1To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The terms of approbation with which you mention my Lecture and Museum , afford me much gratification; since I have scarcely a thought not devoted to the perfection of my scheme. From my knowledge of the Interest which you have always felt in whatever concerned the comfort of Man or the Benefits of Society, I am induced to think that even in the important Station to which our Nation has called...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 29 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that I am so far on my return to the Museum with the Bones which were lately dug up at Shawangunk, in the county of Ulster. with the purchase of these I have also the right from the owner of the land to take up the remainder, when I can be prepared to undertake so important a work. I have viewed the Grounds, and have laid my plan, or rather plans to overcome,...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing you would be pleased in knowing my success in a trip up the north river, by the purchase of the Bones in the possession of Mr. Mastens. Although an object of great importance to me, in undertaking the journey I had very faint prospects of the issue. On my return to New York elated with the hopes of seeing the Skeleton of the Mamoth put togather, I hastily wrote to inform you of my...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 11 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 29th. July I did not receive until I had reached the place of bones, when I should have been pleased to have answered it, had it been possible or proper to have taken my attentions from engagments so earnest & constant. The use of a powerful Pump might have saved me 50 or 60 Dollars expence, but perhaps the obligation to return one belonging to the Public in a limited time,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The laborious, tho’ pleasing task of mounting the Mammoth Skeleton being done, gives me leisure to attend to other Interests of the Museum. The constant accumulation of articles not only of this but also of other Countries—increasing my imbarrisments to know how to dispose them for exhibition and public utility—these difficulties I expect will be greatly encreased after my Sons have visited...
6Enclosure: Substance of an Address, [ca. 12 January 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The time is now fully arrived when it has become expedient to decide the fate of the Museum to which Pennsylvania has given birth. It has commanded every exertion in my power for 16 years, and meeting with public approbation has certainly arrived to considerable Maturity; but from the uncertain tenure of human life it may not long continue in the same circumstances in which it has progressed,...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 21 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Receive my assurances of obligation for the politeness and punctuality with which you have answered my question .—Altho’ I conceived it proper, without any loss of time, to make such applications as might insure the preservation and advancement of the Museum, particularly as at the present moment many of the articles are piled in confusion on each other for want of Room; Yet I have determined...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging letter wrote at the moment you were setting out for Monticello,—I sent to my Son Rembrandt at New York, and I doubt not he will profit by your hints of different times and prices, to seperate and accomodate the Variety of Company that probably will desire a sight of the Skeleton. In order to improve and fit my Son Rubens to conduct my Museum, I have permited him to accompany his...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bone from Mr Jno. Brown I have received to day, and great was my surprise to find it in form corrisponding to the ox, which the enclosed drawing will best explain. It is a proof that the Indian Tradition has a good foundation. It certainly must have been a Buffalo of vast size , for compairing this fragment with the same parts of a common Ox and its size may pretty nearly be computed to be...
10Enclosure I, Diagram: Top of Bison Skull, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of the Upper Part From the Suter H the center of the Head to root of the horn I 7 Inches From the place of Insertion of the muscles of the Neck K to the fore part of the upper head broke off at L 10 Inches. The weight of this piece is 35 ℔ MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21495); in Peale’s hand.