Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Richmond Dec. 15th 1817

I am very glad my dear Jane that you opened Miss Goodwin’s letter as you thought it necessary to write yourself to explain the circumstance. my only regret is that I should owe the only letter, I ever received from you to an accident. not having so great an aversion to romance as you profess I admired the ring very much; the name that you object to, appears to me much better than any motto whatever & the ring could not well have been entirely plain.

Miss Goodwin declines her visit to Richmond & although her company would give me a great deal of pleasure, I am not sorry for this change in her plans as the town is insufferably dull, and I do not wish her to see it under such disadvantages. there are no private parties & the public balls are little better than Indian war dances. Cornelia is beginning to get sadly tired and frequently asks if these are the delights of a town life.

Margaret has been several times to see us, but owing to the situation of the streets we have been only once on the hill. Your Mother I thought looked very well, and Sarah handsomer than ever.

Aunt Randolph is much distressed at having forgotten your shoes. she found so much to do upon her return home, that the hurry of business made her forget that article of your memorandum; & she even did not know to whom a four dollar note belonged, which she found in her purse. she now recollects that you gave it to her, & that she might be certain of pleasing you she got Margaret to choose the shoes—you have no doubt received them by this time.

I am delighted to hear of the forbearance & disinterestedness which my dear Aunt Morris continues to shew. I have been preparing Aunt Randolph to receive as much pleasure from her visit here, as she communicates in Albemarle. I have made no exagerated statement, but I thought it well to drop a few hints of what would be expected. I fear the submission will not be quite so entire, nor the obedience as implicit as I could wish—but of this more hereafter—I have written a long letter in answer to your blot, which I hope was not made the by the Merino shawl.

Adieu my dear Jane, my love to Jefferson & kisses to the little ones, write if you have time and let me know how you all go on—