Marie Jacinthe de Botidoux to Martha Jefferson Randolph
| 20 Decembre 1798 |
Depuis Ma premiere Lettre partie Ma Chere j’ai rencontré Mr Skipwith ton parent qui m’a promis de faire passer Mes Lettres Et surtout de Me faire passer tes reponces. tu n’auras donc plus d’Excuse Ma Chere ainsi j’espere que j’aurai une réponce de toi avant peu—Lorsque je sus que Mr Skipwith non seulement te Connoissoit Mais Etoit ton parent Ce fut [. . .] un Coup de théatre. je ne Causai plus qu’avec Lui. je Le fis Me donner tous Les détails possibles. il Me parla de ta Charmante belle mere. elle Est Maintenant à Paris.—il Me dit que si Mr Randoss avoit Epousé cette Diablesse Ce n’etoit pas Sa faute. qu’il Lui En avoit parlé très Souvent Et très fortement.==je serois Curieuse de La rencontrer, on dit quelle n’a point d’esprit Et quelle n’est pas jolie. alors La Méchanceté a plus de Moyens qu’on ne Le suppose d’ordinaire—adieu chere Jeff je t’embrasse un Million de fois Et t’aime de tout Mon Cœur. pour La Centième fois ne Néglige pas de m’Ecrire. songe que tu as bien des torts a Réparer
editors’ translation
| 20 December 1798 |
Since sending my first letter, my dear, I have met Mr Skipwith, a relative of yours who promised to forward my letters to you and, especially, your answers back to me. So, you will have no excuse anymore, my dear, and therefore I hope to have an answer from you soon. When I learned that Mr Skipwith not only knew you but was your relative, it was like a bolt of lightening. I no longer talked to anyone but him, I asked him to give me all possible details. He told me about your charming mother-in-law. She is presently in Paris.—He told me that it was not his fault that Mr Randolph married that devil woman, and that he had discussed the matter with him very often and in very strong terms.==I would be curious to meet her. It is said that she has no sense of humor and that she is not pretty. So, malice has more means than is usually supposed—Farewell, dear Jeff. I kiss you a million times and love you with all my heart. For the hundredth time, do not neglect writing me. Keep in mind that you have many wrongs to redress.