Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Dear Jane,

Baltimore. 26th July. 1826.

I have been wanting to write to you for the last week, but have really been so much engaged that I had no time to do it. You must not despond too much about the situation in which Mr Jefferson’s death has left his family, and indeed your own. I yet hope myself that they will be relieved. The idea which you saw in the papers of applying the funds which had been raised for him to the erection of a monument in honor of his memory, has been scouted throughout the Country. The people exclaim every where—Let it go to his daughter—They have resolved in Philadelphia to send what they had raised there, to her—and I have written to the Chairman of the Committee to send it to Jeff instead of directly to Mrs R. You will understand the propriety of this. I understand Jeff has recd the money from N. York—and the money from this place amounting to about $2000 will certainly be sent as soon as our Committee return to Town—many of them being now at the Springs—We calculate here that from 20 to $25,000 have been raised throughout the Union—and I have no doubt but this will all be sent to Jeff for the benefit of his mother. I am doubtful if the Lottery Tickets will not sell better now than before—Certain I am that they would have done so if they had been offered for sale immediately after the news of Mr Jefferson’s death.I see by some of the papers that Mr J. left a beautiful piece of poetry for his daughter—I have a friend here (a printer) who says if I will get it for him, he will print it on white satin and that by the sale of it he can make $100 which he will lay out in Lottery tickets and send them to Mrs R. This need n’t be mentioned to her, as it would look like her selling it. But I think it really worth while to get it and send it to me with leave to publish it—It might be done in such a way as for her not to appear to have any thing to do with it—Trist might copy it & send it to me—This poor fellow says he thinks that Heaven would give Mrs Randolph the prize.

Uncle Genl pronounced the funeral eulogium here on Mr Jefferson & Mr Adams. It will be published tomorrow. I will send it to you marking such parts as are the general’s and such as your humble servant’s. Mr Jefferson’s letter to the Mayor of Washington has been printed here on White Satin and a large number sold. I wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury the other day and got a release of the duties on the wines which I mentioned to [. . .] Jeff—or what is as well he remitted me the money to pay them.

John poor fellow has got orders to join the Brandywine and proceed in her to the Pacific where he will join the Dolphin. He is pretty blue at the idea of quitting the wife.Sam has gone to N. Orleans and George is expected home next month. All are pretty well here and join me in love to you all.