David M. Randolph (1798–1825) to Nicholas P. Trist

My Good Friend

You know enough of me to ascribe my long silence to the right cause, an insuperable aversion to wrighting writing and to a procrastinating spirit which is my greatest misfortune, and I therefore hope for your forgiv pardon, and a [. . .] renewal of those letters which have given me so much pleasure. since our seperation, I have never forgotten you, and as you were the last person except Browse, that I saw for whom I [. . .] cared, (I mean of the male sex of my own age) your images are always present to my mind when unoccupied by buesiness, I may affirm with truth that you and your brother are [. . .] both dear to me and this too without being a compliment, as there are few young men in this neighbourhood that I would associate with and as my motto is “Odi profarnum vulgus” I have lived for the last 4 months perfectly alone, my sole amusements reading and playing on the flute, and this being the case you can’t expect any news, if I were in another1 section of the country, the health &c &c &c of a certain girl would be interesting to you if you have not changed your ming mind, tell me sincerely if you retain the same sentiments as when I last saw you when I write again it shall be more at large if not more interesting ’til when and forever God bless you—

D M R Jr

Very well, except the toothache

RC (NcU: NPT); addressed: “Nicholas P Trist, Cadet west Point New york”; stamped; endorsed by Trist, with the date recorded incorrectly: “D M Randolph March 3d—19.”

Odi Profanum (profarnum) Vulgus : “hatred of the common people.”

1 Manuscript: “buesiness.”
2 Manuscript: “anothe.”
Date Range
Date
March 13, 1819
Collection
Repository