Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Your Brother and Self occupy so constantly my thoughts that if I am more than a month without hearing from you I begin to be uneasy and find solace in writing to you it is perhaps puting you to [. . .] unnecessary expence and these are hard times and Money scarse but while I have Money on credit I can never think much of the expence attending a corrispondence with those so dear to me as your self and Brother, I suppose you have heard from him of his Sufferings on the road and after his arrival in Philad my last letter from him was dated the 1st of Jany he had not than recoverd tho getting the better of a fever and sore throat it is time that I recd another letter from him, he is too lazy about writing, but if his heart was much interested in the happiness of his old Grand Mother he wou’d make some sacrafises to encrease her happiness, it is natural when bereaved of almost all our tender connections to cling to the few that are left with greater ardour I have not received a letter from your dear Mother since the 12th of Nov Recd the 6th Dec which I attribute to the obstructions generally attendant on bad roads and severe weather I have not written to her since the 12th Dec nor can I write till I can assure her of Browses perfect recovery Your opportunities of writing her is so much better than mine are I hope you often embrace them, so tender a Mother and so good a Father has a claim on you for every attention: We have had so cold and dreary a winter with occasional spells of moderate weather as to interdict all social intercourse the Mountains and woods are still white with snow, I heard yesterday from a waggoner of Jefferson Randolphs who brought wheat to be ground (there mill being out of repair) that Mrs Randolph and the Governor got home on the 23d the carriage got broke that they were in and had to ride from Carysbook in their cariole a most bitter day, Virginia wrote me on the 14th mention’d that her Mama was to leave Richmond on the 9th certainly for Tuckahoe where she intended to spend a week and then come on to Carysbrook where she thinks that she wou’d not stay longer than a day at any rate she assures me that they are not nearly as happy as when she is with them, their Cousin Mann has been an acquisition to them this winter she went to the Party at Milton under his protection, it was a very agreeable one and she thought worthy the ride in the snow to obtain it, Elizabeth went to it but poor Harriet was prevented by a bad cold Virginia went home with Elizabeth and Mann took them a slaying twice which she thought delightful expected to lose the society of Mann on the day after she wrote he had written several times for his furlough to be extended but had got no answer to his letters he means to try and come up a gain soon, I got a letter from Mary and Emma Gilmer date 16th they were all well, but Peachey has disappointed the hopes his friends had entertaind of seeing him This winter she dont say why but I suppose the weather, we have had 9 snows and I dare say a few more before Spring returns—I believe I mention’d to you that William had March’d through slop and snow with the Negroes from Henry to Fluvanna slept out every night on rails bound with blankets and took no cold he is at school at his b uncle Geo Gilmers and Walker has gone to read law with his Uncle Peachey I am very desireous of going to Liberty tho my friends in this county are so kind as to express their wishes for my staying among them longer I cant possibly go, till I get remittances from your Mother which did not arrive last year till June I have only ten Dollars left and as I am always in want of some little matters such as shoes gloves &ca I immagin that will be expended before I receive any more I understood the carriage was at my servise at any time that I chose to demand it, I shou’d be glad to go as soon as the roads will admit of travelling with safety I shou’d not be afraid of going alone, but William Gilmer told me that he wou’d attend me to Bedford; unless I was rich enough to keep a carriage of my own I wou’d rather be stationary it will be attended with less expence and therefore suited to my finances for where ever I go the servants are so obliging and willing to supply all my wants that it wou’d make me miserable if I had not the means of testifying my gratitude in some way or other I endeavour to be as prudent as I can, but I cant accept of servises from menials without making some return My heart fills with gratitude to my friends for their Hospitallity and kindness to me Mr Divers has been very Ill but is now on the recovery the Rest of the family are all as well as usual I hope you are in the enjoyment of health in which they join me and may God bless and preserve you is the ardent prayer of your affectionate