1To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Letter from Joseph Wharton, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not trouble you at this time with any thoughts on our southern boundary or the views and disposition of our southern Neighbours, as I imagine Mr. Madison whose letter I enclose has written fully on that subject; but it is possible he may not have known what I am told is a fact that the Sp: are strongly fortifying at the Natches. I am informed by some of our merchants trading to Lisbon,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Having come to this place on account of some private business, I have been waited on by Mr. J. Churchman, a native of this commonwealth, who flatters himself that he has made a discovery which will be of great public utility, in short nothing less than an easy and certain mode of ascertaining the longitude by what is commonly called the variation of the compass. He offered to explain to me the...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your several favours of Feby 8 June 21 and July 14 and also a copy of your Notes by Mr. Houdon, for which I am much obliged. It grieves me to the soul that there should be such just grounds for your apprehensions respecting the irritation that will be produced in the southern states by what you have said of slavery. However I would not have you discouraged. This is a cancer...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of 18 June last I recommended Mr. Isaiah Norris to your friendly notice. I now take the liberty of doing the same for his brother Joseph, first because I know the benevolence of your disposition and next because he is so desirous of being introduced to your acquaintance that I am persuaded the notice you will take of him will excite his utmost endeavour by a proper deportment to...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 30 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10 of May and am happy in the opportunity of being serviceable to you or any of your friends. I shall with pleasure honor the draughts of Mr. Watson or Mr. Eveleigh and take care of and forward the seeds and plants as you desire. While on this subject I shall beg leave to mention a circumstance I have heard touching the introducing the native plants of one...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Instructions and Commissions, 16 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect you will receive by this Conveyance all the necessary papers with the twenty Commissions. You will find by these that my simple draught did not suit the taste of our sovereign body. With much ado the additions were confined to two, and so far did the Gerrian taste prevail that contrary to the practice of every other nation the prefix of Honble. was inserted. Should you or any of your...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers are found about which I wrote you in my last. I wish there had been found at the same time a concillating temper and a disposition to do the business of the continent and promote the general interests of the U.S. Unless a different spirit prevail from what has of late appeared there is reason to apprehend a dissolution of the Confederacy. The claim of the Massachusetts on the state...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th October as well as those of 21 June by Mr. Otto and the 14 July by Mr. Houdon. I read your notes with much pleasure and intended to have troubled you with some observations on them; but they have been so much out of my hands, though entrusted to such as you would approve, that I have not had an opportunity to revise them with that attention I wished and...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 28 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 30 July 1786 I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 10 May, wherein you informed me that a botanical friend of yours had written to Charleston for a number of plants and seeds which were to be sent to me and forwarded to you by the packet. I heard no more of this matter till yesterday when Capt. Lathim delivered me the letter and invoice of which I enclose a copy and informed...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have nothing agreeable to write, yet I cannot suffer Mr. Short to go without a line to give you some information of the present situation of Affairs. Agreeably to your advice, when Congress adjourned, I met the Committee of the States and having opened a book for their journals and made the necessary arrangements, I applied for leave of absence which was readily and unanimously...