Joseph Coolidge to Martha Jefferson Randolph, with Postscript by Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge
| My dear mother. | July 9th [1825] |
I have been at the office, and found there yours of July 5. it was wholly unexpected, and has given great pleasure to Ellen, for her fears respecting Elizabeth have made her anxious to hear from ashton: we are going out, and the carriage is now waiting at the door, but yours shews such a wish to hear from her by every post that while she is putting on her bonnet I write to tell you that she is well, notwithstanding her constant exertions—for there is so much to be done and seen here that we are obliged to be up early and late.—Joseph is putting on his cravat & I have taken up the pen dearest mother to say how happy I am to hear of Elizabeth’s safety—I have had many fears on her account & her melancholy face as I saw it last so pale & apprehensiv[e] has haunted my imagination since we parted. I am well & going out this morning to do my shopping in company with Mrs Henry Rogers a great friend of Joseph’s & a lovely elegant creature. I shall get a bonnet, veil, scarf, india muslin dress, & some more lace if my the money holds out, this will complete my wedding parapharnalia & set me [. . .] handsomely afloat. I shall write to one of you to morrow or the day after. this evening I am going to see the ascent of a an aronaut in a balloon at Castle Garden. the Marquis called on us yesterday seemed very glad to see us, & thinks he will be at Monticello by the end of July or beginning of August. adieu dearest mother, the carriage waits & it is a x hack. love to all from your own devoted daughter.
