Page 34 - JM Book 9/2020

Jefferson accepted the folded letter from Judy. It had been sealed with a dot of red wax with a large ‘M’ imprinted in the middle. “I think I will wait until I get back to my rooms before I read this. I do not want anything to disrupt our
Waxed-Sealed Lettersheet
time together.” He placed the paper inside the right pocket of his navy blue, linen coat.
They enjoyed a delicious meal and friendly conversation. When the meal was over and coffee had been served, Jefferson asked MacAdam: “Do you have any news about the constitution for Virginia? George Mason is chairman of that committee. It was my wish to
help write the constitution, if I did not have responsibilities here. Instead, I sent three drafts of language that I thought should be included. I entrusted my third draft with George Wythe when he left recently for Williamsburg.”
As he spoke, he was momentarily distracted as he watched Ike walk out the door carrying his book under his right arm. He smiled. “Please excuse me, I was just watching my young friend carry his reading book when he left the tavern. He was carrying it so proudly. I have been tutoring him with his reading.”
“I do not know if you have heard,” MacAdam answered, “but the Virginia Convention unanimously adopted a Declaration of Rights eight days ago. It affirmed our natural rights to life, liberty and property. It stated that government is a servant of the people, and it listed restrictions on the powers of government.”
Jeffersonlistenedwithhisarmscrossedacrosshischest.“Thisisgoodnews,” he thought, “my beloved Virginia is making progress on a noble cause.”
“When we left Williamsburg, the news was that Mason and his committee were indeed working on a constitution,” continued MacAdam. “I understand that Mason and James Madison are doing most of the work. Mason, I have been told, wrote the Declaration of Rights, too. Adopting a plan of government for Virginia, as I am sure you remember, was one of the proposals the House of Burgesses adopted on May 15.”
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