Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I deferred answering your last, in order to let you know what my plans are would be, & am happy to say, that there is little prospect of my leaving this place shortly, at least for a year: I would not say happy, were I not almost sure that my time will be better employed here than at P. & certainly with more gratification to myself, never can I remember having felt happier than I do now. Francis Eppes and a cousin of his named Baker are now here We make up a party in the evening and dance to the sound of the harpsicord, last night we had a famous, kick up ” having procured a violin we danced until midnight in the south pavilion. A gentleman recommended by Judge Cooper has by the advice of Mr. Jefferson set up a school in Charlottesville. Mr. J. thinks him an excellent classic, until Mr La Porte who is to keep a boarding comes FE. . James. & myself will walk to charlottesville in the early part of the day and return in the evening, before many days have elapsed we shall be, I think tolerably well seasoned from what I can learn, one must be a good classic before he goes to college if he is not pretty well acquainted with greek and latin at his entrance, he will not be so when he leaves it. I have therefore determined to acquire a good knowledge of those languages before [. . .] I enter college. Francis will be my classmate. I often wish that you were here to join us in our sports of nights. I hope you will be [. . .] constant, and not forget Miss V. My affection for her increases every, there can not be a more warm hearted affectionate girl in existence.

I am sorry that you cannot retain the good will of your teachers, you may depend it is very important to be liked by one's Masters. You talk as if good and honorable principle is the natural inheritance of every Virginian, dont be so prejudiced, tell me¹ if you saw a superabundance of it a Dr Carrs schools You may thank your mother for having instilled in your bosom those principles which you say are natural to you from having been born in Virginia, pray dont adopt such notions.

I was here on the day that the north pavilion was burnt; the wind was blowing at a furious rate, when it began, towards the house but fortunately changed when the fire was raging with the greatest fury, the other Pavilion caught at the same time but was immediately Extinguished. Mr. J. was slightly hurt on the shin, he fell down among the boards And rubbed the skin off. The times are hard at present & I am afraid father will suffer very much this year. cotton sells for nothing & there is no probabilityty of its rising again. he ought if possible; to procure sugar plantation there is such a consumption of that article, that it will always find a ready sale. I could have sold your mare to Terrell Carr for 150 $ but J. Randolph told me, he thought he could get more for her, accordingly I did not sell her to cousin T. which I was very sorry for afterwards She grew so lame that she could hardly, no one of course would by by buy her. J. Randolph has left her in a field² to range & he says she is getting better. Francis says he would write to you by but has nothing to say he sends his love to you I am so tired and sleepy that I can scarcely keep awake. write to me soon as I hope you will come off with honour at the examination.