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.The special district, two-thirds in Maryland,one-third on the southwest side of the river inVirginia, was already being informally called"Columbia," in honor of the Italiannavigator who had reached the continent in the fifteenthcentury.A French-born engineer namedL'Enfant was drawing everyone hoped could be occupiedby the turn of the century.Abraham found Virginia a green and pleasantstate, full of handsome homes, large tracts undercultivation comand scores of black men and women ownedoutright by white planters.Though he was well awareof slavery's existence, seeing it first hand was somethingof a jolt.He'd been brought up in the only statein the union which had reported a slave population ofzero in the 1790 census.As the weather improved, so did Elizabeth'shealth.The Kents spent an enjoyable week and ahalf at an inn in Caroline County, respondingto invitations from families who remembered Peggy andher second husband from their trip to Virginiashortly after their marriage in 1781.The familyeven received a note by courier from a totallyunexpected source: a gentleman who had heard oftheir presence from mutual friends with whom they'ddined.When Peggy read the gracious note, Philipexploded:"What? Visit that damned republican devil?I'd sooner take a vacation in hell!""Come, come, dear," Peggy soothed."Mr.Jefferson is an old, old friend of my parents.It would be rude to refuse his invitationPage 56ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlto Monticello." She teased him."Are youafraid your principles would melt away in hispresence?""I am afraid I might not be able to contain mytemper!""I think we should go, papa," Abraham said."The decision is not yours," Philip answered in abrusque way.But after twenty-four hours ofgrumbling, he gave in.He justified histurnabout by saying a man should know his enemy.The two carriages left the Rappahannock andturnedwestward toward Mr.Jefferson's country seat inAlbearle County.There, on theeight-hundred-foot monticello--little mountain--near Charlottesville, Philip confronted hisintellectual adversary.He soon had cause to regret agreeing to theexcursion.IV.Never in his life had Abraham inhaled such aheady combination of fragrances-nor seen so manydifferent kinds of trees.Mr.Jefferson had arranged to receive them in the gardenadjoining his orchard.A burly black servant whomet the carriage pointed out the varieties: walnutand peach; plum and cherry; olives and almonds andfigs.There were even a few of the exotic orangetrees from the far Floridas! Deer could beglimpsed grazing here and there in the orchard.OnlyPeggy acted uninterested.She gave the slaveguide a peculiar, nervous look from time to time.On the carriage ride to the hilltop, Abrahamhad been startled to see that Monticello seemedto be in a state of disrepair.Now, at closerange, his original impression was confirmed.Scaffolding rose everywhere.Slaves pushed barrowsof bricks from the kilns on the property.Carpenters' tools made a racket in the softmorning air.Peggy explained that since the death ofhis wife and the decline of his political fortunes, theman who had played such a large role inshaping the new country had withdrawn from public lifeand now occupied himself with his two passions--architecture and agriculture.Abraham touched Peggy's arm.Was the manapproaching through the orchard Mr.Jefferson? Yes,she said, it was.The man's clothing instantlydrew adisdain commentJefferson, ten years younger than the president, andstanding well over six feet, wore a linen shirtsticky with sweat, and workman's trousers tuckedinto dusty boots.Jefferson's face had a gauntquality, as if from illness or personal strain.Buthe greeted Abraham's stepmother warmly, takingboth her hands in his:"My dear Peggy! How wonderful to see you! WhenI heard you'd come home, I wanted to welcome youin grand style-was Chagrined, he indicated his filthyPage 57ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlclothes."comand look at me.""You're remodeling the house, Tom-was "Again," hesaid, and pointed."Tearing down most of the fa@cade.There'll be a new foyer and balcony, and anoctagonal roof I've patterned after the Romantemple of Vesta.Unfortunately, a scaffoldingcollapsed yesterday.One of my nigras--the husband of my cook--nearly lost his life.We've been in a turmoil--so all my plans forsetting you a good meal inside have gone away."In the sunlight, Jefferson's graying hair stillshowed glints of its original red.He swungtoward Philip, who was gazing at the blacks pushingthe barrows.Jefferson had often spoken out against theevils of slavery.Yet he continued to keepslaves on his own property, making him vulnerableto the criticism of New Englanders.If the former secretary of state understood the meaningof Philip's pointed stare, he was polite enoughto overlook it."And this is your husband-was Jefferson reachedPhilip in two long strides, grasped his hand."My honor, Mr.Kent [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]