Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Dearest Brother

Yr letter of 12th Sep. I have just received & being liable to no interruptions, the answer will soon be despatched. As I think you ought to make any sacrifice for the benefit of yr health a removal of yourself & “Dii Penates” to Burlington, [. . .] if it would conduce to that important object, should perhaps be determined on— Not rashly however, but upon weighing impartially the pro & con. You must be assured that you, in particular, that your professional exertions will procure you immediately the means of support; for the expenses of renewal & of maintaining yourself & family, say for one year, allowing that time as the period that would elapse before you would begin to get practice, would require a sum that we cannot now command. A sacrifice might indeed be made of the Highlands. The prospect of being one day ‘his excellency’ is, I must avow, very enticing; & if you think Mr Coolidge a true prophet, go by all means. To obtain such a prize you would be justified in wearing a puritanical phiz, in going to meeting on the Sabbath, & in talking with the reverend Mr Praise God Barebone of the covenant of grace & the covenant of works. However, to speak seriously, if you make up yr mind to go you must also make up your mind to dissemble your sentiments on the subject of religion, & to bow obsequiously before the religious prejudices that prevail— It would be worse than folly else. To bid adieu to Monticello & its beloved inmates, would cost you no slight pang, but the duty you owe yourself & family imperiously enjoin you to improve your fortune—it is the paramount object to which considerations of personal gratification must yield. The necessity of living apart from those we love is certainly one of the bitter ingredients infused into the cup of life. But Mr [. . .] promises to banish all moral evil from the world & to bring back the golden age. What pity it is that he does not undertake to drive physical pain along with it! You are a convert of his I beleive.

I am sorry to hear that D Terrell’s health is so much impaired. It is not improbable that the climate of Louisiana will be beneficial—perhaps regenerate him. You may be sure it gives me great pleasure to hear he is coming to N Orleans. I should far prefer his [. . .] Society & conversation to those of any one I know in the state. He could spend the ‘Hell fire’ season with us at Mr T’s who has that merit, you know, of being a most kind & hospitable host

The other day Materre, Dr Martin’s son in law, said that if I would set myself up as candidate for the State legislature he would guarantee my being elected. The Dr pledged himself also for my Success. They possess, I have no doubt, sufficient influence to make good their word. But the next election takes place in 1828 & designs that are formed so long before the moment of execution seldom eventuate in any thing. Materre is now the [. . .] representative elect. he may ‘take ‘[. . .]’ in the thing—Though he let drop expressions that seemed to signify that he would resign in my favour & indeed would not have the presumption to oppose me. The privilege of a brother allows me to go into the details of a thing of very little importance now, because of the uncertainty in which it is involved, but which may, nevertheless, take effect & form an epoch in my life.

The cotton crops are good this year though somewhat injured by the hard rains we experienced some time ago. The sugar crops are likewise very promising. I think Mr Tournillon will make upwards of a hundred hogsheads. I wish the Monticello negroes were making as much proportionably.

Grandmother’s health seems to improve. Mr T. receiv[es] letters from Julian now & then. Mary will return to her school in 4 or 5 days.

Kiss the Dear little Martha for me. Assure V of my brotherly affection & all of my sincere & grateful friendship