The Domestic Life Of Thomas Jefferson

Preface

I DO not in this volume write of Jefferson either as of the great man or as of the statesman. My object is only to give a faithful picture of him as he was in private life to show that he was, as I have been taught to think of him by those who knew and loved him best,:a beautiful domestic character. With this view I have collected the reminiscences of him which have been written by his daughter and grandchildren. From his correspondence, published and unpublished, I have culled his family letters, and here reproduce them as being the most /aithful witnesses of the warmth of his affections, the elevation of his character, and the scrupulous fidelity with which he discharged the duties of every relation in life.

I am well aware that the tale of Jefferson's life, both public and private, has been well told by the most faithful of biographers in "Bandall's Life of Jefferson^" and that much of what is contained in these pages will be found in that admirable work, which, from the author's zealous devotion to truth, and his indefatigable industry in collecting his materials, must ever stand chief among the most valuable contributions to American history. I propose, however, to give a sketch of Jefferson's private life in a briefer form than it can be found in either the thirteen volumes of the two editions of his published correspondence, or in the three stout octavo volumes of his Life by Randall. To give a bird's-eye view of his whole career^ viii PREFACE.

and to preserve unbroken the thread of this narrative, I quote freely from his Memoir, and from such of his letters as cast any light upon the subject, filling up the blanks with my own pen.

Jefferson's executor having a few months ago recovered from the United States Government his family letters and private papers, which had been exempted from the sale of his public manuscripts, I am enabled to give in these pages many interesting letters never before published.

No man's private character has been more foully assailed than Jefferson's, and none so wantonly exposed to the public gaze, nor more fully vindicated. I shall be more than rewarded for my labors should I- succeed in imparting to my readers a tithe of that esteem and veneration which I have been taught to feel for him by the person with whom he was most intimate during life the grandson who, as a boy, played upon his knee, and, as a man, was, as he himself spoke of him, "the staff" of his old age.

The portrait of Jefferson is from a painting by Gilbert Stuart, in the possession of his family, and by them considered as the best likeness of him. The portrait of his daughter, Martha Jefferson Eandolph, is from a painting by Sully* The view of Monticello represents the home of Jefferson as it existed during his lifetime, and not as it now is a ruin.

THE AUTHOR.

June, 1871.

Chapter I

Jefferson's Birthplace. Sketch of his early Life. Character of his Parents. His Grandfather, Isham Eandolph. Peter Jefferson's Friendship for William Randolph. Eandolph dies, and leaves his young Son to the Guardianship of Jefferson. His faithful Discharge of the Trust. Thomas Jefferson's earliest Recollections. His Father's Hospitality. First Acquaintance with Indians. Life of the early Settlers of Virginia: its Ease and Leisure. Expense of Thomas Jefferson's early Education. Death of his Father. Perils of his Situation. Letter to his Guardian. Goes to William and Mary College. Extract from his Memoir. Sketch of Fauquier. OfWythe , Page 17

Chapter II

Intense Application as a Student. Hahits of Study kept up during his Vacations. First Preparations made for Building at Monticello. Letters to his College Friend, John Page. Anecdote of Benjamin Harrison. Jefferson's Devotion to his eldest Sister. He witnesses the Debate on the Stamp Act. First Meeting with Patrick Henry. His Opinion of him. His superior Education. Always a Student. Wide Range of Information. Anecdote. Death of his eldest Sister. His Grief. Buries himself in Ms Books. Finishes his Course of Law Studies. Begins to practise. Collection of Vocabularies of Indian Languages. House at Shadwell burnt. Loss of his Library. Marriage. Anecdote of his Courtship. Wife's Beauty. Bright Prospects* Friendship for Dabney Carr. His Talents. His Death. Jefferson buries him at Monticello. His Epitaph 31

CHAPTER HI.

Happy Life at Monticello. Jefferson's fine Horsemanship. Birth of his oldest Child. Goes to Congress. Death of his Mother. Kindness to British Prisoners. Their Gratitude. His Devotion to Music. Letter to General de Riedesel. Is made Governor of Virginia. Tarleton pursues Lafayette. Reaches Charlottesville. The British at Monticello. Cornwallis's Destruction of Property at Elk Hill. Jefferson retires at the End of his Second Term as Governor. Mrs. Jefferson's delicate Health. Jefferson meets with an Accident. Writes his Notes on Virginia. The Marquis de Chastellux visits Monticello. His Description of it. Letter of Congratulation from Jefferson to Washington. Mrs. Jefferson's Illness and Death. Her Daughter's Description of the Scene. Jefferson's Grief J *8

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Visit to Chesterfield County. Is appointed Plenipotentiary to Europe. Letter to the Marquis de Chastellux. Goes North with his Daughter. Leaves her in Philadelphia, and goes to Congress. Letters to his Daughter. Sails for Europe. His Daughter's Description of the Voyage. His Establishment and Life in Paris. Succeeds Franklin as Minister there. Anecdotes of Franklin. Extracts from Mrs. Adams's Letters. Note from Jefferson to Mrs. Smith Page 67

Chapter V

Jefferson's first Impressions of Europe. Letter to Mrs. Trist. To Baron De Geismer. He visits England. Letter to his Daughter. To his Sister. Extract from his Journal kept when in England. Letter to John Page. Presents a Bust of Lafayette to chief Functionaries of Paris. Breaks Ms Wrist. Letter to Mrs. Trist. Mr. and Mrs, Cosway. Correspondence with Mrs. Cosway. Letter to Colonel Carrington. To Mr. Madison. To Mrs. Bingham. Her Reply 79

Chapter VI

Death of Count de Vergennes. Jefferson is ordered to Aix by his Surgeon. Death of his youngest Child. Anxiety to have his Daughter Mary with him. Her Reluctance to leave Virginia. Her Letters to and from her Father. Jefferson's Letters to Mrs. and Mr, Eppes. To Lafayette. To the Countess de Tesse. To Lafayette. Correspondence with his Daughter Martha 101

Chapter VII

Increased Anxiety ahout his youngest Daughter. Her Aunt's Letter. She arrives in England. Mrs. Adams receives her. Letter to Mrs. Eppes. To Madame de Corny. To J. Bannister. To his Sister. Letter to Mr. J[ay. To Madame de Brehan. To Madame de Corny. Weariness of Public Life. Goes to Amsterdam. Letter to Mr. Jay. To Mr. Izard. To Mrs. Marks. To Mr. Marks. To Randolph Jefferson. To Mrs. Eppes 124

CHAPTER Vm.

Jefferson asks for leave of Absence. Character of the Prince of Wales. Letters to Madame de Brehan. Fondness for Natural History. Anecdote told by Webster. Jefferson's Opinion of Chemistry. Letter to Professor Willard. Martha Jefferson. She wishes to enter a Convent. Her Father takes her Home. He is impatient to return to Virginia.' Letter to Washington To Mrs. Eppes. Receives leave of Absence. Farewell to France. Jefferson as an Ambassador. He leaves Paris. His Daughter's Account of the Voyage, and Arrival at Home. His Reception by his Slaves 139

CHAPTER IX. Letters on the French Revolution 154

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE X.

Washington nominates Jefferson as Secretary of State, Jefferson's Regret Devotion of Southern Statesmen to Country Life. Letter to Washington. Jefferson accepts the Appointment, Marriage of his Daughter. He leaves for New York. Last Interview with Franklin. Letters to Son-inlaw. Letters of Adieu to Friends in Paris. Family Letters Page 169

CHAPTER XL

Jefferson goes with the President to Rhode Island. Visits Monticello. Letter to Mrs. Eppes. Goes to Philadelphia. Family Letters. Letter to Washington. Goes to Monticello. Letters to his Daughter. His Ana. Letters to his Daughter. To General Washington. To Lafayette. To his Daughter. 189

CHAPTER XIL

Anonymous Attacks on Jefferson. Washington's Letter to him. His Reply. Letter to Edmund Randolph. Returns to Philadelphia. Washington urges him to remain in his Cabinet. Letters to his Daughter. To his Son-in-law. To his Brother-in-law. Sends his Resignation to the President. Fever in Philadelphia. Weariness of Public Life. Letters to his Daughters. To Mrs. Church. To his Daughter. Visits Monticello. Returns to Philadelphia. Letter to Madison. To Mrs. Church. To his Daughters. Interview with Genet. Letter to Washington. His Reply. Jefferson returns to Monticello. State of his Affairs, and Extent of his Possessions. Letter to Washington. To Mr. Adams. Washington attempts to get Jefferson back in his Cabinet. Letter to Edmund Randolph, declining. Pleasures of his Life at Monticello. Letter to Madison . To Giles. To Rutledge. To young Lafayette 213

CHAPTER XIII.

Description of Monticello and Jefferson by the Due de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt Nominated Vice-President. Letter to Madison. To Adams. Preference- for the Office of Vice-President. Sets out for Philadelphia. Reception there. Returns to Monticello. Letters to his Daughter- Goes to Philadelphia. Letter to Rutledge. Family Letters. To Miss Church. To Mrs. Church 235

CHAPTER XIV.

Jefferson goes to Philadelphia. Letters to his Daughters. Returns to Monticellb. Letters to his Daughter. Goes back to Philadelphia. Family Letters. Letters to Mrs. and Miss Church. Bonaparte, Letters to his Daughters. Is nominated as President. Seat of Government moved to Washington. Spends the Summer at Monticello. Letters to his Daughter. -Jefferson denounced by the New England Pulpit. Letter to Uriah Gregory. Goes to Washington 254:

CHAPTER XV.

Results of Presidential Election. Letter to his Daughter. Balloting for President Letter to his Daughter. Is inaugurated. Returns to Montoc ii CONTENTS,

cello. Letters to his Daughter. Goes back to "Washington. Inaugurates the Custom of sending a written Message to Congress. Abolishes Levees. Letter to Story. To Dickinson. Letter from Mrs. Cosway, Family Letters. Makes a short Visit to Monticello.^Jefferson's Sixtieth Year Page 271

CHAPTER XVI.

letums to "Washington. Letters to his Daughters. Meets with a Stranger in his daily Bide. Letters to his Daughter. To his young Grandson. To his Daughter, Mrs. Randolph. Last Letters to his Daughter, Mrs. Eppes. Her Illness. Letter to Mr. Eppes. Goes to Monticello. Death of Mrs. Eppes. Account of it by a Niece. Her Reminiscences of Mary Jefferson Eppes. Letter to Page, To Tyler. From Mrs. Adams. Mr. Jefferson's Reply. Midnight Judges. Letters to his Son-in-law 288

CHAPTER XVII.

denominated as President. Letter to Mazzei. Slanders against Jefferson. Sad Visit to Monticello. ^Second Inauguration. Receives the Bust of the Emperor of Russia. Letters" to and from the Emperor. To Diodati. To Dickinson. To his Son-in-law. Devotion to his Grandchildren. Letter to Monroe. To his Grandchildren, His Temper when roused. Letter to Charles Thompson. To Dr. Logan. Anxious to avoid a Public Reception on his Return home. Letter to Dupont de Nemours. Inauguration of Madison. Harmony in Jefferson's Cabinet. Letter to Humboldt. Farewell Address from the Legislature of Virginia. His Reply. Reply to an Address of Welcome from the Citizens of Albemarle. Letter to

. Madison. Anecdote of Jefferson. Dr. Stuart says he is quarelling with the Almighty 310

CHAPTER XVIH.

His final Return home. Wreck of his Fortunes. Letter to Mr. Eppes. To his Grand-daughter, Mrs. Bankhead. To Kosciusko. Description of the Interior of the House at Monticello. Of the View from Monticello. Jefferson's Grandson's Description of his' Manners and Appearance. Anecdotes. His Habits. Letter to Governor Langdon. To Governor Tyler. Life at Monticello. Jefferson's Studies and Occupations. Sketch of Jefferson by a Grand-daughter. Reminiscences of him by another Granddaughter 329

CHAPTER XIX

Letter to his Grand-daughter, Mrs. Bankhead. To Dr. Rush. To Duane. Anxiety to reopen Correspondence with John Adams. Letter to Benjamin Rush. Old Letter from Mrs. Adams. Letter from Benjamin Rush. Letter from John Adams. The Reconciliation. Character of Washington. Devotion to him. Letter to Say. State of Health. Labors of Correspondence, Cheerfulness of his Disposition. Baron Grimour. Catherine of Russia. Ledyard. Letter to Mrs. Trist. To John Adams. Gives Charge of his Affairs to his Grandson. Letter to his Grandson, Francis Eppes. Description of Monticello by Lieutenant Hall. Letter to Mrs. Adams. Her Death. Beautiful Letter to Mr. Adams. Letter to Dr. Utley. Correspondence with Mrs. Cosway. Tidings from Old French Friends , 349

CONTENTS. xiii

CHAPTER XX.

Letters to John Adams. Number of Letters written and received. To John Adams. Breaks his Arm. Letter to Judge Johnson. To Lafayette. The University of Virginia, Anxiety to have Southern Young Men educated at the South. Letters on the Subject. Lafayette's Visit to America, His Meeting with Jefferson. Daniel Webster's Visit to Monticello, and Description of Mr. Jefferson Page 378

CHAPTER XXI.

Pecuniary Embarrassments. Letter from a Grand-daughter. Dr. Dunglison's Memoranda. Sells his Library. Depressed Condition of the Money Market. Disastrous Consequences to Jefferson. His Grandson's Devotion and Efforts to relieve him. Mental Sufferings of Mr. Jefferson. Plan of Lottery to sell his Property. Hesitation of Virginia Legislature to grant his Request. Sad Letter to Madison. Correspondence with Cabell. Extract from a Letter to his Grandson, to Cabell. Beautiful Letter to his Grandson. Distress at the Death of his Grand-daughter. Dr. Dunglison's Memoranda. Meeting in 'Richmond. In Nelson County. New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore come to his Relief. His Gratitude. Unconscious that at his Death Sales of his Property would fail to pay his Debts. Deficit made up by his Grandson. His Daughter left penniless,, Generosity of Louisiana and South Carolina 397

CHAPTER XXII.

Letter to Namesake. To John Adams. Declining Health. Dr. Dunglison's Memoranda. Tenderness to his Family. Accounts of his Death by Dr. Dunglison and Colonel Randolph. Farewell to his Daughter, Directions for a Tombstone. It is erected by his Grandson. Shameful Desecration of Tombstones at Monticello f 419

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

THOMAS JEFFERSON (From Portrait by Stuart) } r

MONTICELLO (The Western View) J

JEFFERSON'S SEAL Title-Page.

JEFFERSON'S COAT OF ASMS On Cover,

JEFFERSON'S MARRIAGE LICENSE-BOND (Fac-simile) 42

PART OF DRAFT OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (Fac-simile) 52

MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH (From Portrait by Sully) 65

JEFFERSON'S HORSE-CHAIR (Still preserved at Monticello) 289

MONTICELLO (Plan of the First Floor) 334

THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (In 1850) 386

JEFFERSON'S GRAVE (Near Monticello) , 432