1To John Adams from William Thornton, 3 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
When your highly respected Son the Honorable John Quincy Adams sent me the Papers which Mr. William Mellus had the honor of transmitting through your Favor to the Dept of State, I found you had done me the honor of stating, that if you thought I was still in the Patent Office you would have addressed a Note to me; and you requested your Complimts.—I think myself highly flattered by this...
2To John Adams from William Thornton, 28 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to present to you a state of the business under our care, and of the public property belonging to the federal seat, with an estimate of its value, founded, not on mere supposition, but on the average of former sales. This report would have been made at an earlier day, had it not been delayed by the unfortunate death of Mr. Scott. We have the honor to be, with...
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
4William 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...
5William 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....
6William 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...
7William 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...
8To 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...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Thornton, 31 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been too long acquainted with your Goodness and Benevolence to hesitate in making to you an Application in behalf of one of the most worthy Men of my Acquaintance.—I informed you of the Death of my much esteemed Friend and Colleague Mr: Scott , and I doubt not that many Applications will be made to succeed him. I have not heard of any, nor have I received any Application direct or...
10William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 9 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your very friendly Letter , & I really feel ashamed at putting you to the necessity of writing for the Paintings you were so kind as to lend me to copy;—but still more so to offer any apology for not immediately sending them: however I must do it, for they are yet here. The Head by Stewart I really think one of the finest I ever saw, & having commenced it, I was in hopes of...