Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Be assured My much valued and dear friend that your letter was most welcome to my heart, for I had almost despaird of ever having the pleasure to recieve another letter from you I shou’d not have been cerimonious and concluded to give you once more some proof of my remembrance, had not I felt some delicacy on the subject, I shou’d have done it ere now, for you have not a friend who respects you more than I do and who feels more deeply interested in your welfare and happiness—I am truly sorry to hear that Benjamin has counteracted your fondest hopes; by wishing to embrace a more arduous life but If the voyage he has undertaken dont dissperit him all you can say, will not have the effect to withdraw his mind from the persuit and you must console your self with the reflection of having done your duty and that the Navy has become so respectable as to give you a chance of seeing him rise into eminence I received so great a shock when you observed the that the chastning of the Almighty had been heavy, and that you had to Mourn over your Son, I was glad to find that he was not parted from you for ever which was the first Idea, both Mary and my self were struck dumb so that the sequel was less painful to contemplate, the voyage may be of advantage to his health, his curiosity (which to, in great and generous minds preponderate) will be gratified and I hope that he will be willing to return to his Studies, if not, you must endeavour to reconcile your mind to this event and look forward with a pleasing hope of seeing your dear Son in a situation that will give joy to your heart I am much pleased to hear that Nicholas has given up all Idea of the Navy or armey Browse mention’d that it was a momentary [. . .] freak caused by associating with Mrs Livingstones Brother who is in the Navy and his ardor for a Milatary life subsided with the return of Peace to our Country I am in expectation of seeing them in the course of a week or two in a letter dated the 29th of April, they expected to sail in a fine Ship call’d the Massoura Missouri for Baltimore and beg’d to have a letter of direction for their route lodged in the Post Office till call’d for, in the last letter dated 26 May Nicholas informd me that the pleasure they promised them Selves of embraceing me, must be delay’d for a short time that it was the intention of his Father and Mother that they shou’d Sail in the Missouri which had been hitherto a regular trad[er] between these two ports, she has however advertised to take in a cargo for Europe and they will be obliged to go as far as Philad in the Ship Ohio Captn Toby being the only person their Mother wish’d them to sail with, he had lately arrived in Orleans as Toby generally saild about the 10th June I expect they are now on their passage If not arrived, I am sorry that I did not know in time that I might have had a letter there for them, altho I am very anxious to see them I shou’d be glad if they cou’d have paid you a visit, a day or two wou’d not have made much difference and your kindness has a claim from upon them [. . .] for every attention I flatter my self that they will call on Doct Wister to enquire if you are in Town but their Mother will no doubt give them directions so to do, if she does not write to you, I see by the papers that our President has been greatly honord, I am glad to find that I am not the only Lady that he is deficient in the rules of politeness to Peachey says that the President answers no letters on business but mine was not a letter of business only friendly expressions of my joy on his being so unanimously elected, however I excuse him as I presume that he has a great deel to attend to, If you shou’d see the Boys they will inform you somthing of their [. . .] for fear they shou’d not meet with you I will give you an extract from Browses letter, „the last time we heard from Aunt Harriet her circumstances were very good and she appeard to be very well satisfied with her situation the Country she says is delightful and the scenery beautiful but owing to the indolence of the Inhabitants (Spaniards) badly cultivated„¹ It is my intention if I live and enjoy tolerable health to accompany [my] Grand Sons the latter end of September as far as Albemarle [. . .] way to [. . .] and Mary when the vacation commences [. . .] summer I purpose to return with them to the new[. . .] which Peachey is about to purchase in Bedford C[ounty] 60 miles nearer to Albemarle I shall be glad of the change on that account, for we are so out of the way that I can not help feeling more than I shou’d do, for poor Napoleon on the Island of St Helena, except that I enjoy more tranquility and happiness than he can possibly ever do, How much reason I have to be Thankful for the mercies and goodness of God I look forward with delight to a reunion with my beloved Grand Sons If I am disappointed in my Sanguine hopes I trust that I shall be supported under the trial of so deep an affliction as I have been heretofore for I believe few have lived to my time of life without having drank of the bitter cup of sorrow but futurity has still its prospects there is still in reserve happiness if we transfer our attention to it, and I pray that I may find that favor which I have not merit to desirve—I have not Left my self space enough to assure you how gratefully I feel your kind expressions of friendship to my Dr children and your offers of maternal care if they were placed near you I never doubted your friendship to the family for you have always evinced it, when an opportunity offerd, but this last proof is more than I cou’d expect or even hope for and I trust that it will be rememberd Peachey and Mary desires me to assure you of their most precious recollection and wishes for your health and happiness and that of your children with my affectionate love to Sarah and Catharine and respects to Dt Wister who I hope enjoys the blessing of good health with kind remembrance to Mrs Buchanon I am My Dr friend yours sincerely

PS let me know when you hear from Benjamin as I shall be constantly thinking of him and anxious for his return the voyage is a long one but not considerd dangerous