I received Your last some weeks before I left Monticello, but I believe you are so much accustomed to my bad ways that you do not require a fresh apology for every letter—I have in vain tried to be punctual, but bad habits are not so easily conquered, particularly when the causes which first gave...

As to what is to be said of myself, I of course am not the judge. but my sincere wish is that the faithful historian, like the able Surgeon, would consider me in his hands, while living, as a dead subject: that the same judgment may now be expressed which will be rendered hereafter, so far as my...

what institution is insusceptible of abuse in wicked hands?

When your last letter arrived I was confined by a severe illness which has prostrated my small stock of strength and denied me the power of replying to it earlier—I have a perfect recollection of the letters from Mr Hamilton which you sent for my perusal and which were returned to you—I was much...

Mr. Editor.—I find, much to my surprize and regret, that a proposal has been started to convert the intended donation to Mr. Jefferson, into a monument to his memory. This appears to me an indirect way, of putting an end to the subscriptions originally intended to free Mr. J. and his family from...

I am persuaded that whatever objections you may have had to Mr Jefferson’s politics, you think of him as I do of Mr J. Adams; that this country is more indebted for its independance to those two men than to any other, save perhaps General Washington. Mrs Randolph is left with eleven Children. I...

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...

Altho we have not quite accomplish’d our half yearly occupation of cloathing the Negroes, from a wound in my thumb I am exempted from duty for the present, as I can not be altogether without employment my inclination urges me to chat a little with my dear and much esteem’d friend Mrs Bache who...

I am at a loss to account for your long Silence, I am unwilling to ascribe it to design, for I have had too many proofs of your goodness to allow that Idea to take hold on my mind, for my pride wou’d then take the alarm and oblige me to relinquish what I have not the power to retain and altho I...

Since the receipt of your kind letter my dear friend I have been very ill, which must plead my excuse for having so long delay’d to answer it. my health is now restored, or nearly so, & with pleasure I hasten to thank you for your prompt attention to my wishes—Poor Don Felix! I am truly sorry...