1To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, [5] October 1826 (Madison Papers)
With a caution that my slowness and total inexperience in the duties of which the board of Visitors tender me the discharge, will probably call for a full measure of indulgence; and with the grateful feelings which the mark of confidence is calculated to inspire, I accept the opportunity of trying myself in the office of their Secretary. In relation to the catalogue, as my motive in...
2Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 12 October 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have used no ceremony in retaining the enclosed $15. until I could conveniently return it. Do not, I pray, give yourself the trouble to write; as I hope again to see you in the course of the month, on my return from Albemarle. Looking for a paper, the other day, I came across the one I now send for your perusal. The circumstance that caused me to write it, you will recollect. On reflexion, I...
3To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 28 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 23d. was not received until last night. I had been thinking some time, that I ought to have long ago written to you on the subject; and now feel ashamed that a letter from you should have found the design yet unaccomplished. The matter shall, however, be immediately attended to: that is, as soon as little piece of business which the same mail brought from Mr Coolidge on...
4Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 10 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
My search among the papers here, has proved equally ineffectual. I shall see Mr Gilmer to-day, however; and, ascertaining from him where his late uncle’s papers are, obtain that in question with as little delay as possible. I was sorry to learn, on further enquiry, that the report concerning Mr Wirtembaker is unfounded: he certainly remains, I am told, during the next session. Perhaps,...
5Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 14 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 11th finds me this morning on the point of setting out, in company with Dr Dunglison, on a visit to Genl. Cocke, which I have been promising for two or three years. On Mr. Tracie’s account, I at first hesitated whether I should give up the trip, which the delay of going to the University where his papers are would have obliged me to abandon altogether; but on reflection, I have...
6[Nicholas P. Trist] to James Madison, 8 July 1831 (Madison Papers)
It may, perhaps, be important to you to know that a conversation with General Bernard to-day has satisfied me of the extreme probability of War (perhaps general ) in Europe Yrs affly Of course this intelligence is, in a great measure confidential. RC (ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist Album Book). Docketed by JM.
7To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 21 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the paper containing Mr Hassler’s publication, which, so very slight was my previous knowledge of him, has given me more insight into his character than I before possessed. It breathes, I think, the tone of worth and of true science; but the wide difference must not be lost sight of, between a skilful, and perfectly scientific astronomer , and a good mathematician ; nor that...
8To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, [18 January 1828] (Madison Papers)
You will perceive in the accompanying paper, one of your ideas thrown into print. The origin of this piece was as follows. Being in Charlottesville on business, I was asked by Mr Wood of that place to dinner; & found there, among others, Mr Bonnycastle & Mr Davis the Editor. Among other things, the advocate’s attack on Mr Rush was brought upon the carpet; and Mr B., qui se mêle d’économie...
9Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 26 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after the adjournment of the Board, Mr Lomax called to enquire whether they had made any order in relation to the incongruities in the prices of Professors’ tickets unconsciously introduced by the enactment establishing fifteen dollar fees for attendance on the classes of Medical Jurisprudence, Political economy, &c. On being informed that No order had been made on the subject, he...
10Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 28 November 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have already delayed several days longer than I intended, the acknowledgment of the receipt of the books, and of the gratification of receiving a letter written with your own hand, which the transmission of the Cholera Report through you has afforded me. I now snatch a moment for the purpose, while waiting for a document which I am to copy. The copy of L’s book, I had no idea of your...
11Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 4 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d—postmarked 3d—was received this morning, after the departure of the mail. I immediately set about ascertaining what the law of Maryland was on the point in question, at the time of the cession: this being the law of Washington county in the District of Columbia, unless altered by act of Congress, which, I have ascertained, has not been done. The act of the Legislature of...
12Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 9 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favor in answer to mine, has come safe to hand. Such is the character of the attention now given to public affairs, that I think it quite doubtful whether the absurdity in question—glaring as it is—will not escape notice. It is not in the exact line of Scent of either or any of the packs. A production which, to a mind at all familiar with your and Mr Jefferson’s principles, could not be...
13Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 5 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2nd—was answered yesterday evening, & the answer went by this morning’s mail. Lest, however, it should meet with some accident, I repeat the information it contained. The law of Maryland, now in force here, makes no distinction between holograph and other wills. It requires that all wills be signed by the testator (or by some one by his express direction) in the presence of...
14To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 16 September 1826 (Madison Papers)
Our friend Mr Terrell is now among us, on a farewell visit, preparatory to his removal to New orleans, whither he goes in the fall. During this visit, he desires much to put into execution his long deferred pilgrimage to Montpellier; and, in compliance with this wish, I shall take the liberty of guiding his footsteps thither some time before the close of the month. During Mr Jefferson’s life,...
15Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 10 June 1831 (Madison Papers)
It has for some years, been a subject of regret with Mr Huygens to have passed near Montpellier without having it in his power to make a pilgrimage to it. He now travels under circumstances more propitious to his wishes, and affords me an opportunity to recall myself in an agreeable manner to your & Mrs Madison’s recollection RC (ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist). Docketed by JM.
16Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 30 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your kind favor with the accompanying papers, from which I have made several interesting extracts, was duly received. I have made enquiries concerning the individual in question, formerly a student here, of Drs Dunglison & Blaettermann & Mr Bonnycastle. He was not a pupil of the first named gentleman, but the Dr was acquainted with his character: "very stupid & had done himself no sort of...
17Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
The packet which goes by the same mail contains, I believe, all the papers you desired me to send. I enclose a copy of the only resolution which it is necessary you should at once have under your eye: one of the journal, at length, I will send as soon as I can make it out. The acceptance of Dr Patterson which you will see noticed in today’s advocate, we have from Dr. Dunglison, who got a...
18Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 6 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your packet has come safe to hand, & the enclosure for Mr Nicholls shall be delivered by me this afternoon, unless it rains, as now seems probable. Meanwhile, I enclose you a paper containing many details concerning the wonderful event which the inconceivable folly of half a dozen men has brought about. Although it were to be wished that they would have suffered the French People to continue...
19Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 17 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
On going over to Edge-hill yesterday, I learned that the letter you wrote for a copy of, sometime ago, had afterwards been found & copied, but not sent. Although apprehensive that your patience will have become exhausted, & that therefore it will arrive too late for the purpose intended; I lose no time in sending it. With affectionate adieux RC ( ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist Album Book).
20To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 25 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
This mail conveys to you two copies of the enactments, which have been delayed so long. You will be surprised to learn that I have taken upon myself to send on the report without them; this went by last Sunday’s mail. On meeting Genl. Cocke early in the week of the sale, he immediately enquired about the report, & expressed great surprise & concern at the answer. “What! Not yet. Bless my...
21Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 17 September 1831 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a communication to the Enquirer, not yet published , which I have got printed at the Globe office, and sent to the E. in its present shape, to avoid the typographical errors which, had it been sent in M. S., would have been sure to occur, & to mar the sense. If the Lynchb Jeffersonian speak the truth, Mr Walsh pronounces Mr. Calhoun’s piece to be unanswerable , and another...
22Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 12 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
I wrote a line the day after the receipt of your letter, to inform you of its safe arrival. It did not rain that afternoon, as I then anticipated, & I went to Georgetown. Mr Nicholls, however, was out; nor could the gentleman in his store tell me where he could be found. The next day it rained heavily; & the day after, I was laid up. The indisposition although severe was very transient, & I...
23Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 30 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
I should not have been so tardy in acknowledging your two favors of the 23 and 30th ulto, and returning my thanks for the newspapers by which they were accompanied, but for the reason that I will now explain. I had conceived a project in which, when brought to a certain stage of completion, it was my intention to beg your counsel & assistance. This project was nothing less than to write a...
24Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 9 October 1828 (Madison Papers)
The Board, as you will perceive, adjourned on Saturday; and, at that time, I expected to have it in power to send you a copy of their proceedings, by the tuesday’s mail. This, however, other engagements rendered impossible. I was happy to hear from Colo Coles that you continued to improve, & trust that the heavenly weather we are now enjoying, will accelerate the return of your strength. In...
25Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 23 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
Procrastination has prevented my sooner writing on a subject which the deep interest I take in the University has long determined me to venture to broach to you. I have very little time for the purpose now, and moreover, my head swims like a top in consequence of my rest having been disturbed last night by my little girl; but, from the near approach of the meeting of the visitors, there is not...
26To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 30 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
To my great mortification, I learn this evening that Mr Randolph left Edge-hill after dinner, for Montpellier. His intention to spend the night with Dr Page, gives me hopes however, that a messenger setting out before day may reach there before he sets out, & retrieve the opportunity. With a view to multiply the chances in their favor, I have made copies of two of your letters which, from...
27To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 1 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have determined to send you also a No of the Westminster, containing another article on gymnastics which tends to convey an idea of the importance which the subject had, at that date, already acquired in England. In my note of yesterday evening, I forgot to mention, as it had been my intention to do, that several circumstances have reduced to an almost certainty in my mind the fixed design...
28To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 1 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
The servant overtook Mr R. So that you received your tardy letters yesterday evening. I now send the copies mentioned in the letter which accompanied them. When you next write, please mention whether my letters of the 11. 18. 29. have come to hand; & also a newspaper in which I carelessly enclosed a scrawl which, for various reasons, I should not like to have fallen into the hands of...
29To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 8 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
My indisposition was of short duration: Dr Dunglison’s prescription dispelling the fever & other unpleasant circumstances with which it was attended, in three or four days. So that on the thursday succeeding, the weather having moderated, I was enabled to go out. The printing, I am sorry to say however, goes on not very rapidly; at least had not done so last week. Mr McKennie told me that he...
30To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 3 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
Intending to answer your favor of the 27th. by that mail, I went up on saturday afternoon, to the University. But Mr Brockenbrough could nowhere be found, to get from him the key of the apartment where the papers were locked up. I was near being equally unfortunate yesterday; for one of the members of the Jefferson society to whom I traced the key, had gone out & did not return till the...
31Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 3 July 1832 (Madison Papers)
It is more than four weeks since I received your last; and I then thought that but a day or two would pass before I answered it. But I have repeatedly in the last two months been laid on my back for three, four, or five days at a time, by a succession of boils which kept me in great pain, and made it impossible to move without a great encrease. The consequence is, that I have been overwhelmed...
32Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 25 September 1834 (Madison Papers)
Unless the day should be unfavorable, Mrs Trist & myself & children will set out to-morrow, to dine at Gordonsville, and reach Montpellier in the evening. Cornelia & Mary, and one of Mr. Randolph’s younger daughters (Cary Ann) will follow the next tuesday; and we propose all to leave you on the ensuing friday evening, so as to be in Washington the next day. I thought, when last with you, that...
33Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 30 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge your two favors of the 8th & 27th instant. The last came to hand yesterday evening, too late to be answered effectually (the papers being at the University) by this morning’s mail; and you will, in consequence, not receive the copy you desire, till wednesday: a delay from which I hope no inconvenience will result. For the account of the London University, which is an...
34Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 6 August 1833 (Madison Papers)
Towards the close of a thorough examination which I have made of Mr. Jefferson’s papers, and when I had nearly given up all hope, I found one cypher. This, by Mr. R’s permission, I now enclose, with the request that when you shall have made what use you want of it, it be put under cover to him. It is the only cypher now among his papers, I am confident. With it were several Schemes , from...
35To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, [September 1827] (Madison Papers)
You will find in No. 3 (as marked by me) some new details respecting your early career, as well as that of Mr Jefferson. I send Nos 1. & 2. as introductory: The letters from R.D.O., I mean—which are marked with //. You will perceive that the clergy are seriously—many of them conscientiously —bent on organizing a “christian Party in politics.” We may yet be destined in this country to a fearful...
36Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 25 October 1828 (Madison Papers)
I received, yesterday, a letter from Mr Clay, which I have answered by an acceptance of the office in question. In answer to my enquiry whether the public service required my immediate presence; as, otherwise, the approaching crisis with Mrs Trist would detain me with her; he has been so kind as to give me until the 10th Novr, or even a few days later, if necessary. Within this limit, I shall...
37To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 18 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr Willard of Roxbury near Boston, who has come on to the University with the large clock of which he is maker, is desirous on his return, to avail himself of the first and last opportunity that will ever offer for paying his respects to you; and I accordingly take the liberty of giving him this introduction. With profound respect Your obedt. Servt. RC ( ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist Album Book)....
38Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 3 May 1833 (Madison Papers)
I intended that you should first hear from myself , of the plunge I have taken; but this step has but added to the pressure of things to be done, which was before intolerably great, by requiring that many should be immediately dispatched which might otherwise have waited a little—besides no small addition to the pressing agenda arising from the step itself. Mrs. Trist had, several days before...
39Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 May 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have, for some time, been intending to send you the enclosed; but, agreeably to my second nature—which has abundant opportunity to manifest itself—I have put off doing so, from day to day, and week to week. It is on a subject which early attracted your own attention, although you probably did not then foresee that it would ever be presented to the world in the naked-- purity , I think, in...
40To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 13 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
In the expectation of finding there a letter from Mr Coolidge, I rode to the post-office yesterday, and was not disappointed. From this, I give you the following extracts. Speaking of Mr W. he says “he is, I have no doubt, fitted for the place, though I should not suppose him equal at present to Bonnycastle or Key.” “If Jones does not accept, or leaves you, I should recommend to appoint W. He...
41To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 19 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Much occupation of one kind or another, together with the knowledge that all you desired was to send in the report in time for the meeting of the legislature, have caused me to postpone taking up the subject until today. On doing so, I found so many points on which it seemed necessary to touch, that it became obvious it would give you less trouble to frame a report yourself, than to correct...
42To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 11 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
My conscience has been reproaching me for some time past with my remissness towards you; and yet something has occurred every day to protract it until this late date. My expectation, when I last wrote, of hearing again from Mr Coolidge within a post or two, was not realised; and I left home on some business at Powhatan court house without doing so. On my return, I was still disappointed; & the...
43Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 5 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just sent to the post-office, the copy of Mr Monroe’s paper, due to Genl. Breckenridge; those for yourself & Mr Randolph shall follow this week. I have had the pleasure of hearing of your recovery, as Mrs Cutts received letters from Montpellier; & was told yesterday evening, by Miss Dolly that the oranges had not yet made their appearance there. I had obtained a promise from the Captain...
44Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 6 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
After the dose of Constitutional matter which you have had forced upon you of late, it is not without apprehension of being deemed inconsiderate that I approach you with another; and I venture to do so, only from the conviction that, as the subject is one which has natural claims upon your interest, so it really enjoys it. The daily & hourly perversion --as I am satisfied that it is, & that...
45To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 12 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Called to Charlottesville on business, I stop a moment, to send you an extract from a few lines just received from Mr Coolidge. “I have never received any letter from Mr Madison. The papers he alludes to were sent him by Col. Storrow, from Mr Sparks. This is my impression.” This Col. S. is a Virginian who visited Boston last season. Your favors of the it. & 9th. both came safe to hand. The...
46Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have only time to ask the favor of you to send the enclosed to Mr Randolph by the first mail. It contains a copy of the journal of the board, at their last meeting—sent for the purpose of having some made, as the writing on hand here does not allow me time to complete the whole by the meeting. I saw Mrs Cutts last evening She is well, but will not be able to accompany me on Sunday next, when...
47Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 8 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have been intending to write ever since we had the pleasure—a most heartfelt one—of hearing of the favorable turn in your health; but things have crowded upon me in such a way as to make me procrastinate. H. L.’s book reached here yesterday. It is a realization of your apprehensions concerning the consequences that might result from the Charlottesville publication, if proper care were not...
48To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 30 July 1827 (Madison Papers)
My delay in writing has been greater than you probably expected when we parted or than I intended; but I am not altogether without apology for it. In the first place, making up the record took me three days. A fourth was entirely taken up by some business which did not admit of postponement; and subsequently, three others by an indisposition somewhat of the nature of that from which you are...
49[Nicholas P. Trist] to James Madison, 7 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
On the subject of all the conversations which it has been my good fortune to enjoy with you, I have made it a rule— which is indeed a general one with me— to observe the strictest silence. Your views in relation to the true spirit of the resolutions & report, are the single exception to this. I have mentioned to two or three persons, in confidence , that I was satisfied, from your own remarks,...
50To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 18 November 1826 (Madison Papers)
You should have heard from me some time since, but for the prospect held out by the arrival of the measurer from Philadelphia, of an early completion of the business in which he was to be engaged, and consequently of the information that I was to communicate. As the enclosed note from the proctor will show, the delay has been without the fruit I expected. It is in answer to one from me...