Page 25 - JM Book 9/2020

Monday, June 17, 1776
For days, the young Virginian had been writing, correcting and rewriting the declaration statement. He felt more confident after his conversation with Benjamin Franklin. He was beginning to make progress.
Jefferson was a meticulous and thoughtful writer. He was constantly trying to find the right combination of words and phrases. He was not satisfied until his sentences said exactly what he wanted them to say.
He worked in his corner sitting room on a mahogany lap desk that he had designed. The portable desk was constructed by Philadelphia cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph. It provided Jefferson with a slanted writing surface and space to store inks, pens and paper. He used it for all of his writing.
In addition to writing the declaration, he attended daily congressional sessions and committee meetings. This meant that he had to spend his time wisely. He worked on the declaration in the early morning hours and in the evenings. His normal custom was to rise at five o’clock each morning and soak his feet in cold water – he believed this attributed to his good health. He ate a breakfast of cold biscuits and hot tea, and he would write before leaving to attend the nine o’clock congressional session.
Family matters, in addition to his congressional responsibilities, occupied Jefferson’s mind and time. His mother had died on March 31. The year before, he and his wife, Martha, had lost their daughter Jane. His mother and daughter shared the same name, Jane Randolph. When he left Monticello in early May to travel to Philadelphia, Martha had been sick and was expecting the birth of a child in just a few months. He had not received news about Martha in weeks, and he was worried.
He had finished writing the declaration introduction the day before.
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