love of one's family only that heartfelt happiness is
known. I feel it when we are all together, and, when alone, beyond
what can be imagined. Present me affectionately to Mr. Eppes, Mr.
Randolph, and my dear Martha, and be assured yourself of my tenderest
love.
TH. JEFFERSON.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes._--[_Extract._]
I perceive that it will be merely accidental when I can steal
a moment to write to you; however, that is of no consequence,
my health being always so firm as to leave you without doubt
on that subject. But it is not so with yourself and little
one. I shall not be easy, therefore, if either yourself or Mr.
Eppes do not once a week or fortnight write the three words
"All are well." That you may be so now, and so continue, is the
subject of my perpetual anxiety, as my affections are constantly
brooding over you. Heaven bless you, my dear daughter.
Congress met on the 7th of December. It had been the custom for the
session to be opened pretty much as the English Parliament is by the
Queen's speech. The President, accompanied by a cavalcade, proceeded
in state to the Capitol, took his seat in the Senate Chamber, and,
the House of Representatives being summoned, read his address. Mr.
Jefferson, on the opening of this session of Congress (1801), swept
away all these inconvenient forms and ceremonies by introducing the
custom of the President sending a written message to Congress. Soon
after his inauguration he did away with levees, and established
only two public days for the reception of company, the first of
January and the Fourth of July, when his doors were thrown open to
the public. He received private calls, whether of courtesy or on
business, at all other times.
We have preserved to us an amusing anecdote of the effect of his
abolishing levees. Many of the ladies at Washington, indignant at
being cut off from the pleasure of attending them, and thinking
that their discontinuance was an innovation on former customs,
determined to force the President to hold them. Accordingly, on the
usual levee-day they resorted in full force to the White House. The
President was out taking his habitual ride on horseback. On his
return, being told that the public rooms were filled with ladies, he
at once divined their true motives for coming on that day. Without
being at all disconcerted, all booted and spurred, and still covered
with the dust of his ride, he went in to receive his fair guests.
Never had his reception been more graceful or courteous. The ladies,
charmed with the ease and grace of his manners and address, forgot
their indignation with him, and went away feeling that, of the two
parties, they had shown most impoliteness in visiting his house when
not expected. The result of their plot was for a long time a subject
of mirth among them, and they never again attempted to infringe upon
the rules of his household.
The Reverend Isaac Story having sent him some speculations on the
subject of the transmigration of souls, he sent him, on the 5th of
December, a reply, from which we take the following interesting
extract:
_To Rev. Isaac Story._
The laws of nature have withheld from us the meaning of physical
knowledge of the country of spirits, and revelation has, for
reasons unknown to us, chosen to leave us in darkness as we
were. When I was young, I was fond of speculations which seemed
to promise some insight into that hidden country; but observing
at length that they left me in the same ignorance in which they
had found me, I have for many years ceased to read or think
concerning them, and have reposed my head on that pillow of
ignorance which a benevolent Creator has made so soft for us,
knowing how much we should be forced to use it. I have thought
it better, by nourishing the good passions and controlling the
bad, to merit an inheritance in a state of being of which I can
know so little, and to trust for the future to Him who has been
so good for the past.
A week or two later he wrote to John Dickinson: "The approbation of
my ancient friends is, above all things, the most grateful to my
heart. They know for what objects we relinquished the delights of
domestic society, tranquillity, and science, and committed ourselves
to the ocean of revolution, to wear out the only life God has given
us here in scenes the benefits of which will accrue only to those who
follow us."
Early in the ensuing year he received a letter from his old friend
Mrs. Cosway, who writes:
_From Mrs. Cosway._
Have we no hopes of ever seeing you in Paris? Would it not be a
rest to you after your laborious situation? I often see the only
friend remaining of our set, Madame de Corny, the same in her
own amiable qualities, but very different in her situation, but
she supports it very well.
I am come to this place in its best time, for the profusion of
fine things is beyond description, and not possible to conceive.
It is so changed in every respect that you would not think it
the same country or people. Shall this letter be fortunate
enough to get to your hands? Will it be still more fortunate in
procuring me an answer? I leave you to reflect on the happiness
you will afford your ever affectionate and sincere friend.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes._
Washington, Mar. 3d, 1802.
My very dear Maria--I observed to you some time ago that, during
the session of Congress, I should be able to write to you but
seldom; and so it has turned out. Yours of Jan. 24 I received
in due time, after which Mr. Eppes's letter of Feb. 1 and 2
confirmed to me the news, always welcome, of yours and Francis's
health. Since this I have no news of you. I see with great
concern that I am not to have the pleasure of meeting you in
Albemarle in the spring. I had entertained the hope Mr. Eppes
and yourself would have passed the summer there, and, being
there, that the two families should have come together on a
visit here. I observe your reluctance at the idea of that visit,
but for your own happiness must advise you to get the better of
it. I think I discover in you a willingness to withdraw from
society more than is prudent. I am convinced our own happiness
requires that we should continue to mix with the world, and to
keep pace with it as it goes; and that every person who retires
from free communication with it is severely punished afterwards
by the state of mind into which he gets, and which can only
be prevented by feeding our sociable principles. I can speak
from experience on this subject. From 1793 to 1797 I remained
closely at home, saw none but those who came there, and at
length became very sensible of the ill effect it had on my own
mind, and of its direct and irresistible tendency to render me
unfit for society and uneasy when necessarily engaged in it. I
felt enough of the effect of withdrawing from the world then
to see that it led to an anti-social and misanthropic state of
mind, which severely punishes him who gives in to it; and it
will be a lesson I never shall forget as to myself. I am certain
you would be pleased with the state of society here, and that
after the first moments you would feel happy in having made the
experiment. I take for granted your sister will come immediately
after my spring visit to Monticello, and I should have thought
it agreeable to both that your first visit should be made
together....
TH. JEFFERSON.
Mr. Jefferson made his spring visit to Monticello, and returned
to Washington before the first of June. The following chatty and
affectionate letters to his daughter, Mrs. Eppes, were written after
this visit home. The frequent and touching expressions of anxiety
about her health found in them show its delicate condition.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes._--[_Extract._]
Washington, July 1st, 1802.
It will be infinitely joyful to me to be with you there
[Monticello] after the longest separation we have had for
years. I count from one meeting to another as we do between
port and port at sea; and I long for the moment with the same
earnestness. Present me affectionately to Mr. Eppes, and let me
hear from you immediately. Be assured yourself of my tender and
unchangeable affections.
TH. JEFFERSON.
_To Mary Jefferson Eppes._
Washington, July 2d, 1802.
My dear Maria--My letter of yesterday had hardly got out of
my hand when yours of June 21st and Mr. Eppes's of the 25th
were delivered. I learn with extreme concern the state of your
health and that of the child, and am happy to hear you have got
from the Hundred to Eppington, the air of which will aid your
convalescence, and will enable you to delay your journey to
Monticello till you have recovered your strength to make the
journey safe.
With respect to the measles, they began in Mr. Randolph's
family about the middle of June, and will probably be a month
getting through the family; so you had better, when you go,
pass on direct to Monticello, not calling at Edgehill. I will
immediately write to your sister, and inform her I advised you
to this. I have not heard yet of the disease having got to
Monticello, but the intercourse with Edgehill being hourly,
it can not have failed to have gone there immediately; and as
there are no young children there but Bet's and Sally's, and
the disease is communicable before a person knows they have
it, I have no doubt those children have passed through it. The
children of the plantation, being a mile and a half off, can
easily be guarded against. I will write to Monticello, and
direct that, should the nail-boys or any others have it, they
be removed to the plantation instantly on your arrival. Indeed,
none of them but Bet's sons stay on the mountain; and they will
be doubtless through it. I think, therefore, you may be there in
perfect security. It had gone through the neighborhood chiefly
when I was there in May; so that it has probably disappeared.
You should make inquiry on the road before you go into any
house, as the disease is now universal throughout the State, and
all the States.
Present my most friendly attachment to Mr. and Mrs. Eppes. Tell
the latter I have had her spectacles these six months, waiting
for a direct conveyance. My best affections to Mr. Eppes, if
with you, and the family, and tender and constant love to
yourself.
TH. JEFFERSON.
P.S.--I have always forgotten to answer your apologies about
Critta, which were very unnecessary. I am happy she has been
with you and useful to you. At Monticello there could be
nothing for her to do; so that her being with you is exactly as
desirable to me as she can be useful to you.
On the 16th of July he wrote Mrs. Eppes:
I leave this on the 24th, and shall be in great hopes of
receiving yourself and Mr. Eppes there (Monticello) immediately.
I received two days ago his letter of the 8th, in which he
gives me a poor account of your health, though he says you are
recruiting. Make very short stages, be off always by daylight,
and have your day's journey over by ten. In this way it is
probable you may find the moderate exercise of the journey
of service to yourself and Francis. Nothing is more frequent
than to see a child re-established by a journey. Present my
sincerest affections to the family at Eppington and to Mr.
Eppes. Tell him the Tory newspapers are all attacking his
publication, and urging it as a proof that Virginia has for
object to change the Constitution of the United States, and to
make it too impotent to curb the larger States. Accept yourself
assurances of my constant and tender love.
He reached Monticello on the 25th of July, and was there joyfully
welcomed by his children and grandchildren. He was apparently in
robust health; but we find that six months before this period, to his
intimate friend Dr. Rush, he had written: "My health has always been
so uniformly firm, that I have for some years dreaded nothing so much
as the living too long. I think, however, that a flaw has appeared
which insures me against that, without cutting short any of the
period during which I could expect to remain capable of being useful.
It will probably give me as many years as I wish, and without pain or
debility. Should this be the case, my most anxious prayers will have
been fulfilled by Heaven. I have said as much to no mortal breathing,
and my florid health is calculated to keep my friends as well as foes
quiet, as they should be."
He was at this time in his sixtieth year.