XIV Dr. Kirkland’s Discourse in Commemoration of 
Mr. Jefferson had married the daughter of Mr. Wayles, an 
eminent counsellor in Virginia, of whom a few years afterwards 
he was deprived by death. This event devolved on him the care 
of his two daughters, who were reared under his immediate 
inspection. 
In the year 1781, whilst under the pressure of public care and 
family solicitude, he wrote his celebrated work, the “ Notes on 
Virginia.” In the year 1782 he was again in Congress, and 
was appointed Minister to Spain, with a commission to unite with 
other commissioners already appointed for making peace with 
England ; but that event being evidently near, he did not under- 
take the voyage. 
In May, 1784, he was Minister to France, having a joint com- 
mission with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams to make treaties of com- 
merce. He returned to this country in 1789, and being requested 
by President Washington to take the office of Secretary of State, 
he signified his preference of resuming his embassy to France, 
acknowledging that he took a lively interest in the changes which 
had then commenced in the political state of that country ; but 
yet submitted himself to the disposal of the President, who 
renewing his application, he became Secretary of State. He 
resigned this office in January, 1794, and intended to relinquish 
public station altogether, observing that “a republican government 
was a good government to live under, but a bad one to serve.” 
At the repeated solicitations of political friends he gave up his 
first intention, and became an acknowledged candidate for the 
chair;—- was Vice-President four years, and President eight, 
when he returned to his home and to private life. Henceforth he 
gave himself to his studies, his friends, visitors, correspondence, 
and the care of his estates, which had become much encumbered 
during his public avocations. 
