Thomas Jefferson to John Page, April 17, 1767
Wiliamsburgh April. 17. 1767.
Dear Page.
Your welfare, That of m’rs Page, and your heir apparent give me great joy: but much was I disappointed at not seeing you here today. surely you will visit 1 the city some time in the co urt: do not let family attachments totally rusticate you. in answer to the interrogatories of your letter , I left my wife and family well; I have been in constant health myself and still continue [. . .] . [. . .] I left well, but brought nothing from him except assurances of his friendship; I have never [. . .] from you. you further ask me if I propose to practise in The General Court? yes, P age [. . .] fear and trembling as I speak it! want of resolution has occasioned my deferring an [. . .] busi ness hitherto, and might perhaps have done it perpetually, had not the opening made by so many [. . .] [. . .] ’s retiring from the bar have made this time peculiarly proper. I do not however propose to do [. . .] [. . .] ng in court till October: yet the attention to business now become necessary renders it impossible to [. . .] my friends in Glocester before I return, which will be about the 3’d of May. nor am I comforted with any certain prospect of doing it at any future time; since the same obstructions are likely to continue, and even to increase. I shall be here again at the oier court, but that will be only for a day. I have a great scheme to open to you from Carr , Walker , and myself, of which yourself, Fontaine , and Warner Lewis are to make a part. what this is I shall leave to your own surmises till I see you, only assuring you that we have been taking the necessary measures for success on our part, and have a tolerable prospect of not being disappointed. make my compliments to Fontaine and endeavor to bring him over at least for a day or two. if he has made himself an adept in the arts of elocution I would be glad of Sheridan for the service of some other friends who have asked it of me. I wish much to hear something of your domestic affairs; but Nîl mihi rescribas, attamen ipse veni . Willis I am told is on the brink of matrimony; a comfortable prospect, twin infants of arrack ! if your debt is not called for soon I am afraid we shall be barred by the act of limitations. make my compls. to m’rs Page, to Mann , to the family at North river, and to your sisters , with an assurance that their and your happiness is principally conducive to that of
Your friend and servant
Th: Jefferson