Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

We have been in despair my dear cousin, ever since the news reached us of cousin Jeffs loss on the journey. I trust it is not a very serious one to him, but it is a dreadful thing for us. we had all written long letters by him, letters which we would not have trusted to the mail which we would rather have died, than have placed in the least risk of being read by any but those for whom they were intended.—we have been striving constantly since the news came to us, to recollect what we had said, and every effort of memory adds to our terror. Cornelia especially is in great tribulation, for it seems her letter was full of slanders on the people of Richmond, and if some of the compliments bestowed on them were to reach their ears, it were as well that we should take horse and leave Richmond with all speed.—my own individual consolation is, that I cannot recollect having said any thing that could make me a single enemy; though a great deal to make people think me an ideot.— Give my love to cousin Jeff and tell him I congratulate him that the sky blues were left here in safe keeping, for it would have been a heart breaking circumstance if they had f shared the fate of our letters.—

I suppose you have heard ‘ere this, the death of Mrs Randolph of Tuckahoe. I was scarcely acquainted with her, but I feel very sorry for Uncle Mann.—this circumstance has put an end to our gaiety for the time, we had begun to be very dissipated, and to enjoy ourselves excessively. we were to have gone to a large party at Mrs Chevallie’s the night of the day we heard the news, and to a ball the next night.— Mr Lyons has just brought his beautiful bride to town and I greatly fear the people will exhaust themselves in giving parties to her before we can go out again.—We have made some very agreeable acquaintances lately among the delegates. Wm Rives of Campbell (who cousin Jeff is acquainted with) Mr Thompson of Fairfax, one of the most amusing men I know; Mr Gilmour of Lancaster and Mr Morton of Orange, all intelligent, well educated, genteel, agreeable men.—We have a party of delegates here every saturday. Uncle Tom begun by inviting a score of savages from the west, and was going on regularly week after week with these rowdies, when we determined to present a petition that the company might be varied a little for our sakes, on whom a great part of the trouble of entertaining them devolved, so we drew up a list of fourteen who we wished to have invited, and, the governor approving, we had last saturday a very genteel party “the cream of the legislature” as he afterwa[r]ds said.— tomorrow we shall have a party of the dismal swamp savages; and I fear they are little better than those from beyond the ridge.—

Your cousin R—t N—s has received I am told a final dismissal from Miss L—s, who is [. . .] engaged to a Mr G—y from Georgia. so you [. . .] have been as well if he had “used towards the [. . .] instead of dangling after this girl, pretty as she is.— the[re] is another little cousin of yours with sharp g[r]ey eyes and a red head, that I was inclined to like much better than his solomn brother, but he has treated me lately with the strangest, the most unaccountable rudeness that ever man used towards unoffending girls; and at present I would not speak to him (unless in reply, which there is little chance of my being called on [to]do) to save his life.— the father is infinitely more agreeable than either of the sons in my opinion, and you need not be the least afraid of our laughing at him, he is I am sure as you say very good and his manners are exactly those of any other good old man who has kindly feelings towards young people, and likes to see them enjoy themselves.— his manners are quite too plain and too entirely comparable to his wife, for any thing like ridicule to attach to them.

all the girls desire their love, Virginia sent you a long letter in the ill fated packet which cousin J— lost.—

pray burn this scrawl for my sake.— adieu, Kiss all the dear children for their affectionate aunt, and your warmly attached cousin