The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-06-11
SOME OLD LETTERS.
A Souvenir of the Father Of His COan.
tary-Th0s. Jeners0n's Descendants.

cUcEs, VI DdillulOIt, anu 10 uOW III tue
possession of the widow Of Thomas
Peters, who was a grandson of the gen.
tleman to whom the letter was addressed.
The family live in Georgetown. The
letter is in state of perfect preserva-
ton There is no envelope, but beside
the address on the back, "Free is writ
ten in one corner. | give the letter YER
batim. -a5
MOUNT VERNON, Goth January, 1887.
Sir: 1t is now more than six weeks
since l begged to be informed in decided
terms if you would furnish me with so
BushPs of Barley; that | might know
whether to depend upon that quantity
from you, or to resort to Philadelphia for
it, where it had been offered to me. |
informed you, too, that unless the latter
was seasonably embraced, might in case
of failure in you he disappointed altogeth
er (when arrangements should not only
have been made, but the ground had in
full preparatory. l am left in uncer-
tainty. A wish to be relieved from it
must be my apology for giving you the
trouble of another letter on this subject.
i am, sir yr most ebed servt, .
Go. WASHINGTON.
This letter was written two years
before Washington became president.
His term did not begin until the 30th of
April, 1889, and lasted until March i,
1893. Although he could write rather
cross letter to Mr., Thomas Peters about
fifty bushels of barley, yet after he was
elected president, the first gentleman he
asked to seat in his cabinet was this
same Mr.. Thomas Peters.
And while reading old letters | have
been much struck by one written by
Thomas Jefferson to friend who invited
him, while he secretary of state, to en-
gage in iinauciai enterprise. Ii is well,
perhaps to republish this letter just now
as a contrast to the practices of the pres
ent day:
PHILADELPHIA, March Is, 1793.-
DEAR SIR; ] received your kind favor
of the Goth ult., and thank you for its
contents as sincerely as if | could engage
in what they propose. When ! first en-
tered on the stage of public life (now
twenty-four years ago., ! came to q reso-
luton never to engage, while in public
office, in any kind of enterprise for the
improvement Of my fortune, nor to wear
any other character than that of farmer.
| have never departed from it in single
instance, and / have in multiplied in
stances found myself happy in being able
to decide and to act as a public servant,
clear of all interest, in the multiform
questions that have arisen wherein |
have seen others embarrassed and biased
by having got themselves in more in
terested situation. Thus Ihave thought
myself richer in cOntentment that |
should have been with any increase of
fortune. Certainly, | should have been
much Weather had | remained in that
private condition which renders it law
full, and even laudable, to use proper
efforts to better it. However, my public
career is now closing, and | will 20
through on the principle on which |
have hitherto acted. But | feel myself
under obligations to repeat my thanks
for this mark of your attention and
friendship.
What a rebuke this letter contains to
statesmen of the present day. And yet,
when looking at the long years Of power
ty through which the defendants of Mr..
Jefferson have struggled, We cannot we'll
blame those who try to leave aatrimony
to their children.
Last summer, Shadwell. Jefterson's old
home, which has been occupied by his
grand and great-grandchildren, was sold
because the heirs were too poor to keep
it any longer in the family Miss Sarah
Randolph, great granddaughter, has
taught school there since the war. She
is a highly-educated lady, and has com.
pileda most interesting volume, entitled,
"The Domestic Life Of Thomas JefIer,
son." The publishers of the book reaped
great profit, while Miss Randolph receiv.
ed only $500. Mrs. Meichieham, a
granddaughter, was for months in Wash.
ington during Gen. Grants administra
ton begging for employment for her
daughter to prevent actual starvation
4 kind lady, who knew the family and
their suflerings, went, in company with
Miss Meichleham, to Gen. Grant and
asked him if the defendants of Thomas
Jefferson were to be allowed to starve ii
the national capital, while there were
offices given to those who had no claims
upon the gratitude of the nation. Gen.
Grant wrote letter to Delano, secretary
of the interior. The ladies went to the
department, presented the letter, and
Miss Meichleham was in few days as
signed to duty. She still holds the Office
and recently friend bequeathed small
sum of money to their use. With this
they have bought small, cheap house,
where they live. They have pictures
and relics which belong to their illus
trious ancestor, and are better off with
their 5000 year than they have been
for 4 long series Of years.