1From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 18 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 25. came to hand on the 22d. of July, and on the next day I had the pleasure of receiving that of May. 4. I was happy to find that you had taken the first step for a return to your own country, tho’ I was sensible many difficult ones still remained. I hope however these are surmounted, and that this letter will find you in the bosom of your friends. Your last letter is an...
2[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 22 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 22 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Trist—dissuading immediate departure. Pittsbg till Mar. or Apr.—Smith—Browse’s alienage.” Not found. Mrs. Trist had left Philadelphia on 21 Dec.; see her acknowledgment of the present letter from Pittsburgh, 8 Apr. 1784. On Browse’s alienage, see TJ’s notes on British and American alienage, printed at the end of 1783.]
3[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 28 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 28 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs Trist. To draw on me at Paris for money accompanying it with a letter of advice.” Not found, but acknowledged in Mrs. Trist’s letter to TJ, 12 Mch. 1785 , as received 22 Feb. 1785.]
4[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 5 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 5 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Tr.—Mad[ison].—Annap.—Mr. Tr [presumably Nicholas Trist, Mrs. Trist’s husband, who is listed in Ford, British Officers , as a lieutenant in 1775]. Mr. Hou.—Browse [Mrs. Trist’s son, Hore Browse Trist].” Not found. There are no further entries in SJL between this date and 11 Dec.]
5From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must refer you to my letter of Dec. 15. for the reason why I had not asked of you sooner some information of Browse’s relations in England and of their residence. Having received that information from you after my return from England, I wrote to my friend Mr. Trumbul to make such enquiries as he could. I inclose you a copy of his letter containing the result of these enquiries. You will...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 17 September 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter came under cover to me not long since and before I could forward it to you I was attacked with a rheumatism which has kept me ever since, and still keeps me in incessant torment. Since that I have learnt by a letter from Mr. Ciracchi that he is arrived with his family at Boston. I have felt the obligation therefore, notwithstanding the pain in which I write, to accompany...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 15 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your friendly letter of July 24. and received it with great pleasure as I do all those you do me the favor to write me. If I have been long in acknowleging the receipt, the last cause to which it should be ascribed would be want of inclination. Unable to converse with my friends in person, I am happy when I do it in black and white. The true cause of the delay has been an...
8[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 17 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 17 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Trist. Condole on her sufferings—envy her voiage—Mrs. House Philada. or Trenton— probable course of Congr.—ill accomodations here—I shall probably be in Phila. this summer either as astronomer or [as a member of the] Committee [of the] states—horrid winter—Hawk. [Benjamin Hawkins] Merc. [John Francis Mercer]—[Joseph]...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 23 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by our last post but one your favor from Alexandria . Mr. Giles had before informed us you intended a visit to that city this summer, and as I flattered myself with the hope of seeing you here also, and knew that Patsy would be a material object in your visit I was only waiting to know when she would return, in order to express to you our general wish to see you, and that I would...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, [11 December 1783?] (Jefferson Papers)
Availing myself of the place in P’s letter where a postscript should be, I take the liberty of adding my wishes for your health and happiness, and assurances that I feel myself much interested in those events which may affect either. I hope the day is near when Mr. Trist’s return will make amends for the crosses and disappointments you complain of, and render the current of life as smooth and...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 24 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot review the time that has elapsed since the receipt of your obliging and kind favor by Messrs. Fitzhughs without feeling a mortification at the negligence and ingratitude which the delay seems to accuse me. Shortly after it came to hand I was prevailed on by my friend Mrs. Simms of Alexandria to accompany her return from a visit to her friends in this quarter. This trip with my...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 4 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I embark’d on board a Spanish Ship bound for the Havanah, sixteen days ago and have been detained at this place by contrary winds thirteen days. There are several Vessels by us likwise waiting for a fair wind. I have just heard that one of them is bound for france. So favorable an oppertunity induces me to take up my pen to address a few lines to you, notwithstanding my situation is not the...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, [ca. 8 December? 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
I am greatly indebted to worthy Mr. Jefferson for his polite and friendly letter. I wish I cou’d express my greatful feelings in language suitable to what my mind suggests. I can and will say that you are incapable of esteeming me more than I do you. I cou’d give as many reasons were I to enumerate your Virtues as wou’d fill a Volume folio. Your caracter was great in my estamation long before...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 12 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In a very few days, I expect to leave this country having nearly compleated my business, tho not so advantageously as I had reason to expect. Owing to the paper currency, I shall be obliged to give seventy five pr. Cent to get it exchanged into silver, but this loss I must submit to. There is not the most distant prospect that the situation of affairs will be better in the course of another...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 25 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I must plead the same excuse to all my friends for not writing sooner. There is no certain conveyence from this country to ours, and the distress’d State of my mind for a long time after my arrival incapasitated me for such an undertaking. I have been severely afflicted, and my situation peculiarly unfortunate. I received the cruel stab when I least expected it. My mind was prepared for...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, [ca. 30 May 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison consented that Mrs. Pine Shou’d finnish a portrait of him self—which was began by Mr. Pine: The Morning he left the city he desired that I wou’d refer the Ladies to you for payment; and you will also please to receive it under your roof. I am Your &ca RC ( DLC : TJ Papers, 235:42144); undated; addressed: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 30 May 1792. TJ...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 13 April [1784] (Jefferson Papers)
If Mr. Jefferson cou’d see my heart and know its feelings there wou’d be no occasion for words to express my gratitude, and thanks for his very kind favor by Capt. Lynn which I received yesterday. I had wrote to some of my friends by a Gentlemen of the same Corp who has postponed his journey for a day or two longer which prolongs the time sufficient for me to write a few more letters. In a few...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 13 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I take particular notis of that part of your letter that relates to my intended reunion with my Husband. I fear if the chain is intirely loosened my confidence must be great if I succeed in fasting it again. It is rather too late in the day for me to attempt at conquest, I am in hopes the links are only a little rusty. If that shou’d be all I will exert my skill to restore them to their...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 6 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I with much pleasure acknowledge the receipt of your very kind favors of Dec. 86. and Feby. 87. Tho the dates were at distant periods, they were presented to me nearly at the same time. However great the satisfaction which I ever experience when honord by such testimonials of friendship, I wou’d not wish to purchase it at the expence which I find it has cost you. The pain with which you wrote...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, 8 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasing satisfaction to receive a letter of yours dated 22d of Dec. which was the day after I set out on my journey. Had I received it in time I do not think it wou’d have prevented my undertaking the journey tho no ones advise wou’d have had greater weight independant of the knowledge I knew you had of the back Woods but my mind was in that State of Wretchedness that I cou’d have...