1To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Leacock, 13 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
This day Richd. Johns wishes (if convenient) to see Mr. Jefferson, when he may have an opportunity of seeing the three processes of Pot and pearl-ash going on at one time—’tis now 2 oClock, and the melting of the Pot-ash is nearly completed, but will be retarded should business prevent his attendance. I have been requested to inform you of it and am dear sir your huml. servt. NB. The taking...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Leacock, 2[3] November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My being at the Pot ash works of Richd. Johns (on business) when Mr. Jefferson came there, to make some Enquiery respecting the manufactury of Pot and pearl-ash, (and, Expressing an intention of beginning the business in the forests of Virginia, where he purposed having the timber Cut down and burnt in the open air,) I considered it my duty to speak a few words on the occasion, having once...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Leacock, 10 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind favor of the 24th. Ult. left for me in Letetia-Court I receiv’d and thank you Sir. I hinted in my first Letter that the Russians had a method of burning their wood for making Pot ash in Kilns, but did not know in what manner they were constructed. I am enquiering about the large City for an intelegent person of that Country to talk with on the Subject, and should I meet with one I...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Leacock, [13?] December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having some time last Summer heard you Express an intention of burning the wood off your Lands in Virginia and making it into Potash, immediately, on returning to my home I gave you the best instructions in my power by Letter, respecting the process, and found an answer to my Letter left at the house of Mr. Cross, Letitia-Court Market Street soon after, with an invitation to call on you when...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Leacock, [ca. 20 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Distress impelld me lately to write a few lines to you, entreating a little help from your benevolent hand to enable me to live thro this winter, when, I hope to be able (on the return of Spring) to subsist on the Emoluments of my little office. I mentioned the cause of my present distress, ie, the stop put to business by the raging Calamity. I have grown old and grievously afflicted in body,...
6Enclosure: Joseph Leacock’s Thoughts on the Algerines, 20 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflection—’tis but little more than a Century ere a human-creature inhabited the Country now possessed by the war like Algerines—[a?] perfect sandy desert, where, a few out Law’d banditti-Turks sat down to exist on what they might procure from the sea, by plunder. It was not long, ere they saw the advantage of an intercourse with the British Garrison of Gibralter on the opposite coast, and,...