Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I thank you most heartily for the trouble you have taken on my account, as detailed in your kind letter which I received by mail yesterday. I hope to God you may not have done something in your zeal for me, to disappoint [. . .] yourself, through your friend, whom I esteem as much as you possibly can. My Son was right in announcing that I would accep[t] the appointment if honoured with it. The condition was between you and myself only. I fear I have written too hastily to you. I had been assured that the new Brigadier was to succeed General Taylor, and I wished to have that fact confirmed by the authority from which alone it could have flowed, the Executive. I was inclined to believe that it had been resolved on, and I only wished to be sure of the fact. I never once entertained the idea that a promise could be made to any man, before a vote in Council; but I thought it probable that that body might have indirectly informd the Legislature that they were about to chuse a commander for Norfolk, in the new Brigadier and if so the Governors authority for the fact was the best possible.—It is true that if I could not have sold my plantation below, without taking half price, I must, at last, have kept the Collectors place, to save me from ruin; as I have so much flour unsold. But I would have sacrificed every thing for the command at Norfolk under the prospect of the War continuing. If I could have sold I would have accepted; or I would have accepted for the command, let what would, follow. But as it is now over I will drop the subject.