Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-04
Mr.. Jefferson and his Daughter.

In the superb new work soon to be issued by the
APpletons, under the title of The Republican
Court, or American Society in the Days of Wash
ington," by Rufus w. Griswold we find an inter
esting letter from Mr. Jefferson to his eldest daugh
ter, addressed to her when she was at school, in
Philadelphia. This daughter was afterwards mar
ried to the Hon. Thomas Mann Randolph. of
TuckahOe, who became Governor of Virginia,
DR.. Griswold says of her
Martha Jefferson was born on the twenty sew
enth of September, 1872, and was therefore now
little more than seventeen years of age John
Randolph said she was the sweetest Young crea-
ture in Virginia : Mrs. Adams to whose care she
had been entrusted some time in Paris, refers
her with the most affectionate expressions; and
Mrs. Smith, the daughter of Mrs. Adams, says
decacy and sensibility are read in her every fea-
ture, and her manners are in unison with all that is
amiable and lovely While Miss Jefferson, in
1888, was at school in Philadelphia boarding with
Mrs. Trst, grandmother of Mr. Nicholas Trist,
who is now the husband of the granddaughter of
Mr. Jeferson,) ber father addressed to her the fol-
lowing letter. which has never hitherto been pub
shed, and is very interesting illustration of
his domestic character and his views of the educa-
tiOn of women:
"' ANNAPOLIS, November %, 1888.
"'My dear Patsy After four days journey,
arrived here without any accident, and in as good
health as when l left Philadelphia The convic-
tion that you would be more improved in the stu
alton where l have placed you than if still with
me, has solaced me on my parting with you, which
my love for you has rendered difficult thing
The requirements which 1 hope you will make un-
der the tutors have provided for you will render
you more worthy Of my love: and if they cannot
increase it, they will prevent its dminution. Con-
slider the good lady who has taken you under her
roof who has undertaken to see that you perform
all your exercises, and to admonish you in all those
wanderings from what is right or what is clever
to which your inexperience would lead you-con-
slider her, say your mother, as the only person
10 whom since the loss with which Heaven has
been pleased to afflict you, you can now look up;
and that her dspleaSure or disapprobation, on any
occasion, will be an immense misfortune, which,
should you be so unhappy as to incur by any un-
guarded act, think no concession too much to re-
gain her good will. With respect to the dstribu-
tion of your time the following is what approve
From to 10, practice music. From 10 to l, dance
one day and draw another From to 2, draw on
the day you dance, and write letter next day.
From 3 to 4, read French From to 5, exercise
yourself in music From 5 till bedtime read Eng
lish, write, &c. Communicate this plan to Mrs
Hopkinson; and if she approves of it, pursue it.
As long as Mrs. Trist remains in Philadelphia, cul-
tiyate her affections. She has been valuable
friend to you, and her good sense and good heart
make her valued by all who know her, and by no.
body on earth more than me. / expect you will
write to me by every post. Inform me..what books
you read, what tune you learn, and inclose your
best copy of every lesson in drawing. Write al
SO one letter every week, either to your Aunt
Eppes, your Aunt Skipwith, your Aunt Carr or