1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 23 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved with great pleasure your favor on the subject of the Steam engine . tho’ deterred by the complexity of that hitherto known from making myself minutely acquainted with it, yet I am sufficiently acquainted with it to be sensible of the superior simplicity of yours, and it’s superior economy. I particularly thank you for the permission to communicate it to the Philosophical...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 30 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 28. never came to my hand till the 17th. inst. this must account for the greater portion of the delay which has attended the acknolegement of it. I thank you for the volume of your Agricultural transactions : and as I percieve you take a great interest in whatever relates to this first & most precious of all the arts, I have packed in a small box, a model of a mouldboard of...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 2 [September] 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of June 4. and in the first place to return my thanks to the Agricultural society for the honour they have been pleased to confer on me in naming me one of their members. in affection indeed to the science I am a sincere brother; but it has been but a short portion of my life which has been free enough from other business to permit an indulgence of...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your former communications on the subject of the steam engine , I took the liberty of laying before the American Philosophical society, by whom they will be printed in their volume of the present year. I have heard of the discovery of some large bones, supposed to be of the Mammoth, at about 30. or 40 miles distance from you: and among the ones found are said to be some which we have never yet...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 16 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 7. came duly to hand. a part of it gave me that kind of concern which I fear I am destined often to meet. men professing minds of the first order, and who have had opportunities of being known & of acquiring the general confidence, do not abound in any country beyond the wants of the country. in your case however it is a subject of regret rather than of complaint, as you are...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It has occurred to me that possibly you might be willing to undertake the mission as Minister Plenipotentiary to France. if so I shall most gladly avail the public of your services in that office. though I am sensible of the advantage derived from your talents to your particular state, yet I cannot suppress the desire of adding them to the mass to be employed on the broader scale of the nation...