Calvert of Strathore | Page 7

"THE LASS WITH THE DELICATE AIR"
It was to that unhappy land of France that Mr. Jefferson had come
almost five years before on a mission for Congress. For some time it
had been the most cherished design of that body of patriots to establish
advantageous commercial treaties with the European powers, thereby
securing to America not only material prosperity, but, more important
still, forcing our recognition as a separate and independent power, and
creating for the new confederation of states a place among the
brotherhood of nations. Confident that Mr. Jefferson's astuteness,
erudition, and probity would make a powerful impression upon those
whom it was so much to our interest to attach to us, Congress had, on
the 7th day of May, 1784, appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary for
the negotiation of foreign commercial treaties. Dr. Franklin and Mr.
Adams, his co-workers, were already eagerly awaiting him in Paris.

But, great as was Mr. Jefferson's patriotic interest in the cause he was
to represent at the court of Louis XVI., his exile from Monticello was
very painful to him. The recent death of his wife there, and the youth of
the two children he was to leave, bound him to the place. Having also
very clearly in mind Mr. Jay's and Dr. Franklin's disappointments and
bickerings in London in the same cause of commercial treaties, he
looked forward with growing distaste to the difficulties and diplomatic
struggles before him; for Mr. Jefferson was always more ready to lead
than to combat. Perhaps, too, he did not relish the idea that although in
his own country no one was more generally famed for talents and
learning than himself, in Paris, amid that brilliant throng of savants and
courtiers, he would be but a simple Virginia gentleman without prestige
or reputation. And, moreover, he feared that his plain, democratic
manners and principles--which he scorned to alter for anyone--would
be but ill-suited to the courtly life of Versailles. For it must be owned
that Mr. Jefferson's democracy, like his learning, was a trifle
ostentatious, and became more so as he grew older. Surely, though,
such blemishes are not incompatible with greatness of character, but
only serve to make a great man more lovable and human. And as for
Mr. Jefferson, if he had not been blessed with some such harmless
frailties, he had seemed almost more than mortal with his great learning,
his profound, if often impracticable, philosophy, and his deathless
patriotism. Such as he was, Mr. Jefferson was greatly beloved, and
many of his warmest friends and admirers foregathered at Monticello
on the evening of the 23d of May, 1784, to bid him farewell ere he
should set out the next day on his long journey to Boston, from which
port he was to sail for France. As he stood on the north portico of
Monticello, awaiting his guests and looking long and lovingly at the
beautiful view of mountain and valley spread before him, he made a
striking, not easily forgotten, picture. The head, lightly thrown back,
with its wavy, sandy hair worn short, and the finely chiselled profile
were cameo-like in their classical regularity. The lithe, meagre form,
well dressed in blackcloth coat and knee breeches, white waistcoat and
ruffles of finest linen, black silk stockings and silver-buckled shoes,
was energetic, graceful, and well proportioned. With such a physique it
was not wonderful that Mr. Jefferson was famous as shot, horseman,
and athlete, even among such noted sportsmen as Virginia could boast

of by the score in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Suddenly he
lowered his head and, withdrawing his gaze from the mountains,
looked about him with an impatient little sigh.
"I am a savage! Savage enough to prefer the woods and streams and
independence of my Monticello to all the brilliant pleasures which
Paris will offer me. I could find it in my heart to wish that Congress
had never urged upon me this mission abroad. But I have always tried
to serve my country at my country's call, and I shall continue to serve
her, though it take me from home and family and friends. Instead of
repining at this exile to France--for how long I do not know--I should
be thankful for this last beautiful evening at Monticello and for the
friends who are come to bid me farewell. I wonder that the Marquis
does not arrive. I have much of importance to discuss with him."
Mr. Jefferson had no greater admirer than the Marquis de Lafayette,
whose arrival he so impatiently awaited. He had affairs of weight to
talk over with the young Frenchman--letters of introduction to
statesmen with whom Lafayette was most intimate, notes on
commercial affairs of France, messages to friends, drafts on bankers in
Paris, and a host of details on the