31To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 27 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am here, with Robert Williams, on my way to the seat of Government. We expect to sail for Baltimore, within three or four days, in the Schooner Experiment, being the first vessel that offers. She is said to be a swift sailer; our hopes are therefore sanguine that we shall arrive in Washington before the end of next month. On the 10th. instant, by the mail, I wrote to the Secretary of the...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 24 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As a member of the American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of addressing its President. Although I feel much diffidence when, from an obscure and private station, I look up to that eminence upon which abilities and honors have placed thee; yet when I consider thee as the known friend and patron of useful Arts and Science, I am encouraged to solicit thy attention to some hints on a...
33Isaac 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...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 18 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
By last mail, on the 11th. instant, I wrote to thee acknowledging the receipt of thy acceptable favour of March 14. ’05. During my short Stay with Colonel Hawkins, on my way through the Creek Nation, I endeavoured to discover his sentiments respecting a removal of the Indians to the West of the Mississippi. I soon found that with a man of his talents and accuteness of penetration, I had...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 2 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Attending to the necessary observations under the frequent interruption of clouds—keeping a regular series of notes—& the rest absolutely requisite to repair the fatigues of travelling in weather so extremely hot as we have had it—have prevented us from making a more rapid progress on our journey, & have compelled me to be a much less attentive Correspondent than I expected or intended to have...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 26 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It was with a high degree of satisfaction, I observed in a letter I lately received from my friend Dr. Saml L. Mitchill of New York, the following paragraph:—”In consequence of a suggestion of the President of the United States, I had previously written to Mr. L’Hommedieu an account of the Project of attempting to mature a National Agricultural Society. I hope these communications will have...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 2 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago—very long after its date—the mail brought me thy favor of the 11th. of August. I had, as soon as it was possible for me, after my arrival in the Missisippi Territory, to give information which might be of any service to Gideon Fitz, taken the necessary care, by addressing a letter to him at Monticello. I have lately received a letter from him, dated at Louisville in Kentucky,...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 26 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just arrived here in safety and good health after a journey, of the unavoidable delays, embarrassments, and fatigues of which I had no anticipation. I wrote to thee, on the 2nd. of the 10th. mo. from the southeastermost projection of Tallapoosa River, which I call Point Comfort Next morning (3d) we left Point Comfort, and proceeding on the southeast side of Alibama River nearly parallel...
39Isaac 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,...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 1 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Having failed, when I was last in the City of Washington, to procure satisfactory information, respecting what steps, if any, had been taken by the Agricultural Societies now existing in several parts of The United States towards the formation of an Annual Convention in which each might be represented, I take the liberty of soliciting thy assistance. My firm reliance on the purity of thy...
44To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 11 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1802, Baltimore. “I take the liberty of sending for deposit in thy office, as evidence of another invention of my brother Samuel, the enclosed Specification and affirmation. After fully submitting it to the test of experiment, he intends, if it succeeds, to solicit a patent.” Requests an acknowledgment of this letter “directed to Brookeville, Maryland.” Letterbook copy and copy of...
45To 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...
46To James Madison from Isaac Briggs (Abstract), 20 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
20 April 1805, Washington, Mississippi Territory . “There is reason to expect that there will be applications or recommendations for the office of Secretary for this Territory. Permit me to suggest the idea that some embarrassment might result from the appointment, unless it be made on the President’s or thy personal knowledge, or in conformity with the wishes of the present Governor, whose...
47To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I take the freedom of introducing to thee, and to thy amiable family, my youngest brother Joseph Briggs: having derived both gratification and instruction from my acquaintance with thee, I am anxiously desirous that my brother, whom I tenderly love, may have a small taste of the same benefits. My brother goes with me—he has heard much on what I deem the wrong side of the New Orleans question,...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 22 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1803, Washington. “I am directed by the American Board of Agriculture to request thy attendance, in the Library, at the Capitol, 7 o’clock this Evening.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p. Dated “21st. of 2nd. Mo. 1803” by Briggs. Date corrected here on the basis of circumstances described in n. 1. According to both the National Intelligencer and the “Journal of the American Board of...
51To 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...
52To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, Benjamin Ellicott, and Isaac Briggs, 29 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
We trust we have manifested, during our employment in the city of Washington, our zeal for its success, and the accomplishment of the main object: as a proof of this, we take the liberty of laying before you a statement of facts; and representing the mortifications to which we have constrained ourselves to submit, rather than relinquish an object which we wish to see accomplished and which has...
53From 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,...
54Isaac 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...