1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bruff, 21 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am persuaded that any attempt to call your attention, at this interesting period of our publick affairs, to any thing I could produce, needs an apology and the only one I am able to offer, arises out of the present situation of the country, and the necessity there will shortly be of exerting mechanical talents, which I hope will yet find encouragement in a land so favourable to thier...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bruff, 14 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with reluctance I trouble you with my trifling affairs, but a sense of duty impells me on the present occasion. In consequence of your kind offer when I shew’d you the drawing of my horizontal windmill, to make an exception in its favour, in the law respecting wooden buildings, I determined in my mind to make an effort to build it, and with the advice of some of my neighbours, drew up a...
3To George Washington from Thomas Bruff, 1797 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency I have presum’d to trouble you again on the same Subject that I did some time ago and hope that you will pardon me for presumeing the Second time to trouble you on a Subject that I am afraid is not agreable to you a Request that Carrys with it very great Marks of Vanaty. I must confess by being made by a Stranger a Man whom you never Saw nor knows nothing of but I...