101To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 13 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now write with your Polygraph by way of tryal, and find that it is absolutely necessary to hold the Pen of the left or West side, the beginning bears a little harder than I could wish in the right hand Pen, but at the other end of the line the pressure is nearly equal, after the first line the difference is scarce perceptible. The Pen-bar being longer than the width of the paralells, renders...
102To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Wishing to find some means of improving the Machinery of your Polygraph, I have since writing the foregoing, examined critically every part, and now pronounce it as perfect as can be made in the present construction of moovement—but must acknowledge that the touch of the Pens at the top is not what it ought to be. This I have found to be the case in some Machines on an larger scale, and where...
103To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor enclosing Ten Dollars; the payment for the additions to your small Polygraph I have received and that you find it will answer your purpose is a great relief to my mind, I had said that we strove to make it correct, that we could not make it perfectly so, was a mortification to me. I hope it will improve by use; will acquire more freedom, for every joint is closly fitted. Permit me...
104To Thomas Jefferson from John Williams, 2 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
At the annual Election of Officers of the american philosophical Society, held this day according to Law, you were unanimously re-elected their President. In announcing this agreeable Event, the Judges of the Election cannot deny themselves the Pleasure of expressing their high Satisfaction at again seeing this dignified Station filled by a Character equally eminent for his Talents, and Zeal...
105To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In conversation with a friend this morning as the Indians were leaving this City, he said they were sadly deseased; they had been with the women of bad fame in the lower part of the town and contracted the venerial disease. I have had no opportunity to enquire for the facts of this report, however think it my duty to give you this notice, with the Idea that you will give orders for their cure...
106To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 17 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It is my hope that I shall never do any thing, which will be disagreable to you. My father was a good and learned Man, and knew well the advantages of a good education, and he intended that I should have liberal one, but alass poor man he died before I had reached my 9th year of age, my mother had 5 Children to provide for (I was the oldest of them) and this was to be done by her industry; my...
107To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
every object which can add to the comforts and conveniences of life are important to us, none more so than that respecting our sight. I know you have improved the frames of Spectacles, and Mr. Mccallister tells me he has sent you a number of Glasses fitted to some of your improved frames—This induces me to write to you on this subject to offer some Idea’s which may have escaped your notice, I...
108To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 30 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreable to the request of Govr. Lewis I have prepared one of the heads of the American Argali (big horns) to be placed in your Hall at Monticello, it will be put on board the Schooner Jane Captn Jackson on tomorrow, And said to sail on tuesday next. It is packed in a Box directed to the care of Mr. George Jefferson at Richmond. The skin on said head cannot be eatten by Insects, & the Eyes are...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It is evident that many Persons who has had what is termed a classical Education, have so little of the dead languages remaining with them a few years after they have left School, as to be of very little use to them. It is like reading the suppliment of Book, wanting the details, leaves no impression on the readers mind. a small part of Mr. Ogilvie’s Rhetoric would be sufficient I doubt not to...
110To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 7 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It will be very interesting to see the Grisley-Bear brought to his full growth, one of the Skins which Govr. Lewis had appeared to me enormously large, should these bears preserve their health in confinement, which ought not to be in a small Cage, there is a good chance of their giving produce, and thereby making them happy in their situation, especially if well fed. this charge I will...