Elizabeth Trist to Nicholas P. Trist

My Dear Nicholas

I am on the Wing for the Presidents Mrs Hay came for me yesterday but I was too unwell to accompany her and am far from being well to day Mrs Monroe is very unwell the family here are all, except poor little George in tolarable health tho the Girls often complain Virginia has had a Severe attack in her jaw in consiquence of the tooth ache her cheek and throat swelld but she has recoverd and Cornelia and her set out this morning early for Ashton the children have the whooping cough, their youngest Boys life has been dispair’d of but he is rather better—Your Brother has just left us, he did not receive the Money till last week Saml Leitch brought it up and had it a week before he let him know that he had it, I expect the school will be broken up in Charlottesville poor LaPort has had all his furniture seized for debt, and a great number of the Boys are going to quit Stack the fact is that he has no control over them and they do pretty much as they Please he is offended with Mr Jefferson because he dont come to the school to keep his Boys in order they have had an examination they were three days about it Stack examined the Boys in the Classicks each individual by him self no witnesses there were about a Dozen that attended [. . .]ends Class in mathematics I understand that Browse is the most emminent Ellen broke forth the other day in Praise of him said that there was nothing that he cou’d not do if he undertook it, that he had genius Judgement and perseverance Superior to most young men indeed few that cou’d vie with him, but I am afraid that he will be like his Father bury his talents under a bushel—he talks of going to Philad in the fall but I can perceive that Mr Jefferson woud prefer the College in Columbia So Carolina Judge Cooper is to preside there and moves his family in October if Mr Jefferson shou’d live I immagin that he will induce Cooper to preside over this University which is certainly to be finnish’d in two years I want to hear if your examination has taken place and hope to see your name among the first your name is often mention’d here. the Violets have flourish’d the Geranium is in bloom and the House leak grows I find that you are a favorite of the whole family I make no doubt you will continue to deserve the good opinion entertaind of you, I received a letter from your Cousin Peachey date 3d of last month your Cousin Mary was just recovering from the Plurisy I am very anxious to get to Bedford but I fear that we shall not be able to go till another remittance arrives I wou’d go in the Stage but Browse wont hearken to my going that route my friends are all so kind here that I shall leave them with regret but I long to be with my neice tho I dare say I Shall enjoy fewer conveniences Peachey says the Rooms are finnish’d [. . .] and they are as Comfortable as can be in every thing but dimension which were detirmined by the hard times more than by Comfort—The box containing the articles you mention’d having orderd for me has not arrived yet, I fear Somthing has happen’d to them but as Mr Randolph is expected the day after to morrow I may hear somthing about it, I shou’d [. . .] they have [. . .] as Mr Randolph has a cart coming up by which I cou’d get them, the River has fallen again so that no boats come up the season is very well suited for the harvest but the Corn is Suffering for want of Rain I hope it will not be as bad as it was the last year people that used to make 300 bbls of corn, last year did not make more than 30 I long to hear from your Mother have they succeed in that quarter when I last heard the prospect was rather gloomy I wrote you on the 15th of last month it is time for me to expect a letter from you the last was 13th May—This being the Anneversary of our independence I presume you will Celebrate the day at West PointMr Jefferson had an invitation to a barbacue near Charlottesville which he declined as he had long given up attending those festivals Browse and Wales Baker went into Town to day but had not detirmined whether to go to the barbacue but I presume they will a Judge Johnstone who resides in Donaldsonville and is a Senator fr[om that] Country is in Charlottesville Mr Jefferson saw him [at] Mr Monroes the day before yesterday and invited [him to come] to Monticello we expe[c]ted him to dinner but it began to rain and he did not come Your Brother says [. . .] him I understand that he is shaping his course to [the] Springs and is to leave Charlottesville on Thursday I shou’d be glad to see any body that is acquainted with your Father and Mother God grant that they may have their healths this Summer when ever the summer commences I tremble for their Safty Mrs Randolph sends her love to you and I am well assured the rest of the family wou’d join her but they are not present I believe I mention’d to you that Mr Jefferson has General Jacksons bust which they say [. . .] it is placed over the arch that devides the Dining [. . .] God bless and Preserve you to your affectionate Grand[mother]

RC (DLC: NPT); several words faint and torn at seal; addressed: “Mr Nicholas P. Trist west Point New York”; stamped; postmarked Charlottesville, 6 July; endorsed by recipient: “4th July 1820.”
Date Range
Date
July 4, 1820
Collection
Repository