1Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had a severe attack of the rheumatism, which has prevented my going to Washington , I am now better and I hope in four or five days to be able to set out if there is a necessity for my going. Will you do me the favour to give me your opinion as to the probability of the duration of the present session? It does not seem to me that any legislative measure wou’d now be necessary or proper...
2Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
But for Macon , who thinks no man honest or independent, who does not abuse his friends, the law to permit letters from you to be franked wou’d have had an unnanimous vote, notwithstanding his opposition the vote was nearly so. There was no opportunity to mention the prosecutions while I stayed in Washington , I had several conversations with Granger , his recollection of the circumstances did...
3Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I was excessively mortified two days ago, to find in my possession a letter written on the 20 th of Dec r in answer to your favour of the 16 th of that month . I am the more distressed lest you shou’d suppose from my silence I had not received as I ought the reproof it contained. Admonitions from you, I shall ever consider as proofs of your friendship and I beg you to be assured, there does...
4Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I expected for some time past to have the pleasure of seeing you tomorrow, but I cannot venture from home, until I have securd my wheat. I shou’d have finished my harvest yesterday but for the wet weather last week. I have yet 150 acres to cut. I suspect nine or ten shillings a bushel has been given for wheat to be delivered early. wou’d it not be well for us to embrace that price? I shou’d...
5Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 8 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much obliged to you for allowing me to read your letters to M r Eppes . I have done it with great satisfaction and attention. Your letters contain the ablest system of finance that I believe cou’d be devised, if the U.S. were now to commence their financial operations, with all the powers of the State and Gen l Governments and we were free from prejudices against paper money and the...
6Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Most unexpectedly to me, my son Robert , writes me from Washington , “ that he had received such proposals in Baltimore , as induced him to determine to go immediately to Leghorn & to settle at that place. He says “it wou’d add very much to my prospects to be appointed Consul for the U.S. at Leghorn .” will you my Dear Sir, add to the obligations that I am under to you by interesting yourself...
7Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 15 th of July by my servant messenger. Circumstanced as you were and indeed as M r Appleton , is, I regret extremely that I gave you the trouble of the application I made . I am sure you will believe I cou’d have had no wish that a deserving man shou’d be removed from office to make way for my son , and that the last thing that I cou’d have expected or wished was...
8Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 6 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment heard that the doctor, who attends your brother left his house last night, under a belief he cou’d not live many hours. It is reported he has lately made a will; by which he has given the whole of his property , except, about six hundred acres of his back land, and eight or ten negroes to his wife in fee simple. I thought I owed it to you to give you this information as it...
9Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Large appropriations have been made for internal p improvements & I expect the literary fund will be increased several hundred thousand dollars. I am sure the application of public money to these objects will meet your approbation. You are made one of the Directors of public works . I took the liberty (thinking it cou’d not be agreeable to you to serve) to suggest it was unreasonable to impose...
10Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most anxious desire to serve my country I fear my ability will not be commensurate with my wishes. The last assembly , had as little mercy in the labour they assigned me, as they showed discernment in the selection of an agent. There are some of the duties I have to perform, that, I feel myself entirely incompetent to and shou’d be quite in despair, but for the hope of obtaining your...
11Wilson Cary Nicholas’s Circular to the County Courts, 12 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The “ Act to provide an accurate Chart of each County and a general Map of the Territory of this Commonwealth,” directs the Executive “to cause such surveys to be made of the exterior boundaries of the Commonwealth, as may be necessary to ensure greater accuracy in the details of the preceding Charts where they present the boundaries of adjacent States, and to cause such surveys to be made of...
12Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel great reluctance at asking of you what from its nature I fear cannot be very agreeable. I am confident I ought not to impoze so much trouble upon you. I trust however you will pardon me if it shou’d not be agreeable to you to interest yourself for a family, with which I am nearly connected. my Eldest sister you know married M r Norton & had the fairest prospects in point of fortune. The...
13Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 18 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that you are appointed one of the Visitors of the Central College in Albemarle , and to forward you the enclosed commission . It is hoped that it will not be inconvenient for you to undertake the execution of this office. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas ; at foot of text: “ Thomas Jefferson , Esq.”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Oct. 1816 and so...
14Enclosure: Commission Appointing Central College’s Board of Visitors, 18 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Virginia , to wit:— Whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly , Passed the 14 h day of February 1816, intitled, “An act for establishing a College in the County of Albemarle ,” it is made the duty of the Governor for the time being, as Patron of the said College , to appoint Visitors thereof—Therefore, I, Wilson C. Nicholas , Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia , do, in pursuance of the...
15Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation that I have been in for some time past has prevented my answering your last letter and making my acknowledgements for your friendly attention to M r Armistead . I have the pleasure to inform you, your application procured M r A. an appointment that if he is prudent will enable him to support his family. A long and intimate acquaintance with you has given me a thorough knowledge...
16Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written to M r Harrison for his permission to print the work of Col. Byrd , that I Sent you, I have no doubt he will consent to it, I am satisfied your wishes will be conclusive, & that the family of Col. Byrd will be highly gratified. When I received your answer to my application about the consulate at Leghorn for my son, I at once abandoned all thoughts of it, as nothing can induce me...
17Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 16 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I came to Richmond , after receiving your letter of the 19 th of march , in which you express a wish to have that part of Col Byrd ’s journal printed that I sent to you, I applied to M r Thomas Taylor , the agent & friend of the family, to obtain the permission, he promised to do so and there was no doubt it wou’d be readily given. In consequence of your letter of the 10 th instant...
18Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 9 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
a M r Coffee , a sculptor of great eminence who is here, is very anxious to go to your house to take your Bust: I have promised him I wou’d make his wishes known to you. He is said to be a master in his art: Your friends feel a solicitude you shou’d indulge him . nothing can be more acceptable to the american people, than the preservation of the likeness of those of our Citizens, most...
19Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
My first impression after receiving your letter , in answer to mine about M r Coffee , was that I wou’d not let him go; on account of your reluctance, but upon more reflection, I determined otherwise. I had experienced that he did not give much trouble, I was sure he wou’d give an excellent likeness , and was satisfied it wou’d be a great gratification to thousands of your country men to...
20Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 26 th instant . I have mentioned to as many of the directors as I have seen, your wish to obtain a further accommodation at our office of $3000. It is their opinion as well as mine, that it will give the board pleasure to comply with your request. Much country paper (I mean exclusively) has been done, it is however contained . but how long this...
21Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am about to take a liberty with you, that I hope you will pardon. Before I do, I beg you to understand, it is sincerely my wish, that you shou’d not comply with the request, I am ab o ut to make, if it shou’d be either inconvenient or unpleasant to you, in any respect. I want the use of a sum of money for a short time, I can obtain it from one of the Banks, but to do so, I Must have an...
22Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, [received 3 July 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Under cover to M r Dandridge I enclose two notes which you will be so good as to endorse, and after sealing my letter, you will be pleased to give it the earliest conveyance by the mail to Richmond . In renewing this kindness to me, be pleased again to accept the strongest assurances, that whether I live or die, you nor yours, shall never receive the slightest inconvenience from your goodness...
23Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sincerely concerned to hear of your indisposition: On saturday it gave me infinite pleasure to hear you had recovered. Will you pardon me if I take the liberty to entreat you, to spare your self the fatigue & exposure you so frequently encounter. Your life is too precious to be risqued. But for your indisposition, I wou’d last week have sent you the enclosed with a request that you wou’d...
24Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The first of the two notes you were so good as to endorse for me will come round by the time I get to Richmond . I enclose two others which you will be pleased to endorse. RC ( DLC ); dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Nov. 1818 from North Milton and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures not found.
25Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
You have heard I know, that your College is made the University of Virginia . I call it yours, as you are its real founder, its commencement can only be ascribed to you, to your exertions & influence its being adopted can only be attributed. The object was always dear to me, it is doubly so, as it is now so compleatly identified with your fame. The sum given is too small but it will be...
26Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just heard that M r Arthur Brockenborough , is willing to engage with you to do the carpenter’s work at the University & wou’d undertake the superintendence of all your work of every sort at that place. M r Brockenborough is the brother of the Doctor & the Judge , & like them is a man of excellent character. He is a compleat workman himself and is moreover said to be more scientific...
27Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able to see M r Brockenborough , but expect M r Garret , will carry you a communication from him. I am very anxious you shou’d get him on every account, but particularly on your account. If you have not such a man your trouble will be endless, and after all I fear even if you go there every day, the work will not be done in a manner satisfactory to you, & I fear too at a...
28Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will be delivered to you by M r Arthur Brockenbrough , who I anxiously hope you will be able to employ on some terms or other, I wish it most on your account, as I am sure he wou’d save you much trouble & vexation. I enclose two notes which you will be so good as to endorse & return to me by the mail. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 31 Mar. 1819 and so recorded in SJL . RC (...
29Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Gibson has stated to me your wish to obtain a loan from the Bank of the U.S. (at this place) of an additional sum. From particular circumstances there is a great unwillingness at this moment to make loans for a longer period than sixty days. I have therefore advised him to let the application be made at the Farmers Bank , where my brother thinks it wou’d be obtained without any difficulty....
30Wilson Cary Nicholas to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
On account of the uncertainty of what cou’d be gotten from the Banks, after writing to you , I advised M r Gibson , to apply at the U.S.B so as to take the chance at both. your note was done there for one half the sum, on that day it wou’d not have been done for any other man for any part, but it was done with the understanding it wou’d be paid when due. On account of that circumstance, I...