Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

My Dear Mary

September 1st 1808

I have been with Mrs Monroe and Eliza ten days Harriet is with Mrs Divers unless she has is at Ridgway with Lucy as she meditated a visit there in a few days when I parted with her 12 days since, hearing that Lucy was at Farmington I summon’d up resolution to ride there on Horse back but unfortunately she had left there the day before however I hope to have the pleasure of seeing her before I leave the neighbourhood I have written twice since the receipt of Peachys letter which I hope have come to hand be assured my Dear Girl I long to embrace you and your dear little ones Mr Hay and his Daughter left us last Saturday he is to return on the 25th instant and the marriage will take place between that and the 1st of October as he must be in Richmond by that time Mr Monroe is expected to return before the 15th If any thing shou’d happen to detain him I suppose the marrige will be postponed but I hope that will not be the case as Eliza is so anxious that I shou’d be with her at the time except her Father and Mother no one Harriet and my self are to witness the cerimony in short I dont know who they cou’d invite unless The President for no one else has paid them the honor of a visit since they have been in Albemarle Mr and Mrs Madison arrived at the Mountain the day after I left it staid I believe a week and what was is most extraordinary neither of them came here a thing that never happend before for they allways had heretofore paid a visit here of a day or two and Mrs Madison used to say that she preferd being here to lodging in the recesses at Monticello It is the more extraordonary as they were profuse of their attentions to Mr Monroe when he was at Washington Mr Hay took his Daughter to return a Miss Randolphs visit as he wanted to see the President and Mr Madision on business they did not intend any more than a Morning visit but staid to dine Mrs M made many enquiries after the family said that she was anxious to see them she wanted to see their cloathes to know the fashions sent a little snuff in a paper to Mrs Monroe and desired Antoinette to tell me that she had a message to deliver to me from General Wilkinson that he had desired his Compliments to me from these circumstances I am led to believe that the omission has not orriginated with her her curiosity wou’d have brought here as to friendship—fol lal now can you conceive any thing so contemptable as such conduct Gracious God how my heart revolts at such littleness Mr Monroe wou’d never have beheaved towards him in so pitiful a manner you may depend all is not as it shou’d be in the breast of our President elect and if I had a thousand votes I wou’d not give him one in consiquence I despise the world and shall be happy to get to Henry If only to be out of the way of hearing things that vex and mortify me Mr Burrel was so polite as to send me a note signifying his intention of leaving Monticello in two or three days and wou’d be the bearer of any commands to you he arrived the day before I left the Mountain and talk’d of you and Peachey with affection and was politely attentive to me, presuming that he was not acquanted with this family I sent my Compliments by the servant to Mr Burrel and begd that he wou’d call upon me before he left Albemarle that I shou’d be glad to see him, I have since learn’d that he often dined with them when Mr Monroe was Governor I am at a loss to conceive what can give rise to such slights or want of respect to Mr Monroes family are they to be considered as unworthy of attention because a part of the comunity woud give him a preference to Mr Madison I wou’d sacrafise my salvation that Mr Monroes heart is too pure and his mind too delicate to do an injury to the feelings of any man of honorable demeanor—I shall say no more at present and reserve my animadversions till I see you Mrs Monroe and Eliza are as little changed as you cou’d expect they both express friendly attachment to you Eliza says she wishes you wou’d come and spend some time with her that she longs to see you both desire an abundance of love and Mrs Monroe begd me assure you and Peachy that It woud give pleasure her to see you I have not yet had the happiness to receive a letter from Orleans I begin as the Irish say to think long, as I shall remain here till Mr Monroes return direct your letters to Charlottesvill I shou’d visit in the mean time some of my friends If I had a Horse that I cou’d ride there is one here and a single chair but he is a very unruly animal and the roads are abomanable and my courage you know was never great there is no fruit this year at Farmington Mrs Lewis has promised to procure some peach Stones for you of good fruit I saw your Uncle John Walker at Colonel Lewises and he gave me a very friendly invitation to Belvoir offerd to send his carriage for me when ever I wou’d appoint a time how much pleasure it wou’d give Mrs Nelson to see us Adieu