Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1856-05-22
MR. JEFFERsoN,s DAUGHTER


In the work issued by the Appletcns, under
tho title of 1.-The Republican Court. or Ameri.
can Society in the Days Of Washington,n by
Rufus w. Griswold, we fud an interesting let.
ter from MIR. Jeffelson, to his eldest daughter,
lddresstd to her when she was at school in
Philadelphia. This daughter was, afterwards,
married to the Hon. Thomas Mann Randolph,
OF Tuckohoe, who became Governor Of Virginia.
DR.. Griswold says of her
'Martha Jefferson was born on the 9th Of
September, l772, and was, therefore, now
little more than seventeen years Of age. John
Randolph said she was the sweetest young
creature in Virginia Mrs. Adams, to whose
care she had been entrusted some time in Paris
refers TO her with the most atfectionate express
sions and Mrs. Smith, the daughter Of Mrs
Adams, says delicacg and sensbility are read
IN her every feature, and her manners are in
uason with all that is amiable and lovely.--
While Miss Jefferson, in l783 was at school in
Philadelphia, boarding with Mrs. Trist. whose
son is now the husband Of the grand daughter
of Mr.. Jefferson, htr father addressed 10 her the
following letter, which has never hitherto been
published, and Is very interesting as an illus,
traiion Of his domestic character, and bis views
eff the education of women:
ANNAPOLIS, Nov, %. 1888.
Nv Dear Palsy; After four days journey.
arrived here without any accident. and in as
good health as wien left Philadelphia. The
conviction that you would be more improved
into the situation where have plsc.d you.
thanif still with me, has solaced my parting
with you. which my love for you had rendered
difficult thing. The requirements which
hope you will make under the tutors | have
provided for you, will render you more worthy
Of my levc; and il they cannot increase it,
they will prevent its diminuiion, Consider
the good lady who has taken you under her
roof who has undertaken to see that you
perform all your exercises, and TO admonsh
you that 10 all your wanderings from what is
right and what is clever, to which your mex.
pefience would expose you-consider her l say
as your mother, as the only person to whom,
since the loss with which heaven has been
pleased to afflict you you can look up; and that
her dispeasure or Gisapprobation, OH any 90,
casion, will be an immense misfortune, which,
should you be so unhappy es 10 incur by any
unguarded act, think no concession toe much
to gan her good will.
| With respect to the distribution of your
time, the following is what | shoHld approve !:
From eight to ten practice music. From ten to
cne dance one day and draw another, and write
a letter next day. From three 10 four, read
French. From iour TO five, exercise yourself
in music. From FIVE till bedtime, read English,
wlile, &c. Communicate this plan 10 Mrs.
Hopkinson and if she approves it, pursue il.
As long as Mrs, Trist remainsin Philadelphia,
cultivate her affections. She has been valu
able friend to you, and her good sense and her
good heart make her valued by all who know
her, and by nobody on eaith more than me.
| expect you will write to me by every post.
InioIin me what books you read, what tunes
| YOU learn, an inclose me your best copy Of
every lesson in drawing. Write also one letter
every week either to your Aunt Eppes, your
Aunt Skipwiih, your Aunt Gary, or the little
lady from whom now inclese letter, and ale
ways put the letter you 50 write under cover to
me. Take care that you never spell word
wrong. Always before you write word, con
slider bow il is spelt, and if you do not remem-
Der it turn to the dictionary. Il produces great
praise 10 lady to spell well. | have placed
my happiness in, seeing you good and accom-
plished; and no distress which this world can
now bring on me would equal that of your dis
appointing my hopes. II you love me, then
strive to be good under every situation, and 10
all living creatures, and 10 acquire those acct m
| plishments which l have placed in your reach
and which will go far towards insnring yos the
lwarmest love of your afectionste father,
TRos. JREFsRsos.