Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to Wilson Cary Nicholas
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00290 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 February 1807 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written as President to his close friend Wilson Cary Nicholas whom he asks to run for the House (he did and won) and to write him unreservedly with facts and opinions. Docketed by recipient. Nicholas died the year before Jefferson and is buried at Monticello.
Notes: Bergh 11: 161. Nicholas, a close friend of Jefferson, was elected to the House in 1807. He later helped Jefferson found the University of Virginia, but his financial difficulties in 1819 involved the former President. At his death in 1820, Nicholas was buried in Jefferson's plot at Monticello.
Dear Sir Washington Feb.28.07
Your letter of Jan. 20. was recved in due time but such has been the constant pressure of business that it has been out of my power to answer it. indeed the subjects of it would be almost beyond the extent of a letter; and as I hope to see you ere long at Monticello, it can then be more effectuelly done verbally. let me observe however generally that it is impossible for my friends to render me ever so acceptable a favor as by communicating to me, without reserve, facts & opinions. I have none of that sort of self-love which winces at it; indeed both self-love & the desire to do what is best, strongly invite unreserved communication.--there is one subject which will not admit a delay till I see you. mr. T. M. Randolph is, I believe, determined to retire from Congress, and it is strongly his wish, & that of all here, that you should take his place. never did the calls of patriotism more loudly assail you tha[struck: t][inserted: n] at this moment. after excepting the Federalists who will be 27. and the little band of schismatics, who will be 3. or 4. (all tongue) the residue of the H. of R. is as well disposed a body of men as I ever saw collected. but there is no one whose talents & standing taken together, have weight enough to give him the lead. the consequence is that there is no one who will undertake to d[text loss] the public business, and it remains undone. were you here, the whole would rally round you in an instant, and willingly cooperate in whatever is for the public good. nor would it require you to undertake drudgery in the house. there are enough, able & willing to do that. a rallying point is all that is wanting. let me beseech you then to offer yourself. you never will have it so much in your power again to render such eminent service. Accept my affectionate salutations & high esteem.
W.C. Nicholas Th:Jefferson
[docket]
The President
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