1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 7 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to you a copy of the first 24 pages of my “Remarks on the Speech of Logan.” The remaining Sheets Shall be forwarded to you, in a few days. The work in which this little paper is to appear, is not yet published . I am, with Sentiments of the highest respect, Dear Sir, Your obedient & humble Servant, &c., DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
2To James Madison from Benjamin Smith Barton, 20 April 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 April 1813, Philadelphia. “By the death of Dr. Rush, there is a vacancy in the Mint. I had for a long time been anxious to for a place in that institution, & accordingly I wrote to the late president, on the subject, some years ago. Should you think me worthy of the place, I shall endeavour to discharge its duties with fidelity, and with a continuance of my unaffected attachment to my...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 10 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of this note is Mr. J. C. Cabell, a young Virginian of uncommon merit, who has just returned from France, and other parts of Europe, where he has employed his time, to great advantage, in the cultivation of science, and in extending his attachments to his native country. I take the liberty of introducing him to your knowledge; and am, with, very high respect, dear Sir, Your obedient...
4Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 23 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I find there is to be a “physician” general of the arm. of the U. States —I have the vanity to think, that I am not entirely unqualified for that important place, by my age, my experience in practise, & my long experience as a teacher of a “practical” branch of medicine. Perhaps, I have some claim upon the government, as a steady supporter, so far as I can go, of the measures of the executive....
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, [19 December 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
You will place me under a very great obligation by letting me have, by the bearer of this note, the sum of Sixty Dollars, which, I pledge my honour, shall be returned to you punctually on the 5th day of January next. I am sensible, Sir, that I am taking a very great liberty, but a disappointment of a peculiar nature will, I hope, with your goodness, plead an apology. I am already too sensible...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 4 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of your note , I have waited on Mr. Michaux. He assures me, that he will relinquish all thoughts of his journey to South-Carolina, and that he will engage in his scheme, as soon as you think proper. He seems much pleased with the prospect of having so valuable a guide, to Kaskaskia , as the one you have pointed out, and will be happy to have an opportunity of conversing with the...
7To James Madison from Benjamin Smith Barton, 20 May 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1810, Philadelphia. Has initiated at his personal expense a scientific expedition into the Northwest Territory “and the adjacent British settlements.” Thomas Nuttall leads the party, which is already, “I presume, at Detroit, without any passport.” An unanticipated difficulty arose owing to Nuttall’s British citizenship. Secretary of State Robert Smith has been uncooperative, in contrast...
8To James Madison from Benjamin Smith Barton, 13 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin Smith Barton. 13 January 1806, Philadelphia. “I find, by the President’s letter to me, and by other information, that the Indians, now at Washington, are to leave that place, for Philadelphia, in a very few days. I am extremely anxious, upon their arrival here, to have as much of their company as possible , to extend the stock of my specimens of Indian languages. But it is...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 27 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I am greatly obliged to you for the drawing and specimens, which you have forwarded to me. The Cotton-tree is, no doubt, the Populus deltoides of Bartram and Marshall. I am not certain that it is noticed in any of the systematic books on Botany. It seems, however, to have been known to Chaleroix, who mentions it (English translation) by the name of Cotton-tree. He even tells us, that it...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your knowledge the bearer of this, Mr. Benjamin Rittenhouse. Mr. Rittenhouse is the brother of our late illustrious astronomer. He is a man of the most amiable character, and of pure, unsoiled republican principles. Permit me, Sir, to congratulate your country upon the great event which has just taken place. To you, I am persuaded, the event is of much less...
11Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Judge Woodward , whose great merits, in various respects, are not unknown to you. The Judge is about to visit you, for the purpose of your position concerning a work on the “classification of human knowledge,” in which he has long been engaged. I have had frequent conversations with M r Woodward , who has developed to me, at length, the outlines of his plan, in...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 12 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
of the plants with which you have favoured me, No. 1. is a species of Dactylis. No. 2. Solidago glamerata of Bartram. No. 3.
13To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 12 [March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
It is not without a great degree of pain, that I write to you on the subject of this letter. You will, however, I hope, pardon the liberty which I take, when I assure you that nothing but a very urgent case would permit me to do it. I am already indebted to you for your liberal kindness shewn to me, on various occasions. Your attention to me now, as at former times, I shall ever remember, with...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 5 September 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Sometime since, I wrote to you, in answer to the letter which you had written to my deceased uncle, Mr. Rittenhouse. At the same time, I did myself the pleasure to send to you a copy of my memoir, concerning the fascinating faculty which has been ascribed to different species of Serpents. As these went by a private hand, I am doubtful whether you have received them. In my letter, I requested...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 1 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I am, at this time, engaged in revising for the press, my Eulogium (lately delivered before the Philosophical Society) on the late Dr. Priestley. I am anxious to render the performance as perfect as I can; and am, therefore, in pursuit of other materials, than those I have, hitherto, made use of. It has occurred to me, that some of Dr. Priestley’s letters to you would, possibly, furnish some...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 1 August 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Rittenhouse has received the letter (dated July 3d), which was directed to her excellent husband, and our friend. It came too late to be read by him, for he died on the 26th of the preceding month, with the calmness and the fortitude of a philosopher. You, who knew him well, will regret his loss. Even his country must feel it. We have lost one of the wisest and one of the best of our men....
17To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 26 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately published a new edition of my New Views. I shall endeavour, by the first private conveyance, to forward to you a copy of it. It is very greatly enlarged. I am extremely anxious to pursue this subject much farther. I shall, therefore, be much obliged to you for the sight of your Vocabularies , when you shall come—to town. All mine are at your service. Will it not be possible to...
18Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I return one of the vols. of Persoon . The other shall follow in a few days. I greatly regret the long keeping. an unpleasant accident, which it is unnecessary to mention particularly, was the cause of my so long depriving you of these books. It will be very grateful to me to learn, from you, in any way you please, of the safe return of these books. vols. For the loan of them, I am very much...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 30 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your letter , which I received this morning, I shall, with great pleasure and strict sincerity, communicate what I know respecting the Sulphur in Jenisseia. I visited this bed of sulphur, or, as it is called in the country, the “Sulphur-Springs,” in August, 1797. I observed a quantity of sulphur in and about the springs. The whole quantity might, perhaps, have amounted to a...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 28 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. F. A. Humboldt. I am persuaded that I need not offer any apology for introducing to your knowledge and attentions, the explorer of South America, and one of the most intelligent and active philosophers of our times. We all regret that his stay among us is to be so short. With sentiments of the highest respect, I remain, Dear Sir, Your obedient and affectionate...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 13 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed, that a Marine Hospital is about to be established, at the expence of the government of the United-States, in the city of New-Orleans. Should this be the case, permit to observe, that I think Mr. Oliver H. Spencer , a young man who has just completed his studies in our University , would be a very proper person to serve in the capacity of a physician to the institution. Mr....
22To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 27 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your knowledge, the bearer of this, Dr. Edward D. Smith , of Charleston, S. Carolina, who is now on his return to his native place. Dr. Smith is a young man of very uncommon merit, ardently attached to science, and not less so to the interests of republicanism. These circumstances have procured for him many friends in Pennsylvania. I could not deprive...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 24 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I little expected, when I took the liberty, some years ago, of addressing you in behalf of one of my friends and relatives , that I should ever trouble you, by soliciting a place for myself . The very delicate state of my health, however, which renders it impossible for me to endure the most laborious parts of the medical profession, seems to urge the propriety of my looking to some business,...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 24 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
With much pleasure I give you, so far as I am able, the information which you require. The lectures on Botany having finished a few days since, after the usual continuance of something less than two months, there will be no lectures, in the University, on the different branches which you mention, until about the 3d or 6th of November, next. Of course, it will not be necessary that young Mr....
25To James Madison from Benjamin Smith Barton, 30 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 January 1810, Philadelphia. Introduces his nephew, W. P. C. Barton, who holds a naval commission and “will never disgrace the important station in which you have been pleased to place him.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM. Benjamin Smith Barton, the eminent botanist, had recommended William Paul Crillon Barton for appointment as a naval surgeon. JM nominated him in June 1809 (B. S. Barton...
26Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
In a b about 3 weeks, perhaps less, I shall sail for Europe . I shall visit France ; the borders at least of Italy ; & England (for a short time) on my return. my first & great object is the recovery of my health, which has suffered most severely this winter: indeed, a few days ago, I was so ill, that I hardly hoped to be able to take the voyage.—Besides my health, I have some favourite...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 17 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of June, last, I did myself the honor to forward for your perusal, Mr. Pearson’s printed paper on a peculiar manure. If the paper be at Washington, I shall esteem it a favor if you will send it, under cover, to my Brother, Richard P. Barton, who resides near Winchester, in Virginia. He is a good farmer, and anxious to see the paper. Or, if more agreeable to you, it may be returned...
28Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have, at this time, in the press a new edition of my work on the Dialects of the American Indians. This edition will be, in many respects, much more correct and satisfactory, as well as more ample, than the former, which you have seen. I am extremely anxious to possess specimens,—no matter how small,—of the languages which M r Lewis met with beyond the Missisippi . I will think myself much...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 9 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honour to introduce to your knowledge, one of our countrymen, Dr. John Watkins , a gentleman of much information, and of great merit. Dr. Watkins has just returned from Spain, and is on his way to the Missisipi, where he proposes to settle. In that part of North-America, he will have ample opportunities of collecting important materials for the natural history of the new world;...
30Book Dedication from Benjamin Smith Barton, 21 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
If the following pages were more perfect, and of course more worthy of your notice, I should have taken additional pleasure in inscribing them to you. Even, however, in their present imperfect state, I flatter myself that you will receive them as a testimony of my high sense of your talents and virtues, and of your eminent services to your country. The only dedications I ever wrote were to two...
31Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 13 [April] 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of your package , which came safe to-day. The letters will, doubtless, be highly valuable to me. They contain every thing I could wish for. I beg your acceptance of a few (3) small tracts in natural history.They may amuse you & our friend M r Randolph , in a hour of leisure. Sickness stopped me short, in the progress of my publication of several...
32Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
As you take much interest in the knowledge of every thing relative to the american Mammouth, and other similar animals, I am persuaded that you will be glad to learn, that I have recently received from St. Petersburgh in Russia , some fine large drawings of the great Asiatic Mammouth, whose skeleton, together with some portions of the skin and muscular parts, has lately been discovered, in a...
33Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 16 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your kind letter , with the seeds & M r Vater’s book . I beg you to accept of my thanks for your attention. M r Vater , I find, has made very free use of my publication on the American languages, but not, indeed, without acknowledgment, in several instances. I have not time at present, to study his book. I think, Sir, we should not be too liberal in sending our collections of...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 25 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter has come safe to hand. I am extremely glad to learn, that a number of the bones of the newly-discovered animal have been already discovered. I wish greatly to see your account of them. I find, by late inquiry, that the 4th vol. of the Transactions will not be published in less than two months. As you request it, I shall retain the money (sixty dollars) lent to me, for the purpose...
35Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Oemler , of Georgia , a very intelligent gentleman, who has devoted much attention to the study of Entomology, has very particularly requested me to give him a few lines to you. I could not deny him this favor. He appears to be a man of much merit; and has, indeed, been mentioned to me, by some of my friends, in terms of great praise. I fear you are very anxious to get back Persoon . I...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin S. Barton, 26 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing to you a paper of Proposals for a work which I have been engaged in writing, for some considerable time, and which is now nearly ready for publication. I am confident your name , Sir, as a subscriber, will add not a little to the consequence and success of my undertaking, and as you have long distinguished yourself as a friend of literature, I have ventured to...
37American Philosophical Society’s Circular on the Hessian Fly, 17 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Committee appointed by the American Philosophical Society for the purpose of collecting and communicating to the Society materials for forming the Natural History of the insect called the Hessian-fly , as also information of the best means of preventing or destroying the Insect, and whatever else relative to the same may be interesting to Agriculture: Resolved that, for...
38Thomas Jefferson to Adamo Fabbroni, Antoine Gouan, Lacepede, Marc Auguste Pictet, and André Thoüin, 6 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Doct r Barton , my friend, proposing, for the benefit of his health, a voyage across the Atlantic , and a trial of the air of Europe , will probably visit Florence in the course of his travels. he is one of the Vice presidents of the American Philosophical society , Professor of Natural history, Botany, Materia Medica, and of the Institutes and Clinical practice of Medecine in the University...