51To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 6 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform You that I am thus far on my way to the Southward, having in vain spent the best part of the year, at great expence, without any thing conclusive with the Secretary of the Navy. I beg leave to state to you Sir, nevertheless, that, if that Naval department is designed to exist, there seems to be an Auxiliary one much needed: It should comprehend the economy of our...
52To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 13 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I lament your going away, at this time, exceedingly; as I am fearful the Secretary of the Navy has too many delicate Scruples to close with me on any ground. I am summoned, by a letter from my Counsel in Carolina, to attend to an important Case where I have the Dfdt. on Sp[ecia]l. B[ai]l. by origl. attachment: If no arrangement is now made, I cannot leave my cumbersome baggage behind me; & to...
53To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 15 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
W. Tatham’s Compts. to the President—He has written to Messrs. Learmonth’s & Berry, (the House he is concerned for) Merchts. in London, for a Camera Obscura for the President’s use, to be made as elegantly Plain as possible, by the best Workmen, with spare Glasses of several focuses, Diagonal Head, &c, compleat.—It will be paid for out of W.Ts own private Monies in the Companies hands; but he...
54To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 22 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Trivial circumstances sometimes produce great ends:—You mentioned; yesterday after Dinner, your wish that some person would invent a means of facilitating the passage of your decanters round the table. I will engage to furnish you one, in a few days, which shall afford an useful lesson in the public economy of our Country; and it can no where else be so happily introduced. It shall be cheap,...
55To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 17 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
During several Years absence, & a month since my arrival here, I have felt myself precluded from paying the respects of a sincere friend to you, in person, on account of information communicated to me by Genl. Henry Lee, (while Governor of Virginia) accompanied by the return of a letter of mine unanswered, that, “I had so intruded on you, the last time, we met at Richmond in Virginia, that you...
56To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
By inclosing to you authentic documents concerning the late inestimable discovery of the Life-Boat , which has been introduced into full practice, in saving the crews of vessels wrecked amidst the most tremendous Breakers of this coast, I acquit myself of a duty to my fellow Citizens and to my country. I flatter myself this contrivance will be found of great use on the Jersey coast, such...