CHAP. IV.]

LETTERS TO HIS DAUGHTERS.

219

he could not have solicited it, if he did not desire it. And we find nothing in the history of the Cabinet to sustain such a theory; on the contrary we find Jefferson voted down and his opinion acted against, far fewer times than happened in the case of any other member. We do not discover a solitary instance, from first to last, where Washington proceeded against his advice on a great leading question of foreign policy.

Contemporaneously with the events described in this chapter Mr. Jefferson made entries in his Ana, in regard to some of the forms and ceremonies practised about the Presidential mansion, which have excited discussion, and in some instances contradiction. We have not chosen to break in upon a narration, already sufficiently disconnected by the nature of its topics, with this extraneous matter. For some information on the subject, the reader is referred to the Appendix.'

Maria Jefferson did not return with her father to the capital after his last preceding visit home in September. We therefore find her name recurring in the subjoined correspondence:

No letter yet from my dear Maria, who is so fond of writing, so punctual in her correspondence. I enjoin as a penalty that the next be written in French. Now for news. The fever is entirely vanished from Philadelphia: not a single person has taken infection since the great rains about the 1st of the month. And those who had it before are either dead or recovered. All the inhabitants who had fled are returning into the city, probably will all be returned in the course of the ensuing week. The President has been into the city, but will probably remain here till the meeting of Congress to form a point of union for them before they will have had time to gather knowledge and courage.

I have not yet been in, not because there is a shadow of danger, but because I am afoot. Thomas is returned into my service. His wife and child went into town the day we left them. They then had the infection of the yellow fever, were taken two or three days after, and both died. Had we stayed those two or three days longer, they would have been taken at our house. I have heard nothing of Miss Cropper. Her trunk remains at our house. Mrs. Fullarton left Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse remained there, but have escaped the fever. Follow closely your music, reading, sewing, housekeeping, and love me as I do you, most affectionately.

TH. JEFFERSON.

P. S.-Tell Mr. Randolph that Gen. Wayne has had a convoy of twenty-two wagons of provisions and seventy men cut off in his rear by the Indians.

See APPENDIX, No. 12.

I should have written to you the last Sunday in turn, but business required my allotting your turn to Mr. Randolph, and putting off writing to you till this day. I have now received yours and your sister's letters of November 27 and 28. I agree that Watson shall make the writing-desk for you. I called the other day on Mrs. Fullarton and there saw your friend Sally Cropper. She went up to Trenton the morning after she left us, and stayed there till lately. The maid-servant who waited on her and you at our house, caught the fever on her return to town and died. In my letter of last week, I desired Mr. Randolph to send horses for me to be at Fredericksburg on the 12th of January. Lest that letter should miscarry, I repeat it here, and wish you to mention it to him. I also informed him that a person of the name of Eli Alexander would set out this day from Elktown to take charge of the plantations under Byrd Rogers, and praying him to have his accommodations at the place got ready as far as should be necessary before my arrival. I hope to be with you all about the 15th of January, no more to leave you. My blessings to your dear sister and little ones; affections to Mr. Randolph and your friends with you. Adieu, my dear,

Yours tenderly,

TH. JEFFERSON.

To MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH.

(Extract.)

"PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22d, 1793.-In my letter of this day fortnight to Mr. Randolph, and that of this day week to Maria, I mentioned my wish that my horses might meet me at Fredericksburg on the 12th of January. I now repeat it, lest those letters should miscarry. The President made yesterday, what I hope will be the last set at me to continue; but in this I am now immovable by any considerations whatever. My books and remains of furniture embark to-morrow for Richmond. [Domestic details.] I hope that by the next post I shall be able to send Mr. Randolph a printed copy of our correspondence with Mr. Genet and Mr. Hammond, as communicated to Congress. Our affairs with England and Spain have a turbid appearance. The letting loose the Algerines on us, which has been contrived by England, has produced peculiar irritation. I think Congress will indemnify themselves by high duties on all articles of British importation. If this should produce war, though not wished for, it seems not to be feared."

The publication of the following letter has been left to our discretion, and, we believe, we exercise a sound discretion in presenting it, as an illustration of the writer's genuine kindness of heart, and of that quiet firmness with which he always asserted his independence of personal and social action, and taught the same lesson to his family. The letter was written. while he was Secretary of State. It sufficiently explains itself.

CHAP. IV.]

LETTERS TO HIS DAUGHTERS.

221

By omitting all other dates and names, we trust we shall avoid awakening unpleasant recollections in any quarter.

MY DEAR MARTHA :

TO MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH.

I am now very long without a letter from Monticello, which is always a circumstance of anxiety to me. I wish I could say that Maria was quite well. I think her better for this week past, having for that time been free from the little fevers which had harassed her nightly.

of

A paper which I some time ago saw in the *

under the signature

* proved to me the existence of a rumor which I had otherwise heard of with less certainty. It has given me great uneasiness, because I knew that it must have made so many others unhappy, and among these Mr. Randolph and yourself.

Whatever the case may be, the world is become too rational to extend to one person the acts of another. Every one at present stands on the merit or demerit of their own conduct. I am in hopes, therefore, that neither of you feel any uneasiness but for the pitiable victim, whether it be of error or of slander. In either case I see guilt in but one person, and not in her. For her it is the moment of trying the affection of her friends, when their commiseration and comfort become value to her wounds. I hope you will deal them out to her in full measure, regardless of what the trifling or malignant may think or say. Never throw off the best affections of nature in the moment when they become most precious to their object; nor fear to extend your hand to save another, lest you should sink yourself. You are on firm ground: your kindness will help her, and count in your own favor also. I shall be made very happy if you are the instruments not only of supporting the spirits of your afflicted friend under the weight bearing on them, but of preserving her in the peace and love of her friends. I hope you have already taken this resolution, if it were necessary. I have no doubt you have. Yet I wish it too much to omit mentioning it to you. Randolph and yourself, my dear Martha,

I am, with sincere love to Mr.

Yours affectionately,

TH. JEFFERSON.

CHAPTER V.

1794-1795.

Jefferson's Return to Private Life-His Health, etc.-His Family-Maria JeffersonMartha (Jefferson) Randolph-Thomas Mann Randolph-Jefferson's Ideal of Retire ment-A Flash of the old Spirit-Threatened War with England-Proceedings in Congress Jay sent Minister to England-Chasm in Jefferson's Correspondence-His avowed desire for Permanent Retirement-Was he sincere in these Avowals?-Mania for Office not yet introduced-The first Offices "went a begging"-Jefferson's Private Pursuits-His Land-roll in 1794-Farm Census-Exhausted Soils and Beggarly Account of Empty Bins-Farm Operations of 1791-Pennsylvania Insurrection-The Government Measures, how regarded by the two Parties-Republican View of Hamilton's Conduct-Washington invites Jefferson to return to the Cabinet-Did Washington willingly abandon a Balance of Parties in his Cabinet?-Bradford's Political AttitudePolitics of Others who were offered Seats in the Cabinet-Madison's Course considered -Had the Republicans a Good Excuse for Non-Acceptance?-Reasons rendered by John Adams-His own Peculiar Situation at the Time-Hamilton's Influence-A Different Theory offered-The President's Objects in instituting Jay's Mission-The Selection of Jay unfortunate-Bad Republican Tactics-The President forced from his Neutrality Jefferson's Views-Session of Congress 1794-5-Sharp Contest on Denunciation of Democratic Societies Jefferson's Strictures-His Refusal to be a Presidential Candidate-Hamilton's Resignation-Jefferson to D'Ivernois-Madison's Letter to Jefferson on his refusal to be a Presidential Candidate-Jefferson repeats his RefusalJay's Treaty received and approved by Senate-Jay's, Hamilton's and Washington's Recorded Disapprobation of it-Renewal of Orders in Council pending its RatificationImpressments-British attempt to seize French Ambassador in United States-Washington's Expressions of Indignation at these Outrages-Hamilton declares Ratification now disreputable-John Adams's View of English Feelings towards America-Different Mettle of the Cabinet-Wolcott's Remarkable Reasons for Ratification-Washington's Proceedings in the Affair-The Treaty ratified-Had Fauchet's intercepted Dispatches any Influence?-Public Explosion on the Publication of the Treaty-Meetings on the Subject and the Actors in them-Jefferson's Strictures on Jay-His further Views "Camillus's" Defence of the Treaty-Bradford's Death and Successor-Virginia Election and Legislative Action-Meeting of Fourth Congress-Contest in regard to the Address of the House-Rutledge's Rejection Jefferson's Comments on Randolph's Vindication-Relations with France-Conduct of Adet in the United States-Monroe's Reception in France-Exchange of Flags and other Proceedings-Monroe's Assurances in respect to Jay's Mission-Monroe censured by his Government-Justifies himself on his Instructions-Washington's Reply-Misunderstandings between Monroe and JayAdet's Remonstrances against Treaty of London-His Complaints considered-Adet's Delivery of French Colors, and President's Reply-Proceedings of both Houses of Congress-Washington's Sincerity in his Address to Adet-He did not concur in the Feelings of the Federalists-The Republicans drive him from his Political NeutralityThe Consequences-The Reaction first sets against Monroe-Washington's and Adams's Censures on him-A curious Example of Political "Sea-change"-A larger Champion than Monroe in the field.

ON the 16th of January (1794), Mr. Jefferson reached home, fondly imagining, as many other public men have done at some

CHAP. V.]

JEFFERSON'S HEALTH-HIS DAUGHTERS.

223

momentary lull in the very midst of their public careers, that he now had reached the long-desired haven of rest-that henceforth, in his calm and delightful retreat, he was to look out, only as an unconcerned spectator, on party struggles-on the roar and strife of the busy world! It was but a delusive dream! But that one who had been twenty-four years in the official harness-more than half of that time entirely cut off from his private affairs-should feel thus at least for a period, until the agreeable novelty of new pursuits and associations should gradually wear away, would be expected by all who have any correct appreciation of public life.

Mr. Jefferson was now fifty years old. His hair was slightly touched with white. When the excitement, by which he had so long been surrounded, suddenly ceased, and the natural prostration of reaction followed, he fancied for a time that he had grown old, that his constitution was seriously shattered. It was, however, but a fancy. His form was erect, his tread was elastic, his strength was really unimpaired. The strict temperance and abstinence which had attended him onward from his youth-his regularity of exercise in all weather and under all circumstances. and, indeed, his prudent and uniform habits in every particular, had scarcely yet allowed him to land on the hither shore of a hale and vigorous old age.

And here let us take another direct glimpse of his family. Maria, who had resided with him at Philadelphia, until his last trip but one home, was now sixteen-in mind and gentle sweetness of character, bearing out all the promise which Mrs. Adams had discovered in her childhood-in person, a dazzling vision of beauty. While her older sister-herself a woman of dignified and highly agreeable appearance-bore too many of her father's lineaments to be termed beautiful, Maria closely resembled that parent who had gone so early to the grave; and whom, alas! she was so soon to follow. Her beauty, indeed, was of that exquisitely delicate cast which betrays an organization too fine and fragile to long withstand the physical and other vicissitudes of life.

Martha (Mrs. Randolph) was the mother of a fine healthy son, and a daughter.' Though a highly accomplished woman, conspicuously attractive in manners and conversation, and as

Thomas Jefferson and Ann Carey Randolph.