1To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 22 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulty which I allways feel in begining a correspondence has hitherto debared me from the satisfaction of writing to you but I am determined to remain silent no longer, as I am certain that you will pardon all deficiencies which I may be guilty of. It would indeed be almost useless to write unless I had something to mention [in p]articular besides enquireing after your health, of which...
2From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 28 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which you were so kind as to write to me the 22d. of May 1786. was not delivered to me till the 3d. of May 1787. when it found me in the neighborhood of Marseilles. Before that time you must have taken your degree as mentioned in your letter. Those public testimonies which are earned by merit and not by sollicitation may always be accepted without the imputation of vanity. Of this...