Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph
| My dearest Mother | Washington Jan. 22nd 1816 |
I arrived here yesterday morning after a most disagreable & fatiguing journey. We left Richmond friday morning at four o clock, and reached Fredericksburg at eleven o clock at night, having travelled sixteen miles after dark, the roads dreadfull. the second day’s journey was only fifty miles and the roads much better, but we were detained so long in the morning that we did not reach Alexandria untill half past ten o clock. we remained there all night and came on to Washington sunday morning. When I arrived the whole family were at church except Mrs Todd, who gave me a very polite reception. Mrs Madison returned home two hours after; she met me with open arms and I already feel quite at home. my escort from Richmond was Mr Samuel. G. Adams, a most worthy respectable man and an intimate acquaintance of Aunt Randolph He was coming on for his sister in law who is a niece of Judge Todd’s and has been staying some time with Mrs Madison. I did not hesitate to avail myself of his protection, and I had no reason to repent my choice; he was as polite and attentive as possible. Miss Gibbon & Miss Duval were likewise under his care, so that I had the advantage of female society. we were dreadfully crouded in the stage, eleven passengers and their baggage besides the driver. we met with but one accident & that was the breaking down of the stage about half a mile on the other side of Dumfries; the gentlemen got out & walked and the carriage was repaired so as to drag us on as far as Dumfries where we got another.
I need not tell you I feel very much fatigued but I expect to get over it [immediately].
the post is going out so that I have no time to write more but you shall certainly [. . .] hear from me by the next mail. Adieu my dearest mother Give my love to the whole family. kiss my darling Sep. for me and bell believe in the constant affection of your daughter.