in the and his senile corps to prepare what they can garden, as it is very possible I may Accept assurances of my sincere affection. want it. Adieu. TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH. WASHINGTON, March 12, 1801. DEAR SIR, I mentioned to you in my letter by Mr. Nicholas that I should be able by this post to fix a day for the departure of Davy Bowles with my chair and horses, and that he should be in readiness; though it is impossible for me to say to a day when I can set out from hence, yet I expect it may be by the time you receive this. I would therefore have him set off from Monticello on Saturday the 21st inst. and come to Mr. Heron's in Culpeper, half a mile this side of Mr. Strode's, where he will arrive on Sunday the 22d, and will wait for me till I get there, which, if nothing unexpected occurs, will be on that or the next day. But circumstances might arise which might detain me longer, in which case he must wait here. It is probable Mr. Strode will press him much to go with the horses to his house, but he must be charged expressly to continue at Heron's, which is a house of entertainment. My stay at home cannot exceed a fortnight, or a very few days over that. I am still at a great loss, Mr. Madison not having been able to come on as yet, Mr. Gallatin not agree ing to join us till my return,' and not knowing as yet where to get a Secretary of the Navy; General Smith refused, so did Mr. Langdon. I am now pressing again on General Smith, but with little hope of his acceding; in that case my distress will be very great. Hitherto appearances of reunion are very flattering, in all the States south of New England. A few removals from office will be indispensable. They will be chiefly for real malconduct, and mostly in the offices connected with the administration of justice. I shall do as little in that way as possible. This may occasion some outcry; but it must be met. One removal will give me a great deal of pain, because it will pain you [illegible] it would be inexcusable [in] me to make that exception. The prostitution of justice by packing of juries cannot be passed over. Embrace my dear Martha for me a thousand times, and kisses to the young ones. To yourself affectionate esteem and attachment. TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH. WASHINGTON, March 26, 1801. I am still here, and not yet absolutely certain of the moment I can get off. I fear I shall this evening receive a fourth refusal of the Secretaryship of the 1 James Madison was the new Secretary of State, and Albert Gallatin the new Secretary of the Treasury, but the latter did not take office immediately. See Lanman's Biographical Annals, p. 506.EDS. Navy. Should it take place, I have fixed on a temporary arrangement, and in any event expect to get away in the course of two or four days, so as to be with you by the time you receive this or very soon after. It is the getting the naval department under way which alone detains me. My tenderest affections to my ever dear Martha and to the little ones. Friendly attachment to yourself. TO CATHARINE CHURCH.1 WASHINGTON, March 27, 1801. I owe you a letter, my dear young friend. It is a debt I pay with pleasure, and therefore should not have so long delayed but for the importunity of others more urging and less indulgent. I thank you for your kind congratulations on the proof of public esteem lately bestowed on me. That you write in these sentiments renders them more dear to me. The post is not enviable, as it affords little exercise for social affections. There is something within us which makes us wish to have things conducted in our own way and which we generally fancy to be in patriotism. This ambition is gratified by such a position. But the heart would be happier 'Catharine Church was the daughter of John B. Church, of New York, an intimate friend of Alexander Hamilton, and of Angelica Schuyler, his wife, Early in 1802 she was married to Bertram P. Cruger, by whom she had a large family. (See N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, vol. vi. pp. 78, 79.) Her mother had long been a friend and correspondent of Jefferson.-EDS. It is enjoying the affections of a family fireside. more than six weeks since I heard from Maria. This is a proof of her aversion to her pen, and must be her apology for not answering your letter, which she received in due time, and resolved to answer every day for a month before I parted with her last. She continues to love you as much as ever, and would give you, as she does me, every proof of it except writing letters. She is in a fair way to be again a mother. This will prevent her meeting me at home, in a short excursion I am about making thither. Mrs. Randolph always recollects you with her former affection. She is the mother of four children, and half of another. I shall endeavor to persuade them to come and see me here sometimes, and will not be without hopes it may tempt you to take a flying trip, which, in summer, is of three days only. Present my friendly respects to Mr. and Mrs. Church, and accept yourself assurances of my constant and affectionate attachment. TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH. WASHINGTON, May 14, 1801. I take up my pen merely because I have not written to you since my arrival here, and simply to inform you I am well. I shall be happy to hear the same from you, and hope this day's post may bring me that information, or that Fontrees's wagon will do it, which, I expect, will arrive to-morrow or next VOL. XVIII-16 day. We are selling off all our vessels except the 13 frigates established by law, bringing 7 of them to this place and sending out 3 to take exercise. The expense will be reduced to about half a million annually, great part of which will be paid this year by the proceeds of the sales of the others. We fear that Spain is ceding Louisiana to France, an inauspicious circumstance to us. Mr. Gallatin's arrival yesterday renders the organization of our new administration complete, and enables us to settle our system of proceeding. Mr. and Mrs. Madison and Miss Payne are lodging with us till they can get a house. Great desires are expressed here that Patsy and Maria should come on, but that I give no hopes of till autumn. My tenderest affections to Patsy and kisses to the young ones. Sincere attachment and friendly salutations to yourself. P. S. I have engaged a capital whitesmith, who is a nailer also, to go on from Philadelphia in July. TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH. WASHINGTON, February 21, 1802. DEAR SIR,-I am made happy by the regular accounts of the health of the inhabitants of Edgehill. Here there has been an uncommon degree of sickness, ascribed, of couse, to the mild winter, though we cannot see why. The House of Representatives have now been a week debating the judiciary law, |