Unknown to Martha Jefferson (Randolph)

Je te prie de recevoir chere jef bien-aimée amie ce petit present je voudrois que ce fût par la main des Graces qu’il tu te fut [. . .] presenté mais ce ne sont que celles de l’amitié [. . .] puisse-t-il te faire autant de plaisir que s’il si tu l’eut reçu—par les premieres

editors’ translation

I beg you, dear Jef, much beloved friend, to receive this little gift. I wish it were presented to you by the hand of the graces, but my hands are merely those of friendship. May it give you as much pleasure as if you had received it from the aforementioned

RC (Privately owned, 2015); on hand-painted note paper; dateline at foot of text. Translation by Dr. Roland H. Simon.
Author
Date Range
Date
January 9, 1788
Collection