FOOTNOTES:
[1] The Jeffersons first emigrated to Virginia in 1612.
[2] In spite of these facts, however, some of Randolph's descendants, with more arrogance than gratitude, speak of Colonel Jefferson as being a paid agent of their ancestor.
[3] Thomas Jefferson Randolph.
[4] His lady-love, doubtless—Rebecca Burwell.
[5] This Ben Harrison afterwards married Miss Randolph, of Wilton, and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was fond of the good things of this life, and was a high liver. Mr. Madison used to tell, with great glee, the following good story about him: While a member of the first Congress, which met in Philadelphia, he was on one occasion joined by a friend as he left the congressional hall. Wishing to ask his friend to join him in a bumper, he took him to a certain place where supplies were furnished to the members of Congress, and called for two glasses of brandy-and-water. The man in charge replied that liquors were not included in the supplies furnished to Congressmen.
"Why," asked Harrison, "what is it, then, that I see the New England members come here and drink?"
"Molasses and water, which they have charged as stationery," was the reply.
"Very well," said Harrison, "give me the brandy-and-water, and charge it as fuel."
[6] Kennedy's "Life of Wirt," vol. i., p. 367.
[7] Wirt's Life of Henry.
[8] Ibid.
[9] The license-bond for the marriage, demanded by the laws of Virginia, of which a fac-simile is given on the opposite page, written by Jefferson's own hand, is signed by him and by Francis Eppes, whose son afterwards married Jefferson's daughter. It will be noticed that the word "spinster" is erased, and "widow" inserted in another hand-writing.
[10] The manuscript from which I take this account, and from which I shall quote frequently in the following pages, was written by Mrs. Randolph at the request of Mr. Tucker, who desired to have her written reminiscences of her father when he wrote his life.
[11] A gentleman who had been a frequent visitor at Monticello during Mr. Jefferson's life gave Mr. Randall (Jefferson's biographer) the following amusing incident concerning this venerated body and Declaration of Independence: "While the question of Independence was before Congress, it had its meetings near a livery-stable. The members wore short breeches and silk stockings, and, with handkerchief in hand, they were diligently employed in lashing the flies from their legs. So very vexatious was this annoyance, and to so great an impatience did it arouse the sufferers, that it hastened, if it did not aid, in inducing them to promptly affix their signatures to the great document which gave birth to an empire republic. "This anecdote I had from Mr. Jefferson at Monticello, who seemed to enjoy it very much, as well as to give great credit to the influence of the flies. He told it with much glee, and seemed to retain a vivid recollection of an attack, from which the only relief was signing the paper and flying from the scene."
[12] On the opposite page is given a fac-simile of a portion of the original draft of the Declaration of Independence; the greater portion of this paragraph was omitted in the document as finally adopted. The interlineations in this portion are in the handwriting of John Adams.
[13] Jefferson himself had no son.
[14] Jefferson to Dr. Gordon.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Chastellux's Travels in America, pp. 40-46.
[17] Vol. ii., p. 48.
[18] Vol. ii., p. 55.
[19] At Yorktown.
[20] On account of Mrs. Jefferson's health.
[21] Mrs. Randolph wrote this after Monticello had been sold and passed into the hands of strangers.
[22] These four lines Mr. Jefferson left in the Greek in the original epitaph.
[23] Madison Papers.
[24] Her little sister, Mary Jefferson.
[25] We find the key to this and the letter following it in the following paragraph of a letter from Mrs. Trist to Mr. Jefferson: "Patsy is very hearty; she now and then gives us a call. She seems happy, much more so than I expected. When you write, give her a charge about her dress, which will be a hint to Mrs. H. to be particular with her. De Simitière complains that his pupil is rather inattentive. You can be particular to these matters when you write, but don't let her know you heard any complaints. I fancy the old lady is preparing for the other world, for she conceits the earthquake we had the other night is only a prelude to something dreadful that will happen."
[26] M. Simitière was a Frenchman, from whom, as his letters show, Mr. Jefferson was anxious for his daughter to take drawing lessons.
[27] Mr. Jefferson, the reader will remember, was at this time suffering with his broken wrist.
[28] That is, Mr. and Mrs. Cosway to visit America.
[29] An allusion to the "Dialogue between the Head and Heart."
[30] Meaning, doubtless, his "Notes on Virginia."
[31] With the tender sensibility of a mother, Mrs. Eppes announced this event to Jefferson in the following touching letter:
Eppington, October 13th, 1784.
Dear Sir—It is impossible to paint the anguish of my heart on this melancholy occasion. A most unfortunate whooping-cough has deprived you and us of two sweet Lucys within a week. Ours was the first that fell a sacrifice. She was thrown into violent convulsions, lingered out a week, and then died. Your dear angel was confined a week to her bed, her sufferings were great, though nothing like a fit; she retained her senses perfectly, called me a few minutes before she died and asked distinctly for water. Dear Polly has had it most violently, though always kept about, and is now quite recovered.... Life is scarcely supportable under such severe afflictions. Be so good as to remember me most affectionately to my dear Patsy, and beg she will excuse my not writing till the gloomy scene is a little forgotten. I sincerely hope you are both partaking of every thing that can in the smallest degree entertain and make you happy. Our warmest affections attend you both.
Your sincere friend,
E. EPPES.
[32] This lady was an aunt of Madame Lafayette, and an intimate friend of Jefferson's.
[33] Livy.
[34] She was in her ninth year.
[35] Mrs. Eppes's son, and little Polly's future husband.
[36] Martha Jefferson.
[37] His sister-in-law, Mrs. Eppes's sister.
[38] See Randall's Life of Jefferson, vol. i., p. 490.
[39] Shadwell is four miles distant from Monticello.
[40] It was on the occasion of a dinner-party, when some one proposing to drink the health of Mrs. Randolph, John Randolph rose and said, "Yes, gentlemen, let us drink the health of the noblest woman in Virginia."
[41] Mr. Randolph took her to Richmond.
[42] In a letter to his daughter, Mrs. Randolph, after mentioning the President's illness and convalescence, he says, "He continues mending to-day, and from total despair we are now in good hopes of him."
[43] This letter, as a matter of curiosity probably, was written in a book of the bark of the paper birch, having leaves seven inches long by four wide. (Note from Randall's Jefferson.)
[44] This servant had made himself invaluable to Mr. Jefferson; and in a previous letter he wrote to Mrs. Randolph, "I have been made happy by Petit's determination to come to me. I did not look out for another, because I still hoped he would come. In fact, he retired to Champaigne to live with his mother, and after a short time wrote to Mr. Short 'qu'il mourait d'ennui,' and was willing to come."
[45] A former residence of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph.
[46] At Mont Blanco, a place near Petersburg.
[47] Mrs. Adams's letters, vol. ii., p. 239.
[48] See Appendix to Tucker's Life of Jefferson.
[49] Milton was a thriving little town four miles from Monticello.
[50] This little grand-daughter was now twelve years old.
[51] Mrs. Randolph's sixth child.
[52] The reader will remember that the purchase of Louisiana was made in Jefferson's administration.
[53] The original of this letter is now in the possession of Jefferson's grandson, Colonel Jefferson Randolph.
[54] See pages 352, 353.
[55] She was just ten years old.
[56] Mrs. Randolph's five daughters—Anne, Ellen, Cornelia, Virginia, and Mary. She had at this time only two sons—Jefferson, her second child, and James Madison.
[57] See page 56.
[58] It should here be shown that the coldness between Jefferson and Mrs. Adams was but a temporary interruption of a friendship which lasted for fully forty years, closed only by the death of Mrs. Adams, in 1818. The following letter from Mrs. Adams, written in 1786, will evince the friendship which then, and for years before, existed between her and Jefferson. Hereinbefore, at page 304 of this volume, will be found a letter of condolence from Mrs. Adams to Jefferson, upon the death of his daughter, Maria Jefferson Eppes (1804); and hereafter, at page 368, Jefferson's last letter to Mrs. Adams, written in 1817; followed by Jefferson's letter of condolence to John Adams (November, 1818), upon the death of Mrs. Adams.
From Mrs. Adams.
London, Grosvenor Square, Feb. 11th, 1786.
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on Monday. It is with regret, I assure you, Sir, that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becoming more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honor to their country placed in more distinguished stations. Yet these missions abroad, circumscribed as they are in point of expenses, place the ministers of the United States in the lowest point of view of any envoy from any other Court; and in Europe every being is estimated, and every country valued, in proportion to their show and splendor. In a private station I have not a wish for expensive living, but, whatever my fair countrywomen may think, and I hear they envy my situation, I will most joyfully exchange Europe for America, and my public for a private life. I am really surfeited with Europe, and most heartily long for the rural cottage, the purer and honester manners of my native land, where domestic happiness reigns unrivalled, and virtue and honor go hand in hand. I hope one season more will give us an opportunity of making our escape. At present we are in the situation of Sterne's starling.
Congress have by the last dispatches informed this Court that they expect them to appoint a minister. It is said (not officially) that Mr. Temple is coldly received, that no Englishman has visited him, and the Americans are not very social with him. But as Colonel Humphries will be able to give you every intelligence, there can be no occasion for my adding any thing further than to acquaint you that I have endeavored to execute your commission agreeably to your directions. Enclosed you will find the memorandum. I purchased a small trunk, which I think you will find useful to you to put the shirts in, as they will not be liable to get rubbed on the journey. If the balance should prove in my favor, I will request you to send me 4 ells of cambric at about 14 livres per ell or 15, a pair of black lace lappets—these are what the ladies wear at court—and 12 ells of black lace at 6 or 7 livres per ell. Some gentleman coming this way will be so kind as to put them in his pocket, and Mrs. Barclay, I dare say, will take the trouble of purchasing them for me; for troubling you with such trifling matters is a little like putting Hercules to the distaff.
My love to Miss Jefferson, and compliments to Mr. Short. Mrs. Siddons is acting again upon the stage, and I hope Colonel Humphries will prevail with you to cross the Channel to see her. Be assured, dear Sir, that nothing would give more pleasure to your friends here than a visit from you, and in that number I claim the honor of subscribing myself,
A. Adams.
[4 pair of shoes for Miss Adams, by the person who made Mrs. A.'s, 2 of satin and 2 of spring silk, without straps, and of the most fashionable colors.]
[59] He was at this time in his seventy-third year.
[60] The person here alluded to was his grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph.
[61] Pages 58 et seq., and 235 et seq.
[62] Travels in Canada and the United States, in 1816 and 1817, by Lieutenant Francis Hall.
[63] One of his French friends, the Comte de Tracy.
[64] The University of Virginia.
[65] Alluding to a reply which he made to an attack made on him by one signing himself a "Native Virginian."
[66] The accompanying illustration presents the University of Virginia, as it appeared in 1856.
[67] The Republicans were accused of being adherents of France—the cookery of Monticello was French.—Randall's Note.
[68] The professors of the University, who were all foreigners, and brought by Mr. Jefferson from Europe, with the exception of two only.
[69] The bankruptcy of Mr. Jefferson has been attributed, but erroneously, to the failure of one of his warm personal friends, for whom he had endorsed heavily. This misfortune simply added to his embarrassment, and was doubtless the "coup-de-grâce;" but the same result must have ensued had this complication not occurred. It is gratifying to know that the friendship previously existing between the parties was not in the least disturbed, and that the injury inflicted was subsequently partially repaid by the sale of land relinquished for the purpose.
[70] Alluding to his efforts in behalf of the University.
[71] By lottery.
[72] The house at Poplar Forest had passed out of his possession.
[73] Alluding to the meeting in Richmond.
[74] This handsome tribute to Jefferson, concluding with such a delicate appeal to the gratitude of his countrymen for his relief, was penned by his friend, J. C. Cabell.
[75] On learning the destitute condition in which Mrs. Randolph was left, the Legislature of South Carolina at once presented her with $10,000; and Louisiana, following her example, generously gave the same sum—acts which will ever be gratefully remembered by the descendants of Martha Jefferson.
[76] Thomas Jefferson, Étude Historique sur la Démocratie Américaine; par Cornelis De Witt, p. 380.
[77] Without meaning the least irreverence in the world to the memory of these two great and good men, I can not refrain here from giving the reader the benefit of a good story, which has the advantage over most good stories of being strictly true:
There was living in Albemarle, at the time of Jefferson's death, an enthusiastic democrat, who, admiring him beyond all men, thought that, by dying on the 4th of July, he had raised himself and his party one step higher in the temple of fame. Then came the news that John Adams had died on the same great day. Indignant at the bare suggestion of such a thing, he at first refused to believe it, and, when he could no longer discredit the news, exclaimed, in a passion, that "it was a damned Yankee trick."
[78] See page 419.
[79] See Randall's Jefferson, vol. iii., p. 547.
[80] Col. Randolph lived on an estate adjoining Monticello.
[81] This was George Wythe Randolph, who became an eminent lawyer in Virginia, and who, in the late civil war entering warmly in the defense of the South, was distinguished in both the cabinet and field in the Confederate service.
[82] Judge Carr was Mr. Jefferson's nephew.