William Short, France, to Peyton Short, [Lexington?], Kentucky., 1797

Containers:

Box 1, Folder 1

Scope and content:

Had hoped to be home long ago, but the President, [Washington] refused to accept resignation; then death of someone in Europe prevented departure; recently learned letters sent to America not reaching Kentucky; pained by lack of letters, but attributes it not to inattention, but Americans' almost universal aversion to writing; since the beginning of the [European] War, correspondence most precarious, even Jefferson not writing; Devilmont, arriving in Spain from Ft. Pitt, [Pa.], just when preparing to depart; spoke of family affairs, and of hazards of getting mail to Kentucky; would have written through Devilmont but he left Madrid two days sooner than expected, which occasioned having to write letters and dispatches over a 48 hour period; has been subject to headaches, some violent and incapacitating; is only health problem of consequence, thinks it a "family disorder" stemming from mother's side; glad Eliza married, since this is the "natural course to happiness, especially for women"; personal affairs are in sorry state, as had not made better arrangements before leaving, and does not have a good friend in Richmond; has no clue to state of affairs, management of which has passed from [Benjamin] Harrison to Col. [Henry] Skipwith, (who has not sent the accounting he promised eight years ago), and then to Messers. Donald and Browne; Jefferson now in charge of some affairs, but these out of his way.

Access and use