1From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 31 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Just before I left Albemarle a proposition was started for establishing there a grammar school. You were so kind as to tell me you would write me the progress of the proposition: on my part I was to enquire for a tutor. To this I have not been inattentive. I enquired at Princetown of Dr. Witherspoon. But he informed me that that college was but just getting together again, and that no such...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Majr. Faire is the person whom Mr. Madison and myself mentioned as proposing to set up a glass manufactory. We had recommended James river to him. In passing thro’ Culpeper however he had almost or even quite determined to fix there: induced principally by the offers of credit for their provisions, for the expence of first establishment being great, and their capital not so,...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 23 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing for your perusal and consideration a proposal from a Mr. D’Ivernois, a Genevan, of considerable distinction for science and patriotism, and that too of the republican kind, tho you will see that he does not carry it so far as our friends of the National assembly of France. While I was at Paris, I knew him as an exile for his democratic principles, the...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 12 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I trouble you with another letter from Mr. D’Ivernois , containing a further development of his plan. Since you were here, I have found the inclosed rough draught of a subscription paper for clearing our river, which may explain to you the views and wishes of the subscribers. Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorsts, wealthy bankers of Amsterdam, have for some time apprehended a storm in their...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 October 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson the bearer hereof is not entirely unknown to you I believe. He asks of me however a line of introduction. He is a candidate for the office rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Hay, and he wishes me to say to you what I know of him. He has respectable talents, is well-read in the law, and is a good republican, and a very honest man. If no fitter person offers, I need not ask your...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 August 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the draught you desired, which I have endeavored to arrange according to the ideas you expressed, of having the entry, not thro’ a principal room as in Mr. Cocke’s house, but at the cross passage. The notes which accompany the draught will explain it. I will add that it would be possible to contract the plan from front to back by giving less extent in that direction to the...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
About the latter end of the last assembly I wrote to sollicit your endeavors to procure an act giving the character of citizens to Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and Nicholas Hubbard merchants and bankers of Amsterdam. My letter got too late to your hands, and as you may not now have it with you I will state the subject again from the beginning. On the failure of the revolution attempted in...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I entirely approve of the confidence you have reposed in mr Brackenridge, as he possesses mine entirely. I had imagined it better those resolutions should have originated with N. Carolina. but perhaps the late changes in their representation may indicate some doubt whether they would have passed. in that case it is better they should come from Kentuckey. I understand you intend soon to go as...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 November 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The more I have reflected on the phrase in the paper you shewed me , the more strongly I think it should be altered. suppose you were to instead of the invitation to cooperate in the annulment of the acts, to make it an invitation: ‘to concur with this commonwealth in declaring, as it does hereby declare, that the said acts are, and were ab initio—null, void and of no force, or effect’ I...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 May 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. P. Carr informed me two days ago that you wished for the dimensions of the Rumford fireplaces . I therefore avail myself of the first post to send them. I state them as I have used them myself, with great satisfaction, the back one half of the opening. Count Rumford makes the back but one third of the opening. this was to accomodate them to coal; but it renders them impracticable for wood....
11From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am deeply impressed with the importance of Virginia & Kentuckey pursuing the same tract at the ensuing sessions of their legislatures. your going thither furnishes a valuable opportunity of effecting it, and as mr Madison will be at our assembly as well as yourself, I thought it important to procure a meeting between you. I therefore wrote to propose to him a ride to this place on Saturday...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 September 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Aug. 30. 99. came duly to hand. it was with great regret we gave up the hope of seeing you here, but could not but consider the obstacle as legitimate. I had written to mr M. as I had before informed you , and had stated to him some general ideas for consideration & consultation when we should meet. I thought something essentially necessary to be said in order to avoid the inference...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A moment of leisure permits me to think of my friends. you will have seen an alarm in the newspapers on the subject of the Tripolitans & Algerines. the former about May was twelve month demanded a sum of money for keeping the peace, pretending that the sum paid as the price of the treaty was only for making peace. this demand was reiterated through the last year, but a promise made to Cathcart...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 4 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in [hopes] we should have had the pleasure of seeing you here during the court, but I learn you were not at court yesterday. you once intimated to me a possibility that you might be able to spare me a superlative overseer which you had. I do not remember his name. this possibility seems to be strengthened by a late resolution (which your friends lament) of changing the form of your...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A collector for the port of Hampton is wanting in the room of one Kirby removed for gross delinquency. Mount E. Chisman has been recommended. can you give me his character, & circumstances? can you recommend any body better, or advise me to any person whose judgment may be relied on to recommend, and who is acquainted with the characters of the neighborhood? I believe the case presses so that...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the benefit of your cover to get a safe conveyance for the inclosed. a copy of the ratification by the first Consul, of our convention, is arrived. it is expressed to be with an ‘understanding always that the matters which were the subject of the suppressed article are abandoned on both sides.’ altho’ I consider this as a superfluous caution, nothing being more settled than that things...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper was put into my hands by mr Madison to fill up some dates, but I have been so engaged as to do little to it; and supposing you will want it to-day I send it as it is. to that list may be added the appointment of Gouvr. Morris to negociate with the court of London , by letter written & signed by Genl. Washington, & Dav. Humphreys to negociate with Lisbon by letter....
18From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am anxious to recieve the British convention, because the moment I do, I shall lay it before both houses with a message for appropriation. for altho’ the next Congress might by possibility appropriate in time to make the first paiment, yet so great a remittance if pressed in time, might be made to great disadvantage. Great Britain too may want confidence in our ratification , if the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a letter from Gordon’s on the 31st. of March, which having been on a particular subject , I am anxious to know that it has got safely to your hands. be so good as by return of post to say you have recieved it whenever you shall have recieved it.—nothing interesting from France. affectionate salutations. PrC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. TJ’s letter from gordon’s Tavern,...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th. is recieved, and every thing you have done in the affair therein mentioned meets my approbation & thanks. I reserve details until I can see you. the offices filled & to be filled under the Missisipi law, are a Register for the Eastern & another for the Western district at 500. D. a year. a Reciever of public monies for each district. two Commissioners for each district at...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d was delivered me at court: but we were much disappointed at not seeing you here, mr Madison & the Govr. being here at the time. I inclose you a letter from Monroe on the subject of the late treaty. you will observe a hint in it to do without delay what we are bound to do. there is reason, in the opinion of our ministers, to believe that if the thing were to do over again,...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting on the proposition as to upper Louisiana which you mentioned as likely to unite all, and as it has been further explained by a map in the hands of mr Smith , I think it may be made to do. it is the better as it will sink the name of Louisiana, which might entertain hankerings on both sides the Atlantic. but something more energetic on that side the river must be provided than the...
23Enclosure: Draft Section of Bill for Organization of Upper Louisiana, 7 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Each of the portions of country on the Western side of the river Missisipi hereby annexed to the Indiana & Missisipi territories shall be divided into counties by their respective Governours, under the direction of the Pres. of the US. as the convenience of the settlements shall require, & subject to such alterations hereafter as experience may prove more convenient. the free inhabitants of...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 27 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of Apr. 15. I informed mr Gallatin of what had passed between us here, and desired him to take measures for winding up the commission at Norfolk with as little delay as should be consistent with a resignation. he says in an answer of the 19th. ‘no previous movement here, nor time is wanted for winding up mr Davies’s business; but on being informed of mr N’s intention to accept, I...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind sympathies in my late loss are a mark of your great friendship to me, and of the interest you are so good as to take in my happiness. it is indeed an inexpressible loss, and which, at my years, can hardly wear away. it is the more felt as it leaves, whatever of comfort remains, hanging on the slender thread of a single life. in the affections of our friends there is always great...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here the night before last. mr Gallatin being absent I enquired of mr Madison as to the commission of Collector, & found it had been forwarded to you at Warren by mr Gallatin. I found it too late also to enjoin secrecy, as, mr Gallatin not having intimated that, it had not been attended to. I am afraid I omitted to recommend this myself, altho’ it’s expediency was so obvious that it...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the inclosed which I recieved last night, you will percieve that mr Chisman, Collector of Hampton is dead. the writer, mr Booker, who is unknown to me, recommends Robt. Armistead, also unknown. he says nothing of the politics of the candidate which generally authorises a presumption that they are not with the government. can you, from your present knolege, recommend a successor, and if not,...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 21st. & 23d of Nov. have been duly recieved. every thing respecting yourself shall be arranged to your convenience. I inclose you a letter for old Colo. Newton, open for your perusal. be so good as to seal it, and have it delivered, either letting him know that you are privy to it’s contents, or not, at your choice. should he decline accepting the decision will rest between...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. is this moment put into my hands. the letters which have passed between us on this subject are uncommunicated to any mortal but ourselves, and every thing therefore will be as if they never had been written until you chuse to give them effect. I have but one desire, which is to accomodate to your convenience, knowing that the public interest cannot be better promoted...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th was recieved only the last night. I now return you the letter to Colo. Newton, which I will pray you to deliver & use your influence to induce an acceptance. it is in truth only asking him to become responsible for his son, which he would of course do were the office given to his son directly: & it will relieve me from a painful dilemma. shou’d he however refuse, be so...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Retired to your farm and family I venture as a farmer and friend to ask your aid & counsel, in the helpless situation in which I am as to my own affairs. mr Lilly, my manager at Monticello has hitherto been on wages of £ 50. a year, and £ 10. additional for the nailing. he now writes me he cannot stay after the present year for less than £ 100. certainly I never can have a manager who better...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to a letter from mr Randolph on the subject of the judgment v. Robinson’s admn I had mentioned to him that the papers relating to it being at Washington I could not from memory say whether that judgment remained in my hands or was in the hands of mr Gallatin; but that on my arrival at Washington I would look into it & on consultation with mr Gallatin would do whatever the present...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on my arrival here I examined my papers & found that I had delivered up to the Treasury the copy of the judgment against Robinson’s administrators. I took the first opportunity therefore of speaking to mr Gallatin & desiring him to transmit it to you. he did not recollect the reciept of it, but promised to have it searched for. from him therefore you will recieve it. It seems now...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Colo. Nicholas and incloses him the papers he desired some time ago. he really supposed mr Gallatin had forwarded them about the date of Th:J.’s letter to Colo. Nicholas, until he recieved them from mr G. yesterday. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
35From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 24 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
A last effort at friendly settlement with Spain is proposed to be made at Paris, & under the auspices of France. for this purpose Genl. Armstrong & mr Bowdoin (both now at Paris) have been appointed joint Comrs. but such a cloud of dissatisfaction rests on Genl. Armstrong in the minds of many persons, on account of a late occurrence stated in all the public papers, that we have in...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 13 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of your affairs certainly furnishes good cause for your not acceding to my proposition of a special mission to Europe. my only hope had been that they could have gone on one summer without you. an unjust hostility against Genl. Armstrong will I am afraid shew itself whenever any treaty made by him shall be offered for ratification. I wished therefore to provide against this by...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 20. was recieved in due time, but such has been the constant pressure of business that it has been out of my power to answer it. indeed the subjects of it would be almost beyond the extent of a letter, and as I hope to see you ere long at Monticello, it can then be more effectually done verbally. let me observe however generally that it is impossible for my friends to...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not answer your friendly letter of July 7. because the subject was voluminous, business pressed, & I expected sooner to have seen you here, & to have answered it more satisfactorily in conversation. your opinions were not the less useful in confirming us in our course. we differ not in opinion, except as to the time of calling Congress, which we fixed for the 26th. of October for reasons...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 24 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago recieved a letter from Burgess Griffin desiring me to pay to you the amount of his crop of tobacco. he happens not to have named the amount, and I left his papers at Monticello which would have informed me of it. my memory tells me it was two hundred and some odd dollars, but the exact sum I cannot recollect. perhaps he has named it to you. if so, be so good as to inform me of...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Isaac Briggs, of the adjoining state of Maryland, being desirous of employment in some part of the superintendance of the manufacturing company of Baltimore, has asked me to say what I know of him to yourself as a channel through which it may be conveyed to those on whom his emploiment may depend. he was the keeper of a school in this neighborhood with whom I became acquainted accidentally....
41From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You observed yesterday in conversation that the Feds say I have given them every thing from Gr. Britain & little from France. but the reason is we have little from France, and much from England. From France I have communicated 1. Armstrong’s letter to Champagny & his answer avowing the extension of the Berlin decree to us. 2. Armstrong’s letter to him on the doctrine to that effect laid down...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson: presents his friendly salutations to mr Nicholas and incloses him a check on the bank of the US. for 300 Dollars, by direction of Burgess Griffin to whose credit mr Nicholas will be pleased to place it. ViU .
43From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 20 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. is duly recieved. be assured that I value no act of friendship so highly as the communicating facts to me which I am not in the way of knowing otherwise, and could not therefore otherwise guard against. I have had too many proofs of your friendship not to be sensible of the kindness of these communications, and to recieve them with peculiar obligation. the reciept of mr...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I always consider it as the most friendly office which can be rendered me, to be informed of any thing which is going amiss, and which I can remedy. I had known that there had been a very blameable failure in the cloathing department, which had not become known so as to be remedied, till the beginning of October. but I had believed that the remedy had then been applied with as much diligence...
45Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear of your attack of rheumatism both on your own account & that of the public, & as I think you will have to go on as soon as you are able. I believe that immediately on the pacification with England , a vessel was dispatched to France for the Ultimatum of that government as I presume. Turreau was earnest in giving assurances that Napoleon would revoke his decrees, considering...
46Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 13 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not know, till mr Patterson called on us, a few days ago, that you had passed on to Washington . I had recently observed in the debates of Congress , a matter introduced, on which I wished to give explanations more fully in conversation which I will now do by abridgment in writing. mr Randolph has proposed an enquiry into certain prosecutions at Common law in Connecticut , for libels on...
47Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the Agricultural catalogue . I do not know whether I have made it more or less comprehensive than you wished. but in either case you can make it what it should be by reduction or addition. there are probably other good books with which I am unacquainted. I do not possess the Geoponica, nor Rozier’s dictionary. all the others I have & set them down on my own knolege, except...
48Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
On enquiry of mr Randolph I find his process for rolling his seed corn in plaister varies a little from what I told you. he first dilutes the tar with water stirred into it to such a consistency as will make the plaister adhere. corn is then put into a trough & diluted tar poured on it & stirred till the whole of the grains are perfectly coated. there must be no surplus of the tar more than...
49Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 1 February 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your request, I ruminated, as I journeyed here on your proposition for the establishment of an Agricultural Society . on my arrival here, I committed to writing what is in the inclo sed it will be a better proof of my willingness, than of my comp etence to be useful to the design. it is meant however but as a rough dra ught until it can re cieve the amendments of more skilful...
50Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
You took the trouble of reading my former letters to mr Eppes on the subject of our finances, and I therefore inclose you a third letter to him on an important branch of the same subject, banks, for your perusal, if the volume does not appear too formidable. be so good as to stick a wafer into the letter and put it into the shortest post-line for Ça-ira which is his nearest post-office.— I...