1To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 16 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
It is with great pleasure that I have observed, of late, the continued evidences of thy health so prolonged, and habitual activity and attention. Long may it be continued. I have lately been favored with a Letter from thy Son, at London, whom so many are anxious to see return to the United States. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, has conferred on me the honor of a Fellowship, with...
2To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 20 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Will thy good-nature excuse the freedom of a friendly enquiry after thy health? assured that a real solicitude exists for its long continuance, with every other blessing? And of our Minister, thy Son—hast thou heard of late from him? I am anxious to learn how my humble offering was received, as well by him, as by the Autocrat of all Russia. And I am also very anxious to learn that the labors...
3To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 5 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am duly favored with thy Letter. I did not see that venerable old Man for whom thou enquirest, although I intended to do so. The lateness of the season, bad roads, & too little time for my purposes prevented. I have received a Letter from him, however, a few days since, & am happy to hear of the continuance of his health. I send thee a little trifle, as one among the list of my children ( of...
4To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 18 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present my congratulations on the prospect of peace. Anxious to have the principles of my invention, in the construction of wheel-carriages, fairly & fully tested, I now send, enclosed, a Certificate of a single Right to make use of the improvement. I sent, some days since, the little pamphlet on that subject. Should it not be thy wish to use the Right I send, please hand it to...
5To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 7 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I ought, perhaps, to apologize, for troubling thee with a subject of so little direct concern to thyself, as that I am now about to propose, for thy consideration. The details, which the 3rd Census will afford, aught to be embodied, in a Volume of convenient size, & published for general use; & unless some other person shall have effected this previous to next 6 Mo., (June,) I contemplate...
6To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 21 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I send, by this Mail, Nos. 7, 8, & 9, of my Magazine, & invite thy particular attention to the Essay of Franklin , on a National School, &c. Please favor me with thy opinion of it, & of the plans that he suggests. The little Work I mentioned sometime ago, is printed, at Boston, & I have directed my publisher to send thee a Copy. It is anonymous, because I must conceal the of Authorship. I hope...
7To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 26 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am lately favored with a Letter from thy Son, one of our Ministers at Ghent, acknowledging the receipt of two copies of my Gazetteer, which thou wast good enough to forward for me. That Gentleman, in my estimation, stands on very high ground, & I am gratified to thee for having, so far, procured me his favorable notice. While lately at Washington, I learnt, both from the President & Col....
8To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 31 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
Although I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, yet as an Author, I claim the privilege of one, & address to thee a copy of my Gazetterr of the State of New York. Be pleased to accept, with it, assurances of my high veneration & esteem. Few, very few of the Fathers of our Republic remain to this day, a trying & eventful one to our Country.—That thou, with all these, may survive...
9To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 1 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since I was favored with thy esteemed favor of a late date, I have received a Letter from thy friend Josiah Quincy, who also informs that I may send a Gazetteer to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, directed to thee. I now avail myself of that privilege; & I take the liberty also to send one for thy Son in Russia. I am very grateful for the friendly sentiments expressed in thy Letter. It...
10To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 13 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
At the moment of taking my pen to address thee, my eyes are flowing with tears of anxiety and deep distress for the situation of my beloved country. And when I grieve for that, I grieve also for myself. Perhaps thy time may hardly allow thee to peruse this, but let me entreat, if that may be possible. Devoted, as I feel, to the interests of America, my passions almost subdue, at times, my...
11To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I enclose this a Right to use this improvement described in this little pamphlet I lately sent thee. Should it not be thy wish to use it, please hand the Certificate to some friend who will do so, & advise Mr Mr of the result. I am anxious to have the principles fully tested, & the best possible method is by actual demonstration. So far, this has succeeded to complete satisfaction. I was in...
12To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 24 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
As I have not, for a long time past, been favored to hear from thee, I presume to address thee again. I hope thy health continues to afford thee happiness & enjoyment, & most devoutly hope for thy good in every thing. I am just commencing another Work, of which I send a Prospectus. By a Letter that reached me yesterday, I learn that Pres. Jefferson enjoys good Health. Is thy Son probably now...
13To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 16 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
A part of the object of my journey to Washington, was suspended in part, in consequence of the feeble state of thy health. It was my intention, (as I believe I intimated to thee,) to inform thee particularly of an important discovery of mine, & to ask thy aid in my wishes to obtain an exclusive right, by a special law, & for a longer term than is authorised by ordinary Patents. When I spoke...
14To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 12 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to address one of these Letters to thee, because I can but suppose thou must feel an interest in every undertaking which interests & affects the community. Placed, as thou art, at the civil head of a Nation of Freemen, thy fatherly goodwill embraces, I trust, an anxious regard for the whole—& while I thus regard thee, I could but wish to engage thy attention to what is doing...
15To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 15 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
I know not what may be the views of Administration, but I have taken upon myself to deny that those in whom the national trust is deposited to guard the Constitution, should be the first to design its overthrow. To cover real designs, it is not uncommon to impute to opponents in political life, purposes which we intend. It is said by many & by many believed, that our government will soon be...
16To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 1 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have been duly favored with thy kind Letter of the 16th ultimo, & avail myself of a privilege to convey through thy hands to thy Son, for the Emperor of Russia, a copy of my Gazetteer of the State of New-York. All conveyances are uncertain;—this must take its chance. Should it nark thy Son, I pray thou let him know the high sentiments of esteem which I entertain, & the obligations he would...
17To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 23 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
Had I not a great personal interest in seeing the Laws of the United States, relating to the granting of Patents, & the protection of the rights of Inventors, So Modified as to embrace a better security of these rights, I should not have devoted So much time & attention to this Subject: nor should I now presume to Solicit thy attention to it. The Essay of “Franklin,” published in Nos. 8 & 9 of...
18To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 18 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I wrote thee, some time since, concerning an Essay of mine, which I proposed to have sent to thee for examination, before I should publish it: & I am now to explain why that Paper was not sent to thee as I intended. Presuming thy time would be all occupied at that time, I sent it to thy friend Jefferson to read, requesting him to return it to thee, as soon as might be convenient, & to favor me...
19To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 30 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am very sensible of thy kind condescention, & often hesitate to trouble thee so often with my Letters, which thy goodness has hitherto excused. Preparing to go to the Southward, I am desirous of improving the opportunity to extend my acquaintance with men of worth & eminence. I intend to go to Philadelphia, Baltimore, & Washington; & should that venerable Jefferson be still living, to visit...
20To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am very grateful for thy obliging favor of the 7th ult., & must begin this with an apology for so soon troubling thee again. I wish to send a copy of the Gazetteer of New York, to the Emperor of Russia, & write to solicit the favor of thy aid in forwarding it, through thine & the Kindness of thy Son, our Minister in Russia. Will it be practicable,? & if so, wilt thou have the goodness to...
21To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 25 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have this day forwarded, by Mail, to the late President Jefferson, for his examination, a long Essay on the propriety of establishing a National School of Science & the Mechanic Arts, at the seat of the National Government; & on a Reform of the Patent System, of the United States. It was my intention to offer this first for thy perusal, but reflecting that thy time could probably be more...
22Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The Essay which thou wast kind enough to wish to See in print, is commenced in this No., & I anxiously hope the spirit & plan of it may meet thy approbation; & that I may be favored with the assurance. It is venturing a good deal, but not more, in my opinion, than the circumstances of the times demand. For the good of our Country, it is neccessary that the Men of the South express their...
23Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The event which I expected, has terminated the life of my friend Dox , & vacated the office of Post Master in this City . May I now solicit thy aid in obtaining that office for me? I need some kindness very much, having a numerous family to support, & having lately lost a good deal of property. Thy aid would be very grateful to my feelings, & an intimation from thee would ensure me success. I...
24Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 18 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sent thee my little pamphlet on Wheel-Carriages, & being anxious to have the principles of my invention fairly tested, I now send thee a Certificate of a single Right to use my improvement. The Certificate is the first I have filled; & I have pleasure in presenting it to the Man, who, of all others, I deem the best qualified to understand the principles of my Patent, & whose favorable...
25Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so frequently asked, ‘how does President Jefferson like the Gazetteer ,’ or ‘what does he say of it,’ that I hope thou wilt excuse my anxiety to learn. Possibly it may not have reached thee. I sent one in the Mail , a long time since. If that miscarried, I would send another. I must not trouble thee with a long Letter, but permit to add assurances of my wishes for thy health & happiness....
26Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 4 [May] 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I embrace every opportunity for presenting my respects, constantly wishing thee all possible heath health & happiness. This Work has long been wanting, & for years I have been urged to undertake it. I am pretty well satisfied with the plan of it, & hope it may meet thy approbation. May I be permitted to solicit from thee something for it? It is designed for general circulation, & I shall spare...
27Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Events that have occurred since I last had the pleasure to write thee , have made it probable that I must defer my journey to Washington to a later period than October. Grateful for thy past favors, I regret to give thee any further trouble. But, it appears to me that the removal of Doct. Thornton from the Patent Office , must follow now, as a thing of course. And in this view, my wishes...
28Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I send, herewith, the little pamphlet I mentioned in my Letter a few days since . I am in hopes it may amuse thee a few hours, & that thou wilt favor me with thy opinion of the principles I have laid down, & of the utility of my invention. The numerous & expensive experiments which I have made on this subject, shall be, in due time, detailed for some Literary or philosophical Society. I have a...
29Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Could be apprized how often the enquiry is made, & “what does M r Jefferson think of your improvement in Wheel Carriages;?” & did he know my own anxiety to learn, his goodness would certainly excuse my impatience. For myself, I am perfectly satisfied; but the public thinks little of my opinion, & much of thine. Thy bitterest foes allow thee the highest rank in science, & philosophy. I...
30Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
At length I have arrived in this city, exhausted with fatigue, having been travelling near 5 weeks. It is about 6 weeks since I crossed the St. Lawrence , on my return from Upper Canada , & I only rested one week at Albany . Under these circumstances, I regret to learn that it is much further than I had supposed, to Monticello . The winter is also approaching, & I feel in haste to return to...