1From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 10 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I had made up a decision on the case of your Nephew, previous to the rect of your favor of the 23d. Ult: and with every disposition to respect the considerations which it suggests. The course which occurred as best calculated to reconcile all proper considerations was that of disapproving the sentence of the Court, so as to restore Col: N. to his stand in the army, and of declining the usual...
2To 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...
3From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 18th. inclosing a commission for me, as one of the Visitors of the Central College in Albemarle. With a reservation of the time required by my remaining duties at this place, I shall, with pleasure contribute my services in promoting the welfare of so beneficial an Institution. Accept Sir my esteem & great respect RC ( Vi : Executive Papers).
4To 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...
5From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 30th. Ult. It will afford me pleasure to promote your wishes on behalf of Mr. Arm[i]stead; and the pleasure will be increased by my recollections of the period & persons to whom you allude. It is incumbent on me at the same time to remark that it is the usage, to leave to the heads of Depts. the selection of their own Clks, which the law vests in their discretion &...
6To 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...
7From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 31 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I omitted to forward the inclosed. I know nothing of the writer but from the letter itself; and send it merely that you may have an oppy. of judging whether it be worth your further enquiry thro’ Mr. Adams. Accept my best respects RC ( Vi : Executive Letterbook). Cover addressed and franked by JM ; docketed by Nicholas.
8To 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...
9From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of March 4. inclosing a Resolution of Feby. 22. by the General Assembly of Virginia; and urging the importance of providing for the protection of the Chesapeake Bay, which is the object of that Resolution. Concurring fully in the views you have presented of the extended interests which are connected with the Waters of the Bay, and of the use that can be made of them...
10From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 17 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of May 10. It is true as you have understood, that Mr. Hassler is ingaged [ sic ], under an Act of Congress, to make a survey of the Coasts &c of the U.S. and that he procured for the purpose instruments of peculiar excellence. But the survey is not yet commenced, and it is not probable that it will be extended to Virginia during the ensuing summer. You will...
11To 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...
12From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 28. Apl. I have always regarded Mr. Latrobe as the first Architect in our Country, and particularly distinguished by his uniting with science & taste, a practical acquaintance with the minutest details of the art. He is considered as also well skilled in what belongs to the profession of a Civil Engineer, and of course with what relates to the improvements under your...
13To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to accept my cordial thanks for the inquiries you have made as to an engineer for this state. I am obliged to Mr. Latrobe for the information he has given it is very satisfactory and will be useful. Before I wrote to you I took the liberty to enclose to the Secretary of State a letter to Mr. Adams, and to request the Secretary to have inquiries made through our ministers, as to the...
14From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 18 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed has just been handed to me from Mr. Latrobe. You will say to him what you think proper on the subject. Accept my esteem & friendly respects RC and enclosure ( Vi : Board of Public Works Papers). RC addressed and franked by JM ; docketed by Nicholas. The enclosure is Benjamin Henry Latrobe to JM , 16 Apr. 1816 .
15From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, [8 April 1816] (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter, I made enquiry of Mr Latrobe concerning the young French Engenier to whom Commodore Decatur referred; and found that he had returned to France. He is the Mr. Surville named in the inclosed communication from Mr L. This paper grew out of the conversation I had with him on the occasion; and will I hope aid your efforts in carrying advantagiously [ sic ] into...
16To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you no doubt are informed, the last assembly made large appropriations of money to the internal improvement of this state, to ensure the judicious application of this money, it is essential that we shoud be able to command the services of one or more able civil engineers. Among the citizens of this State, I have looked in vain for such a man, and I fear there is no native of the U.S....
17To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 4 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you a resolution of the Assembly of the State of Virginia, instructing the Governor of the Commonwealth earnestly and respectfully to submit to you, the importance of effectually providing for the defence of the Chesapeake Bay. Your knowledge of the Chesapeake Country, its population, the value of its products and its importance in a political and commercial...
18To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 2d. instant at this place a few days past. When my son desired to be named for the consulate at Leghorn, he beleived that office was or wou’d be vacant. Under the same impression, I took the liberty to make the application to you in his favour, contained in my letter from Richmond. I am sure Sir, you beleive me incapable of wishing a deserving...
19From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 28th. Ult. The wishes of your son & of yourself, that he might be appd. to the Consulate at Leghorn had been previously made known to me; and I should have taken sincere pleasure in doing what depends on me for giving effect to them, had the way been sufficiently open; being well persuaded that your son merits all the confidence which is claimed for him. Mr. Appleton...
20To 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...
21To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 18 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure two days ago to receive your favour of the 27th. of November. I beg you to be assured I feel great regret at the cause of the delay in your writing to me and anxiously hope your health is now perfectly restored. I understand communications to the Executive of the U.S ought properly to be addressed to the heads of departments these I shall make with pleasure. At the same time...
22From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive your favor of the 11th. instant till a few days ago; and I have till now been too much indisposed to acknowlege it. You are not mistaken in viewing the conduct of the Eastern States as the source of our greatest difficulties in carrying on the war; as it certainly is the greatest, if not the sole inducement with the Enemy to persevere in it. The greater part of the people in...
23To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When at war with the only nation that has the means of serious annoyance, to have the force of the nation impaired if not neutralized by faction, heaps upon the government difficulties that are almost insurmountable. With the maratime ascendency of G.B. it cannot be doubted she is able to make us feel most sorely her power. Grievous as she has and may continue to make the war, I feel more...
24To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
When I was in Richmond lately, it was said Judge Griffin, wou’d probably, never be able to take his seat on the bench again. Will you pardon me if I take the liberty to place before you the name of a Gentn. as his successor, with whom you are as well acquainted as I am? I am far from expecting or wishing more than that, his fitness for the office, shou’d be decided by a comparison with others...
25To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Warren. Introduces Maj. James Morrison of Kentucky, “one of the most respectable of the revolutionary Officers, and one of the most amiable men I am acquainted with.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Nicholas was nearing the end of his service as a Virginia congressman (he resigned on 27 Nov.).
26To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, [ca. 3 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have endeavoured to ascertain how the votes wou’d be in the Senate upon the nomination of Mr. Galatin. 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 number of votes he will lose,...
27To 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...
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...
29From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
That the President ought to be authorized, in case either of the France or G. Britain shall so revoke or modify her Edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral Commerce of the U. S. to declare, by Proclamation a reasonable day, after which the trade of the U. S. suspended by the several Embargo laws, shall be resumed with the said nation: so doing and to cause to be issued, under...
30To 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...