3762. HOME, Companions.—[continued].
I once hinted to you the
project of seating yourself in the neighborhood
of Monticello, and my sanguine wishes
made me look on your answer as not absolutely
excluding the hope. Monroe is decided in settling
there, and is actually engaged in the endeavor
to purchase. Short is the same. Would
you but make it a “partie quarrée” I should
believe that life had still some happiness in
store for me. Agreeable society is the first essential
in constituting the happiness, and, of
course, the value of our existence. And it is
a circumstance worthy great attention when we
are making first our choice of a residence.
Weigh well the value of this against the difference
in pecuniary interest, and ask yourself
which will add most to the sum of your felicity
through life. I think that, weighing them in
this balance, your decision will be favorable to
all our prayers. Looking back with fondness
to the moment when I am again to be fixed in
my own country, I view the prospect of this
society as inestimable.—
To James Madison.
Ford ed., iv, 17.
(P.
Dec. 1784)
