1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 27 March 179[8] (Jefferson Papers)
In the lifetime of mr Rittenhouse I communicated to him the description of the mouldboard of a plough which I had constructed, and supposed to be what we might term the mould-board of least resistance . I asked not only his opinion but that he would submit it to you also. after he had considered it, he gave me his own opinion that it was demonstrably what I had supposed, and I think he said he...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 30 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your letter of yesterday. tho’ I possess Emerson’s fluxions at home, & it was the book I used at College, yet it had escaped me that he had treated the question of the best form of a body for removing an obstacle in a single direction. that of the wedge offered itself so readily as the best, that I did not think of questioning it. nor does it now occur to me on what...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 31 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Emerson with thanks. it has suggested a qualification of the expression in my letter , which had supposed the [wedge] the form offering least resistance to the rising sod.—I did at f[irst], as you do now, consider this mould board as a twisted plane. but a little reflection convinced me, as it will you, that it is not, and that it would be impossible to twist a board into that...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 10 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
The annual period for electing a President of the American Philosophical society being now approaching, and no circumstances rendering it probable that I may be able to attend their sessions in Philadelphia it is become my duty to desire the society to turn their views to some other person, better situated and more capable of discharging the functions of their President. permit me to do this...