Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I take this opportunity to write to you as there is a boat going up to Smyrna to morrow but you must excuse the bad writing as I am sitting at a table with four of the other Midshipmen, and I am writing by candle light; I wrote to Mother at Smyrna where we only remained a day or two, for it is very unheathy up there, but happily we escaped by coming down to Fourla which is very heathy; we have lately been at to Naples where I saw the Ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum which are very perfect, for we saw in the streets the Ruts the Carriages made, and I got one or two pieces of Marble which I had to steal, as there was a Soldier with us to prevent us from taking any thing

I went to Feouvus also, but I only [. . .] write a few lines to you to let you know that I get on very well; give my love to Cox Mrs Cox and the children, and, Mr Coolidge particularly, and write to me the first opportunity, but it is getting dark that I cant see to write