1To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 7 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman in this town informs me that the Indians who have been asked their opinions about those large bones found in America, say, that tho they had never before seen such bones or an Animal large enough to have them, yet all the indians knew their fathers had seen such bones and the very animal itself but that it had always been found dead. They called it the mole because like the common...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 7 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great defference that I write you a letter of this kind; and yet was you a king or the minister of a king I should not have wrote it had the access been the same. Attraction appears to be the first natural cause of motion in all bodies. I suppose the whole system of modern natural philosophy rests upon it whenever it respects motion . This being the case that particular motion which...
3To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Whenever I have occasion to write to you I shall not want to say so much on the score of Gratitude, that if I do not tire you with the Repetition of my thanks, I shall at least do injustice to the other Parts of my Letters unless you will be so good as to accept of a single honest heartfelt Thank You for the whole. In that case I shall always proceed to plain narration. The same Sir James Hall...
4To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 25 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend, my brother, my Father—I know not by what title to address you—you are very very dear to me. Embrace the dear Marquis La Fayette for me: he has all the virtues of his country without any of its little foibles. I am indeed a very plain man, but do not think that mountains or oceans shall oppose my passage to glory while I have such friends in remembrance—I have pledged...
5To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 19 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It will be one of the remaining pleasures of my life to thank you for the many instances of your friendship to me and wherever I am to pursue you incessantly with the tale of my gratitude. If Mr. Barclay should be at Paris let him rank with you as my next friend: I hardly know how to estimate the goodness of the Marquis la Fayette to me, but I think a french nobleman of the first character in...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 29 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find this town by the Russian charts situated in about the Latitude 52°: and Longitude 100. It is near the town of Kolyvan and in the province of Kolyvan: the residence of the Governor of the province. It is near the silver mines and has a foundery in it which produces anualy 650 poods of silver bullion besides some gold. A pood is 36 pounds english. It is also situated near the salt...
7To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, [before 3 July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
When men of genius want matter of fact to reason from it is bad, though it is worse to reason without it: it is the fate of genius not to make, or to misapply this reflexion, and so it forms theories: humble minds admire these theories because they cannot comprehend them, and disbelieve them for the same reason. Simplify the efforts and attainments of all the antient worlds in science and it...
8To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 4 July [1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Ledyard presents his compliments to Mr. Jefferson. He has been imprisoned and banished by the Empriss of Russia from her dominions after having almost gained the pacific ocean . He is now on his way to Africa to see what he can do with that Continent. He is ill with a cold and fever or he would have waited on Mr. Jefferson with Mr. Edwards. He is with perfect respect & affection Mr....
9To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 15 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
As I go to Cairo in a few days from whence it will be difficult to write to you I must do it from here tho unprepared: I must also leave my Letter in the hands of the Capt. (who engages to deliver it to Mr. Cathalan at Marseilles) 4 or 5 weeks.—I am in good health and spirits, and the prospects before me respecting my enterprize flattering. This with wishes for your happiness and an eternal...
10To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 10 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a short letter from Alexandria and addressed it under cover to Mr. Cathalan and sent it to Marseilles by the same vessel I came in from thence to Egypt where I arrived the 5th. of August. I begin this letter without knowing when I shall close it or when I shall send it—and indeed whether I ever shall send it: but I will have it ready in case an opportunity should offer. Having been...