1William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
W: Thornton ’s respectful Complim ts to his highly esteemed Friend m r Jefferson , and begs leave to present the Bearer M r Thomas Freeborn , as a very respectable Inhabitant of New York , who is desirous of paying his respects to one of whom he has heard so much, and whose Principles he has long admired.— RC ( MHi
2Account with William Thornton, [5 December] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Account between the Honble. James Madison—and Mr. Thornton. William Thornton Dr: 1806 Augst. 4. To a Loan of one hundred and fifty Dollars $150.— 1807— To Interest one year on the above 9.— To Interest on fifty Dollars till 1809 from Augst. 4th: 1807 till Decr. 1809. 2 yrs: 3 months 7.50 1805 Octr. To 120 Bushels of Coals at 28 Cts. ⅌r: Bushell 33.60 March 18. To 196 Bushs: of Coal at 28 Cts....
3Enclosure: William Thornton to George Greer, 2 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The late President of the U.S. M r Jefferson being desirous of knowing how & where he could obtain one of the Looms of M r Janes’s Improvem t I wrote to M r J: & received this day his answer , referring me to you or to M r Robert Miller
4To George Washington from William Thornton, 4 December 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Thornton, 4 Dec. 1796 . GW wrote Thornton on 26 Dec. : “Your letter of the 4th of the present month came to my hands.”
5William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 20 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I lamented very much when you wrote to me for the Portrait by Stewart , that I had not finished a Copy of it; for I was in hopes that the Gentlemen who were engaged in taking the Heads of our worthies, would have done more justice than I could do: but when I saw, on their return, the Portraits of yourself of M r & M rs Madison , I beheld them with amazement.—I did not admire them, but I...
6William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
With the Drawings &c I received your Letter of the 3 rd Inst: & am sorry that the Description of the Spinning machine had not been more perfectly executed, by which you would with greater facility have comprehended the several parts. The roving part is described very much in the Stile of the Descriptions in the Cyclopadia; referring to the roving Jack is like referring to a Book out of print....
7William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of your Letter of the 24 th Ult o inclosing fifty Dollars, which I delayed answering from day to day till I am astonished at the lapse of time. I waited in daily expectation of the arrival of your Servant, and had the machine prepared accordingly. I have heard nothing of him yet, and cannot remain any longer silent, lest some accident may have happened.— I am still unwell, but...
8William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never been honoured with a line from you since your favor of the 9 th of May 1817 —which I answered on the 27 th relative to the College about to be established in your Vicinity.—I am in hopes my Letter reached you, not so much from any advantage it could possibly offer you, as to shew my desire to fulfil to the utmost of my ability every wish with which you have honored me.—I am in...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Thornton, [9 June 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
W: Thornton returns his respectful Compliments to the President of the United States.—He has perused, and returns Mr: Elgar’s Letter ; but is not acquainted with any Species of Serpentine Stone which he thinks can possibly possess the magnetic Power, as it is a species of Calcarious Stone, or Marble, denominated from its Spots and variegated appearance, not endued, to the best of his...
10To James Madison from William Thornton, 27 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of your Note acknowledging the receipt of the Medallion, and shall take the earliest opportunity of forwarding your Letter to England. I am very unwilling to trouble you, but I have received two Letters from Mr. Joseph Cerneau a French Citizen of the U. States, resident in New York, who wishes to send a Vessel to France but is afraid of the Rambouillet Decree; and solicits any...