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HEMINGS-JEFFERSON LETTERS?
> I am a great admirer of Jefferson. My former employer who held a position in > the U.S. Senate was also a great admirer of Jefferson not only as a > politician but as a man. He introduced me to some of the writings of > Jefferson when I served as his aide. > > However, after devouring all of the information I could, the Senator also > indicated to me that he had a publication which contained some letters that > had passed between Jefferson and Sally Hemings which were unbelievably > romantic and seductive. He stated that the only way to grasp the full > picture of Jefferson as an individual was to review these letters as they had > touched him, in reading as well. Unfortunately, it slipped both of our minds > and the Senator has since passed away. > > I am very interested in any type of publication which might contain these > scripts. Unfortunately, I have inquired of several Jefferson organizations > regarding this same subject and they all seem a bit "touchy" and or > "insulted" when I bring this matter up and request information. I assure you > my quest for this knowledge is purely to obtain and complete understanding of > Jefferson as an individual. Of course, as a woman, I would love to read the > emotions this eloquent man attempted to convey to Sally Hemings. > > Please, if you have any information regarding where I might obtain a copy of > this publication or where I might find some of these letters, please e-mail > me with that information. I would very much appreciate your assistance. I am afraid the senator was either pulling your leg or sadly mistaken. There are no such letters in existence between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. It is probable that Sally Hemings was illiterate, and that she never wrote a letter to anyone in her lifetime. Her son, Madison, relates in his "Memoirs" that he had to learn to read with help from the white children on the plantation, indicating that his mother was not capable of teaching him. It may be that the senator was referring to letters between Thomas Jefferson and Maria Cosway, especially the famous "Head and Heart" letter. Be assured that if there was such a publication as you describe, it would be either a fraud, or the discovery of the century.