Memoirs of Aaron Burr
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Chapter 79 : The equality of Jefferson and Burr excites great speculation and much anxiety. I believ
The equality of Jefferson and Burr excites great speculation and much anxiety. I believe that all will be well, and that Jefferson will be our president. Your friend,
A. BURR.
THEODOSIA TO JOSEPH ALSTON.
Poughkeepsie, January 24, 1801.
Thus far have we advanced on this _terrible_ journey, from which you predicted so many evils, Without meeting even with inconvenience. How strange that Mr. Alston should be wrong. Do not, however, pray for misfortunes to befall us that your character may be retrieved; it were useless, I a.s.sure you; although I am very sensible how anxious you must now be to inspire me with all due respect and reverence, I should prefer to feel it in any other way.
We shall go from hence to Albany in a sleigh, and hope to arrive on Sunday evening, that we may be _settled_ on Thursday. Adieu. Health and happiness.
THEODOSIA.
TO MRS. THEODOSIA B. ALSTON.
Albany, February 17, 1801.
I have heard that you reached Fishkill on Sunday, and thence conclude that you got home on Monday night. When in Philadelphia, send a note to Charles Biddle, inquiring, &c., and to inform him that you are going South. He will call and see you, being one of your great admirers. Desire Doctor Edwards to give Mr. Alston a line to Cesar Rodney, of Wilmington, a very respectable young man. He will introduce you to the venerable d.i.c.kenson, who, knowing my great respect for him (which you will also take care to let him know), will be pleased to see Mr. Alston and you on that footing. At Baltimore, either call immediately on Mrs. Smith, or let her know of your arrival. You are to wait in Baltimore until I overtake you, which will be on the 28th at the latest. Adieu.
A. BURR.
TO THEODOSIA.
Was.h.i.+ngton, March 8, 1801.
Your little letter from Alexandria a.s.sured me of your safety, and for a moment consoled me for your absence. The only solid consolation is the belief that you will be happy, and the certainty that we shall often meet.
I am to be detained here yet a week. Immediately on my return to New-York I shall prepare for a tour to Georgetown or to Charleston; probably a water pa.s.sage.
I.B. Prevost has been hurrying off Senat and Natalie; but for his interposition they would have relied wholly on me, and I had already proposed that they should go with the chancellor some time in the summer or autumn, which would have been then or never, as I had pleased; but he (I.B.P.) has advised otherwise, and strongly urged their immediate departure. I think I shall be able to prevent it.
Would Mr. Alston be willing to go as secretary to Chancellor Livingston? I beg his immediate answer.
Adieu, ma chere amie.
A. BURR.
TO THEODOSIA.
Was.h.i.+ngton, March 11, 1830.
By the time the enclosed shall reach Mr. Alston, it will have travelled about three thousand miles. It will certainly deserve a kind reception. I leave mine open for your perusal; the other appears to be from _Miss Burr_.
Your Dumfries letter was received yesterday. To pa.s.s a day in Dumfries is what you could not at any time very much desire; but to pa.s.s one there against your will, and a rainy day too, was indeed enough to try your tempers.
On Sunday, the 15th, I commence my journey to New York; there I shall not arrive till the 25th. Nothing but _matrimony_ will prevent my voyage to Charleston and Georgetown; and even so great an event shall only postpone, but not defeat the project I am sorry, however, to add that I have no expectations or decided views on this subject. I mean Hymen.
It gives me very great pleasure to hear that Colonel W. Hampton is become, in some sort, your neighbour, by having purchased a plantation within fifteen or twenty miles (as is said) of Georgetown. Write me if this be so.
I have written to Frederick [6] as you commanded; that I might not err in expressing your ideas, I enclosed to him your letter. You have no warmer friend on earth; no one who would so readily hazard his life to serve you. It always seemed to me that you did not know his value.
Certain parts of your letter I cannot answer. Let us think of the expected meeting, and not of the present separation. G.o.d bless thee ever.
A. BURR.
TO THEODOSIA.
New-York, Match 29, 1801.
On Wednesday, the 18th, I left the great city. At the Susquehannah the wind was rude; the river, swollen by recent rains, was rapid. The ferrymen p.r.o.nounced it to be impossible to pa.s.s with horses, and unsafe to attempt it. By the logic of money and brandy I persuaded them to attempt it. We embarked; the wind was, indeed, too mighty for us, and we drove on the rocks; but the boat did not bilge or fill, as in all reason it ought to have done. I left Alexis and Harry to work out their way; got my precious carca.s.s transported in a skiff, and went on in a stage to pa.s.s a day with "thee and thou." I was received by the father with parental affection--but of "thee." How charming, how enviable is this equanimity, if real. There is one invaluable attainment in the education of this sect; one which you and I never thought of: it is "_tacere_." How particularly desirable this in a wife.
At Philadelphia I saw many--many, who inquired after you with great interest--_sans doubte_. Among others I saw B., lovely and interesting; but adieu to that. It cannot, must not, will not be; and the next time I meet B., which will be in a few days, I will frankly say so.
I approached home as I would approach the sepulchre of all my friends.
Dreary, solitary, comfortless. It was no longer _home_. Natalie and ma bonne amie have been with me most of the time since my return (about twenty-four hours past). My letters from Was.h.i.+ngton broke up that cursed plan of J. B. P.; they do not go in the parliamentaire; they do not know when they go; and, in short, they rely wholly on me, so that thing is all right.
The elegant and accomplished Mrs. Edward Livingston died about ten days ago. Mrs. Allen is in town; she is in better health than for years past. As to my dear self, I am preparing with all imaginable zeal for a voyage to Charleston. One obstacle interposes; that you can conjecture. That removed, and I shall be off in forty-eight hours. I hope to be at sea by the 20th of April; but, alas! perhaps not. In eight days you shall know more of this.
Your letters have been received as far as Halifax. We conclude that you got home on the 16th. It has been snowing here this whole day most vehemently. You are blessed with "gentler skies." May all other blessings unite.
A. BURR.
TO THEODOSIA.
New-York, April 15, 1801.
Your letters of the 24th and 25th March, received yesterday, give me the first advice of your safe arrival at Clifton. The cordial and affectionate reception which you have met consoles me, as far as any thing can console me, for your absence.
My last will have advised you of the alteration in the plans of Natalie. Of all this she will write you; but I must say a word of my own plans. The s.h.i.+p South Carolina is now in port, and will sail on Monday next. I wish to take pa.s.sage in her; but a thousand concerns of business and obstacles of various kinds appear to oppose. I shall combat them all with the zeal which my ardent wishes for the voyage inspire; yet I dare hardly hope to succeed. You shall hear again by the mail of Sat.u.r.day.
Your female friends here complain of your silence; particularly Miss C., and, I am sure, _elle a raison_.
The reasons which you and your husband give against the voyage to France concur with my judgment. You can go a few years hence more respectably, more agreeably. Adieu, chere enfalit.
A. BURR.
