Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Dolley Madison
| April 24th [1820] |
We have thought of you a great deal since you left us, my dear Mrs Madison, and regretted that the circumstance of the weather, and of mama indisposition, should have rendered your visit so much less pleasant, than we were anxious to make it—I shall not however give up the hope of seeing you again, both here, and at your own house, in the course of the Summer. Aunt Randolph arrived from Fluvanna a few days after you left us, and was very much concerned at not having had it in her power, to come up in time to see you, as she cannot think of leaving the state, uncertain as she is of ever returning, without at least taking leave of you, she has determined to call at Montpellier on her way to Fredericksburg, and will therefore be with you on Saturday the 29th, nothing would give me more pleasure than to accompany her so far on her journey, but as this is impossible, I must content myself with the hope, that the obstacles which oppose my visiting you at present will not exist through the continuance of fine weather.
We have not been able to hear whether Mrs Madison’s health has improved since your visit [. . .]. Mama and myself unite in our wishes for it’s reestablishment as also in compliments to Mr Madison, & to Mr Todd, if he is with you
For yourself my dear Mrs Madison accept the assurances of our constant respect and affection.
Have you heard a report that John Randolph of Roanoke is entirely mad. he went to one of the Richmond Banks, and being called on to sign a check he very gravely made his mark, and asked for a witness, not knowing how to write his name moreover as an indubitable proof of the loss of reason he declares a determination not to return to Roanoke without a wife, and says he will have Miss Wickham. in short, in Richmond where he has been staying for some past, he is considered perfectly insane.