The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Introduction
• Itinerary and Chronology of Thomas Jefferson 1743–1770. 1
• Autobiography 1743–1790
• The Anas 1 1791–1806
• Correspondence and Miscellaneous Writings 1760–1774
• 1760 - to John Harvey 1
• 1762 - to John Page 1
• 1763 - to John Page
• To John Page
• To William Fleming 1
• To John Page
• 1764 - to John Page
• To John Page
• To William Fleming 1
• To John Page
• Whether Christianity Is Part of the Common Law? 1
• 1768 - to Colonel William Preston 2
• 1769 - Resolutions of the Virginia House of Burgesses. 2
• 1770 - to John Page
• Argument In the Case of Howell Vs. Netherland 2
• To Thomas Adams, 1 Merchant
• To Peyton Randolph

TO JOHN PAGE

Devilsburg, April 9th, 1764.

Dear Page,

—This letter will be conveyed to you by the assistance of our friend Warner Lewis. Poor fellow! never did I see one more sincerely captivated in my life. He walked to the Indian camp with her yesterday, by which means he had an opportunity of giving her two or three love squeezes by the hand; and, like a true arcadian swain, has been so enraptured ever since, that he is company for no one. B—y1 has at last bestowed her hand on B—d; and whether it was for money, beauty, or principle, will be so nice a dispute, that no one will venture to pronounce. Two days before the wedding I was not a little surprised, on going to the door at my house, to see him alight from his horse. He stepped up to me, and desired the favour of me to come to Mr. Yates’ at such a time. It was so unexpected, that for some time I could make no reply; at last I said “yes,” and turned about and walked back into my room. I accordingly attended, and to crown the joke, when I got there, was dubbed a bridesman. There were many other curious circumstances too tedious to mention here. Jack Walker is expected in town to-morrow. How does your pulse beat after your trip to the Isle of Wight? What a high figure I should have cut, had I gone! When I heard who visited you there, I thought I had met with the narrowest escape in the world. I wonder how I should have behaved—I am sure I should have been at a great loss. If your mistress can spare you a little time, your friends here would be very glad to see you, particularly Small and myself, as every thing is now ready for taking the height of this place above the water of the creeks. Fleming’s relapse will justly afford you great matter of triumph, after rallying you so much on being in love.

Adieu, dear Page.

P. S. Walker is just arrived—he goes out of town on Wednesday, and will return again in about three weeks.

[1 ]See page 451.