1From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 18 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I inclose herewith the only printed addition which has been made to the sheets of the Journal forwarded by Mr. Hopkins. The bill imposing duties on imports having been published in all the Newspapers as it finally passed both houses I do not inclose it. The bill imposing duties on tonnage has since become a law in the hands of the President, but is not yet in print. The clauses discriminating...
2From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last inclosed a continuation of the printed Journals of the H. of Reps. I now add two sheets more. They are no otherwise valuable than as they serve to make up an entire sett. The commercial bills are at lengths off our hands. They have been so long delayed that an interregnum of a day or two will take place even in this & the adjacent ports, and an inconvenient one in the distant ports....
3From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 10 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I can not at so late a day acknowledge your two favors of without an explanation which I am sure your goodness will accept as an apology. Having brought with me to this place a very feeble state of health, and finding the mass of business in the Department, at all times considerable, swelled to an unusual size by sundry temporary causes, it became absolutely necessary to devote the whole of my...
4From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 25 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 January 1802. In response to letter from Nicholas [not found], makes an agreement with him subject to conditions about the use of his name. RC ( ViU ). 1 p. Fragment. Left half of page is torn away. Addressee not indicated, but Nicholas’s docket is on verso. The precise details of the agreement are unclear, but it would seem that JM agreed to advance Nicholas the sum of $4,500 for sixty...
5From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive your favor of the 11th. instant till a few days ago; and I have till now been too much indisposed to acknowlege it. You are not mistaken in viewing the conduct of the Eastern States as the source of our greatest difficulties in carrying on the war; as it certainly is the greatest, if not the sole inducement with the Enemy to persevere in it. The greater part of the people in...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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 .
9From 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...
10From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 17 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of May 10. It is true as you have understood, that Mr. Hassler is ingaged [ sic ], under an Act of Congress, to make a survey of the Coasts &c of the U.S. and that he procured for the purpose instruments of peculiar excellence. But the survey is not yet commenced, and it is not probable that it will be extended to Virginia during the ensuing summer. You will...
11From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of March 4. inclosing a Resolution of Feby. 22. by the General Assembly of Virginia; and urging the importance of providing for the protection of the Chesapeake Bay, which is the object of that Resolution. Concurring fully in the views you have presented of the extended interests which are connected with the Waters of the Bay, and of the use that can be made of them...
12From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 31 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I omitted to forward the inclosed. I know nothing of the writer but from the letter itself; and send it merely that you may have an oppy. of judging whether it be worth your further enquiry thro’ Mr. Adams. Accept my best respects RC ( Vi : Executive Letterbook). Cover addressed and franked by JM ; docketed by Nicholas.
13From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 30th. Ult. It will afford me pleasure to promote your wishes on behalf of Mr. Arm[i]stead; and the pleasure will be increased by my recollections of the period & persons to whom you allude. It is incumbent on me at the same time to remark that it is the usage, to leave to the heads of Depts. the selection of their own Clks, which the law vests in their discretion &...
14From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 18th. inclosing a commission for me, as one of the Visitors of the Central College in Albemarle. With a reservation of the time required by my remaining duties at this place, I shall, with pleasure contribute my services in promoting the welfare of so beneficial an Institution. Accept Sir my esteem & great respect RC ( Vi : Executive Papers).
15From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 10 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I had made up a decision on the case of your Nephew, previous to the rect of your favor of the 23d. Ult: and with every disposition to respect the considerations which it suggests. The course which occurred as best calculated to reconcile all proper considerations was that of disapproving the sentence of the Court, so as to restore Col: N. to his stand in the army, and of declining the usual...
16From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The idea I meant to express yesterday was "to repeal the embargo no matter how soon, as to all countries except G. B. & France, and to add a Non-intercourse at as short a day as may be consistent with notice &c as to them only," and to arm or not in defence of the trade so to be authorized, as the sense of Congs. might be found to require; preferring however, under present impressions, the not...
17From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
That the President ought to be authorized, in case either of the France or G. Britain shall so revoke or modify her Edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral Commerce of the U. S. to declare, by Proclamation a reasonable day, after which the trade of the U. S. suspended by the several Embargo laws, shall be resumed with the said nation: so doing and to cause to be issued, under...
18From 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...
19From 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,...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From 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...
25From 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...
26From 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...
27From 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....
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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...