Joseph Coolidge to Martha Jefferson Randolph

My dear mother;

I have been very anxious about Ellen, in consequence of a letter from her, giving me an acct, of a severe bilious attack: before recg this, I had determined to leave Boston, in a few days, for Monticello; and am now more desirous to be with you, as soon as possible: but I shall be detained, unavoidably, in New York—and enclose, therefore, an opinion wh. I recd from Dr Spooner, our family physician, in whom I have every confidence, and entreat you to insure compliance, if necessary, with prescriptions wh, he doubts not, will be of avail: he is familiar with these attacks—having seen them not only at the South, but in the West Indies;—but he consented, with difficulty, to furnish these directions, not wishing to seem to interfere with another's practise:

For your unceasing watchfulness of Ellen, and for your kindness to myself, even before I had hopes to stand in the relation towards you wh. I am soon to fill,—and for your remembrance—of wh. She has never failed to assure me, I offer my grateful acknowledgments: and with great respect and regard for Colonel Randolph,

am, my dear Mother, Yrs. most affectionately.
J: Coolidge Jr.
RC (ViU: Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge Correspondence); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “To Mrs Randolph: Monticello—, Charlottesville, Albemarle County. Virginia”; stamped; postmarked Boston, 9 May; enclosure not found.
Date Range
Date
May 9, 1825
Collection
Repository