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...