Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I received your letter on my return from the country where I had been to spend a few days, and should have answered it immediately, but for a severe indisposition, the effect of cold, which confined me many days to my bed, and from which even now I am but imperfectly recovered. This must excuse the seeming neglect of suffering your kind attention to remain so long unnoticed—I assure you that few things could have gratified me more than Susan’s visit; and could it have been longer, and earlier in the season, before the parties were over, when Washington has such attractions for the young and gay, I should have been still better pleased, as having the power of rendering it more agreeable to her. To me the addition gave no trouble but a great deal of pleasure, and I hope her recollections of it will not be such as to prevent a repetition of it again and again. I assure you, my dear Madam, that I shall ever consider it as a privilege and a very great pleasure to have any member of your family under my roof, and to have it in my power to make some little return of kindness where I myself have experienced so much. Susan’s wardrobe required no apologies, and with the experience of these veterans of a winter my daughters, in the arrangement of it, her dress was always handsome and proper for the season, and she was very much admired at the only large party that she went to.

Before I close this letter I am requested by my daughter and granddaughter, through you to return their thanks to Susan for the very beautiful mementos sent to each one of them through Mr Bulfinch, and to beg her to believe that such were not necessary to recall to their minds the very great pleasure derived from her short visit. May we hope that her own recollections of it will be sufficiently agreeable to induce a repetition next winter when there will be so much more to amuse and interest her? I need not again repeat how much it would gratify us all.—

And now, my dear madam, after begging you to present my respects to Mr Coolidge, and affectionate remembrances to Mrs Storer, Mrs Swett and the girls, I must conclude with assurances of the esteem and gratitude with which I remain, yours &c &c