21To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 30 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
By a resolution of the General Assembly of Virginia, the President and Directors of the Literary Fund are requested to digest and report a system of public education, calculated to give effect to the appropriations made to that object by the Legislature, and to comprehend in such system the establishment of one University, and such additional Colleges, Academies and Schools, as shall diffuse...
22To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 30 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I feel great reluctance in giving you the trouble of what I consider a personal application. The second daughter of my sister Norton (who you may remember at Mr. Randolph’s) married a Mr. Armistead, a gentn. who was bred a Merchant, but was unfortunate in business and obliged to retire to the country, where he has for several years supported his family by his labour. The event of a law suit by...
23To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 18 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that you are appointed one, of the Visitors of the Central College in Albemarle, and to forward you the enclosed Commission. It is hoped that it will not be inconvenient for you to undertake the Execution of this office. I am, Sir, With great respect, Your Humble Servant RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC and enclosure in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas. Cover...
24To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 23 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
I feel the utmost reluctance to address you upon a subject of a personal nature or about one with whom I am nearly connected. My feelings & distress are such, that I cannot forbear to do it, and I trust to your goodness to pardon the liberty I am about to take. The eldest son of my brother George, who has serve’d in the army eight years & risen to the command of a Regt. has been involved in...
25To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
The distress of the people of this country under the embargo, is and will be such, that every effort ought to be made to convince them not only of the propriety but the necessity of that measure. In the various communications to Congress, and the publications in the news papers, the justification of this measure is to be found. Unfortunately there is such a Mass before the people, that the...
26To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
At the beginning of the session we cou’d have carried any plan connected with the repeal of the Embargo in the course of it. It has been our misfortune that the various expedients have been offered too late. The only honorable course was from Embargo to non-I ntercourse . We cannot now obtain it, and I fear we must submit to the plan least disgraceful, in which we can unite the greatest number...
27To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Some of our friends have a great anxiety that the non intercourse law should expire at the end of the next session of Congress, and that a clause shou’d be added to the bill repealing all the embargo laws at the same time. You seemed to disapprove of it, and I have given no encouragement to the idea. Mumford & Masters say if this is done all the New Yorkers will vote for the bill, and the New...
28To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 17 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
My reason for mentioning to you this Morning the subject we conversed about, was that this is the mail day for Detroit, so that if you wished it you might have it in your power to counteract the effects of the intimation that has been given. It is said the Gentn. who is appointed a general in New-York, will not accept the appointment. Perhaps this appointment wou’d be accepted as full...
29To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have endeavoured to ascertain how the notes wou’d be in the Senate upon the nomination of Mr. Galatin to be Secretary of State. My information is that there are seventeen votes against him—ten Gentn. will vote for him, some of them reluctantly, and that there are seven doubtful votes. This information is obtained through sources not friendly to Mr. G —— but I fear it is correct as to the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 20 April 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I saw Mr. Carter on my return who promised that he wou’d leave in your hands a sum of money for me. Be pleased to send me bills upon Philadelphia for whatever sum he intends for me, Mr. Staples receipt will be a sufficient voucher of the payment. I am with great respect Dear Sir your hum. Serv. RC ( DLC : William Short Papers); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ; with receipt...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 4 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to put into the hands of Mr. John Breckinridge a copy of the resolutions that you sent me , he says he is confident that the legislature of Kentucky (of which he is a member) will adopt them. he was very anxious to pay his respects to you but we both thought it was best that he shou’d not see you, as we believed if he did the resolutions wou’d be attributed to you. I...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 20 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
A most unfortunate and Melancholy event , makes it necessary that I shou’d go in a few days to Kentucky. I believe you think it proper that the legislature of these two States, shou’d defend the ground that they have taken. if that is still your opinion, and you will put upon paper what you think the Kentucky assembly ought to say, I will place it in safe hands. They now require aid more than...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had a conversation with Genl. Sumpter in Genl. terms about his country man P—y . Sumpter says his standing in S.C. with our friends is not good, that he is not respected either as a public or a private man, that he has been made use of by the republicans, and that he has made use of them because they were convenient to each other—the opinion of one man cannot be conclusive, you will...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 24 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To be remembered by you amidst the pressure of important public concerns, that present themselves upon the new arrangement of the government is to me highly gratifying, it is no less so to find my feelings of personal attachment to you, the warm interest that I take in the success of your administration, and my opinion of the measures that the public good requires, concur in suggesting the...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 18 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish it was in my power to give you the information you want, as to a proper person for collector at the port of Hampton; there has been an entire change of inhabitants in that part of the country since I was there. the person that you mention I am unacquainted with. Col. George Booker of that neighbourhood, is the most influential republican in the County of E. City; I shou’d think his...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 30 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delivered your letter to Griffin , who has been to see your estate since you left Albemarle, from his account of Clarke’s management, I am confident that you will be very much benefited by the change of men; you may expect an increase of crops and a great improvement of your estate, but to effect this you must allow Griffin two years. It gives me great pleasure to hear that there is a...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your notes of this date, with their enclosures the subject was not acted upon to day, nor do I presume it will be for several days. in the mean time I hope to have the pleasure of conversing with you more fully upon the subject, to which your notes refer. I am Dear Sir with the greatest respect your hum. Servt. The papers shall be returned, as you request. RC...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, [1 April 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to inform you that I have heard some uneasiness expressed at the arrangement of the officers made by the Secy. of War, under the law of this session . It is said that all the field officers are taken from the Eastern States. I am told they stand thus Artillery. Burbeck Col. Freeman Lt. Col. Jackson Majr. Porter ditto, Williams Massachusetts, McRea Virginia, Infantry,...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me the most sincere pleasure to have it in my power to congratulate you upon the amicable termination of an affair that must have given you great uneasiness. I am sure it ought to be the wish of all parties that it shou’d be consigned to eternal oblivion. permit me however to say that the honorable manner in which you have uniformly asserted the innocence of the lady , and all the...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 31 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I had not the pleasure of receiving your favour of the 22d. of Apl. until the day before yesterday. Be pleased Sir to accept my most cordial thanks for the very friendly attention that you have paid to my letter, asking an appointment for the son of my brother and be assured that I wou’d not in his case, or any other propose any person to you for an office, where I believed there was a...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected much upon the conversation that I had with you, when I had last the pleasure of seeing you, about the power of the government of the U.S. to acquire territory, and to admit new States into the union. Upon an examination of the constitution, I find the power as broad as it cou’d well be made, 3d. sec. art. 4th. except that new States cannot be formed out of the old ones without...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Rawlins the Gentn. who will deliver you this letter, is anxious to obtain an appointment in the Custom house at New Orleans. This Gentn. formerly lived in Virginia in a mercantile house engaged in extensive business, I have not had such an acquaintance with Mr. Rawlins as woud justify me in asking an office for him, I can only speak of him, as to his having been regularly brought up to the...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 21 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I was yesterday informed by both the Senators from R. Island, that there state was very much discontented; with all the most valuable offices remaining in the hands of Federalist’s; and from recent letters they did fear, that spirit wou’d manifest itself, by a rejection of the amendment to the constitution. the Legislature will meet in a week. I presume the rule that you have adopted of giving...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
If the most ardent hopes and wishes of your countrymen, cou’d have availed you wou’d have been spared that most cruel affliction that has fall upon you; you so fully command their affections that they participate most warmly in every thing that can interest you. in you their best affections and dearest hopes are concentrated. If the condolence and sympathy of a friend can in any manner...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on friday last, after all the information I have been able to collect I have determined to accept the place of collector of this port. I have had very great doubts whether I ought to do it, or not, there are strong reasons why I shou’d not, but it seems to be thought, by the republicans that I shou’d be able to do some service to the cause and I am sure if I do not, you wou’d be...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 21 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
When I accepted the office of Collector of this port, I was very much influenced by a wish to save you the necessity of deciding between the number of persons who I knew had applied for the office. More reflection wou’d have convinced me that I only delayed and did not obviate the difficulty of deciding between the rival candidates. Since I have been in the office I have had full time to...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 23 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The character of the republicans’ party in this place is not easily understood by persons who have not been admitted behind the scenes, it is divided into two grand divisions, and into as many subordinate ones, as can be created, by interest, jealousy, and intemperance. The grand divisions, are composed of moderate men, and violent; the first think it the interest of the community, and of this...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last mail I had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 6th. instant. I feel myself very much embarrassed how to act; I have not considered myself at liberty either to communicate my intentions of resigning, or to take such measures in the office for closing my business as wou’d discover that intention. Being obliged to be at home early in Jany. I fear it wou’d be impossible for me...
49Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had a severe attack of the rheumatism, which has prevented my going to Washington , I am now better and I hope in four or five days to be able to set out if there is a necessity for my going. Will you do me the favour to give me your opinion as to the probability of the duration of the present session? It does not seem to me that any legislative measure wou’d now be necessary or proper...
50Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
But for Macon , who thinks no man honest or independent, who does not abuse his friends, the law to permit letters from you to be franked wou’d have had an unnanimous vote, notwithstanding his opposition the vote was nearly so. There was no opportunity to mention the prosecutions while I stayed in Washington , I had several conversations with Granger , his recollection of the circumstances did...