Nicholas Trist

Trist, NICHOLAS PHILIP, diplomatist; born in Charlottesville, Va., June 2, 1800; educated at West Point, where he was acting professor in 1819-20. In 1845 he was chief clerk of the State Department, and was United States commissioner with the army under General Scott in Mexico authorized to treat for peace, which he accomplished at Guadalupe - Hidalgo in January, 1848. Polk supported the treaty but declared Trist a disgrace. Trist did not recover his unpaid salary and expenses until 1871. He was afterwards United States consul at Havana. He was a personal friend and the private secretary of President Jackson. He died in Alexandria. Va.. Feb. 11, 1874.

Nicholas Trist