31To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor, once more, of laying before you an Annual Report of the operations of the Mint. From the Treasurers statement, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during the last year there have been struck at the Mint, 1,368,600 pieces of silver coins, amounting to 684,300 dolls. 58,288 pieces of gold coins, amounting to
32To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 23 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 16th. inclosing a method of finding the longitude without a time piece by Mr. Moore; on which, as well as on other methods for the same purpose, suggested by yourself, & sometime ago shewn me by Mr. Freeman, you are pleased to ask my opinion. It is scarcely necessary to remark that all the methods here proposed are strictly true in theory; and...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 29 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your favour of the 13th. announcing the resignation of Mr. Boudinot, and your pleasure in appointing me as his successor, I entered into a free communication with him on the subject of the mint. He has shown me the most friendly attention, & has formally introduced me to the other Officers of the institution; from whom I doubt not to experience the most cordial co-operation....
34To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your unexpected & very flattering favour of the 27th. demands my most grateful acknowledgements. My long services in this institution, & the respect I have always experienced both from the trustees & students, so strongly & justly attach me to the seminary, that the offer of a more lucrative employment could not of itself induce me to have it. But, happily, in the present instance, this, as...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 6 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to solicit your acceptance of another morsel of nut-shell philosophy , in the form of a “collegiate examination”. I have aimed at nothing more than a systematic view of the subject, in as small a compass as was consistent with any degree of perspecuity; believing that something of this kind might not be a useless accompaniment to the larger treatises which are commonly put into the...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 29 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The drawings, model, and description of your mold-board of least resistance , which you have been pleased to submit to my inspection, and which I had not seen before, I have now examined with much attention and pleasure; and do not hesitate in giving it my approbation, if that can be thought of any consequence after the one it has already received from Mr. Rittenhouse. The doctrine of...
37Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
At length M r Voigt has finished your timepiece. The delay, notwithstanding repeated solicitations to the contrary, has been shamefully long; for which no apology can be made but the common one among Mechanicks—a great pressure of business. The workmanship, however, appears to be well executed. A week or so will be necessary to regulate the pendulum; after which it shall be shipped for...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The American edition of the nautical Almanac for the year 1809 being just published, I have the pleasure of sending you a copy; as also a copy of Garnetts Requisite Tables. In these you will find several valuable additions & improvements not to be met with in the English edition—and I have little doubt that these Almanacs & Tables will in a short time supercede the necessity of importing the...
39Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
This day I had prepared to ship your Time-piece &c on board the Happy Return , Capt Hand , for Richmond , to be addressed to M r Gibson , as you direct in your favour of the 27th Ult . But our river is now frozen over, & we must wait for an opening, when the shipment will be made:— The pendulum has a compensating thermometer attached to it; the invention, I believe, of M r Rittenhouse , and...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recommended to Capt. Lewis, the use of a statistical Table , in which to set down his Astronomical observations, in the course of his intended expedition; as an expedient that would save a great deal of time, and be productive of many other obvious advantages. I had proposed to draw him out a sketch of such a table, but an unusual hurry of business prevented me, while he was in the city—I...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not till the day before yesterday that, upon coming to the city, I received your favour of the 16th. ulto; and this must be my apology for not replying sooner. The usual course with the Phil. Socy. is to refer every communication to a committee, who report their opinion to the socy, merely on the propriety of publishing the communication in their Transactions: but neither the Socy, nor...
42Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your desire I send herewith Garnetts’ Nautical Almanacs for the years 11. & 12—& shall not fail, life remaining, to forward those for succeeding years as soon as published. I have lately added to the common artificial horizon, (the polished plane surface adjusted by a spirit-level) a very simple appendage, by the aid of which any altitude of the sun &c may be taken, on land, from...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer, Mr. Alexr Stuart, is about to remove from this city to the Havanna in the line of mercantile business. His moral character, as well as reputation in his profession, so far as I have learned, stand fair with all such as know him; And it is confidently believed, that any appointment which you might please to give him, as agent or Consul in that city, would be ably & faithfully...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1808 (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 enclosed statement of the Treasurer, it will appear, that during that period there have been struck at the Mint; gold coins, to the amount of four hundred and thirty seven thousand, four hundred and ninety five dollars, silver coins, to the...
45Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the people of Passamaquoddy are now furnished with a new object of pursuit— gold finding . There was yesterday brought to the Mint , as a deposit, part of a grain or lump of native gold , weighing 14 oz 7¼ grs which was lately found, by a little boy, on Sewards neck beach , in the town(ship) of Eastport , near the mouth of the bay. This piece of gold ,...
46Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
You are most respectfully requested to accept the accompanying ‘Treatise of practical Arithmetic.’—It is a trifle which can lay no claim to your personal perusal; but if it should be thought worthy of being placed in the hands of any of your grandchildren, the author will be highly gratified. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “ Thomas Jefferson ”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Mar. 1819 and so...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 6 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, your letter of the 30th. Novr. last, directed to the Vice Presidents of the American Philosophical Society, was laid before them, and by them, before the Society, at a stated meeting, on the 2d of Decr. and again, on the afternoon of this day, at thier annual meeting for the election of officers. The Society, as such, have had no opportunity of expressing their...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret exceedingly that I have not been able to procure a translation of the two little Arabic manuscripts you were pleased to send me for that purpose. Capt. Obrien, though he understands the oral, has no knowledge at all of the written language. I have shown the papers to a native of Smyrna, Mr. Sennup? , now in this city—He says “they are written in one of seven of the Arab dialects,...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, a few days ago , of mentioning to you an interesting experiment which Mr. R. Peale had exhibited before a number of citizens; namely, the depuration of foul or putrid water, by simple filtration through sponge, sand, & charcoal;—that he had also succeeded in an attempt to render salt water fresh, and that he was preparing to make the experiment with true sea-water—He has this...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 14 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A Committee from the Directors of the Bank of the United States have represented to me, as Director of the Mint, that, in order to prevent, as much as possible, the exportation of Spanish dollars, so injurious to the general interest of the country; it is their wish, as well as perhaps that of most of the other Banks in the United States, to send this species of money, of which there are now...
51Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The Author of this Synopsis (formerly Secretary of Congress) desires me to send you, by this opportunity, a copy of the work, of which he begs your acceptance; & Requests that you would please to favour him with your remarks on the same RC ( MHi ); dateline beneath signature; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Dec. 1815 “with the clock” and so recorded in SJL ; with...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your favour of the 22d Ult. and feel, with a lively sense, the obligation I am under for the interest you were pleased to take in behalf of my friend, though the appointment has fallen on another worthy gentleman of the same name. I am not a little flattered with the notice you have taken of my cypher—Your alteration will certainly very much facilitate the labour of...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Chandler Price, 8 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed Mr Patrick Ysnardi Son of Joseph Ysnardi Esqr. American Consul at Cadiz, is now on his way from Charleston to the City of Washington. with a view to solicit the Consulship for Havanna which I understand now is or very soon will be vacant by the resignation of Mr Hill— With Mr Ysnardi I have been intimately acquainted several years—in my opinion he is well qualified to fill the...
54Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 13 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In one of this morning’s papers, [The Aurora,] I observe the copy of a letter from you to M r Neville of Pittsburgh “respecting the medals given by Congress to certain officers” .… Now, Sir, as on this subject I can communicate all the information which it is probable may be required, I beg leave to inform you— That while M r Burr was vice President of the U. States , he brought to the Mint a...
55Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour of the 8 th . Your time-piece, agreeably to your desire, I have had set up at my own house, & shall with great pleasure make experiments on its going with the rod-pendulum. This pendulum is at present suspended by a few inches of watch-spring attached to the upper end, as in common pendulums: But M r Adrain , an able mathematician, in...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 4 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
At the desire of the author, I have the pleasure of transmitting you the enclosed pamphlet, which you will find to be an ingenious performance, though somewhat deficient in point of perspecuity. From the author’s known abilities, and indefatigable application, there can be little doubt that the work he is about to publish will merit the public attention— I am, Sir, with sentiments of the...
57Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
A pretty severe attack of the prevailing epidemic, with a good deal of sickness in the family, must be my excuse for not sending on your Time-piece somewhat sooner. It was, however, last saturday shipped on board the Guinea Hen , &, according to your directions, consigned to mess rs Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond. On examining the pendulum mentioned in my last, & which I proposed to substitute...
58Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Hassler has just transmitted to the Sec’y of the Treasury , a descriptive list of the instruments which, in execution of his appointment for that purpose, he had procured in Europe , & has lately brought with him to this city. Presuming that you might be pleased to have a copy of this list, I herewith send you one, for your acceptance. M r Hassler ’s circumstances are, at present, somewhat...
59To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The prospect of full employment at the mint still continues, and is likely to increase. It is probable that in the course of the present year we shall strike to the amount of not less than a million of dollars. Our present Engraver, Mr. Scott, though indeed a meritorious and faithful officer, is yet so far advanced in life, being I believe upwards of seventy, that he cannot be expected very...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 29 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A balance of 125 cents has long remained in my hands for the purchase of a Nautical Almanac for the year 1810, which I now send you. That for 1811 Mr. Garnett will soon put to press, with sundry improvements; Particularly, the moon’s right ascension will be calculated to hours, minutes & seconds of time, as that of the sun & stars has usually been. The moon’s passage over the meridian will...