Martha Jefferson Randolph to Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge, with Postscript by Cornelia J. Randolph
| Dear Ellen | Washington Dec. 5. 1830 |
I have only one moment to tell you, we arrived safe & well Sunday at 3 o clock, and with as pleasant and prosperous a journey or rather voyage, as good company, bright skies & smooth seas could ensure—the thursday must be excepted when the jolting of the stage or perhaps the anxiety of our parting brought on a pretty severe attack of pain in the side which by the time I read reached the steam boat was very bad. fortunately the medecine was in the top of My trunk where the cabin maid easily found it, and if it did not immediately releive the pain I have no doubt but that it prevented the [v]iolent perspirations usually accompanying the complaint. the next morning though weak & feverish I went on, and my health improved every mile on the journey. at Providence I met with Mrs Gorham Mr Webster & & whom we dropped at New York. we arrived there in time for the Philadelphia boat to which ourselves & baggage were transferred with out stopping a moment in the city. we were there joined by Judge & Mrs Wayne, My old acquaintance Mrs Campbell, Mrs Gracie with whom I got acquainted and am quite in love. we left Philadelphia the next morning with the addition of the Crowningshields (Mrs & 2 miss), and took a stage with them to Washington. I am at present in a state of “Confusion worse confounded” uniting the things brought, with those left & forgotten, classing arranging & & & therefore I can only satisfy your fears with regard to a broken stage just before us with many passenger much hurt, & last nights storm which found me safe in my own bed, both of which accidents we escaped. Mr Bailey was most kind and attentive to me & when he settles with me I think I shall be able to return $20 or 30. God bless you give my sincere and affectionate love to Joseph kiss the darlings and say some thing kind to the other members of your household not forgetting kind good Mrs Coxe. adieu beloved ever yours
love & thanks to Your dear Mother
every one here join in the same & to Your self & her
Ellen will not return this winter
C. got the bracelets V. the engravings & the other two the baskets
they all send love to Joseph also—Dabney [. . .] Overton was killed in battle gloriously fighting in the good cause: Mrs Miles Cary is also dead & Major lee has transmitted to this countrey half a million from deposits uncalled for, after the storming of Algiers. the owners of which are supposed killed his house was chosen as a place of safety by the jews & for their treasures all called and received them back that had escaped the massacre the rest having [. . .] never appeared are presumed dead
Mama is called away by company dear sister & leaves her letter to me to seal. if the mail was not going out directly I would fill up the blank she has left; but as it is I have only time to thank you in all of our names for the pretty things you sent the bracelets are beautiful & the girls are especially [. . .] as much pleased with the baskets & engravings as I am with the bracelets. Tim likewise begs you will thank Mrs Coolidge for the silk with which she is as much delighted as you may suppose a young lady would be just going into company & consequently having her head running on dress the greater part of her time. Ellen is not here.
