more than seventy years ago, when the first collected edition of Jefferson's Writings was passing through the press, his only surviving daughter described in an unpublished letter to her son-in-law, Joseph Coolidge, Jr., the condition of the manuscripts used in the preparation of that work. "The originals themselves are in many places so faded as to be almost entirely obliterated. For pages together the girls have to take advantage of the broad light of a noonday sun, frequently unable to read them but with the assistance of a looking-glass applied to the back, where alone the impression shows. A few lines will sometimes cost as many days. This is not the state of the whole, but a very considerable portion. *** We are, the girls and myself, very closely employed from 5 to 8 hours a day with them, after which they go through a second examination by the editor, whose trouble is much lessened by our pioneering the way before him." Much the same condition of things exists with regard to the letters now in the posession of the Historical Soceity, though it is probable that there are fewer letters in this collection which were copied by pressure than there were in the volumes published by Jefferson's grandson.1

1 The latter part of this Preface has been omitted as it consists of a biographical sketch of Jefferson, and would, therefore, only convey information that is given elsewhere in the present edition of Jefferson's Writings.

THE JEFFERSON PAPERS.

TO LUCY NELSON.1

WILLIAMSBURGH, October 24, 1777.

DEAR MADAM,-Colonel Nelson's merit and his present command place him in my judgment without a competitor for the post to which you wish him appointed. It is a great happiness to me, therefore, that, while I pursue the dictates of my own judgment, I am at the same time subservient to your wishes. One truth only it behooves me to warn you of, that you may not be deceived by overrating anyone's assistance. No man, my dear madam, who acts above board has influence in any appointments here, beyond the weight of his own vote. If this appointment should be obtained for Colonel Nelson it will be by the mere force of his personal merit. In thus undeceiving you, however, I do violence to my own gratification, as this error alone has produced to me the happiness of a letter from you.

Fortune seems to have drawn a line of separation between us. Though often in the same neighborhood, some unlucky star has still shuffled us asunder. When I count backwards the years since I had last the happiness of seeing you in this place, and recur

This letter is printed from Jefferson's original draught indorsed on the reverse pages of Mrs. Nelson's letter.-EDS.

to my own lively memory of our friendship, I am almost induced to discredit my arithmetic. The affection I still retain for a family with whom I once lived in so much intimacy and confidence recalls to my mind often and often the most pleasing reflections. That heaven may shield the breast in which your happiness is embarked and administer to you. every comfort of this life is the prayer of cere and affectionate friend

TO WILLIAM S. SMITH.1

your sin

PARIS, July 9, 1786.

DEAR SIR,-I wrote you last on the 16th of June. Since that your favors of May 21 and June 12 have come to hand. The accounts of the King of Prussia are such that we may expect his exit soon." He is like the snuff of a candle,-sometimes seeming

1 Col. William Stephens Smith was born in New York City in 1755, and graduated at Princeton College in 1774. He served with distinction during the Revolutionary War; and on the opening of diplomatic relations was appointed first Secretary of Legation to the Court of Great Britain. He accompanied John Adams to London, and July 12, 1786, he was married by the Bishop of St. Asaph to Abigail, Mr. Adams's oldest child and only surviving daughter. After his return to America he held various civil appointments, and served one term in Congress. He died at Lebanon, N. Y., June 10, 1816. (See Journal and Correspondence of Miss Adams, daughter of John Adams, pp. 99-117; Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography, vol. v. p. 596; Lanman's Biographical Annals, p. 395.) The letter here given is printed from the original manuscript in the large and valuable collection of autograph letters given to the Historical Society by Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Washburn.-EDS.

2 Frederick the Great died at Potsdam, August 17, 1786, a little more than a month after the date of this letter.-Eds.

to be out, then blazing up again for a moment. It is thought here that his death will not be followed by any immediate disturbance of the public tranquillity; that his kingdom may be considered as a machine which will go of itself a considerable time with the winding up he has given it. Besides this he has for for some time employed his successor in his councils, who is endeavoring to possess himself of and to pursue his uncle's plan of policy.1

The connection which has long subsisted between the Van Staphorsts, the Grands, and this court is known to you. I think it probable that private solicitations first suggested the late appointment and might be the real efficient cause of it. The ostensible one, and which has some reality too, is the accommodation of the lenders in Holland. It will doubtless facilitate the borrowing money there for this country, and multiply the partisans of the new alliance. The policy of this country is indeed wise. What would have been said a dozen years ago had any one pretended to foretell that in that short space of time France would get Holland, America, and even England under her wing?

We have had here some strong altercations between the court and the parliament of Bordeaux. The latter used a language which a British parliament would not have dared to use. The court was in the wrong, and will have the wisdom and moderation

1 Frederick William II., nephew and successor of Frederick the Great, was born September 25, 1744, and died December 16, 1797.-Eds.

to recede. The question is, whether lands, called Alluvions on the river Garonne, belong to the king or to the proprietors to whose soil they have been added.

I have received by Dr. Bancroft the portable copying-press; it is perfectly well made. well made. Be so good as to present my compliments and thanks to Mr. Cavallo for his attention to it. To yourself I suppose you would rather I should present the money. This I will do the moment you will inform me of the sum. In your letter of May 21 you mention that you had paid the maker £5-10, but a former letter gave me reason to believe you had to pay something to another person for a board, or the box, or something else. I will beg the favor of you at the same time to inform me what a pair of chariot harness will cost in London, plated, not foppish but genteel, and I will add the price, or not add it to the bill I shall send you, according as I shall find it when compared with prices here. Cannot you invent some commissions for me here, by way of reprisal for the vexations I give you? Silk stockings, gillets, etc., for yourself, gewgaws and other contrivances for Madame? A propos, all hail, Madame! may your nights and days be many and full of joy! May their fruits be such as to make you feel the sweet union of parent and lover, but not so many as that you may feel their weight! May they be hand

some and good as their mother,

wise and honest as

their father, but more milky! For your old age I will compose a prayer thirty years hence.