John Nicholas, letter, Falmouth, Va., to James Rees, Geneva, NY, 1802, March 2

John Nicholas, letter, Falmouth, Va., to James Rees, Geneva, NY, 1802, March 2

Nicholas, John, 1761-1819 -- Correspondence

Rees, James, 1763-1851 -- Correspondence

Slavery--Law and legislation--New York (State)

Legislators -- Virginia -- Correspondence

In this letter, Nicholas discusses his impending move to Geneva in New York. He mentions his concern that the mill site may flood and the receipt of a survey done by Capt. Baker. Nicholas expresses his desire to send his slaves to New York before his own departure but complains that he is prevented from doing so by the laws of that state. Nicholas suggests to Rees that the law should be changed.

John Nicholas was born in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was the son of Robert Carter Nicholas, brother of Wilson Cary Nicholas, governor of Virginia, and George Nicholas, attorney-general of Kentucky. A lawyer by training, Nicholas was elected to Congress as a Republican in 1793 serving Virginia until 1801. In 1803, he moved to Geneva in New York. Nicholas was elected to the state senate in 1806 and served for three years. He served as judge of the court of common pleas of Ontario, New York until his death in Geneva in 1819.

Nicholas, John, 1761-1819

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

1802

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Dear Sir

Your favor from Albany covering
Capt. Baker's survey came to hand a few days
ago. I am very much obliged to you for the trou
ble you have had in procuring it and also
for the inquiries about the lands adjoining
Coventrys' - I have also to acknowledge the re
-ceipt of two other letters noticing the receipt
of mine at different times.

I do not certainly know the
opinion he meant to express about the
mill seat without the aid of the dam across
the outlet - whether it is worth improving.
I presume he must have examined the sandy
beach at the foot of the lake to ascertain
whether that would bear raising the water
two feet. I should apprehend from my
recollection of it that it would not & that
in the spring especially the road must
be in great measure covered with water.
I should be very much pleased to obtain the

Page 2

permission from the legislature, but I count
on so many opposing interests that I do not
expect it. If the place in its natural state
would admit of a servicable mill time might
bring about the improvement.

I apprehend considerable difficulty
from your slave laws - one in particular as to
sending them before the owner goes to take up
his residence – the part which requires twelve
months property before they are carried is also
very inconvenient as it is a work of time to
make the exchanges which will be necessary
& the more time for being select in your choice.
I have written to Col^oTroup & a friend of mine
in New York to consult them about the law on
the first point – on their answer will depend our
sending out hands immediately. Would it
not be well to endeavour to get some change in
the law in points which will not encourage the
carrying slaves – so long as you keep up the
prohibition too their being sold you have nothing
to apprehend – indeed I do not believe you need

Page 3

expect many emigrants at all except from
that class who go to get away from slaves.
I have heard nothing from M^r.
Burwell but have presumed from his adver
tizements that he was going. I shall be glad to
hear whether he takes the house altho' our thoughts
have for sometime been fixed on improving where
we shall finally rest. The house is a good bargain
tho' & I dare say we shall take it.

I am very sorry to hear we shall
lose you from Geneva – the loss of so considerable
a part of the society clouds our prospect & I think
you are under contract to us to stay.

As soon as I know that we are not to send
hands out this spring I will inclose the money
paid for us.

I am with great regard
y^r ob. servt
John Nicholas

Falmouth
2^d. March.

Page 4

Falm^o 3 March
25

James Rees Esquire
Geneva
State of New York

Falmouth 2^d March 1802
John Nicholson Esq