Marie Jacinthe de Botidoux to Martha Jefferson (Randolph)

[ca. 1789]

pour que tu ne sois pas Surprise je te previens qu’un de Ces jours je me jetterai dans La riviere, en et pourquoi me diras [. . .] helas mon Cœur je L’ai vu, je n’ai aucune personne que veux tu que je devienne? je ne vois d’autre parti que Celui La adieu, ecris moi que tu en auras au moins un peu de Chagrin et puis … Le desespoir m’entraine …

editors’ translation

[ca. 1789]

So that you are not surprised, I warn you that one of these days I will throw myself in the river. And why, you ask? Alas, my heart, I have seen it. I have no one. What do you want me to do? I do not see any other choice than that one. Farewell. Write and tell me that you will feel at least a little sorrow, and then … Despair pulls me along …

RC (privately owned, 2015); undated; edge chipped and faint at folds; ellipses in original; addressed: “A Mademoiselle Mademoiselle jefferson chez mr Son pere prés La grille Chaillot”; stamped; postmarked “Panthemont”; endorsed later by Martha J. Trist Burke: “Marie Jacinthe de Botidoux.” Translation by Dr. Roland H. Simon.
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January 1, 1789 to December 31, 1789
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