1To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
While offering to your acceptance the two enclosed Publications, I am prompted by my knowledge of your attachment to the Arts & Sciences, to intrude upon a few of your leisure moments. I remember in an early stage of the Museum, your obliging recommendation to my attention of the works of Buffon; and since I have been obliged to gain a more critical knowledge of Natural history, his writings...
2To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 9 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 January 1803, Museum. At the request of his friend John I. Hawkins, writes to inform JM of Hawkins’s invention of a machine to multiply copies of writing or music. Hawkins “some time past pondered whether he ought to take a Patent, as one had already been granted for similar purposes,” but inquiry showed “his invention is totally different, being a simple movement of paralell Rulers with...
3To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 14 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 February 1803, Museum. “Be pleased to accept the inclosed. Should you ever meet me in the Museum I may then tell you to whom the letter was originally intended. … It would give me pleasure to be able to trace out the probable progress of the museum while under my care, and to Devise with you the best means for its permanent Establishment.” FC ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Printed in Miller, Selected...
4To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale (Abstract), 17 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
17 April 1805, “Museum.” “Desireous of having some business done in the Patent Office I have taken the liberty of sending the enclosed Letter. The Guide will shew you some of my progress to bring my Museum into use and public notice. Present my respectful compliments to Mrs. Madison and believe me your friend.” Letterbook copy ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Enclosure not found. Peale presumably enclosed a...
5To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 19 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The three Polygraphs intended as presents for Tripoli are finished, but finding I was too late to send them round in ⟨the⟩ Vessel which sailed last friday, and no probability of another chance for 3 weeks or perhaps a month, I have thought it best to send that intended for the Tripolian Ambassidor, by the Packet that goes to Apoquinimy sailing this day, and I have wrote to Messrs. Levering &...
6To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 1 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
The other two Polygraphs for Tripoli I have this Day put on board the Schooner Caroline commanded by Captn. Fisher, the Bill of Lading enclosed. The Captn. tels me that he intends to sail on tomorrow. I hope that which went by he way of appoquinomy has arrived in good condition. It was by accident I heard of the present conveyance, for I was led to believe that I could not find a passage by...
7To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 30 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Museum has increased very importantly since your visit to Philada. and the order and management of it meets with the approbation of all scientific men who have visited it, foreigners as well as Americans, every one agreeing in the sentiment that it ought to be national Property. I feel no trouble or difficulty in maintaining its order and extended usefulness, except what now arises for...