Existing comment:
Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 14 November 1825.
When the ship carrying the inlaid desk that was to be a wedding present for Jefferson's granddaughter went down at sea, Jefferson offered the writing-box on which he drafted the Declaration as a replacement. Although "plain," Jefferson explained that since "things acquire a superstitious value because of their connection with particular persons, surely a connection with the great Charter of our Independence may give a value to what has been associated with that." |