31To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 15 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy friendly dated April 26. 06 I received some time ago—I intend to reply to it fully by next mail—at present I can only request thy acceptance of all the thanks that gratitude and affection can feel. The object of this is to present to thee the bearer, my esteemed friend, Joseph Chambers, agent to the Chactaw trading house on Tombigbee River. I believe I have mentioned him to thee in some of...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 27 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have before me thy favor dated April 26. 06. Thy own benevolent heart can estimate more justly than I can describe the grateful feelings excited in my mind by thy generous offer of reimbursing from thy private purse my expenses in exploring the Post-route to New Orleans. Although even this sum would be very convenient to me; yet, if due to me at all, it is due from the general purse of my...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 9 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Having fully ascertained the fact that I cannot continue my residence in the Southern Territories of the United States without abandoning the endearing Society of a beloved Wife and five promising children, or tearing my bosom-companion, invincibly reluctant, from her numerous relations deservedly dear to her, I earnestly request leave to resign my commission as Surveyor of the lands of the...
34From Isaac Briggs to James Wilkinson, 10 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The President directs me to say to thee;—“Three days ago, a pilot-boat, sent by the conspirators, left New York for New Orleans; You must catch her and examine all the papers she may contain, or those who have gone in her may have in possession.” the Clitus 241.16 96.29 155.34, 361.14 T 108.18 226.32 365.33 317.3 365.33 361.18;— “363.39 96.28 11.28 271.28-40.15, 323.19t 49.28 361.14 80.31s,...
35To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 7 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee, the bearer, John Thomas 3d. as a candidate for a clerkship in some one of the public offices. He is a decided Republican, bears an excellent moral character in his neighbourhood, and is, I believe, an honest man, and well qualified for the employment he seeks. Be so kind as to inform me by the return of John Thomas when the President is expected in the City of...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 29 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee the bearer, Joseph Dunbar, a respectable citizen of the Mississippi Territory. The family of which he is a member and his connexions are extensive and respectable. He is now on his way home, expressed a desire to see thee, and will think himself honored and obliged by any commands thou mayst have to that Territory. I duly received, at Brookville, thy note of the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 24 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days since, I returned from the Eastward, where I had been viewing and examining in operation the various machinery for manufacturing cotton. Thy favor of the 12 ultimo came to Brookeville during my absence, and remained there until my return. This will account for my not sooner attending to thy request. I am so far from feeling it a trouble, that to have the power and opportunity of...
38To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 15 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
Matthew Witherspoon has requested my introduction to thee. He is lately arrived from Liverpool. My impressions, during the short acquaintance I have had with him, are in his favor; he appears to be a young man of intelligence and very decent manners. On thy goodness I rely for my excuse for this liberty, as well as for another on which I am about to venture. If there be no impropriety in it, I...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 20 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have accompanied to this City my friend Jesse Kersey, a minister of our Society, who is desirous to have a religious meeting with such of the inhabitants of this place as are willing to attend. The place appointed is the Baptist Meeting house at the intersection of 18 Street W and J Street N. Meeting to commence at 6 o’clock this evening. Jesse Kersey is a Minister in high esteem not only...
40To James Madison from Isaac Briggs and Thomas Moore, 16 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer, Thomas Robertson, we understand is an Applicant for the place of Agent of the United States with the Chickasaw Indians, and has applied to us for our recommendation. He was born and educated in the neighbourhood of Georgetown and has been known to us from his infancy. He has sustained a fair reputation for honesty and handsome talents and we believe deserves it. As far as we...
41To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 16 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having had, for a considerable time past, opportunities of observing the rapid progress of various manufactures in our country—and the increasing production of articles of primary usefulness, and believing in the good policy of promoting and fostering the spirit of enterprise already excited in laying this surest foundation of National Independence, my mind has been forcibly impressed with a...
42To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 18 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee, two of my young friends from Philadelphia, who will hand to thee this letter—William J. Paxson and William S. Warder. With the former, I have been acquainted from his infancy. He has acquired a fund of knowlege, general and particular, superior to most young men at the age of twenty one. Superior in amount—superior in accuracy of arrangement. These are the...
43Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
May I intrude on that retirement where from a dignified elevation the mind looks over the extensive scene of a well spent life, and nothing meets the vision but the placid images of an approving conscience? Yes, there the voice of friendship will be heard—the incidents of former days will be remembered—and the faultering tongue of humility will not plead in vain. I have again petitioned...
44Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy kind letter of 27 Ultimo , I received on the 2 instant. It was like a healing balm to my wounded mind. I immediately called on the Secretary of the Treasury —He shewed me thy communication to him —on perusing it, his presence was scarcely a restraint sufficient to prevent my tears, the warm effusions of gratitude. On the 4, I wrote to my wife and children, now in Wilmington , a narrative...
45Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1816, with Postscript by Mary B. Briggs (Jefferson Papers)
Thy kind favor, of Apr 17. 16 , had been forwarded from Brookeville to this place, my present residence, during a second journey I have made to Washington City . I returned yesterday. While in the Metropolis, I conceived an expectation, which is not still exists, of an employment s either in the survey of the line between the United States and the British possessions, from the source of S t
46To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 4 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
Application has been made to me for a letter of introduction to the President U.S. on behalf of Jane—widow of John Dauphin deceased, late a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of this Borough. She visits the seat of Government, a petitioner for relief. Of her case I know nothing. With her I am not personally acquainted, nor have I had any acquaintance with her late husband; but I do...
47Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself treading on sacred ground when I approach the scenes illuminated and made glorious by the mild lights of a long life uniformly dedicated to usefulness and to virtue. With veneration I approach the Wisdom of age—with love I approach my friend—yet with these delightful feelings is mixed some reluctance, when, for an object quite selfish, I invade the tranquility of thy retirement...
48Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here the day before yesterday—and I have this day received the appointment of surveyor for the contemplated grand Canal. My friend Thomas Eddy of this City, who has generally been in the first rank amongst his fellow citizens as an active and efficient promoter of useful and benevolent works, who has long been one of the commissioners for this particular object, and who , though he...
49Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 15 or 16 instant I wrote to thee from New York , informing thee that I had received an appointment from the Canal commissioners for employment in the mathematical department for making the grand Canal between the Western and Northern Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean . In that letter I expressed my decided opinion that if the Commissioners could avail the public of the talents and services,...
50Isaac Briggs to Thomas Jefferson, 17 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to accept the enclosed little pamphlet as a small testimony of that esteem and love for thee which will, I hope, never end. I am employed as Engineer of on the Grand Canal from Lake Erie to New York . Its progress is auspicious. Some miles of it are already finished. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “ Thomas Jefferson ”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Dec. 1817 and so recorded in SJL ....
51Isaac Briggs’s Account of a Meeting with Madison [1 November 1820] (Madison Papers)
“11 mo. 1—Fourth day of the week. This morning, I went 5 miles to Montpelier, the se⟨at⟩ of James Madison, and arrived there before either James or his wife had proceeded from their lodging-room; Of course, I was there long before breakfast was ready. I remained here the whole of this day, and both James Madison and Dorothy entertained me with much friendly conversation, as well as with the...
52Isaac Briggs’s Account of a Visit to Monticello, 2–4 November 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last letter to you, dated on the 7, I brought down to my arrival at Monticello the narative of the incidents of my journey. I will now continue the subject. 11 mo. 2—fifth day of the week , I reached Monticello about 4 o’clock afternoon. On entering the great hall I saw sitting just within the door a stranger; supposing him to be a member of the family, I asked him, “Is Thomas Jefferson...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 24 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee my young friend Herman Boye. He is by birth a Dane, very modest and unassuming, yet possessing a handsome stock of science. He has been appointed to complete the map of Virginia left unfinished by Wood, and I think the appointment a good one. I need not say more, as he will present himself to thy observation. I will speak now of myself. The Board of Public Works...
54To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 8 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
On the 30th. of January last the Board of Public Works of Virginia elected, for their principal engineer, Col. William McRee. This gentleman, who is beyond question a very accomplished military engineer, has declined the acceptance of that office on the ground that “its duties embrace the business of civil engineering in general, and its particular application to such objects of internal...