1Martha Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, [after 24 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter put an end to the inquietude that your silence had caused us. Be assured that I will remember you as long as I live. I am very happy in the convent and it is with reason for there wants nothing but the presence of my friends of America to render my situation worthy to be envied by the happiest. I do not say kings, for far from it. They are often more unfortunate than the lowest of...
2From 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...
3[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.]
4[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.]
5[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.]
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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...
9[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]...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of a line from you for some time. If you have recd. all mine you have not been without mementos of my title to it. I have some suspicion that the mail is not a very faithful conveyance. In point of time it certainly fails of its promises and its duty. Letters are generally a week on the road. I was very suddenly popped on the other morning by your brother George. He...
13From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 31 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
New York Jany. 31. 1790. I wrote last week a letter accompanying the favor for Mrs. Ross, which I put into the hands of Mr. Bailey. He was to have returned to Philada. in the course of the week, but I find he is still here, and may possibly be still longer detained. He expects however to set out tomorrow morning. Mr. Randolph is not yet arrived. We have heard of his being in Philada. and...
14From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. gave me the first information of Browse’s illness. I hope his recovery is by this time established, as well as that of your mamma. My letters from Virginia give me room to fear much for the situation of the same relation. She was in bad health when I came away, and I understand that she has continued to decline till her case is extremely critical. I send to the post...
15From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, [29 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… I expected by this time to have been in Philada. My plan has been impeded by several circumstances. The only insuperable one has been a continued indisposition which has at length terminated in a complaint which has been promoted by my sedentary life, and which incapacitates me for travelling. I am at present having medical relief, and shall leave this as soon as I can. I calculate on some...
16From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 25 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Orange March 25 [1788]. The badness of the roads & some other delays retarded the completion of my journey till the day before yesterday. I called at Col Syms in Alexanda. but had not the pleasure of seeing either him or his lady. He was not at home though in Town and I was so hurried that I could halt a few minutes only; and she was confined to her chamber by indisposition. I had the...
17From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 10 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
The extreme badness of the weather rendered our journey very disagreeable, and retarded our arrival here till yesterday. From Princeton to Paulus’ Hook we had a N. E. snow storm incessantly in our teeth. We met however with no misadventure, nor with any real difficulties except in passing some of the rivers some of which were clogged with Ice, and a half congealed mixture of snow & water which...
18From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
N. York May 27 [1790]. I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 19th. instant. I am glad the book for Browze arrived in time and was of the right sort. I had some doubts on the latter point. You have more than your share of the Influenza in the third attack of which you complain. I hope you are well of it by this time. It has spared very few in this place. I have had a full measure,...
19From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 14 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of February has been several weeks in my pocket, and has for the same space kept me impatient for an opportunity to tell you how much pleasure it gave me. I construe your vein of pleasantry into a proof of your returning health, and am therefore doubly entertained with it. I wish I could exhibit in another Coat that would furnish you [with] a similar topic. I do not like...
20From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 23d. instant by Mr. Jay has been delivered to me; but I have not yet been to thank him for it. I have had a cold which made me extremely hoarse, but did not otherw[ise] affect me much. At present I am clear even of that inconvenience. I hope this will find you equally recovered from your indisposition. I have not made a trial of my french with the Marchioness yet, thou[gh] I have...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, ca. 13 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 13 April 1784. Mrs. Trist was at Fort Pitt awaiting transportation down the Ohio for a reunion with her husband. She wrote Jefferson regarding a misunderstood report that Virginia had “reward[ed] merit by making our friend Madison Governor.… I have wrote to him, but before I got your letter, which I beg you to forward” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al.,...
24To 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...
25To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 9 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 9 February 1786. Contained news of Mrs. Trist’s state of health and her proposed trip through various states. Mentioned in JM’s response of 14 March 1786 .
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 23 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 January 1788. Acknowledged in JM to Mrs. Trist, 27 Jan. 1788 . Comments favorably on Luther Martin’s Genuine Information .
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 15 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 May 1789. Acknowledged in JM to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 . Reports illness of her son, Hore Browse Trist.
33To 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...
34To 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...