1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7[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.]
8From 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...
9[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.]
10[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]...