61Enclosure: Commission Appointing Central College’s Board of Visitors, 18 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Virginia , to wit:— Whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly , Passed the 14 h day of February 1816, intitled, “An act for establishing a College in the County of Albemarle ,” it is made the duty of the Governor for the time being, as Patron of the said College , to appoint Visitors thereof—Therefore, I, Wilson C. Nicholas , Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia , do, in pursuance of the...
62Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
My first impression after receiving your letter , in answer to mine about M r Coffee , was that I wou’d not let him go; on account of your reluctance, but upon more reflection, I determined otherwise. I had experienced that he did not give much trouble, I was sure he wou’d give an excellent likeness , and was satisfied it wou’d be a great gratification to thousands of your country men to...
63Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 5 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with the greatest pain & mortification I communicate to you that I was obliged to suffer a protest the day before yesterday. Until within a few days of its happening I was under no fear of it; I made every effort in my power to prevent it but without effect. The people who have money think they can not get its value, & those who have it not in hand, will not make engagements for money....
64Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
On account of the uncertainty of what cou’d be gotten from the Banks, after writing to you , I advised M r Gibson , to apply at the U.S.B so as to take the chance at both. your note was done there for one half the sum, on that day it wou’d not have been done for any other man for any part, but it was done with the understanding it wou’d be paid when due. On account of that circumstance, I...
65To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. instant has impressed me beyond measure. I feel with its utmost force the obligation that every man is under to render service to his country, and permit me to say my devotion and attachment to you are such, that it wou’d be with the utmost reluctance I wou’d with hold my services when called upon by you. For wou’d I do it, but for considerations that I am sure you...
66To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 27 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
You have laid me under the greatest obligations. The favour that you have done me will be forever remembered. The caution that you suggest shall be observed. I wou’d rather suffer any inconvenience than you shou’d ever have cause to regret this instance of your friendship to me. You will observe the blanks as to date and sight; I did not know how to fill them up with out seeing one of the...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night received the enclosed, It is a subject that I am incompetent to give an opinion upon. I am with the greatest respect & esteem Your most hum Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
68Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able to see M r Brockenborough , but expect M r Garret , will carry you a communication from him. I am very anxious you shou’d get him on every account, but particularly on your account. If you have not such a man your trouble will be endless, and after all I fear even if you go there every day, the work will not be done in a manner satisfactory to you, & I fear too at a...
69To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 10 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
Nothing could induce me to give you so much trouble, but, a belief that your desire to serve our Country will cause you to pardon it. An act of the last Assembly directs an accurate Map of the State to be made, from actual surveys. I am anxious to have it well done and as economically as possible. With these views, I should be very glad to avail myself of any surveys made or to be made by the...
70To 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...
71Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the bond executed by me . you may rely with the most absolute certainty upon me to prevent your having to advance any thing. I will take care to pay the interest which being done regularly I understand the principal will not be demanded but at the periods that the money will be due for my property. It is to me the most afflicting thing of my life, that I shou’d have involved you above...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The fortunate and happy restoration of peace, has caused all those whose patriotism alone induced them to engage in the military service of their country, to resume their former occupations. Of that number is my son Robert Carter Nicholas, lately a Lt. Col in the army of the U.S. When the war commenced he had lately returned from Italy, where he had been twelve or eighteen months, with a very...
75Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The misfortunes of our friends in Baltimore , and the dreadful state of commerce all the world over, has determined my son to break up his establishment at Leghorn , & return to the U.S. as soon as he can wind up his business which he expects to be able to do in a few weeks after he gets there. He expects there will be a considerable Naval depot at Pensacola , where he is disposed to settle....
76Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Gibson has stated to me your wish to obtain a loan from the Bank of the U.S. (at this place) of an additional sum. From particular circumstances there is a great unwillingness at this moment to make loans for a longer period than sixty days. I have therefore advised him to let the application be made at the Farmers Bank , where my brother thinks it wou’d be obtained without any difficulty....
77To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Every man who loves his country must feel great uneasiness at the defects that have been discovered in our constitution, in the short time that it has been in operation and must doubt its permenence when he recollects that in the 12th. year of its age, it was in the agony of death, that it was on the point of expiring under its own forms—that a similar state of things may be produced at any...
78Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose two notes which I beg the favour of you to endorse for me & return by the first mail. I ought to have done it by the last mail but it escaped me. Two of my daughters & my grandchild will leave this for Milton the first good day. What can or ought to be done to alleviate the distress of the country at the present moment? Is the question asked by every man I see, but no man answers it....
79To 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...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to request that the appointment of my successor may be made as soon as possible, believing that it wou’d be perfectly convenient to you, to make the appointment before that time, I had fixed my departure from this place for the 26th. and made several appointments that require me to be in Albermarle as early as possible. and I do not think it wou’d be proper, either in respect to the...
81To 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...
82To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
After the indecent attack that was made upon you in Congress in the course of the last Session, you will not be surprised to hear that efforts are made in conversation to lessen your popularity. I will not repeat to you what has been said, because there is abundant evidence in the possession of every man to contradict most of the calumnies in circulation, indeed your life has been so pure that...
83To 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...
84To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, [ca. 25 March] 1802 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter was sent to me by Genl. Marshal, who begs that you will send it under cover to Mr. Livingston with a request that he will give it a conveyance. I have obtained a list of all the French Vessels that were captured by the vessels of the U. S. upon comparing that list with your report I find it contains upwards of twenty vessels not included in your report, I have marked all...
85Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 9 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
a M r Coffee , a sculptor of great eminence who is here, is very anxious to go to your house to take your Bust: I have promised him I wou’d make his wishes known to you. He is said to be a master in his art: Your friends feel a solicitude you shou’d indulge him . nothing can be more acceptable to the american people, than the preservation of the likeness of those of our Citizens, most...
86Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heard I know, that your College is made the University of Virginia . I call it yours, as you are its real founder, its commencement can only be ascribed to you, to your exertions & influence its being adopted can only be attributed. The object was always dear to me, it is doubly so, as it is now so compleatly identified with your fame. The sum given is too small but it will be...
87To 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...
88Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 16 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I came to Richmond , after receiving your letter of the 19 th of march , in which you express a wish to have that part of Col Byrd ’s journal printed that I sent to you, I applied to M r Thomas Taylor , the agent & friend of the family, to obtain the permission, he promised to do so and there was no doubt it wou’d be readily given. In consequence of your letter of the 10 th instant...
89Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I was excessively mortified two days ago, to find in my possession a letter written on the 20 th of Dec r in answer to your favour of the 16 th of that month . I am the more distressed lest you shou’d suppose from my silence I had not received as I ought the reproof it contained. Admonitions from you, I shall ever consider as proofs of your friendship and I beg you to be assured, there does...
90To 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...