Mary Trist Jones Tournillon to Nicholas P. Trist
| My Dearest Son | October 17th 1819 |
The Cotton has been ready for some time waiting for a boat, the Man who promised to take it to town has not yet arrived but as we expect him hourly I trust your Father will send you a check for $300 next week; I cannot express to you my dear Child half the pain this want of money has cost me I hope my anxiety has magnified the real necessity you have had for it, when your Brother wrote me that you did not attend the balls, I concluded your absence was occasioned by some want as I think your natural gayety would other wise have led you to such a scene, you are too well acquainted with your Fathers character not to believe that he has had his share full share of anxiety uneasiness—
When I wrote to you I had not seen your name among those who were thought worthy of insertion could you have witnessed the degree of satisfaction it imparted not only to the heart of your mother but to that of your Father and Grandmother I am sure it would have requited for you any for any mental exertions it cost you, even had that been the sole happiness you acquired by it, persevere my Nicholas in winning and securing the respect and love of your friends, and continue to bless me by seeing your name among the distinguished.—your Uncle and his two Sons paid us a visit of nine days, Madam’s situation prevented her from being of the party as she expects ere long to [. . .] increase her family, their boys are amiable children and very well brought up for Creoles, your uncle made every kind enquiry respecting you and your brother, and charged me to assure you of his most affectionate remembrance. Browse wrote to me the third of september which is the last letter I have received from Albemarle, he has some apprehension that the University of Virginia will not be ready to receive him next spring, he has some also an idea of going to Cambridge as he heard the President say it was the best College in the United States, your Father will not permit him to be influenced in his decision by any pecuniary motives as the Crop has yielded more than it promised, at all events he would have made arrangments to supply him with whatever sum is necessary, all he wishes is that you will both be reasonably economical. No doubt you have heard of the dreadful ravages the yellow fever has made in Orleans, they never witnessed so awful a season as this, from thirty to fifty persons have been the daily victims. Lewis Livingston fled to the Bay the rest of the family remain in town as yet they have preserved their health, my prayers are for its continuance. Write to me my dear Son and let me hear all that interests and concerns you, Your Father Grand mother Julian and the little Sister love you tenderly, need I include
My pen ink and paper are execrable.