11From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 12 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive your two letters of the 8th & 9th. till last evening after the Mail for Charlottesville had passed, and could not therefore sooner acknowledge them. The letters ought to have come to hand the day before yesterday, and might then, have been answered by the mail of yesterday. How the failure happened I know not. That no time might be unnecessarily lost I sent the day before...
12From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 13 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
I forgot to comply with a request of Mr. Monroe, that the last letter of Mr. Bernard might be sent back to him, which had been requested by Mr. B. Be so good as to put it under cover for him, and forward it by mail to Fredericksburg: unless there be something in the letter making it improper. I recollect nothing of such a character. RC ( DLC : Nicholas P. Trist Papers). William Bernard...
13From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 18 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
As English newspapers seemed to be acceptable to you, I inclose a few which came to hand before their contents appeared in our own. The mail of to day may bring even later dates, but probably not at full length, the interesting, and it may be added very adroit speech of Mr Canning. Without drawing the sword agst. Ferdinand, he flourishes it in the scabbard over his head, and gives notice to...
14From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 7 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 31st Ult. and the first inst: and with them the “Harmony Gazettes” and the “Westminster Review.” The former I now return. The Review I retain for another mail, to avoid encumbering too much the present. You justly set a high value on Gymnastics. But a letter from Mr. Cabell gives little hope that the funds of the University will be aided for that or any...
15From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 2 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your favor of the 21. Ult: and have looked over the lucubrations of Regulus now returned to your files; but with an attention less close than the subject of them would require. I concur entirely in the distinction made between the authority of a Constitution, and that of public opinion. The former is the record of the national Will, and no evidence however specious or true...
16From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 18 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
It being always somewhat uncertain whether Genl. Cocke will be found at Bremo, or at Charllle; whither he is so often called I trouble you agn. with a letter for him to be properly disposed of as the case may be. The letter being left open for your perusal, you will see that Mr. Key has decided on a return to Engd. & that we have to encounter the difficulty of providing a Successor. His letter...
17From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 27 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
I trouble you with another letter to Genl. Cocke, for reasons which I need not repeat. Be so good as to look at Mr. Jeff——n’s instructions to Mr. Gilmer, and observe whether they do not suggest a better explanation than is given in the letter to Mr. Gallatin of the terms he is to hold out, as inviting a successor to Mr. Key, and if so, drop me a line, unless you favour us with a more agreeable...
18From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, [ante 10] April 1827 (Madison Papers)
The explanation you give of Mr. Key’s determination to leave us, surprizes me. I had taken for granted that it had its origin very much with Mrs. Key, and had a sanction at least from the opinion of his friends in England. Were his views less fixed, it might be hoped that if the advice of his friends, from whom it seems he is yet to hear, should press his stay where he is, it might, when...
19From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 12 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 8 th. is just come to hand. I send you the letter of Mr. Coolidge to me referred to in his to you, and with it a paper giving a sample of Mr. Grund’s professional Exhibitions. I send also the answer of Mr. Farrar recd. since you saw that of Mr. Bowditch. Tho’ favorable to Mr. G. it is cautious. These papers may remain with you till the meeting of the Visitors. It may not be amiss...
20From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 4 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 30th. was recd. yesterday. I am sorry for the trouble you have taken in searching for the morceau in question. Having observed that the whole of Franklin’s Works published, were in the Library of the University, I took for granted that it might be easily sought for; and, if there, found either in the biographical part, or under the miscellaneous head. It now occurs, that the...
21From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 13 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. George Washington, a nephew of Mrs. Madison, who being with his wife & his mother Mrs Todd on a visit to us, indulges his curiosity by one to the University, and will probably mark his respect for the spot where we understand you will now be found, by a ride to it. He is an Eleve of the University of Transylvania, and tho’ a married man but a short time out of...
22From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 23 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
The time is come when I ought to recollect that a Report from the Visitors of the University will soon be due to the General Assembly: and for which my materials as well as my memory are deficient. I must recur therefore to your aid in behalf of both. It is the more needed, as my sickness at the last Session of the Board prevented the participation in its proceedings which would have left me...
23From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 31 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 28th has come to hand with less delay as you may see than happened to mine of the 23. I consider the appointment of Docr Jones as decided. The account of him from Mr. Short was favorable; and Docr. Patterson, in declining himself, recommended Dr. Jones. I had been led to think well of Mr. Walker, when the Visitors were last assembled, but the supposed immaturity of his...
24From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 3 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Sparks having in his hands some papers he was to forward to me, I requested him to avail himself of the opportunity by Col. Peyton, who had mentioned to me his intended trip to Boston. I find by a letter from Mr. Sparks that he put the packet into the hands of Mr. Coolidge, for Col. Peyton, and by a letter from Col. P. that owing to the state of the weather, & the circumstances of his...
25From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 5 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from Mr. King the inclosed letter with an account of the fund placed by Mr. Jefferson under the controul of his father. From this it appears, that on the 24th. of June 1826. a balance remained in the hands of the Barings of £986.18.4. Sterling. Whether the fund has been further reduced by subsequent drafts may perhaps be gathered from the Invoices & information arrived with...
26From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 10 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 5th., enclosing one from Mr. Johnson having been overlooked as I presume at the post office here did not reach me till yesterday evening. I sent off a line immediately for the mail of this morning informing him I could not attend the proposed Meeting of the Visitors. It can have no effect however, unless, he should happen to have pos[t]poned, without abandoning his passage up by...
27From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 24 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your letter containing the information from Mr. Cooledge on the subject of Mr. Walker, was duly recd.; and as the opening for the Chair of Nat: Phil: seemed to be not closed by the correspondence relating to Docr. Jones & Mr. Renwick, I forwarded the information to Mr. Johnson, from whom, at Richmond, it will emanate to other Visitors. It appears that a majority of the Visitors decline a...
28From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 26 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your favours of the 18th have been duly recd. I am sorry you thought an apology necessary for the delay in sending me the residue of my letters to Mr. Jefferson, and rather surprized that you should be scrupulous of reading them. I took for granted that you would regard them, as on his files equally open tho less entitled to inspection than his to me. In forwarding the parcels, you are so...
29From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 4 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of the 26. ult: which I hope got safe to hand, I have recd. yours of the 29th.: since which that of the 30th. with the bundle of letters has been handed to me by Mr Randolph. I am very sorry for the trouble it cost you to take advantage of that conveyance. I return, as you desire, the extracts you made from some of the letters. I return also the copies of two letters, inclosed in...
30James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 8 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. a letter from Col. Storrow in answer to an inquiry from me, which shews that he has still in his hands the packet put into them by Mr. Sparks. I am sorry that his inattention caused you & Mr Coolidge the trouble indicated in your favour of Feby. 22. The delinquent is so penitent for not even dropping me a line on the subject, that, in the consciousness of our own...
31James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 27 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to take up my pen, when the only object is to impose a tax on yours. Be so good as to let me have, from the University papers left by Mr. Jefferson, a copy of the contract made by Mr. Gilmer, with the Professors, engaged in England. Affectionate salutations. RC ( DLC : Nicholas P. Trist Papers).
32James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 5 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of Mar. 30. and Apl. 1. the letter inclosing a copy of the contract with Mr. Long; to which I must ask the favor of you to add a copy of the power of attorney to Mr. Gilmer to enter into such engagements. I ought to have done this in the first instance. I feel the greater regret in imposing the trouble, now that I learn the new calls on your time in which it will...
33James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 23 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 17th. & thank you for the copy of Mr. Jeffersons letter to Mr. Norvell on the deceptive & licencious character of the press. My answer to the letter of General Lafayette referring to the abuse abroad of that of Mr. Jefferson in decrying the liberty of the press, appealed for an antidote to the known attachment of Mr. J. to a free press, as a necessary guardian of...
34James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 30 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from Mr Gilmer the desired copy of the Power of Attorney to his brother, and inclose a few lines thanking him for his prompt attention to the request conveyed to him. Not knowing the County in which the post office lies, I beg the favor of you to add it on the superscription as there may be other "Libertys", leading the letter astray. With that addition, please to have it...
35James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 5 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 30th. Ult. and given attention to the passage relating to the Statement of Dr. Watkins. I feel certainly every proper motive to comply with your request, especially under the reserves you annex to it. But I happen not to have the means of doing so which you take for granted. After a lapse of more than 20 years, without intervening occasions, for recurring to the...
36James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 21 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
Be so obliging as to complete the address of the inclosed letter to Mr. Eppes in answer to one recd. from him at Tallahassee, whence I presume he has got back to Virga. You will find the Debate in the Brit: H. of Commons on the subject of Canada, interesting in a historical as well as several other views. Mrs. M. has recd the welcome letter from Mrs. Randolph; and if she does not now answer it...
37James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 17 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
We are very sorry for the cause that detains you from the From the attendance you wished not to omit, but it is the request of us all that you consult your health as the first duty. With best wishes RC ( DLC : Nicholas P. Trist Papers).
38James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 26 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from a Mr. A. ____ Wigfall, of S. Carolina, who appears to have been a Student at our University, a letter which I can the better answer, after some knowledge of his character & conduct whilst there. Be so good as to collect it for me, as soon as may be convenient. I send you a few London Gazettes, which after looking into, you can hand to Dr. Dunglison. We got home the day we...
39James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 29 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 26th. The effect of the failure to provide for such cases as that of Mr Lomax is much to be regretted. I was under an impression that a resolution, adapted to them, was among those drawn up by Mr. Johnson. As you will perhaps see at your Court on Monday next, Genl. Cocke & Mr. Rives; & Mr. Cabell also, be so good as to state the occurrence to them, & obtain their...
40James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 2 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have recd. a letter from Docr. Patterson notifying his acceptance of the Chair of Nat: Philosy. which "he founds on the supposition that the Pavilion occupied by Mr. Long, will be assigned to him". This he was led to believe, when at the University, was intended, in the event of his becoming a Professor; and he seems, now to make a point of it, as materially important to his...