31Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 3 July 1832 (Madison Papers)
It is more than four weeks since I received your last; and I then thought that but a day or two would pass before I answered it. But I have repeatedly in the last two months been laid on my back for three, four, or five days at a time, by a succession of boils which kept me in great pain, and made it impossible to move without a great encrease. The consequence is, that I have been overwhelmed...
32Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 25 September 1834 (Madison Papers)
Unless the day should be unfavorable, Mrs Trist & myself & children will set out to-morrow, to dine at Gordonsville, and reach Montpellier in the evening. Cornelia & Mary, and one of Mr. Randolph’s younger daughters (Cary Ann) will follow the next tuesday; and we propose all to leave you on the ensuing friday evening, so as to be in Washington the next day. I thought, when last with you, that...
33Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 30 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge your two favors of the 8th & 27th instant. The last came to hand yesterday evening, too late to be answered effectually (the papers being at the University) by this morning’s mail; and you will, in consequence, not receive the copy you desire, till wednesday: a delay from which I hope no inconvenience will result. For the account of the London University, which is an...
34Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 6 August 1833 (Madison Papers)
Towards the close of a thorough examination which I have made of Mr. Jefferson’s papers, and when I had nearly given up all hope, I found one cypher. This, by Mr. R’s permission, I now enclose, with the request that when you shall have made what use you want of it, it be put under cover to him. It is the only cypher now among his papers, I am confident. With it were several Schemes , from...
35To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, [September 1827] (Madison Papers)
You will find in No. 3 (as marked by me) some new details respecting your early career, as well as that of Mr Jefferson. I send Nos 1. & 2. as introductory: The letters from R.D.O., I mean—which are marked with //. You will perceive that the clergy are seriously—many of them conscientiously —bent on organizing a “christian Party in politics.” We may yet be destined in this country to a fearful...
36Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 25 October 1828 (Madison Papers)
I received, yesterday, a letter from Mr Clay, which I have answered by an acceptance of the office in question. In answer to my enquiry whether the public service required my immediate presence; as, otherwise, the approaching crisis with Mrs Trist would detain me with her; he has been so kind as to give me until the 10th Novr, or even a few days later, if necessary. Within this limit, I shall...
37To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 18 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr Willard of Roxbury near Boston, who has come on to the University with the large clock of which he is maker, is desirous on his return, to avail himself of the first and last opportunity that will ever offer for paying his respects to you; and I accordingly take the liberty of giving him this introduction. With profound respect Your obedt. Servt. RC ( ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist Album Book)....
38Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 3 May 1833 (Madison Papers)
I intended that you should first hear from myself , of the plunge I have taken; but this step has but added to the pressure of things to be done, which was before intolerably great, by requiring that many should be immediately dispatched which might otherwise have waited a little—besides no small addition to the pressing agenda arising from the step itself. Mrs. Trist had, several days before...
39Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 May 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have, for some time, been intending to send you the enclosed; but, agreeably to my second nature—which has abundant opportunity to manifest itself—I have put off doing so, from day to day, and week to week. It is on a subject which early attracted your own attention, although you probably did not then foresee that it would ever be presented to the world in the naked-- purity , I think, in...
40To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 13 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
In the expectation of finding there a letter from Mr Coolidge, I rode to the post-office yesterday, and was not disappointed. From this, I give you the following extracts. Speaking of Mr W. he says “he is, I have no doubt, fitted for the place, though I should not suppose him equal at present to Bonnycastle or Key.” “If Jones does not accept, or leaves you, I should recommend to appoint W. He...
41To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 19 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Much occupation of one kind or another, together with the knowledge that all you desired was to send in the report in time for the meeting of the legislature, have caused me to postpone taking up the subject until today. On doing so, I found so many points on which it seemed necessary to touch, that it became obvious it would give you less trouble to frame a report yourself, than to correct...
42To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 11 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
My conscience has been reproaching me for some time past with my remissness towards you; and yet something has occurred every day to protract it until this late date. My expectation, when I last wrote, of hearing again from Mr Coolidge within a post or two, was not realised; and I left home on some business at Powhatan court house without doing so. On my return, I was still disappointed; & the...
43Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 5 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just sent to the post-office, the copy of Mr Monroe’s paper, due to Genl. Breckenridge; those for yourself & Mr Randolph shall follow this week. I have had the pleasure of hearing of your recovery, as Mrs Cutts received letters from Montpellier; & was told yesterday evening, by Miss Dolly that the oranges had not yet made their appearance there. I had obtained a promise from the Captain...
44Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 6 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
After the dose of Constitutional matter which you have had forced upon you of late, it is not without apprehension of being deemed inconsiderate that I approach you with another; and I venture to do so, only from the conviction that, as the subject is one which has natural claims upon your interest, so it really enjoys it. The daily & hourly perversion --as I am satisfied that it is, & that...
45To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 12 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Called to Charlottesville on business, I stop a moment, to send you an extract from a few lines just received from Mr Coolidge. “I have never received any letter from Mr Madison. The papers he alludes to were sent him by Col. Storrow, from Mr Sparks. This is my impression.” This Col. S. is a Virginian who visited Boston last season. Your favors of the it. & 9th. both came safe to hand. The...
46Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have only time to ask the favor of you to send the enclosed to Mr Randolph by the first mail. It contains a copy of the journal of the board, at their last meeting—sent for the purpose of having some made, as the writing on hand here does not allow me time to complete the whole by the meeting. I saw Mrs Cutts last evening She is well, but will not be able to accompany me on Sunday next, when...
47Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 8 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have been intending to write ever since we had the pleasure—a most heartfelt one—of hearing of the favorable turn in your health; but things have crowded upon me in such a way as to make me procrastinate. H. L.’s book reached here yesterday. It is a realization of your apprehensions concerning the consequences that might result from the Charlottesville publication, if proper care were not...
48To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 30 July 1827 (Madison Papers)
My delay in writing has been greater than you probably expected when we parted or than I intended; but I am not altogether without apology for it. In the first place, making up the record took me three days. A fourth was entirely taken up by some business which did not admit of postponement; and subsequently, three others by an indisposition somewhat of the nature of that from which you are...
49[Nicholas P. Trist] to James Madison, 7 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
On the subject of all the conversations which it has been my good fortune to enjoy with you, I have made it a rule— which is indeed a general one with me— to observe the strictest silence. Your views in relation to the true spirit of the resolutions & report, are the single exception to this. I have mentioned to two or three persons, in confidence , that I was satisfied, from your own remarks,...
50To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 18 November 1826 (Madison Papers)
You should have heard from me some time since, but for the prospect held out by the arrival of the measurer from Philadelphia, of an early completion of the business in which he was to be engaged, and consequently of the information that I was to communicate. As the enclosed note from the proctor will show, the delay has been without the fruit I expected. It is in answer to one from me...
51[Nicholas P. Trist] to James Madison, 23 November 1832 (Madison Papers)
Thinking on this subject last night in bed, it occurred to me that the most effectual way to keep these madmen in check, would be for the upper country in S. C.—(the only part of the state which is self-sufficient for the purposes of internal security, and which is decidedly against nullification) to say to the others, we here part company. If you choose to pursue this course, we will not; and...
52Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 7 July 1831 (Madison Papers)
I am returning to the City from a trip to the Rip Raps (the most delightful spot, as to atmosphere, I have ever been at) in company with the President, and sit down to scrawl a few lines in the hope of their reaching you in time. I have good grounds for thinking that your presence—if it be only for one or two days—at the approaching meeting of the Visitors will be highly important to the...
53To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 18 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
I am utterly ashamed of myself for having kept you waiting so long for letters which you have, doubtlessly, been impatient to receive; and this shame is the greater from the delicacy which has prevented your jogging my memory on the subject. The only excuse I have to offer, is the procrastination forced on me by the multiplicity of agenda constantly before my eyes; & the forgetfulness which...
54Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 24 September 1828 (Madison Papers)
A letter just received from Mr Monroe, betrays the erroneous impression that the first monday--whereas it is the first day--was appointed for the meeting of the Board; and, lest the other members should be labouring under the same mistake, I have lost no time in calling their attention to the subject. The students at the University have not yet reached one hundred. Dr P. evinces several...
55To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, 26 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
Calling by here in haste this morning, I am met by Mr Brockenbrough who calls me into his office, to show me the enclosed. They are on a Subject of such deep interest, that I have asked his permission to send to you the letter addressed to himself. It may turn out a God send. You will judge of the expediency of obtaining the opinions of Bowditch & of Farrar; and of using every effort to close...
56Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 1 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed will give you a juster idea of the real state of things at the Head Quarters of Nullification &c than you can get at second hand. Offers of military support are pouring in upon the President. Not a few from Virginia . The People of So. Ca. are becoming aware of the impositions [pra]ctised upon them as to the peaceableness of the remedy, and there are already some symptoms of a...
57Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 1 September 1829 (Madison Papers)
It is my intention some day or other to take up seriously the politics of this country. If a moment of leisure is ever allowed you for the purpose, will you add to your many kindnesses that of pointing out, in as much detail possible, a course of reading on the subject? Ever yours N. P. T. RC ( ViHi : Nicholas P. Trist Album Book).
58Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 2 July 1833 (Madison Papers)
You were right in supposing that my thoughts had been given to the subject of the void made in the University by the resignation of Dr Dunglison; but I am sorry to say that it has not been to any purpose. Indeed I was satisfied from the beginning that it would be utterly impossible to fill his place, even tolerably; and that the days of the Medical School in our University were numbered. I...
59Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 13 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
You will be surprised at the place from which I date. I reached the Courthouse in good time to avoid the rain; and was so anxious that the stage should not pass me—as I was told the want of a horn might cause it to do—that after tossing in bed until two o’clock, I then rose & lit my candle. The Stage was much later making its appearance, than common; & when, at last, it did appear, there was...
60Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 5 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
January is past, and I am still here, without any immediate prospect of getting away. I still flatter myself, however, that I may yet, before this month passes over, make my appearance at Montpelier. My health is sensibly improved. Indeed every one tells me I look remarkably well; but with this, my feelings are still far from according. I yet suffer much from a general want of tone of body and...