The life and times of Thomas Jefferson

Preface

Thomas Jefferson was one of the great representative heroes of the age in which he lived. He will always remain a very prominent and remarkable character in American history. Several biographies of him have already appeared ; but they have not satisfied the wants of the reading public on the subject. They have all been partisan works, filled either with indiscriminate praise, or with wholesale censure. Thus the largest and most valuable of these productions, that written by Professor Tucker, is a glowing eulogy from beginning to end. Books of this description fail to present a correct and faithful historical picture of the subjects of which they treat.

I have endeavored in the following pages to throw as much light as possible upon the career and character of Mr. Jefierson ; and to aid in ac-

IV PREFACE.

complishing this end, have quoted large!}' from his own writings, from his Anas, his Memoirs, and his Correspondence. It is true that these are represented bj his opponents as containing many partial and discolored statements; but this objection will not apply to any of the quotations made in the present work.

This book is neither a eulogy nor a tirade of censure. It has been the aim of the writer to present both the merits and the defects of Mr. Jefferson in their true light. The chief fault of this illustrious man was a pusillanimous and morbid terror of popular censure, and an insatiable thirsting after popular praise. He indeed saw very clearly, what every man of intelligence and observation must perceive, that a large proportion of mankind are in reality knaves and hypocrites ; that vanity, selfishness, and perfidy, in various forms and under innumerable disguises, have always been the predominating qualities of human nature in every land and age ; that even the divine principles and institutions of religion have been so perverted and distorted by human passions as to have become, in many instances, only the convenient tools for the aggrau-

PREFACE. V

dizement of a more sanctimonious and aspiring form of selfishness ; that were it not for a desire to preserve the "dignity of vice," resulting from the innate pride of human nature, even the emptyboast of seeming virtue would rarely be heard, and the reality of it would scarcely ever be seen, on the face of the earth ; in a word, that while the intellectual attributes of mankind assimilate them in many instances with angels, their propensities and their passions, in the majority of cases, leave an almost imperceptible interval between themselves and the brute creation.

Mr. Jefferson clearly perceived all this, and in his confidential letters to his most intimate friends — one of which I have inserted in this work — he has given utterance to his convictions on the subject. And yet he has made himself justly liable to the charge of insincerity and inconsistency by publicly proclaiming, during his whole lifetime, different and opposite sentiments ; by upholding the dignity, grandeur, and majesty of human nature ; by asserting the immaculate virtue of the multitude ; by defending the infallibility of their judgments and

the perfection of their decrees ; and by making 1*

Vl/ PREFACE.

himself tlie great apostle and champion of those popular prerogatives which, in his inmost soul, he held in unutterable contempt.

After having set forth this defect in the character of Mr. Jefierson, together with the related weaknesses which naturally flowed from it, the residue of the description of him should be commendation of no ordinary character; it should be that rare praise which belongs to great talents devoted to the accomplishment of momentous results, and that too in the midst of imminent perils ; persisted in through many long, vexatious years; opposed by tremendous obstacles ; yet crowned at last with complete and overwhelming success.

Samuel M. Smucker.

Philadelphia, June, 1857.

CONTENTS,

Chapter I. Page

Birth of Thomas Jefferson — His Ancestors — Peter Jefferson — Thomas Jefferson becomes a Pupil of Maury — He enters Wilham and Mary College — His Habits and Peculiarities — Dr. William Small — Jefferson's Attachment to Miss Burwell — His Letters — Governor Fauquier — Eloquence of Patrick Henry — Jefferson's Journey to Philadelphia and New York' — His Admission to the Bar — His Qualities as a Lawyer — Is Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses — His Activity and Influence in that Body. 15

Chapter II

Burning of Jefferson's Residence — His Marriage — Events of 1773 — Proceedings in Rhode Island — Measures of the Virginia House of Burgesses — Committees of Correspondence — British Aggressions — Steps of Resistance taken in Virginia — Activity of Mr. Jefferson — The Convention — Resolutions adopted by that Body — The " Summary View of the Rights of British America" — Delegates to the first Continental Congress — Jefferson's Resolutions in the Virginia Legislature- — His Answer to Lord North's Proposition 41

CHAPTER HI.

Mr. Jefferson Elected a Member of Congress — His Appointment on important Committees — His Reports — Mr. Dickinson of Pennsylvania — Mr. Jefferson prepares a Consti- ^ tution and Declaration of Rights for Virginia — The Legis-

(vii)

Vlll CONTENTS.

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lature of Virginia recommends a Declaration of Independence — Mr. Jeflferson's Influence in Congress — Resolution of Richard Henry Lee — Mr. Jefferson Drafts the Original Declaration of Independence — State of Parties in Congress — Adoption and Promulgation of the Declaration — Excitement throughout the Colonies on the Subject — Literary Merits of the Declaration — Its Historic Influence and Importance — Mr. Jefferson's opinion respecting it — Its Future Influence 59

Chapter IV

Mr. Jefferson declines a re-election to Congress — Results of his Labors in Congress — Appointed Commissioner to France — He declines — He takes his seat in the Legislature of Virginia — He proposes a Law for the Reoi-ganization of the Courts of Justice — He proposes a Law for the Abolition of Entails — He proposes a Bill to overthrow the Established Church in Virginia — Fierce Conflicts which Ensued — The final Result — Jefferson's ultimate Triumph — Establishment of absolute Religious Freedom in Virginia — Mr. Jefferson obtains the passage of a Law abolishing the Foreign Slave Trade in Virginia — History of that Reform in foreign countries 75

Chapter V

Proposition to Codify the Laws of Virginia — A Committee appointed for the Purpose — Mr. Jefferson's portion of the Task — Changes in the Law of Descents — Changes in the Criminal Law — Meeting of the Committee — Their Report to the Legislature — Leading Reforms introduced by Mr. Jefferson into the Code — Religious Freedom — Abolition of Slavery — General System of Education — The Captive Army of Burgoyne quartered at Charlottesville — Popular Excitement — Useful and benevolent activity of Jefferson in reference to the Captives 89

Chapter VI

Mr. Jefferson elected Governor of Virginia — His Measures of Retaliation upon the British — Arrest of Henry Ilamil-

CONTENTS. ix

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ton — Washington Approves of Jefferson's Measures — Tarle ton's Invasion of Virginia — Jefferson's Activity — His Letter to Washington — Attack of the British on Richmond — Schemes to capture Arnold — Their Failure — Attempt of the British to take Jefferson at Monticello — His Escape — Efforts made to Impeach Jefferson in the Legislature — Their Defeat — Jefferson's Defense of his Official Acts. . . . 103

Chapter VII

Mr. Jefferson chosen a Plenipotentiary to England — Death of Mrs. Jefferson — Mission to England abandoned — Mr. Jefferson elected a Delegate to Congress — Improvements in the Currency — Washington resigns his Commission to Congress at Annapolis — The Deiinitive Treaty vcith England — Anti-Slavery Ordinances proposed by Mr. Jefferson in Congress in 1784 — He is appointed Plenipotentiary to France — Conferences with the French Ministry — Attempt to negotiate a Commercial Treaty with Great Britain. . . . 120

CHAPTER VIIL The Convention at Annapolis — Summoning of the Federal Convention — Adoption of the New Constitution — Origin and State of Political Parties in the United States — Jefferson's Opinions in reference to the Federal Constitution — HisLettersonthe Subject — Opposing Opinions of Washington — Vox Populi, Vox Dei — Jefferson's Travels in Europe — His Diplomatic Labors — Events of the French Revolution — Jefferson's Opinions in reference to those Events.. 147

Chapter IX

The Convocation of the States-General of France — Jefferson's Description of French Parties — Jefferson's Plan for the Settlement of the Kingdom — His Return to the United States — His Reception at Monticello — He is invited by Washington to become Secretary of State — He Accepts the Offer — His Views on the question of Public Credit — His Reports on the Coinage, Weights, and Measures — Hia Letter to the National Assembly of France on the Death of Franklin — His Views on the United States Bank 166

X CONTENTS.

Chapter X. Page

Disputes in the Cabinet of Washington — Jefferson's Statement of Hamilton's Views — Hamilton's Superiority — Mr. Jefferson's purpose of Retiring — Giles' Resolutions — Jefferson's Vindication of Himself — His profound and able Opinion in reference to the War with France — Conduct of Genet, the French Minister — The Little Democrat — Genet's Recall — Jefferson's description of his Associates in the Cabinet 186

Chapter XI

Mr. Jefferson's Retirement from the Cabinet of Washington — His Motives for so Doing — His Letters to Mr. Madison — His last Report to Congress — His Letter of Resignation — Causes of previous Dissensions in the Cabinet — Mr. Jefferson's Charges against Mr. Hamilton — Evidence of their Falsehood — The National Gazette — Freneau — Mr. Jefferson Refuses to Suppress the National Gazette — His Return to Monticello — His celebrated Letter to Mazzei — Jefferson's Apology to Washington for its Strictures on him 201

CHAPTER XIL

Mr. Jefferson elected Vice-President — His Relations to the President — The New Cabinet — Disputes with the French Government — American Envoys sent to Paris — Their Reception there — Mr. Jefferson's Political Creed — Indignation in the United States against France — Napoleon Bonaparte succeeds to the French Directory, and makes a Treaty with the United States — Termination of Mr. Adams' Administration — The approaching Election — Dr. Logan's private Mission to France 224

Chapter Xiii.'

Popular Excitement previous to the Election of 1801 — Result of the Popular Vote — Jefferson's Letter to Burr — Election in the House of Representatives — The Equality of Votes between Jefferson and Burr — Influence of Alexander Hamilton — Election of Jefferson to the Presidency

CONTENTS. XI

PAGE

—His Inaugural Address— Letter to Eldredge Gerry — Mr. Jefferson's Cabinet — His Letter to Thomas Paine — Mr. Livingston appointed Minister to France — War between the United States and Tripoli — Its Incidents and Results — Mr. Jefferson's first Message to Congress — Measures of the Administration — Negotiations respecting Louisiana 242

Chapter XIV

The Settlement of the Yazoo Claims in Alabama and Mississippi — The Purchase of Louisiana from France — Letter of Mr. Jefferson on the subject to General Gates — Repeal of the Bankrupt Law — Mr. Jefferson's Views on the United States Bank — Death of Mrs. Eppes — Mr. Jefferson's Gun-boat System — Results of his First Administration — Mr. Jefferson's Motives and Excuses for a second Election — His Letter to Alexander I., Czar of Russia 264

Chapter XV

The Conspiracy of Aaron Burr — The Nature of his Enterprise — Mr. Randolph's Resolution in Congress — Arrest of Col. Burr — Incidents of the Trial — Eloquence of Wm. Wirt — Jefferson's Prejudices against Burr-^The Embargo Law — Mr. Jefferson's last Message to Congress — Addresses sent to Mr. Jefferson on his Retiring — Address of the Legislature of Virginia — Inauguration of Mr. Madison — Mr. Jefferson's final Return to Monticello — His Feelings on this Occasion 278

Chapter XVI

Mr. Jefferson's Habits of Life in his Retirement — Incidents of his Residence at Monticello — The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence — Mr. Jefferson's Pecuniary Difficulties — The Plan of a Lottery — Public Contributions to his Relief — His last Sickness — His Death — Estimate of his Character — His Religious Opinions — Defects of his Character — His Want of Sincerity and Truthfulness — His False Charges against Mr. Hamilton — Evidence of

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their Falsehood — His Secret Opposition to the Federal Constitution — Novel and Absurd Grounds of his Opposition — Chief Difference between Jefferson and Hamilton — Conclusion 294

Appendix

No. I.

A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled, as First Written and afterward Amended 323

No. II.

Letters of John Randolph in relation to Mr. Jefferson's Election to the Presidency 330

No. III.

Jefferson's Note on Mr. Bayard 332

No. IV.

The solemn Declaration and Protest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States of America, and on the Violations of them.* Written by Mr. Jefferson 341

No. V.

Jefferson's estimate of Federalism and Democracy 346

No. VI.

Jefferson's Opinion of George Washington. 348

No. VII.

Jefferson's Opinion of Plato 350

CONTENTS. Xlll

No. VIII. PAGE

Jefferson's Kules for the Conduct of Life 352

No. IX.

Jefferson's Correspondence after his Ketirement — 353

No. X.

Jefferson's Letters to the American Philosophical Society. . 354

No. XL Jefferson's Opinion of Bonaparte and the English Government i 356

No. XII.

Jeffei'son's Views on the Cession of Louisiana, in a Letter to Captain Lewis 359

No. XIIL Jefferson's Family and Descendants i 360

No. XIV.

Jefferson's Opinions in reference to the Society of the Cincinnati 361

No. XV.

Jefferson's Professions of Friendship and Secret Hostility to Burr 369

No. XVI.

Jefferson's Strictures on Washington's Administration..'.. 376

No. XVIL Jefferson's celebrated Letter to Mazzei 383

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Chapter I

birth op thomas jefferson — his ancestors — peter jefferson — thomas jefferson becomes a pupil of maurt — he enters william and mart college — his habits and peculiarities — dr. william small — Jefferson's attachment to miss burwell — his letters— governor FAUQUIER — ELOQUENCE OF PATRICK HENRY — JEFFERSON'S JOURNEY TO PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK — HIS ADMISSION TO THE BAR — HIS QUALITIES AS A LAWYER — IS ELECTED TO THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF BUR- GESSES — HIS ACTIVITY AND INFLUENCE IN THAT BODY.

Virginia possesses the high distinction of being the mother both of great empires and of great men. From her bosom have gone forth, in successive generations, the sturdy and enterprising myriads who have peopled the vast domains which lie to the south and west of her own borders; and which now constitute so large and so important a portion of this confederacy. She has also given birth to many distinguished men, who, in different eras of the past, have shed lustre on their native land by their genius, their patriotism, and the splendor of their achievements. Foremost among all these is Washington, the most illustrious sage and hero of modern times. It had been sufficient glory for any country to have produced him alone. But very near that stately and sublime jjersonage, there stands in the great pantheon of immortal fame another figure of impressive and solemn presence, to whom Virginia also gave existence, — and he is the subject of our present history.

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, in Albemarle county, on the 2d of April, 1743. His ancestors, on his father's side, were of Welsh descent; and his immediate predecessors had been among the earliest inhabitants of the Q^lony of Virginia. They enjoyed the reputation of having been intelligent, prosperous, and highly respectable citizens; and were the possessors of considerable wealth. The grandfather of Thomas Jeflferson had three sons. One of these died at an early age. Another removed to the southern extremity of the State, and there passed an unobtrusive and an obscure existence. The third, who was named Peter, had removed from Chesterfield county where he had been reared, to Shadwell, where Thomas, his eldest child, was born. His wife was Jane Randolph, who was connected with one of the oldest and most reputable families in the colony. She was a woman of superior intelligence and amiability, and beqame the wife of Peter Jefierson in 1739, at the age of nineteen.

Peter Jefierson, the father of Thomas, had never enjoyed many facilities for mental cultivation ; yet his natural talents were of a superior grade, and his industry in the pursuit of knowledge had been so persevering, while his judgment was regarded as so correct, that he was selected to perform the task of ascertaining and settling the boundary line between the territories of Virginia and North Carolina. His associate in this responsible task was Joshua Fry, the professor of mathematics in William and Mary College.

When five years old, Thomas Jefferson commenced his youthful studies at an English school. At nine he began the acquisition of the Latin, Greek, and French languages under the direction of a Scotch clergyman named Douglass. Peter Jefferson died in 1757, leaving two sons and six daughters. But they were not destitute ; for to each of them their deceased parent had devised an estate. The plantation called Shadwell, w^here he first saw the light, was the portion which fell to the lot of the subject of this memoir — it also embraced the farm of Monticello.

After his father's death Thomas became the pupil of Mr. Maury, an eminent classical scholar of that 2* day; and under his careful tuition he remained during two years. At this period he was already remarkable for his great industry, and for the rapid progress which he made in his studies. He seemed to possess an intuitive fondness for intellectual pursuits ; yet he frequently took great delight in the exercise and diversion of hunting, for which the neighboring mountains, which traverse a portion of Albemarle county, furnished the most favorable opportunities.

In 1760, w^hen seventeen years of age, Jefferson passed from the tuition of Mr. Maury to the higher studies and advantages of William and Mary College. He had been well prepared for the labors of this new sphere by the thorough instruction imparted to him by his former preceptors. He remained two years in connection with this institution, which was situated then as now at the city of Williamsburg ; which place Jefi'erson, in his earlier letters to his most intimate friends, designated by the somewhat satirical epithet of "Devilsburg."

Respecting his pursuits and studies while at this institution Jefi'erson himself has furnished the most satisfactory account in his "Memoir." Says he: *' It w^as my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small of Scotland was the professor of mathemaor THOMAS JEFFERSON. 19

tics, a man profound in most of tbe useful brandies of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an enlarged and liberal mind. He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me, and made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science, and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed to fill it, ^j^'r iiiterim ; and he was the first who ever gave, in that college, regular lectures in ethics, rhetoric, and belles lettres. He returned to Europe in 1762, having previously filled up the measure of his goodness to me, by procuring for me, from his most intimate friend, George "Wythe, a reception as a student at law, under his direction, and introduced me to the acquaintance and familiar table of Governor Fauquier, the ablest man who had ever filled that ofiice. With him, and at his table. Dr. Small and Mr. "Wythe, his amici omnium horarum, and myself, formed a partie guarre, and to the habitual conversations on these occasions I owed much instruction. Mr. Wythe continued to be my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most afiectionate friend through life. In 1767, he led me into the practice of the law at the bar of

20 THE LIPE AND TIMES

the general court, at wliicli I continued until the Eevolution shut up the courts of justice."

During the period of his residence at William and Mary College Jefferson was remarkable for the same habits of application, and for the same proficiency in his studies which he had previously displayed. His chief amusement was playing on the violin, in which agreeable art he acquired considerable skill. Ilis letters of this date also furnish satisfactory proof that the future victor over British despotism was himself vanquished by the potent power of Cupid ; and that he became even desperately in love. The object of his adoration was Miss Rebecca Burwell, a young lady of good family, and of con- Biderable intelligence and beauty. For a time his ardent suit seemed to prosper. The lady bestowed upon her admirer a watch-paper containing her portrait. But this treasure, which Jefferson highly prized, was destined to be as evanescent as her love, for it was destroyed by the rain.

We will here introduce the only specimens of the early epistolary writings of the future statesman of Virginia, which are now in existence. They are valuable both as being illustrative of his style of thought and expression at this youthful period, and as containing details of his life and experiences which throw considerable light on his feelings, character and pursuits. They were addressed to John Page, afterward Governor Page, of Virginia; and were furnished by his son to one of the biographers of Mr. Jefferson.

"Fairfield, December 25, 1762.

" Dear Page : " This very day, to others the day of greatest mirth and jolity, sees me overwhelmed with more and greater misfortunes than have befallen a descendant of Adam for these thousand years past I am sure ; and perhaps, after excepting Job, since the creation of the world. I think his misfortunes were somewhat greater than mine : for although we may be pretty nearly on a level in other respects, yet, I thank my God, I have the advantage of brother Job in this, that Satan has not as yet put forth his hand to load me with bodily afflictions. You must know, dear Page, that I am now in a house surrounded with enemies who take counsel together against my soul ; and when I lay me down to rest, they say among themselves, ' Come, let us destroy him.' I am sure if there is such a thing as a Devil in this world, he must have been here last night and have had some hand in contriving what happened to me. Do you think the cursed rats (at his instigation, I suppose) did not eat up my pocket-book, which was in my pocket, within a foot of my head ? And Dot contented with plenty for the present, they carried away my jemmy- worked silk garters, and half a dozen new minuets I had just got, to serve, I suppose, as provision for the winter. But of this I should not have accused the Devil, (because, you know rats will be rats, and hunger, without the addition of his instigations, might have urged them to do this,) if something worse, and from a different quarter, had not happened. You know it rained last night, or if you do not know it, I am sure I do. When I w^ent to bed, I laid my watch in the usual place, and going to take her up, after I arose this morning, I found her in the same place, it's true, but! Quantum mutatus ah illo! all afloat in water, let in at a leak in the roof of the house, and as silent and still as the rats that had eat my pocket-book. Now, you know, if chance had had any thing to do in this matter, there were a thousand other spots where it might have chanced to leak as well as at this one, which was perpendicularly over my watch. But I'll tell you ; it's my opinion that the Devil came and bored the hole over it on purpose. "Well, as I was saying, my poor watch had lost her speech. I should not have cared much for this, but something worse attended it; the subtle particles of the water with which the case was filled, had, by their penetration, so overcome

OF THOMAS JEFFEEFSON". 23

the cohesion of the particles of the paper, of which my dear picture aud watch-paper were composed, that, in attempting to take them out to dry them, good God ! Mens horret referre I my cursed fingers gave them such a rent as, I fear, I. shall never get over. This, cried I, was the last stroke Satan had in reserve for me; he knew I cared not for any thing else lie could do to me, and was determind to try this last most fatal expedient. '■ Multis fortunes vulnerihus, percussus, huic uni me imparem sensi, et penitus succubuil' I would have cried bitterly, but I thought it beneath the dignity of a man, and a man too who had read rwv ovtuv, ta ficv i^'rjfiiv, ta 6'«x s^^i^iv. However, whatever misfortunes may attend tbe picture or lover, my hearty prayers shall be, that all the health and happiness which Heaven can send may be the portion of the original, and that so much goodness may ever meet with what may be most agreeable in this world, as I am sure it must be in the next. And now, although the picture be defaced, there is so lively an image of her imprinted in my mind, that I shall think of her too often, I fear, for my peace of mind; and too often, I am sure, to get through old Coke this winter; fbr God knows I have not seen him since I packed him up in my trunk in Williamsburg. Well, Page, I do wish the Devil had old Coke, for I am sure I never was SO tired of an old dull scoundrel in my life. Wliat ! are there so few inquietudes tacked to this momentary life of ours, that we must need be loading ourselves with a thousand more ? Or, as brother Job says, (who, by-the-by, I think, began to whine a little under his atflictions,) 'Are not my days few? Cease, then, that I may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of .death." But the old fellows say we must read to gain knowledge, and gain know^ledge to make us happy and be admired. Mere jargon! Is there any such thing as happiness in this world ? No. And as for admiration, I am sure the man who powders most, perfumes most, embroiders most, and talks most nonsense, is most admired. Though to be candid, there are some who have too much good sense to esteem such monkeylike animals as these, in whose formation, as the saying is, the tailors and barbers go halves with God Almighty; and since these are the only persons whose esteem is worth a wish, I do not know but that, upon the whole, the advice of these old fellows may be worth following.

" You cannot conceive the satisfaction it would give me to have a letter from you. Write me very circumstantially every thing which happened at the wedding. Was she there ? because, if she was, I ought to have been at the Devil for not being there too. If there is any news stirring in town or country, such as deaths, courtships, or marriages, in the circle of my acquaintance, let me know it. Remember me aiFectionately to all the young ladies of my acquaintance, particularly the Miss Burwella and Miss Potters, and tell them that though that heavy earthly part of me, my body, be absent, the better half of me, my soul, is ever with them ; and that my best wishes shall ever attend them. Tell Miss Alice Corbiu that I verily believe the rats knew I was to win a pair of garters from her, or they never would have been so cruel as to carry mine away. This very consideration makes me so sure of the bet, that I shall ask every body I see from that part of the world wdiat pretty gentleman is making his addresses to her. I would fain ask the favor of Miss Becca Burwell to give me another watch paper of her own cutting, which I should esteem much more, though it were a plain round one, than the nicest in the world cut by other hands — however, I am afraid she would think this presumption, after my suffering the other to get spoiled. If you think you can excuse me to her for this, I should be glad if you would ask her. Tell Miss Sukey Potter that I heard, just before I came out of town, that she was offended with me 3 about something, what it is I do not know ; but this I know, that I never was guilty of tlie least disrespect to her in my life, either in word or deed ; as far from it as it has been possible for one to be. I suppose when we meet next, she will be endeavoring to repay an imaginary aft'ront with a real one ; but she may save herself the trouble, for nothing that she can say or do to me shall ever lessen her in my esteem ; and I am determined always to look upon her as the same honest-hearted, good-humored, agreeable lad}^ I ever did. Tell — tell — in short, tell them all ten thousand things more than either you or I can now or ever shall think of as long as we live.