Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

On my return home yesterday even’g from Lynchburg I very unexpectedly met with Mr Eldridge who inform’d me he was bearer of the intelligence of Miss Logwoods marriage to the Lynchburg Press. That [they]¹ were at the wedding and that he would call here today for letters if I wished to write—which in compliance with my promise I am about to perform—. I fear you will think me two anxious to keep up a correspondence with yrself from the silent contempt with which you have treated my former epistles; however I will venture this—altho it may be in hazard of being unwelcomly recived. but with the assurance that I shall really feel hurt if as I am constrain’d to beleive I have unconciously excited up displeasure in any way—unless in imposing my scrawls two frequently on yr attention. I only recollect, to have written once to you & once to my worthy friend & relation Cousin Polly Eldrige since I left that agreeabl spot Saratoga—which was constantly rendered so—by the most affectionate friends. I fancy you contemplate spending a merry christmas—I cordially wish you may & a happy New Year and many of them. Times are dull with us. we gloomy weather—which always depress’s my spirits. I trust it will not long continue. But I generally get a book which makes the time pass off tolerably well. I have for the last three weeks been knocked up with the fashionable epidemick—The influenza—I never suffer’d such ill effects in all my life from a cold. I expect Lynchburg will not be as gay this winter as last—Indeed it would be paying two little respect to the memory of some the most amiable women in that place—if they had a great many parties there. Four of my most intimate acquaintances in that place have lately departed this life. Mrs Dabney—MrsSydnor—Mrs Whitlock—and Mrs Winfrey. all in the course of the last 6 weeks. Mrs Pollard has been very ill, since she came to Town to live—She has lost her second child. I was to see her the time before the last I was in Town—she was the most interesting looking creature I ever saw. very dejected at the loss of her mother. She enquired after you. her Sister have been staying with her—She is fixed in the greatest splendour and elegance. I have spend spent some pleasant weeks at Dr Cabells in L. since I had the superlative happiness of seeing my Dear Aunt. I was in Town when Genl Jackson and his suit entered. The Town had put on its best appearance on that day on the morn’g of the 7 of Novm. The Streets were swept for the reception of the Genl. I was highly delighted with Jackson & his Suit—I saw Mr Jefferson—and old Genl Leftwitch under whose command my Brother served a term of duty in Maryland about this time last year. I was happy to see them all. I had no idea of going to the Ball given to the great folks but was overpersuaded by friends & acquaintances. while at the Ball I was not sorry for yielding to their advice. I never heard such elegant music in my life. 20 odd musicians composed the band which performed 3 or four marches & retired—first Hail Collumbia. Then Jacksons Grand march. & some others. The majority of the Gentlemen were rather two much elated on the occasion—as you may suppose—for they said to me that there was 80. Gals of 6. dollar wine drank at the dinner that day—Mr Jefferson said it was the most extravagant dinner ever he saw—he left Town that even’g. so he did not honour the ladies with his presence except at a distance. I had the honour of an introduction to Genl J and of dancing in the first reel with him—which was the one the Ball was open’d with—Mrs G. & Majr Lynch opened the Ball. Genl J and Mrs Coleman. Mr ________ and my self compos’d the other couple—It was a G. Jackson had a nephew with him the most sociable soul I ever saw he dance’d taulked & laugh’d incessantly. The Genl was so liberal to me That he told me he would give me choice of nine of his nephews—& invited me home with him as he would pass throu L.. on his return to T. Donaldson was the name of the youth he brougt to Va. and There were Brothers of his—one superior to all the rest is [to]² send his miniature—if I liked it he was to rush on in all speed to convey me to Tennessee. but I and am determ’d to live in Va. by way of a secret—I hope yrself & children are in perfect health—& that you left all my Buckingham relatives & friends well. Give my love to Cousin P. Edmd & Robert & Louisiana—and tell them I wish I coud see them—I need not repeat to you & cousin P what pleasure it would give us to see you here.—I expected you here before this. as you promised to visit us. I have been disappointed in not seeing Uncle L. Bolling whom I heard intended up and hoped he would not pass this place without calling. Present my love to Cousin Martha and Cousin Eliza. They are both I hope in high health & spirits. I have not heard from home since Brother Edward came to Va. I cant account for their silence there. Mr Lewis of Lynchburg has gone to Ky. on a courting expedition—to see Susan Harrison. I hope he will be successful. My love to Uncle & Aunt B. and the family. In haste I remain yr. very affectionate Neice