To James Madison from James Cutbush, 7 December 1816
From James Cutbush
Philada. Decr. 7th 1816.
Honored & respected Sir
I find in your message to congress, which as usual is considered a master piece, you have recommended the establishment of a National University; a subject highly important, and which reflects, my good sir, an additional honor on your wisdom and talents. A National school is one, which, of all others, the United States should possess, not only as a grand depot of knowlege, but as an instrument, if I may be allowed the expression, to favour our republican institutions, and promote the Arts, manufactures, agriculture, and other useful knowlege; a subject as important to the community at large, as to individuals who may receive knowlege from this quarter. This, with the Columbian Institute in your city,1 will cause the capital of the Union to become the grand emporium of philosophy & the arts. The American Philosophical society view, I am proud to say, this endeavour in the most favourable light, and anticipate from it the most happy Consequences. I do not know any man better qualified to enlarge our plans, or views, of a national School than Mr. Corea, at present in your city; and, therefore, would suggest a conference with him. As to the Application of Chem[i]stry to the arts, I believe I was the first who brought the subject before the public, in a series of essays which I published in the Aurora many years Since.2 This, of course, will constitute an important branch of knowlege; the veterinary Art should also form a branch, which no institution in our Country at present embraces.
You will excuse the liberty I have thus taken: my object is to promote & Second your views, as they always have been from the commencement of your presidential election to the present time. With my best wishes for your health & prosperity, Accept, my good sir, the sentiments of respect & esteem from your friend & Obedt. Sert.
Jas. Cutbush.3
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences was established in Washington, D.C., in August 1816 to encourage useful knowledge about art, culture, manufacturing, and minerals, particularly in America. JM, in his capacity as president of the United States, was by his permission designated its patron. Benjamin Henry Latrobe was the secretary pro tempore (Daily National Intelligencer, 15 Aug. 1816).
2. Cutbush may have been referring to an “Address of the committee of the Linnean Society of Philadelphia, to the citizens of the United States, on the subject of the natural productions employed in the arts and manufactures,” which he had signed, together with Samuel Jackson and Samuel Benezet (Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, 14 July 1810).
3. James Cutbush, a Philadelphia chemist, was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1814. He served briefly as an apothecary for the U.S. Army during the War of 1812 and in 1820 was appointed post surgeon to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was the author of several treatises on chemistry ( 6:20 n. 3; Looney et al., Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, 5:633–34).