1To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from the Secretary at War to Dr. Hunter of this expedition is fitting out for the purpose of exp of the rivers &c of Louisiana, I hope it will not be as officious in me to recommend to your notice a ge ntleman, who I am persuaded would do no dishonour to any appointment which you might think proper to give him, either in this or in any other similar undertaking. The gentleman I...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
You will not, I am persuaded, be displeased with any hint, though from one who has not the honour of being personally known to you, which aims at public utility.— The advantages which must accrue to the community, from the establishment of uniform weights and measures throughout the United States, are obvious at first view.—I would beg leave to suggest what appears to me a matter very proper...
3Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 25 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It requires an apology that I have not before now sent you the Time-Piece, which has been so long in my custody. The commencement of the late war before the Time-Piece was finished, & the consequent depredations of the enemy on our coast, prevented its being sent before the restoration of peace. When this event had taken place, I perceived that some parts of the veneering were scaling off from...
4Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I am directed, by the Philosophical Society , to acknowledge the reciept (under cover from you) of a paper from M. Du Jareau of New Orleans , on the construction of a saw-mill to be worked by a horse. This paper, according to the usage of the society, was referred to a committee , who have reported, in substance, —That the paper does not appear to be intended by the Author as a communication...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson and Andrew Ellicott, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the office of Superintendant of the military stores of the United States, created by an Act of Congress passed the 2d of April 1794, and now held by Mr. Harris , become vacant; we would take the liberty of recommending Mr. George Ingel, of this place, as a suitable person for that office. For several years during our revolutionary war , and till the close of it, he served in a similar...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 8 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Relying on your known goodness—I have taken the liberty of thus introducing the bearer, Mr. John Woodside, who wishes for this opportunity of paying you his personal homage and respects.— He is a man of the strictest integrity, & most exemplary morals— was an officer, and served with great reputation, in the Pennsylvania line, during our revolutionary war—Has now for many years been a clerk in...
7Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My younger son, Robert Maskill , having gone thro the usual course of collegiate studies in our Seminary , and of medical studies under D r Barton , and obtained degrees both in the Arts & in medicine; has devoted the last twelve months chiefly to the study of mineralogy under M r Godon ; in which, it is said, he has made considerable proficiency. He has a strong desire of visiting some parts...
8Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your time-piece has been packed up, ready for shipment, in the manner you directed, for a considerable time. But as soon as our river was had been rendered navigable, by the breaking up of the ice, it was again stoped & still continues to be so, by a British fleet. I am therefore, Sir, about to set it up at my own house, as it will be better to keep it going than standing; & shall wait your...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to former practice, I have the honor, at the commencement of the present year, to lay before you a statement of the Issues from the Mint of the United States, and the Expences of the Institution, during the past year: and conceiving, that it might not prove unacceptible, the Treasurer has, at my request, drawn up, and exhibited, in one comprehensive view, (Schedule No. 4) a Statement...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 26 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
With most respectful compliments, I would request your acceptance of the inclosed pamphlet—a Discourse lately delivered by the Pastor of the church to which I belong. It contains many sentiments and observations relative to the present circumstances of the nation, which, I presume; will meet with your approbation. With sentiments of the greatest respect & esteem I have the honour to be your...
11Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d & read your interesting communication of the 10 th Nov r with great satisfaction, and have laid the same before the Committee appointed on the subject of your former communication; who, I am sure, will give it that consideration which it so highly merits. In the meantime, Sir, you will permit me to make a few observations, which may not, however perfectly agree with the ideas...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The art of secret writing, or, as it is usually termed, writing in cypher , has occasionally engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages; and yet I believe it will be acknowledged, by all who are acquainted with the present state of this art, that it is still far short of perfection. A perfect cypher, as it appears to me, should possess the following properties.—...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 21 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I have sent you by post, N. As. for 98. 99. 06. 07. & 08 The two first have seen service and bear the usuel marks. English Almanacs for .09 & 10 may be had, but our own will soon be published, and will be preferable in many respects. Of the above five, two only have been purchased $2.50—the others are duplicates which I can spare without the least inconvenience. I...
14Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that you may not as yet have seen a little tract, by Doctor Buchanan , on “Christian Researches in Asia ,” lately republished in Boston ; and not doubting that you would find it highly interesting, I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy, of which I most respectfully request your acceptance. Some time ago, inclosed I believe in A Nautical Almanack for the year 1813, I returned...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 30 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Some years ago, I remember to have laid before you a scheme of secret writing , which you were pleased to honour with a friendly notice: And relying on your well-tried patience; I would again take the liberty of submitting a few further remarks on the same subject. That scheme, in common with all others heretofore practised, had one defect, which it is the object of the present attempt to...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing the bearer Mr. Smith an acquaintance of mine from Bucks county. He wishes to see the model of your mould-board , as he and his brother have turned their attention a good deal to that subject. He has with him the description and model of a mouldboard for which he has had thoughts of obtaining a patent—It is I believe the spiral or twisted-board, which, in...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
With your approbation, I have employed Mr. John Reich as an Assistant Engraver in the Mint, at the annual salary of 600 dolls. He has covenanted “to execute any work, in the line of his profession, that may be required of him, either by the director or chief engraver, whether for the immediate use of the mint, or for that of the U. States, when ordered by any special resolution or act of...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 10th. of last month, and communicated your desire to the Society at their meeting on the 19th. I perceived, however, among the members, an universal wish of continuing you at the head of their Institution: For though they would highly prize the advantage of your personal presence at their sessions, yet they considered this as but of secondary importance—and,...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 July 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 8 th accompanied with a few printed sheets of Extracts from the “Revue Encyclopedique” by M. Jullien, which I laid before our society, at their meeting last evening. This valuable publication is regularly received, & duly appreciated by the society. M r Warden one of our associates in Paris, is, I observe, among the collaborateurs of M. Jullien, &...
20Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Sometime in the beginning of winter, a young gentleman, M r Trist , I believe, brought me a telescope which he said you had sent to be repaired. He also informed me that you had sent me a letter , but that he had left it, inadvertently, at Washington , with his portmantua & would forward it from N. york where he expected it would be sent. I have not yet, however, received it. The telescope was...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
At the commencement of the present year, I have the honour of laying before you a Report of the operations of the Mint during the last year. From the Treasurer’s annual statement, it will appear, that during this period there have been struck at the mint, gold coins to the amount of 324,505 dollars, and silver coins to the amount of 471,319 dollars; making the total amount 795,824 dollars, and...
22Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
You have no doubt been informed, at least thro the medium of News-papers, of M r Peale ’s complete success in illuminating his Museum with gas - lights , & presuming that it would not be uninteresting to you, I shall do myself the pleasure of giving you a description of his apparatus & process for generating & distributing the gas. It is well known that any substance containing hydrogen will,...
23Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Some days ago, I received your favour of the 11 , with the French poem on Astronomy. The Society had rec d a copy of the same work from the Author , & therefore they wish me to return your copy. They have eagerly embraced your proposal respecting the universal standard of weights and measures , and have referred the subject to a Committee who earnestly solicit, not merely your co-operation,...
24Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time ago, you made some enquiries relative to a good clock & watch-maker , who, you suggested, might advantageously settle in your neighbourhood. Neither then, nor since, till the other day, could I hear of one that I could recommend, who was willing to make the trial. From the enclosed letter , you will be able to judge whether the persons therein Recommended by m r Hassler ,...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is subjoined, by way of appendix to the 1st vol of an American edition of Adams’s Philosophy, the proof sheets of which I examined, making a few occasional notes & corrections. As the Author frequently alludes to the principles of modern chemistry, but without sufficiently explaining them, this outline , it was presumed, would not be unacceptable to the reader. My aim has been to...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the directions in your favour of the 17th I am getting a stand made for the sextant , and the whole will be carefully packed up, and, by Mr. Roberts, sent on, by water, in the course of a few days. With respect to the cypher, when applied to a single word or line, I would observe, that in strict conformity with the general system, each letter must, in this case, be considered as a...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 2d. and thank you for your confidence, which I will never abuse—I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—I take the liberty of subjoining the formula which I commonly use for computing the longitude from the common lunar observation, illustrated by an...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to your notice Mr. Hassler, a Gentleman lately from Switzerland. He is a man of science & education; and, as will appear from the inclosed paper, written by himself at my request, was a character of considerable importance in his own country. It is his wish to obtain some employment from the United States, which would require the practice of surveying or astronomy. He...
29Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 13 th & shall immediately take measures to send on your Time-piece as you have directed. I have had, for some years an artificial horizon , which, by means of a reflecting sextant, answers the purpose of measuring all altitudes of the sun, or any other visible object, from 0 to 90° as well as all depressions not exceeding 50° with great ease &...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 16 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Theodolite, which by advice from Mr. Freeman I purchased of Mr. Biggs, is carefully packed up, & put on board, a sloop for Georgetown—The bill of lading is here inclosed—The draft for 54 dolls was this day recd. & paid to Mr. Biggs—I have taken the liberty of enclosing, for Mr. Freeman, a Formula for solving a problem in practical Astronomy which I concieve may be of some use in his...