1To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 29 July 1825 (Madison Papers)
Thy favor of 22 inst., enclosing ten dollars, is duly received. This pays, & more than pays, for the Works sent thee; & as thou expressed some anxiety lest it might miscarry, I hasten my acknowledgment. Permit me to add, that, much as I need, & value, ten dollar bank notes, rather scarce articles in the pocket, yet I prize, more highly, this testimony of thy regard. In much solicitude about...
2To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 10 May 1825 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with thy Letter of March 23. Soon after, or about the same time I wrote thee, I applied, by Letter, to persons at Staunton, Union, the Sweet Springs, &c. for information, specifying what I wanted, & what for, in reply to which I am favored with prompt & satisfactory answers, as I have been from all parts of the United States, excepting only from New Orleans. My Work is advancing,...
3To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 March 1825 (Madison Papers)
The booksellers tell me that Tourists & Travellers want a convenient Pocket Companion, not merely an Itinerary, but a descriptive account of places of public resort in the United States. I have undertaken such a Work, intended for publication in June next. Your Sweet Springs, & Warm Springs, & Hot Springs, et cetera, in Virginia, claim more notice than I have the means of giving them in this...
4To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 21 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Thou hast been pleased to command my literary labors, and to manifest toward me so much kindness, that I beg permission to ask of thee a favor. The 15 years that I have devoted to the topography, statistics, geography & history of this State, have procured me plenty of empty-handed praise, a very general public applause, but, as to pecuniary compensation for these labors, my time has been...
5To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 17 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
I was duly favored, sometime since, with thy kind notice of my late publications, for which I thank thee, and was also much gratified with thy remarks on recent political counts in this State. Fortunately I have delayed this reply until now, when I pray thee to accept my very hearty congratulations on the Election of thy Son to the Presidency of the United States. This must be highly...
6To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 28 October 1824 (Adams Papers)
This ‘ Baby ’ of mine, the little Book sent herewith, is truly a very small Book; but thou wilt consider it a portal to a vast edifice, & as I ask thy acceptance of it, made small as it is, as a mark of my most sincere regard. Thou wilt see, by this, what a new & vast field the enterprize of New York is opening to public view: these Canals, minutely traced, 420 odd miles in length, are new...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 28 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to much of a Virginian, & to friendly to the great design on which thou art bestowing thy talents, in the evening of a most illustrious & useful life, that I beg leave to present, for the Library of the Central College, the little Book sent herewith. Though perfectly aware of its dimmintive size, too small for a token of the Author’s regard, especially when offered to such a man as thee,...
8To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 18 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
Thy letter duly came to my family, & I have now the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of it. I am always much gratified to hear of thy health. The Gazetteer goes with this letter, & I very ardently hope thy health & strength will so hold out as to enable thee to hear it rad. May I hope to hear from thee, afterwards? I would, if I could afford it, send a copy to the American Academy of Arts &...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 18 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy Letter duly reached my family, & I have now the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of it. I send the Gazetteer herewith. Permit me to ask, that, after thou hast done with it, it may belong to the Library of the College, to which thou art devoting thy time & talents. If I could afford it, I would prefer to send a Copy, from the Author. The best part of my education was received in...
10To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
Can I send thee a 3 dollar octavo volume of 620 pages, by mail, post-free? I have just published so good a thing that I very much want thee to see it. A Gazetteer & Geography of the State of New-York, the writing of which employed me, closely, for more than 2 years. As I have send all the freedom of remark that a Republican ought to do, aiming at truth, there are many things incidentally said...
11To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
As I once spoke or wrote to thee concerning a Gazetteer & Geography of the State of Virginia, I am anxious to have thee see my Gaz. & Geog. of New York, just published. It is a 3 dollar volume, octavo, 620 pages, & I wait thy instructions how to send it. When thou hast examined it, I should very much like to know thy opinion of it, particularly as to the freedom I have used in speaking of many...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
To save the trouble, let thy clerk, or some young man say whether I can send thee a 3 dollar octavo volume by mail, 620 pages, post free, & if not how I can send it? I have just published a Gazette & Geography of the State of New York, which I want thee to see. There are many things, incidentally said, besides mere topographical details, intended to counteract injurious tendencies in our young...
13To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 25 November 1822 (Madison Papers)
Providence sometimes blesses us with necessary chastisements. The untoward events that drove me from my Cabin in the wilds of Western Pennsylvania, restored me again to society, led to the performance of a necessary literary task, a second edition of my Gazetteer, & to the completion of another task, on which, during 20 odd years, I had expended, hitherto to no profit, a great deal of time,...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates Spafford, 25 November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
After 20 odd years of investigation as an operative Chemist, I have succeeded in demonstrating the truths of a philosophical theory, which enables me to make the very best of Cast-Steel, (a Pure carbonate of Iron,) with such facility as to make the manufacture easy & sufficiently profitable. The Steel has been severely tested by the best artisans & mechanics, & is pronounced absolutely...
15To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 11 June 1822 (Madison Papers)
By some delay of the Post Master at Ballston, to which thy favor of April 16 was directed, I did not receive it until yesterday. My Geography & Gazetteer will soon be ready for the press, & greatly improved, by no small labor. Within the last 6 months, I have sent by Mail 1100 Letters, more than 300 of which were autographs, thinking, as indeed I have always found it, that less attention is...
16To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 15 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
I present a copy of my Proposals for a second edition of the Gazetteer of this State, & am in hopes I shall soon have the pleasure of sending the Book to thee. If it give thee no information, it will enable me to recall thy recollections of the poor old dandy of an Author, & to renew assurances of high regard. I do not recollect whether I have informed thee that I am preparing a sort of...
17Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me again to recall thy recollection to the poor old literary drudge, who has constantly experienced the kindness of thy regard, & no small share of the ‘ Calamities of Authors . ’ After devoting 3 years to my new Lands in the Western part of Pennsylvania , expending as many thousand dollars, raising their value from 50 cents to 3 dollars an acre, an unfortunate difficulty about the...
18Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 5 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I was duly favored with thy reply to my last Letter , as, indeed, I have always been, by every friendly attention from thee, for which I pray thee to accept my most hearty acknowledgements. To be thus honored, is among the most considerable of the consolations of this life. now beg leave to trouble thee with one request:—and can assure thee I am exceedingly afflicted by the necessity that...
19Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy evening of life is an object of general concern, amongst all those who are attached to Republican principles. I would not lightly obtrude upon its repose—for I feel towards thee a veneration I have never known towards any other person. But I desire permission to say, confidentially, that I have in contemplation, should I survive thee, to write a History of thy Life, on a scale of brevity,...
20To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 9 August 1818 (Madison Papers)
In these woods, constantly occupied in my new business, that of Farming, & forming a new Settlement on an extensive tract of wild land, I hold little intercourse with the literary world & Know little of what is going on. As my attention is most sedulously directed to Agricultural & Rural Economies, I could not long be unapprized of the publication of some extracts from a late Address of thine...
21Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to enquire for thy health, & am anxious to learn if any of the seeds, with which I am stocking my Farms, would be acceptable on thine? I have lately obtained some very superior oats , from Russia , & some summer wheat & rye Summer rye ; th four or 5. varieties of wheat , from Europe & Africa
22Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I have not any thing to communicate that might Seem to excuse this Letter, yet, being about to remove from this State , & to abandon, for years, my late pursuits, I feel a desire to apprize thee of my intention & prospects. Weary of literary labors, I am Soon going to my farm, with an intention to devote 10 years to settling & improving my land, & my fortune. I own Some good land, in...
23To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 28 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Thou wast good enough to inform me that ‘no Book of mine would disturb thy peace,’ & I accordingly ordered my publisher to send thee a small volume, some time last winter. It is a little thing—but still as it is my youngest child, in this way, I feel some degree of anxiety about its fate. I speak of ‘The Mother-in-Law,’ published at Boston. I congratulate thee, & the country, on the return of...
24Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
If, from more important duties, & reading of greater interest, thou canst spare time to read my little Novel, I should be glad to learn how it is approved. RC ( MHi ); dateline adjacent to signature; addressed: “Hon. Thomas Jefferson, LL.D.”; endorsed by TJ as a letter from Spafford received 29 Apr. 1817 and so recorded in SJL .
25Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose, herewith; a Small Novel, of which I ask thy acceptance. It is the first thing of the kind that I have written, & I do not wish to be known as the writer. If it do but amuse thee, I shall be glad, & should gladly learn that the composition is approved. I hope thou wilt find time to read it, & that many years of health & enjoyment may be indulged to thee by that dread Being who guides...
26To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 23 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
Had I not a great personal interest in seeing the Laws of the United States, relating to the granting of Patents, & the protection of the rights of Inventors, So Modified as to embrace a better security of these rights, I should not have devoted So much time & attention to this Subject: nor should I now presume to Solicit thy attention to it. The Essay of “Franklin,” published in Nos. 8 & 9 of...
27To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 21 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I send, by this Mail, Nos. 7, 8, & 9, of my Magazine, & invite thy particular attention to the Essay of Franklin , on a National School, &c. Please favor me with thy opinion of it, & of the plans that he suggests. The little Work I mentioned sometime ago, is printed, at Boston, & I have directed my publisher to send thee a Copy. It is anonymous, because I must conceal the of Authorship. I hope...
28Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I am obliged by thy kind attention. Thy Letter of Dec. 20 , was duly received, & I shall avail myself of the Suggestion contained in it. By this day’s Mail, I Send No. 9 of the Magazine, with the conclusion of the Essay of ‘Franklin,’ to which I invite thy particular attention. Looking over Some old Papers, I have, just now, accidentally taken up the Letter enclosed , which I Send for thy...
29Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The Essay which thou wast kind enough to wish to See in print, is commenced in this No., & I anxiously hope the spirit & plan of it may meet thy approbation; & that I may be favored with the assurance. It is venturing a good deal, but not more, in my opinion, than the circumstances of the times demand. For the good of our Country, it is neccessary that the Men of the South express their...
30Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
After a long delay, occasioned by adverse events, I Send thee, by this day’s mail , another No. of the American Magazine. The Essay, partially read by thee, concerning the establishing a New School at Washington , & new modeling the Patent system of the United States , is in type, & will be published in a few days. I am in hopes this Paper will engage the attention of the Administration. In 3...