You have always my love

This is from my letter to my 8-year-old granddaughter, Cornelia Jefferson Randolph, April 3, 1808:

My Dear Cornelia,

I have owed you a letter two months, but have had nothing to write about, till last night I found in a newspaper the four lines which I now inclose to you: and as you are learning to write, they would be a good lesson to convince you of the importance of minding your stops in writing. I allow you a day to find out yourself how to read these lines, so far as to make them true. If you cannot do it in that time, you may call in assistance. At the same time, I will give you four other lines, which I learnt when I was but a little older than you, and I still remember.

I’ve seen the sea, all in a blaze of fire

I’ve seen a house high as the moon and higher

I’ve seen the sun at twelve o’clock at night

I’ve seen the man who saw this wondrous sight.

All this is true whatever you may think of it at first reading: I mentioned in my letter of last week to Ellen, that I was under an attack of periodical headache. This is the 10th day. It has been very moderate, and yesterday did not last more than three hours. Tell your mamma that I fear I shall not get away as soon as I expected. Congress has spent the last five days without employing a single hour in the business necessary to be finished. Kiss her for me, and all the sisterhood. To Jefferson I give my hand, to your papa my affectionate salutations. You have always my love.

Th: Jefferson

P.S.—April 5. I have kept my letter open till today, and am able to say now, that my headache for the last two days has been scarcely sensible.