I have been so poorly both in body and mind until within a couple of days back, as not to have had energy to obey the inclination of to answer your last letter, which was brought me the same day mine went to the office.—I will not try to conceal it from you, Virginia; I am not happy; nor could I...

I have ruined the sheet on which Ellen has been writing; and the day is so warm, and her black “Isaacs” so uncomfortable, that she has gone to lie down, awhile, and has left but a poor substitute, to continue her letter—; before doing so, I will transcribe what she had written. “Contrary to my...

Your Brothers long expected letter of July 24th I recd the 14th instant, it gives me pain to hear that you have had an attack of fever God grant that you may have better health in future and that your Brother may enjoy the blessing of health which I fear will not be the case if he removes to the...

Oh my beloved Friends what a Misfortune has come upon us, unexpected unlook’d for, if I cou’d have been taken from the world in her stead how freely wou’d I have resign’d my useless existance, but God knows best and we must endeavour to submit to his will, tis some consolation that her sufferings...

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...

You certainly will think me the most troublesome creature since I so often draw upon your friendly feelings towards me. It is now in the power of your dear, good, husband to render me an essential service. The land office is to be enlarged and it is supposed will be divided into two departments,...

What has become of Cousin Jeff all this time, my dear Cousin? We have been in daily expectation of his arrival, & are very much disappointed at not seeing him, or having any tidings of him. The girls have heard once from their mother, but not a syllable has reached us yet from Ashton—we have...

I shall not apologise for keeping your letter 3 weeks by me unanswered, exact punctuality is not in my power, fortunately perhaps for my correspondants. as you did not receive the Louisville packet in due season I am almost sorry that my part of it at least had not gone to the bottom, for old...

In answer to yours of a few days date ago on the subjec of hireing slavs. I concluded when I offerd to take seventy dollars round for my four men that it was to put an end to the business and sent to You Mr Maupins note to me to let you see his offer—it is true he priced Wilson 10$ lower than the...

It happened that one of my fellows came home this morning and I send him up for your inspection the other fellow is at least twenty weight heavyer than the one of now sent. this fellow is a very excellent good slave and indeed all I own are good slaves other the other man I cannot say when I can...