[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.