Washington Jan. 16. 1801
My dear Martha,
I wrote to mr Randolph on the 9th. & 10th. inst. and yesterday re-
-cieved his letter of the 10th. it gave me great joy to learn that Lilly had got a
recruit of hands from mr Allen, tho' still I would not have that prevent the tak-
-ing all from the nailery who are able to cut, as I desired in mine of the 9th.
as I wish Craven's ground to be got ready for him without any delay. mr
Randolph writes me you are about to wean Ellen Cornelia. this must be right & proper.
I long to be in the midst of the children, and have more pleasure in their little follies
than in the wisdom of the wise. here too there is such a mixture of the bad passions
of the heart that one feels themselves in an enemy's country. it is an unpleasant
circumstance, if I am destined to stay here, that the great proportion of those of
the place who figure, are federalists, and most of them of the violent kind. some
have been so personally bitter that they can never forgive me, tho' I do them with
sincerity. perhaps in time they will get tamed. our prospect as to the election has
been alarming: as a stong disposition exists to prevent an election, & that case not
being provided for by the constitution, a dissolution of the government seemed pos-
-sible. at present there is a prospect that some, tho' federalists, will prefer yielding
to the wishes of the people rather than have no government. if I am fixed here,
it will be but three easy days journey from you: so that I should hope you
& the family could pay an annual visit here at least; which with mine to
Monticello of the spring & fall, might enable us to be together 4. or 5. months of
the year. on this subject however we may hereafter converse, lest we should be
counting chickens before they are hatched. I inclose for Anne a story, too long
to be got by heart, but worth reading. kiss them all for me; and keep them in mind
of me. tell Ellen I am afraid she has forgotten me. I shall probably be with
you the first week in April, as I shall endeavor to be at our court for that month.
continue to love me my dear Martha and be assured of my unalterable and
tenderest love to you. Adieu.
[Postscript]
P. S. Hamilton is using his uttermost influence to procure my
election rather than Colo. Burr’s.
[Endorsement]