May 3

[In this letter, written on May 3, 1780, I am writing from Richmond to Major General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel—a captured enemy commander from the opposing side who led the allied German forces against our revolution—to offer my warm congratulations on the safe recovery of his wife, Madame de Riedesel, following the birth of their daughter. Written during my difficult tenure as Governor of Virginia while British forces threaten our borders, I express my sincere regrets that the breakdown of formal prisoner exchange negotiations will prolong his captivity, yet I cordially remind him that despite the contrary duties that pit our nations against each other in war, our shared musical and intellectual companionship in Charlottesville has left an enduring sentiment of personal esteem and respect.]

Your several favors of December 4th, February 10th, and March 30th, are come duly to hand. I sincerely condole with Madame de Riedesel on the birth of a daughter, but receive great pleasure from the information of her recovery, as every circumstance of felicity to her, yourself or family, is interesting to us. The little attentions you are pleased to magnify so much, never deserved a mention or thought. My mortification was that the peculiar situation in which we were, put it out of our power to render your stay here more comfortable. I am sorry to learn that the negotiations for the exchange of prisoners have proved abortive, as well from a desire to see the necessary distresses of war alleviated in every possible instance, as that I am sensible how far yourself and family are interested in it. Against this, however, is to be weighed the possibility that we may again have a pleasure we should otherwise, perhaps, never have had; that of seeing you again. Be this as it may, opposed as we happen to be in our sentiments of duty and honor, and anxious for contrary events, I shall, nevertheless, sincerely rejoice in every circumstance of happiness or safety, which may attend you personally; and when a termination of the present contest shall put it in my power to declare to you more unreservedly, how sincere are the sentiments of esteem and respect (wherein Mrs. Jefferson joins me) which I entertain for Madame de Riedesel and yourself, and with which I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant.