1Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 24 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Francis arrived here in good health the day before Yesterday. I think he cannot do better than to take this occasion of learning Spanish, because it is a language rarely taught in this country, and will be of great importance within his day. it is that too in which all the early history of America is written. I suppose he may acquire so much of it in 2. or 3. months as to pursue it easily...
2John Wayles Eppes to Thomas Jefferson, 17 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Francis has been detained in consequence of the severe indisposition of two of my children—They are now however nearly restored to health. I received by the last Mail a letter from M r Baker at Richmond now in which he States that M r Wood had Just opened a School in that place and was very anxious to have Francis as one of his pupils— He has declined returning to Lynchburg .
3John Wayles Eppes to Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have directed Martin to remain at Monticello until he learns to Turn—He will be able to get the stocks necessary for the pieces 400 in number and I can send for them after his return— My health is I hope gradually improving— I am able now to take exercise on horse back which I am in hopes in time with a rigid attention to diet will restore me— Martha unites with me in every wish of affection...
4Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 24 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment arrived here with Ellen & Cornelia , and find Francis who arrived last night. I will take care and attend him to the Academy & see to every thing necessary for him. we will keep him with us as long as we stay (a week or 10. days) and rub him up in his French. I learn with great concern the state of your health, but can prescribe nothing by but patience & the springs with good...
5Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 30 April with 7 May 1816 postscript (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 8 th was recieved here on the 19 th inst. the information you have had as to the schools at Staunton and Lexington is correct. the latter has been at all times under the direction of an infuriated Presbyterian bigot and tory, better fitted to fanaticise than to instruct youth in useful knolege. when I was last here, I heard of their expelling two or three youths for the heinous...
6Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 30 [March] 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Francis returns as much improved, I am in hopes, as you will have expected. he reads French with so much ease as to read it for amusement, has not much occasion for his dictionary, pronounces generally well, the few defects remaining being such as will be easily corrected hereafter. being kept almost entirely at French, he could afford only the time before breakfast for keeping up his Latin....
7John Wayles Eppes to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Francis arrived at warren the day after you passed on your last visit to Bedford . on learning there that you had passed on instead of proceeding to Monticello he returned home— I was seized a few days afterwards with a violent attack of the Rheumatism and he has been detained in consequence of my indisposition much longer than I could have wished— You can keep him at Monticello as long as you...
8John Wayles Eppes to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
your letter from Poplar Forrest arrived here while I was absent on a trip to Eppington and Richmond . Any arrangement which you consider calculated to benefit Francis in the course of his education cannot fail to meet my approbation. I have only one fear that Francis amidst the amusements of Monticello will not have resolution enough to pursue steadily the course marked out for him— I had...
9Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 1 June 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
For want of time to consult you on it, I have taken a measure of great responsibility on my self as to Francis , for your pardon for which I must rely on the motives, and what I hope will be the effect of it. French is become the most indispensable part of modern education. it is the only language in which a man of any country can be understood out of his own; and is now the preeminent...
10Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 9 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to learn by Francis’s letter that your you are not yet recovered from your rheumatism, and much wonder you do not go and pass a summer at the Warm springs . from the examples I have seen I should entertain no doubt of a radical cure. the transactions at Washington and Alexandria are indeed beyond expectation. the circumjacent country is mostly disaffected, but I should have thought...