1From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 14 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of February has been several weeks in my pocket, and has for the same space kept me impatient for an opportunity to tell you how much pleasure it gave me. I construe your vein of pleasantry into a proof of your returning health, and am therefore doubly entertained with it. I wish I could exhibit in another Coat that would furnish you [with] a similar topic. I do not like...
2From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 10 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
The extreme badness of the weather rendered our journey very disagreeable, and retarded our arrival here till yesterday. From Princeton to Paulus’ Hook we had a N. E. snow storm incessantly in our teeth. We met however with no misadventure, nor with any real difficulties except in passing some of the rivers some of which were clogged with Ice, and a half congealed mixture of snow & water which...
3From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of a line from you for some time. If you have recd. all mine you have not been without mementos of my title to it. I have some suspicion that the mail is not a very faithful conveyance. In point of time it certainly fails of its promises and its duty. Letters are generally a week on the road. I was very suddenly popped on the other morning by your brother George. He...
4From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 23d. instant by Mr. Jay has been delivered to me; but I have not yet been to thank him for it. I have had a cold which made me extremely hoarse, but did not otherw[ise] affect me much. At present I am clear even of that inconvenience. I hope this will find you equally recovered from your indisposition. I have not made a trial of my french with the Marchioness yet, thou[gh] I have...
5From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 25 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Orange March 25 [1788]. The badness of the roads & some other delays retarded the completion of my journey till the day before yesterday. I called at Col Syms in Alexanda. but had not the pleasure of seeing either him or his lady. He was not at home though in Town and I was so hurried that I could halt a few minutes only; and she was confined to her chamber by indisposition. I had the...
6From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, [29 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… I expected by this time to have been in Philada. My plan has been impeded by several circumstances. The only insuperable one has been a continued indisposition which has at length terminated in a complaint which has been promoted by my sedentary life, and which incapacitates me for travelling. I am at present having medical relief, and shall leave this as soon as I can. I calculate on some...
7From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. gave me the first information of Browse’s illness. I hope his recovery is by this time established, as well as that of your mamma. My letters from Virginia give me room to fear much for the situation of the same relation. She was in bad health when I came away, and I understand that she has continued to decline till her case is extremely critical. I send to the post...
8From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 31 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
New York Jany. 31. 1790. I wrote last week a letter accompanying the favor for Mrs. Ross, which I put into the hands of Mr. Bailey. He was to have returned to Philada. in the course of the week, but I find he is still here, and may possibly be still longer detained. He expects however to set out tomorrow morning. Mr. Randolph is not yet arrived. We have heard of his being in Philada. and...
9From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
N. York May 27 [1790]. I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 19th. instant. I am glad the book for Browze arrived in time and was of the right sort. I had some doubts on the latter point. You have more than your share of the Influenza in the third attack of which you complain. I hope you are well of it by this time. It has spared very few in this place. I have had a full measure,...