1To John Adams from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 17 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to ask your acceptance of the inclosed packet, for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It contains two Volumes, both of which are curious. The one a Welch Dictionary , sent me from Pembroke-Shire, by my friend Dr. Harries, some time ago, and containing the Ancient Language of Britain. Its Use, as a Book of reference for Philologists and Antiquaries, will probably be more...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 23 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon my forwardness in troubling you with any thing relative to executive business. But understanding that the Consulate at Algiers had become vacant, and that Dr. George Davis sollicited an appointment to that place, I have consented to state to you merely what I know concerning the character and fitness of this candidate. He has passed reputably thro the Course of education...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to offer you the inclosed Letter which I received by yesterday’s Mail from Albany. I suspect from what Mr. L’Hommedieu has written to me, that the Conversation about an Association of Agricultural Societies which I heard from you, some time ago , has given rise to that Communication. In the absence of the President of the New York Society Mr. Livingston in France, the functions of...
4To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 10 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
The subject of Mr. Briggs’s letter and of your note of yesterday is doubtless an interesting one; inasmuch as it is a National or Central Society of Agriculture. Some steps towards such an institution were taken during the last session of Congress. The first one I believe was by your correspondent. He talked to me of such a project; and I learned that he had conversed with the President. I...
5To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 15 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 January 1803. “The writer of the inclosed letter is a Native of Lausanne in Switzerland and now a respectable Merchant in New York, under the firm of Rossier & Roulet. He is indeed a most excellent & amiable Man,… tho I know nothing of Mr. Currey whom he recommends for a Consul at Fayal.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. Enclosure is John S. Roulet’s 11 Jan. letter to Mitchill (2 pp.; in...
6To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
This is the third day of our Election; and the polls must be all closed this Evening. The opposition have made a very strong effort against us. They have spared no pains to ensure success to their Cause. Their hopes were grounded originally less on their own Numbers, than on a division which they beleived to exist among the republicans. Unfortunately, from causes which you well know, there was...
7To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 20 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
The House of Representatives having made an Order that the part of the President’s Message which relates “to the regulations to be observed by foreign vessels within the jurisdiction of the U. S., to the restraining of our citizens from entering into the service of any of the belligerent powers of Europe; and to the exacting from all nations the observance towards our Vessels and citizens of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 4 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to offer to the President, for his amusement, the inclosed Speculations on a Geographical name for the country which enjoys so much political happiness under his administration. The project has been noticed in a number of the Newspapers of the States. The Song was written for a Company of Militia, who have assumed the name of “Fredonian” volunteers . Now that Louisiana is about to...
9To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 3 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Our Election is at length over, and as far as we can learn, all our principal candidates are chosen. In the City of New york, the Republican Ticket for Members of Assembly has succeeded by a greater majority than for the last year. The Representatives for Congress for the District composed of the City & County of New york and for the Counties of Kings & Richmond, are elected by a majority of...
10To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 5 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I write you at the suggestion of a member of the Board of Health in New york. It appears to us in this City that the Secretary of State might probably find it proper to add to his ordinary Circular addresses to our Consuls abroad, a paragraph concerning the endemic distempers in the Cities or Countries where they reside. Under this persuasion, I have been induced to request that you will take...
11To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill (Abstract), 28 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
28 May 1805, New York . “Mr. Ewell who will deliver you this is one of your fellow Citizens of Virginia. He has been for some time in Newyork, engaged in visiting our respectable families, and examining our public institutions. On his return to his native County in Prince William County, he purposes to stop at Philadelphia and receive the Degree of Doctor of Physick from his Alma Mater at...
12To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill (Abstract), 12 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 June 1805, New York. “This will be delivered to you by Mr. Robert L. Patterson, who visits Washington for the purpose to solliciting a renewal of the Commission of Commercial Agent in favour of his Brother William D. Patterson now residing in that Capacity at Nantes. The reasons wherefore this request is made of the Secretary of State at this Time, to conform with the new Imperial style of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 1 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg you, Sir, to inform our friend T. M. Randolph that I have made a number of experiments upon the saline Substance which you forwarded to me. He is right in his judgment that the mass is a mixture of different salts. The trials I have made warrant the conclusion that there are three compound salts, to wit, Sulphate of Magnesia, Sulphate of Soda, and Muriate of Soda. The first, which is the...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 15 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of M. Valentin of Marseille, I do myself the pleasure of sending you a Copy of his Eulogiesm on Jenner, which I this day received; and beg you to receive the assurances of my high regard. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
15To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 22 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you two half Sheets of the yet unpublished first Number of the 9th Volume of the Medical Repository. You will find in it my Commentary on the texts of Hippocrates which shew the Greeks of old to have been grievously afflicted with yellow fever; and Mr. Peron’s Memoir on the use of Lime with betel to guard against febrile Distempers. Yours with great Respect and...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 12 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago I collected as far as was in my power, the facts relative to the great Hurricane which in September 1804, prevailed in the Antilles, Bahamas, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The account of this remarkable commotion in the atmosphere was published and preserved in one of the American periodical Performances. My leading object in that Enquiry, was, to gather materials for a...
17To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 6 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Samuel Latham Mitchill. 6 March 1806, Washington. “Information of the death of John Lyle Consul of the U.S. at Curacoa has been received at Newyork, by the Schooner Hannah, Bartley Master in 24 days to Grant Forbes & Co. Owners and whose consignee he was, and by the Schooner Franklin, Capt. Jones, in 28 days from that port. “To fill the vacancy, an application has been made by Mr....
18To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 2 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Samuel Latham Mitchill. 2 May 1806, New York. “We have just succeeded in carrying the republican Election after a tremendous opposition made by the federalists and their allies. Our majority for Members of Assembly & Representatives in Congress is upwards of six hundred. “Now we have thus far succeeded against all the virulent machinations of our opponents, I have to request, in the...
19To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 17 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
I believe I ought to write to you a few lines; tho I suppose you have more direct information of the proceedings at the Circuit Court now sitting here than I can give you. Three days have been occupied in discussing the preliminary question whether Smith and Ogden’s trials shall now proceed? In this is involved the collateral question whether an attachment shall issue against the Secretary of...
20To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 17 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote you an hour ago I have been in Court and heard J. Patterson’s Opinion. He gave it ably, learnedly and at great length. He decided that the testimony of yourself and the other gentlemen circumstanced as you are, was not material to the issue, and that therefore the Trial should proceed. On the other Point, of awarding attachments, the Court was divided, Patterson being in favour...
21To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Herman Thorne, goes to Washington to sollicit an interview with the Secretary of State, concerning a Commercial Agency in Antigua, St Bartholomew’s or some part of the West Indies. He is a Brother to the brave officer of that name in our Navy, and who is to travel with him to Washington. The accompanying Papers will shew you something further of this gentleman than I shall write. They are...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 12 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Saml L Mitchill begs leave to offer to Mr. Jefferson, a little statistical Manual, the first he beleives of the kind, published in the United States. As it represents the City of which it treats in several interesting points of view, he has ventured to send it, as a token of his high consideration and respect.— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
23To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 23 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Archibald M. Cock of this City, being about to visit the Seat of Government on some Business with your Department, has asked of me a letter of introduction. He is the Gentleman on whose account I took the liberty of speaking to you last Winter, relative to a Consular Appointment in one of the French West India Islands. When I assure you that Mr. Cock is of good Report here & has also...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 16 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Saml L Mitchill transmits to Mr Jefferson, in obedience to the Tammany Society of New york, an Address, which contains the respectful Sentiments of that respectable Body of Citizens toward the chief magistrate of the union. He also lays before the President, a letter from a Committee of that incorporated association to him, wherein an earnest Hope is expressed, that their Political Father may...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 14 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since Samuel L Mitchill received letters and papers from paris by the hand of the public messenger, he has been favoured, thro an other conveyance, with private dispatches from marseilles. Among the things which have been sent him, is a pamphlet addressed, by the author, to Mr. Jefferson. This S L. M. does himself the pleasure of forwarding without delay; observing at the same time that it...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 12 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Punqua Wingchong, a Chinese merchant, will be the bearer of this note of introduction. He came to Newyork about nine months ago, on business of a commercial nature, and has resided during that time, partly here and partly in Nantucket. Having completed the object of his visit to the United States, he is desirous of returning to Canton, where the affairs of his family and particularly the...
27To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 22 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Richard Suydam of this city, has communicated to me his intention of visiting the Seat of government. His Sin gle object is to seek an interview with the secretary of State, and to beg a conference with him on the situation of american commerce in the mediterranean, and particularly on the conduct of the agent of the united states at malta. This gentleman has very lately arrived from that...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 8 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Sam L Mitchill respectfully submits to the Presidents perusal, a private letter from one of his confidential correspondents in albany. The writer is Secretary of state for the commonwealth of newyork, is an uniform republican, a merchant by education, and a supporter of the present administration of the national affairs. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
29To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 22 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I beleive I act correctly in submitting to your consideration the catalogue of coins and medals, in the possession of the Kunze family at New york. The Collector, the late Dr. K, was the most remarkable for oriental and biological learning, of any person of my acquaintance. With great respect, yours as ever DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
30To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Sam L. Mitchill has, tho perhaps indiscreetly, ventured to entertain a Sentiment that the speedy cessation of his Senatorial functions might coincide with the President’s wish to find a man that would answer to represent this country in a diplomatic capacity at St. Petersburgh. He therefore ventures to suggest the hint, not obtrusively, but with the intention of signifying his willingness to...
31To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 9 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1811, Washington. “At the request of Mr. Charles Sherry, one of my constituents,… I inclose for the President’s consideration a letter from him to me, and a letter from Mr. Dabney, our Consul in the Azores.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Dabney”). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see n. 1. Mitchill enclosed a 6 Feb. 1811 letter he had received from Charles...
32To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 26 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
Saml L Mitchill ventures to submit to the President, the petition of Capt John OBrien who is now charged in execution for a penalty incurred in consequence of a violation of the embargo-laws; and therewith to express his own wishes, that the President would extend to the petitioner, all the clemency that he can. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1. Mitchill...
33To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 6 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 May 1812, Washington. Lays before the president two letters, one from J. L. Broome and one from J. Targee, recommending John Ferguson for the additional district judgeship. “These papers may serve as a specimen of the communications addressed to SLM on the subject.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Ferguson”). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see n. 1. The enclosures, two...
34To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 23 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
At the request of the Governor of Newyork, I have the honour of submitting to the eye of the President Judge Tiffany’s Description of the peninsula of Upper Canada. Though I have personally visited the region which lies between the great Lakes, I must confess, the present writer has given me much additional information. My persuasion that it may be relied upon for its genuineness and...
35Hugh Williamson and Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the pleasure of informing you that at a meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New york on the 13 th instant , you was elected an honorary member. Hu Williamson } Correspon ding Sam l L Mitchill Secretaries RC ( MoSHi: TJC-BC ); torn at seal; text and address cover in Mitchill’s hand, signed by Williamson and Mitchill; at foot of text in Mitchill’s hand: “Thomas Jefferson...
36To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just returned from a visit to General John Smith, marshall of Newyork, at his residence on Longisland. He sunk under a disease of the chest, after an illness of thirteen days. The day but one before his death his daughter Miss Sarah Augusta Smith was at his particular desire, married pursuant to a contract of some standing, to John L. Lawrence Esq, the late Secretary of legation to...
37To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 23 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
The bearer of this note is Dr. Alexander McLeod, a clergyman of much learning, piety and respectability, in the city of newyork. He feels it his duty, on visiting Washington, to pay his respects to the chief magistrate of a free people. I yield to his request, without hesitation; assuring you at the same time of his sound republican sentiments; of which he has given proof in several valuable...
38Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I forwarded to you a few days ago by the mail, a print of the characters distinguishable on the Chaldean bricks , lately brought to New york . It did not seem likely at that time, I should trouble you so soon again. But the request of Richard C. Derby Esq. to carry a note of introduction to you, determines me to put pen to paper sooner than I expected. This gentleman informs me he intends to...
39Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of the New-York Historical Society , I beg leave to solicit your assistance toward the formation of a Zoological Museum. For the purpose of becoming more extensively and intimately acquainted with the animal creation, a plan has been digested for collecting specimens and productions from the different tribes. These it is intended to preserve and arrange in an apartment allotted for...
40Enclosure: Statement of the Committee on Zoology of the New-York Historical Society, 11 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Pursuant to a resolve of the Historical Society , at the meeting held in the New-York Institution , on the 11 th day of March , 1817 , the Committee on Zoology offered a Report concerning the means of promoting that Department of Natural Science . For carrying into effect the design of the Society, measures ought to be adopted to form a Cabinet of Zoology. Some of the leading objects are...
41Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 4 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Jonas Horwitz M, D, is well understood here to be a proficient in the hebrew language. Some of our most distinguished clergymen in New york , have received lessons from him. And, it is understood, that he possesses rare attainments in this department of knowlege. He wishes the Situation of professor of oriental literature in the College recently founded at Charlottesville . I have been...
42Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
D r Thomas Sewall of Ipswich, Massachusetts after having been well recommended to me, and engaged for some time in viewing New york , is about to depart for the South. He informs me it is his intention to visit you at Monticello , . I avail myself of the opportunity to send you a few Squash & Melon seeds just arrived from Lima by the US Ship ontario
43To John Adams from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 8 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I make you a respectful acknowledgment for the opportunity afforded by your note of decr. 13. 1819. of becoming acquainted with the revd Mr. Professor Norton, of Cambridge University. A gentleman so learned and so amiable merited particular attention. I endeavoured to make the most of him. I saw less of him than I wished, by reason of my journey to Washington to attend the National Convention...
44Samuel L. Mitchill to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Fearn M.D, a native of Virginia , is returning home, from a tour of improvement in Europe after having graduated in Philadelphia . Possessing a mind that is expanded by literature and science, and enlarged by travelling, he feels discontented that he never enjoyed the opportunity of seeing the distinguished citizen to whom this note is addressed. Full of respectful ardour and...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The Linnean Society of Paris in electing you one of its honorary members, has of course informed you that since its organization, the 24 th day of may has been selected for a fite botanique annually. It is also recommended, as you know, to non-resident members, to associate wherever they can, and to establish similar celebrations. There being several associates in Newyork, an intention has...