Marie Jacinthe de Botidoux to Martha Jefferson Randolph
editorial note
The text that follows is part of what Botidoux referred to as one of her “journal” letters. The Editors have broken this manuscript, which spans nearly three months, into sections dated as Botidoux dated them, and grouped each transcription together with its translation. Unless otherwise noted, Botidoux’s original punctuation and spelling have been retained. Links to navigate from one dated section to another appear below.
To “journal” beginning 12 Mar. 1790To previous “journal” entry 12 Mar. 1790To next “journal” entry 14 Mar. 1790
samedi 13 mars [1790]==
je savois bien que je viendrois a bout de Mon projet, il n’est que neuf heures du Matin et B. m’a deja tout avoué. il y a une heure que je L’ai trouvée au jardin j’ai Encore recommencé Mes plaisanteries, [. . .] elle ne vouloit rien avouer—Mais en verite Ma Chere sais tu que tu est d’une discretion etonnante actuellement, je ne te ferai plus de reproches reproches sur ta franchise—Mais Cela ne vaut-il pas mieux? D’ailleur je t’assure que tu te trompes—j’en sais plus que tu ne t’imagine—quoi ma parolle je te dirai si C’est vrai—eh bien, son Chasseur? que vient-il faire ici?—qui est-ce qui t’a dit Cela—pardi je L’ai trouvé deux ou trois fois dans La rue venant ici [. . .] j’ai Cru d’abord que C’etoit pour jenny, mais L’ayant vu passer dans Le tour il etoit clair que C’etoit pour toi—C’est vrai, il venoit de La part du Cte qui vouloit me venir voir—je Lui ai fait dire que je sortois, il a rénvoyé me prier de Le voir un instant avant de sortir je Lui ai fait dire L’heure, et il est venu j’etois dans Le parloir de La Pte—il est si timide vous ne vous en faite pas D’idée Bot—il ne savoit d’abord que dire, j’ai froid, j’ai froid Mais qu’avez vous donc Cte j’ai froid, Cependant il s’est bien vite remis et nous avons Causé. il est si aimable, ill fait Mourir de rire, ohe tiens, je L’aime Beaucoup, C’est vrai—Ces dlles vont souvent repondre pour toi peut-être L’ont-elles vu—oui—oh pardi C’est Ce qui L’a deconcerté (C’est justement Ce jour que il n’avoit pas repondu à jenny et s’etoit Caché) peut-être. surtoute Chose donne moi ta parolle de n’en pas parler à personne—tu vois que j’ai été discrete sans qu’on M’en priat puisque depuis Longtems je Le sais sans L’avoir dit a personne—Comment donc t’est tu appercu de tout Cela, Bot=enfin Ma Chere je ne finirois pas si je voulois te racconter tous ses si et ses mais, que elle ne Concevoit pas Comment il ne Lui avoit pas préféré jenny—Chacun a son gout=C’est que j’ai une si plaisante Maniere de parler que je Le fais rire et puis on pretend que Nous avons de La ressemblance ensemble. il Contrefait quelques fois Ces dlles. paix donc Bath, mais finis donc B. viens ici B.=Comme tu t’amuserois si tu etois ici Car je ne peux pas te racconter mil petites Choses que son ton seul rend plaisantes Mlle Emilie vient de M’apprendre quelle Lui avoit brodé une Cravatte de ses Cheveux et de Ceux de Ces Dlles. je saurai tout Cela un autre jour, je suis La seule a qui elle puissa puisse Se livrer franchement, [. . .] il paroit quelle a peur de facher ou de Chagriner jenny au Lieu que moi je suis sans pretentions et sans Consequence. Le Cte vient La voir aujourd’hui. Ce n’est qu’après bien des supplications qu’elle Lui a accordé Cette grace tu ne te fais pas d’idée Combien Cette histoire M’amuse. Malheureusement Chacun s’en va de son Coté La semaine prochaine. elle pretendoit ne plus retourner Chez La Vtesse de peur qu’elle et son Mari ne se soient appercus de L’intrigue—je L’ai fort tranquilisée La dessus je donnerois tout au Monde pour Les revoir ensemble a present==
editors’ translation
Saturday 13 March [1790]==
I knew that my plan would succeed. It is only nine o’clock in the morning and B. has already confessed everything. I found her in the garden an hour ago. I started my banter again. She did not want to confess anything. “But truly, my dear, do you know that you are now astonishingly secretive? I will no longer reproach you for your frankness.” “But is it not better that way? Besides, I assure you that you are mistaken.” “I know more than you imagine.” “What? My word! I will tell you if it is true.” “Well then, his footman, what does he come here for?” “Who told you that?” “For heaven’s sake! I met him two or three times in the street, on his way here. At first I thought it was for Jenny, but having seen him go through the turn box, it was clearly for you.” “That is true. He was coming on behalf of the comte, who wanted to visit me. I had someone tell him that I was going out, and he sent someone again to ask if I could see him for a moment before going out. I let him know what time, and he came. I was in the Little One’s parlor—He is so shy, you have no idea, Bot!—First he did not know what to say besides ‘I am cold. I am cold.’ ‘But what is wrong with you, comte?’ ‘I am cold.’ But he soon recovered, and we conversed. He is so nice! He makes me die of laughter. So, there it is, I love him very much, it is true.” “The young ladies often answer the door for you. Have they seen him?” “Yes.” “Oh, heavens, that is what disconcerted him!” (This was precisely what happened on the day when he hid and did not answer Jenny.) “Maybe. First and foremost, give me your word that you will talk to no one about it.” “You see that I have been discreet without being asked, since I have known it for a long time without telling anyone.” “How did you notice all that, Bot?” Well, my dear, I would never finish telling you the story if I included all her “ifs” and “buts,” and how she could not conceive of his preferring her to Jenny. “There is no accounting for taste.” “The fact is that I have such an amusing way of speaking that I make him laugh, and besides, some people claim that when we are together we look alike. He sometimes mimics the young ladies. ‘So, peace, Bath. But please finish, B. Come here, B.’”=You would have such fun if you were here, because I cannot tell you a thousand things that her tone alone makes funny. Mlle Emilie just informed me that she had embroidered a tie for him with her hair and that of the young ladies. I will find out all about that another day. She can confide only in me. It would appear that she is afraid of making Jenny angry or sad, whereas I am without pretentions and can be confided in without consequences. The comte is coming to see her today. It is only after many entreaties that she granted him this favor. You have no idea how much this story amuses me. Unfortunately, they will part ways next week. She claimed she would never return to the vicomtesse’s for fear that she and her husband had suspected the intrigue—I put her at ease on that point. I would now give everything in the world to see them together again==
To next “journal” entry 14 Mar. 1790