1From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 31 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Just before I left Albemarle a proposition was started for establishing there a grammar school. You were so kind as to tell me you would write me the progress of the proposition: on my part I was to enquire for a tutor. To this I have not been inattentive. I enquired at Princetown of Dr. Witherspoon. But he informed me that that college was but just getting together again, and that no such...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Majr. Faire is the person whom Mr. Madison and myself mentioned as proposing to set up a glass manufactory. We had recommended James river to him. In passing thro’ Culpeper however he had almost or even quite determined to fix there: induced principally by the offers of credit for their provisions, for the expence of first establishment being great, and their capital not so,...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 23 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing for your perusal and consideration a proposal from a Mr. D’Ivernois, a Genevan, of considerable distinction for science and patriotism, and that too of the republican kind, tho you will see that he does not carry it so far as our friends of the National assembly of France. While I was at Paris, I knew him as an exile for his democratic principles, the...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 12 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I trouble you with another letter from Mr. D’Ivernois , containing a further development of his plan. Since you were here, I have found the inclosed rough draught of a subscription paper for clearing our river, which may explain to you the views and wishes of the subscribers. Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorsts, wealthy bankers of Amsterdam, have for some time apprehended a storm in their...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 October 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson the bearer hereof is not entirely unknown to you I believe. He asks of me however a line of introduction. He is a candidate for the office rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Hay, and he wishes me to say to you what I know of him. He has respectable talents, is well-read in the law, and is a good republican, and a very honest man. If no fitter person offers, I need not ask your...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 August 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the draught you desired, which I have endeavored to arrange according to the ideas you expressed, of having the entry, not thro’ a principal room as in Mr. Cocke’s house, but at the cross passage. The notes which accompany the draught will explain it. I will add that it would be possible to contract the plan from front to back by giving less extent in that direction to the...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
About the latter end of the last assembly I wrote to sollicit your endeavors to procure an act giving the character of citizens to Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and Nicholas Hubbard merchants and bankers of Amsterdam. My letter got too late to your hands, and as you may not now have it with you I will state the subject again from the beginning. On the failure of the revolution attempted in...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I entirely approve of the confidence you have reposed in mr Brackenridge, as he possesses mine entirely. I had imagined it better those resolutions should have originated with N. Carolina. but perhaps the late changes in their representation may indicate some doubt whether they would have passed. in that case it is better they should come from Kentuckey. I understand you intend soon to go as...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 November 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The more I have reflected on the phrase in the paper you shewed me , the more strongly I think it should be altered. suppose you were to instead of the invitation to cooperate in the annulment of the acts, to make it an invitation: ‘to concur with this commonwealth in declaring, as it does hereby declare, that the said acts are, and were ab initio—null, void and of no force, or effect’ I...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 May 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. P. Carr informed me two days ago that you wished for the dimensions of the Rumford fireplaces . I therefore avail myself of the first post to send them. I state them as I have used them myself, with great satisfaction, the back one half of the opening. Count Rumford makes the back but one third of the opening. this was to accomodate them to coal; but it renders them impracticable for wood....
11From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am deeply impressed with the importance of Virginia & Kentuckey pursuing the same tract at the ensuing sessions of their legislatures. your going thither furnishes a valuable opportunity of effecting it, and as mr Madison will be at our assembly as well as yourself, I thought it important to procure a meeting between you. I therefore wrote to propose to him a ride to this place on Saturday...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 September 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Aug. 30. 99. came duly to hand. it was with great regret we gave up the hope of seeing you here, but could not but consider the obstacle as legitimate. I had written to mr M. as I had before informed you , and had stated to him some general ideas for consideration & consultation when we should meet. I thought something essentially necessary to be said in order to avoid the inference...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A moment of leisure permits me to think of my friends. you will have seen an alarm in the newspapers on the subject of the Tripolitans & Algerines. the former about May was twelve month demanded a sum of money for keeping the peace, pretending that the sum paid as the price of the treaty was only for making peace. this demand was reiterated through the last year, but a promise made to Cathcart...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 4 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in [hopes] we should have had the pleasure of seeing you here during the court, but I learn you were not at court yesterday. you once intimated to me a possibility that you might be able to spare me a superlative overseer which you had. I do not remember his name. this possibility seems to be strengthened by a late resolution (which your friends lament) of changing the form of your...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A collector for the port of Hampton is wanting in the room of one Kirby removed for gross delinquency. Mount E. Chisman has been recommended. can you give me his character, & circumstances? can you recommend any body better, or advise me to any person whose judgment may be relied on to recommend, and who is acquainted with the characters of the neighborhood? I believe the case presses so that...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the benefit of your cover to get a safe conveyance for the inclosed. a copy of the ratification by the first Consul, of our convention, is arrived. it is expressed to be with an ‘understanding always that the matters which were the subject of the suppressed article are abandoned on both sides.’ altho’ I consider this as a superfluous caution, nothing being more settled than that things...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper was put into my hands by mr Madison to fill up some dates, but I have been so engaged as to do little to it; and supposing you will want it to-day I send it as it is. to that list may be added the appointment of Gouvr. Morris to negociate with the court of London , by letter written & signed by Genl. Washington, & Dav. Humphreys to negociate with Lisbon by letter....
18From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am anxious to recieve the British convention, because the moment I do, I shall lay it before both houses with a message for appropriation. for altho’ the next Congress might by possibility appropriate in time to make the first paiment, yet so great a remittance if pressed in time, might be made to great disadvantage. Great Britain too may want confidence in our ratification , if the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a letter from Gordon’s on the 31st. of March, which having been on a particular subject , I am anxious to know that it has got safely to your hands. be so good as by return of post to say you have recieved it whenever you shall have recieved it.—nothing interesting from France. affectionate salutations. PrC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. TJ’s letter from gordon’s Tavern,...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th. is recieved, and every thing you have done in the affair therein mentioned meets my approbation & thanks. I reserve details until I can see you. the offices filled & to be filled under the Missisipi law, are a Register for the Eastern & another for the Western district at 500. D. a year. a Reciever of public monies for each district. two Commissioners for each district at...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d was delivered me at court: but we were much disappointed at not seeing you here, mr Madison & the Govr. being here at the time. I inclose you a letter from Monroe on the subject of the late treaty. you will observe a hint in it to do without delay what we are bound to do. there is reason, in the opinion of our ministers, to believe that if the thing were to do over again,...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting on the proposition as to upper Louisiana which you mentioned as likely to unite all, and as it has been further explained by a map in the hands of mr Smith , I think it may be made to do. it is the better as it will sink the name of Louisiana, which might entertain hankerings on both sides the Atlantic. but something more energetic on that side the river must be provided than the...
23Enclosure: Draft Section of Bill for Organization of Upper Louisiana, 7 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Each of the portions of country on the Western side of the river Missisipi hereby annexed to the Indiana & Missisipi territories shall be divided into counties by their respective Governours, under the direction of the Pres. of the US. as the convenience of the settlements shall require, & subject to such alterations hereafter as experience may prove more convenient. the free inhabitants of...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 27 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of Apr. 15. I informed mr Gallatin of what had passed between us here, and desired him to take measures for winding up the commission at Norfolk with as little delay as should be consistent with a resignation. he says in an answer of the 19th. ‘no previous movement here, nor time is wanted for winding up mr Davies’s business; but on being informed of mr N’s intention to accept, I...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind sympathies in my late loss are a mark of your great friendship to me, and of the interest you are so good as to take in my happiness. it is indeed an inexpressible loss, and which, at my years, can hardly wear away. it is the more felt as it leaves, whatever of comfort remains, hanging on the slender thread of a single life. in the affections of our friends there is always great...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here the night before last. mr Gallatin being absent I enquired of mr Madison as to the commission of Collector, & found it had been forwarded to you at Warren by mr Gallatin. I found it too late also to enjoin secrecy, as, mr Gallatin not having intimated that, it had not been attended to. I am afraid I omitted to recommend this myself, altho’ it’s expediency was so obvious that it...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the inclosed which I recieved last night, you will percieve that mr Chisman, Collector of Hampton is dead. the writer, mr Booker, who is unknown to me, recommends Robt. Armistead, also unknown. he says nothing of the politics of the candidate which generally authorises a presumption that they are not with the government. can you, from your present knolege, recommend a successor, and if not,...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 21st. & 23d of Nov. have been duly recieved. every thing respecting yourself shall be arranged to your convenience. I inclose you a letter for old Colo. Newton, open for your perusal. be so good as to seal it, and have it delivered, either letting him know that you are privy to it’s contents, or not, at your choice. should he decline accepting the decision will rest between...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. is this moment put into my hands. the letters which have passed between us on this subject are uncommunicated to any mortal but ourselves, and every thing therefore will be as if they never had been written until you chuse to give them effect. I have but one desire, which is to accomodate to your convenience, knowing that the public interest cannot be better promoted...
30Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear of your attack of rheumatism both on your own account & that of the public, & as I think you will have to go on as soon as you are able. I believe that immediately on the pacification with England , a vessel was dispatched to France for the Ultimatum of that government as I presume. Turreau was earnest in giving assurances that Napoleon would revoke his decrees, considering...
31Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 13 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not know, till mr Patterson called on us, a few days ago, that you had passed on to Washington . I had recently observed in the debates of Congress , a matter introduced, on which I wished to give explanations more fully in conversation which I will now do by abridgment in writing. mr Randolph has proposed an enquiry into certain prosecutions at Common law in Connecticut , for libels on...
32Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the Agricultural catalogue . I do not know whether I have made it more or less comprehensive than you wished. but in either case you can make it what it should be by reduction or addition. there are probably other good books with which I am unacquainted. I do not possess the Geoponica, nor Rozier’s dictionary. all the others I have & set them down on my own knolege, except...
33Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
On enquiry of mr Randolph I find his process for rolling his seed corn in plaister varies a little from what I told you. he first dilutes the tar with water stirred into it to such a consistency as will make the plaister adhere. corn is then put into a trough & diluted tar poured on it & stirred till the whole of the grains are perfectly coated. there must be no surplus of the tar more than...
34Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 February 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your request, I ruminated, as I journeyed here on your proposition for the establishment of an Agricultural Society . on my arrival here, I committed to writing what is in the inclo sed it will be a better proof of my willingness, than of my comp etence to be useful to the design. it is meant however but as a rough dra ught until it can re cieve the amendments of more skilful...
35Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
You took the trouble of reading my former letters to mr Eppes on the subject of our finances, and I therefore inclose you a third letter to him on an important branch of the same subject, banks, for your perusal, if the volume does not appear too formidable. be so good as to stick a wafer into the letter and put it into the shortest post-line for Ça-ira which is his nearest post-office.— I...
36Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of yesterday is this moment recieved and furnishes me matter of real regret: because there is nothing just & honorable which I would not cheerfully do for yourself or any member of your family. but the case in question stands thus. while I lived in Paris , I became acquainted with Thomas Appleton of Boston , then a young man, and recommended him to the old Congress as Consul for...
37Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 9 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your two favors of the 3. & 6 th . I was engaged in the moment in preparing some necessary orders before my departure to see my brother , and could not therefore immediately answer them. the circumstances respecting Appleton , and my particular d connection with them I knew must be unknown to you & of course could not be under your view in asking my interference. I do not yet...
38Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16 th I received yesterday your favor of the 16 th inst. informing me that the General assembly had been pleased to appoint me one of the Directors of the board of public works recently instituted by them. the spirit with which they have entered on the great works of improvement and public instruction will form an honorable epoch in the history of our country, and I sincerely...
39Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
As the outer letter may be to go into different hands I place in a separate one my thanks for your kind offer of the comfortable quarters of your house in the event of my acting as a Director of the public works. but at the age of 73. volunteer journies are out of the question. those to Bedford are of necessity. for them however I chuse my own time, am there with one or two nights only...
40Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 April 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 22. has been recieved. it finds me more laboriously, and imperiously engaged than almost on any occasion of my life. it is not therefore in my power to take into immediate consideration all the subjects it proposes. they cover a broad surface, & will require some developement. they respect I. Defence. II. Education. III. the Map of the state. this last will comprise 1. an...
41Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 April 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 2 d inst. I stated, according to your request what occurred to me on the subjects of Defence and Education; and I will now proceed to do the same on the remaining subject of your’s of Mar. 22. the construction of a general map of the state. for this the legislature directs that there shall be I. a topographical survey of each county. II. a General survey of the Outlines of...
42Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 9 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very happy in any opportunity of endeavorin g to be useful to one of mrs Norton ’s family, with whom I had great intimacy at that period of life when impressions are strongest & longest retained. I fear however that a birth in the offices at Washington will be uncertain. they are rarely vacated but by death. I have written however to the two heads of departments with whom I am more at...
43Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn that you have recieved D r Byrd ’s journal on the survey of our Southern boundary , from mr Harrison of Barclay . it is a work I have wished to see, and if you think yourself at liberty, when done with it, to trust it in my hands for perusal only, it shall be promptly and safely returned by mail. if you do not feel entirely free to do this, I will write to request it of mr Harrison . I...
44Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 13 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to the Secretary of State on the subject of mr Arm i stead , and have recieved his assurance that if there is a vacancy, or should be one in any of the departments, he will exert himself to procure it. I wrote to him of preference, because more intimate with him than with any other of the heads of departments, and for a reason still more interesting, which I will explain to you as I...
45Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time ago I recieved from the Historical committee of the Philosophical society of Philada a letter informing me they were in possession of a MS. volume, which from their description I concluded must be a copy of Col o Byrd ’s journal of the Carolina boundary. it was on that occasion I asked the favor of you to procure me the reading that work. as they meant to print it, they
46Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 10 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I am detaining from the Philosophical society their copy of Col o Byrd ’s journal, until I can learn whether I may be permitted to send with it also the supplementary one of which I obtained the loan thro’ your favor. will you be so good as to favor me with the name of the person to whom it belongs, that I may sollicit the permission without troubling you? Does your new bank propose to do any...
47Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
If I could refuse you any thing, it would be the request in your’s of the 9 th to submit to the operation of having my bust taken. of all operations it is the most revolting, whether you stand, as was Ciracchi ’s method, or lie down and have your face plaistered over with gypsum , as was Houdon ’s or sit as with the painters. I have no doubt of mr Coffee ’s talents from what you say of him;...
48Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
An old balance of account between the bankers of the US. in Amsterdam and myself, believed by us both to have arisen from mistakes in the complicated matters of account of the US which, without being an Accountant, I had to direct, and to give draughts for in behalf of the various cr descriptions of public creditors, was left, under this persuasion by them & myself for further enquiry. in this...
49Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 30. is at hand, and I so far avail myself of your friendship as to inclose you a note for 3000.D. meaning to trouble you only with the first negociation, as the renewals shall be attended to thro mr Gibson hereafter. I can by no means consent to your name being put on it, because in the place you are such a practice would overwhelm you with embarrasments. Jefferson is my...
50Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved at this place, and yesterday only your favor of the 19 th . if it has not loitered on the road, it mus t have been at Lynchburg with which I have but uncertain communications. were a hesitation possible at the request it contains, it would proceed only from the wish to leave at the close of life as clear a state of things as possible for those who are to come after me; to be able,...