1To James Madison from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
I presume to introduce to you my cousin Miss Emma Jane Gardiner, who is travelling in company with my friends Mr. & Mrs. Ticknor of Boston. I ought rather to do this on account of her excellent & amiable character, & a confidence in your hospitality & deference to the ladies; than for any established claim I can have upon you for the attentions I presume to ask on her behalf. This young lady...
2Benjamin Vaughan to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume to send you the inclosed, the writer of which seems to wish to put the religious party on his side.— A new attack has been made on vaccination by a certain D r Brown in Scotland ; but the sum total of it is, want of candor in argument, & the use of spurious kine pox in practice. D r Jenner , D r
3Benjamin Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 21–22 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
{ Philadelphia , April 21, 1819. Bordentown, N.J. April 22. I have taken the liberty to send you, through M r J. Q. Adams , a tin box containing D r Physick ’s prescription for the cutaneous application, as mentioned in my letter . The
4Benjamin Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
After a little excursion, I returned to this city yesterday, & found that D r Physick still continued unable to see me; but I have the pleasure to send his opinion, taken from his lips by the only person allowed to have access to him upon business. It is to the following effect. ‘ D r P. has seen several cases analogous to that in question, in elderly people; particularly if of a gouty...
5Benjamin Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 6 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the evening of the 4 th and was prepared on the 5 th to wait on D r Physick ; but I learned from my brother & D r P ’s deputy for attending his patients, that D r
6Benjamin Vaughan’s Notes on Climate Change, March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
NB. There is something in the averages of the snow in p. 5. which perhaps requires revision. The temperature of the springs in Kennebec has been given by a “friend” higher than the truth. The Abbé Du Bos in his work on Criticisms &ca from some slender passages (easily explained away,) first endeavored to shew that there was an amelioration of climate since the times of the antients, as regards...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 10 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Forgive the liberty which I take in introducing my cousin Mr. Robert Hallowell Gardiner to your notice, which he will claim after a time, more upon his own account, than mine. He is a young man who has not only acquitted himself honorably in his collegiate studies at Cambridge in this state; but has travelled in several parts of Europe. Since his return, he has with great good sense, good...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 24 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In the travels of Tournefort , Vol. 1. 4to. edition, there are two chapters containing the description of Constantinople; & in one of them is a brief statement, that the Turkish gallies are there housed. Whether they are kept in wet or dry dock’s, I forget; for I now write remote from my books.—In Snodgrass’s folio letter to Mr. Dundas, printed some years since, you will find that the building...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 29 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding your wish to insulate the continent over which you preside, from the confusions of the other hemisphere, yet while the citizens of America pursue trade & navigation, they must necessarily mix with European nations; & it is seldom safe to remain in troublesome company. Quarrels may even reach the U.S. in their own home; for three of the governments of Europe possess territories...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 26 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Avocations, proceeding from rural & family concerns & a sickly season, have long suspended my letters. In resuming the pen, I feel more pleasure than I shall probably communicate. By the present post, I have the honor to send a pamphlet with which you have had former occasions to be acquainted. It contains a section (p. ) which may suggest or confirm the project of promoting American...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 24 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 7th: instt. & have the pleasure to inclose a letter to my brother William , respecting a telescope. Extracts may be copied, in proportion as you make copies of your letter of order; which letter of order (provided no objection occurs on your side) may be addressed to my brother; & the telescope, when ready, be delivered to your usual correspondent. Permit...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 4 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your kind note in return to my letter. What follows may disappoint your opinion of every thing but my zeal. The first topic on which I shall presume to touch is, that of aliens; the discussion concerning whom will be renewed hereafter by some upon old principles; but perhaps it will be better to rest it upon new ones. During the American revolutionary war, the Emperor Joseph & the...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You will have received a sufficiency of personal congratulations to yourself & felicitations on the part of your country, for your election to the honorable post you now fill, to make every thing from me on that head superfluous. I know that your mind is of a nature to give the true interpretation to my feelings; every thing beyond which might occasion you the needless trouble of a reply, when...
14To John Adams from Benjamin Vaughan, 20 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
Public men naturally take an interest in each other, which heightened in favor of unmerited misfortune. This double motive leads me to be assured of your friendship to M. Talleyrand (late Bishop of Autun), whom it is only necessary that I should name to you, & assure you of his private character being as interesting as his public one. I am, dear sir, with respectful compliments to yourself &...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Vaughan, 4 July 1791 (Adams Papers)
It would have given me considerable pleasure to have thought that my correspondence could have been at all agreeable to you; as in that case, I should have done myself the honor frequently to write to you. At present, I seize with satisfaction the opportunity of addressing you, furnished by the visit which the Earl of Wycombe is about to pay to your continent. You will have great pleasure in...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
There is little doubt entertained, that we have dictated to Russia to come to terms with Turkey, a summons to which I do not see how the Empress can refuse obedience. But in return, she will remember the insult, as will her successor the fact, that the navy of England is always to be guarded against. This datum is now so well understood through Europe, that it seems likely to make us as odious...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 2 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
There is nothing new. Peace seems established. The Belgic provinces cannot hold out. Some have been alarmed about French affairs, but I have good reason to think they go on as usual. The inclosed is submitted to you. A Copy has been sent [to the] Bp. of Autun. RC ( DLC ); addressed; postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Jan. 1791 and so recorded in SJL ; MS slightly torn.
18Enclosure: English Objections to a Universal Standard derived from Nature, [2 December 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Two very able persons, the Bp. of Autun and Mr. Jefferson, have proposd for France and America respectively, that an universal standard of measures, and thence of weights, for all nations, should be derived from permanent data furnished by nature; and for this purpose, that recourse should be had to the length of a pendulum vibrating seconds in a given degree of latitude, and in a given...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 4 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A convention was agreed upon the 24th. ulto. at Madrid, to be signed and exchanged as the 27th: ulto. by which I trust our differences are ended. France, I think, goes on solidly. Austria and Prussia have renewed their accommodation.—Prince Potemkin is making a winter campaign against the Turks, and no thoughts of peace in that quarter. We are said to be at open war with Tippoo Saib. By the...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at a loss how to write to you about public affairs, unless negatively. We have no war, we have no peace. Our various European powers have neither principles that we can understand, nor passions that are avowed. We quarrel with Spain, and have German disagreements threatning us in which our court would mix by preference; and Spain disagrees with us, though hampered with the Moors. Prussia...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The above letter from the keeper of the botanical garden at St. Vincent will shew you that measures have failed respecting the red dry rice from St. Vincent, but that they will be repeated and I hope with more success.—I have other accounts of this species of rice, which mention it to be growing; so that we may look upon it as in a good measure secured to our parts of the world. Give me leave...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, with an account of the mutiny on the Bounty, 27 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a letter from Mr. Hinton Este, a very curious botanist of Jamaica, informing me that he had sent some Dry Rice seed pursuant to my desire, as you had directed. Mr. Este is a gentleman of large fortune and a Member of the Ja: Assembly, and one who will be very ready to communicate with you on these subjects or indeed on any other, being a very respectable man, and in general...
23To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 12 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
Inclosed I trouble you with a bill of lading for some goods for Yale College, ordered by D r . Price, & intended I believe to be consigned to a Col. Broome; but the clerk who has the directions being suddenly taken ill, & this opportunity going sooner than I was made to expect, I have no remedy but that adopted. Particulars will go by the next ship to the proper parties.— If my brother should...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, [ca. 14 June 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able to find Sir Joseph Banks at home, and I am unable to attend the meeting of the African Association tomorrow; so that Lediard must remain in suspence. I have sent an old copy of the Corn Report, and a number of the R[epositor]y for your acceptance by Mr. Fombelle. If you have the latter, please to send it to Mr. Stewart. I have sent the Abbé Morellet our best account of...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 22 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 17th: instant and take the first opportunity of acknowledging it, in order to inform you that the Report of the Privy Council on the slave trade, (which forms a folio volume,) in part I under the head of produce , speaks of Rice growing on a dry soil, “not like that of America,” which is very hearty food, and supposed (by the parties) the best rice in the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty pursuant to the desire of the author and your kind offer (though only a general one) of services, to address to you 400 copies of a French translation of a book on trade, of which I remember to have sent you a copy in English . These copies are to be distributed wherever they may be most useful in France, but especially among the members of the Etats Generaux. They are...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 26 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to send you by this conveyance three sorts of dry rice seed; 1. Padee Coccoo ballam; the finest sort; } 2. Padee Laye; the best for a crop; from Sumatra. 3. Padee Undallan; the ordinary sort Since writing you by the post in answer to your letter of the 11th. inst., I have received a letter from Mr. Anderson, superintendant of our botanical garden at St. Vincent, informing me,...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 17 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 11th. inst. and have in some degree anticipated the wish expressed in it. Sir Joseph Banks having consulted me respecting the degree in which seeds of the dry rice might be acceptable in our West India islands, in consequence of my representations in reply, favored me with three sorts of seed collected by Mr. Millar, son of the Mr. Millar who published the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Duncan of Edinburgh an old friend having informed me, that Professor Cleghorne of St. Andrews wishes earnestly for an opportunity of being known to you, and having reminded me at the same time that Pr. Cleghorne has rights of hospitality over me; I hope you will not think it too presuming in me to introduce this gentleman to you. The pain I feel in taking a liberty of this kind, is...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 2 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 23rd. ulto. Mr. Rumsey has been informed of the result of the inquiries you have been pleased to make on his account, and will I presume, take the necessary measures speedily. By my advice, he has enlarged the description to attend one of his discoveries. I had no design that Col. Smith should settle for the magnet box; consequently did not mention...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I request the favor of your attending to the interest of Mr. James Rumsey of Virginia, who wishes to obtain patents for a new boiler to the steam engine and for the application of steam to the purposes of navigation. These patents he wishes to be separate; and to have a caveat entered through your means, or such other steps taken, as shall prevent any person not duly authorized by him from...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be perfectly ashamed of the liberty I have lately taken in giving a letter of introduction to you, had you not in some small degree favored me with encouragement. I presume for a double reason to give a letter in favor of my friend Mr. Dugald Stewart, as I am well convinced you will have considerable satisfaction in his acquaintance. He is the son of the late Dr. Stewart of Edinburgh,...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 28 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming upon your kindness on a former occasion, I beg leave to have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance Mr. Baillie, nephew of the late Dr. William Hunter and who at present participates in the possession of his valuable cabinet. I take this liberty at the desire of a friend whom I esteem without having the pleasure of knowing Dr. Baillie, though not without being assured from his...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 5 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter written at the time of its date, but which I have since had transcribed on account of an alteration I have since made in my sentiments. The letter was delayed to allow me time to make experiments, which I have not been able to accomplish. I send the hygrometer I describe in it, somewhat doubtful however of its success. I have the pleasure to add another,...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, [ca. 1 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintance, Mr. Garnett of Bristol, a gentleman who is particularly recommended to me by my particular connection Mr. Richard Bright of Bristol, as his friend and a person of very good character. His object with you, will be to make you acquainted with an invention of his (for which himself and the Revd. Mr. Milton have obtained a patent here) for...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 29th: of Decr., though it arrived four weeks after its date. The very day after I received it, I began a long answer, which only waits for Messrs. Nairne & Blunt’s execution of what is mentioned in it, to be forwarded to you through Col. Smith; for it is too bulky for the post. I hope it will leave my hands tomorrow, and convince you of the anxiety I...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, with Enclosure, 26 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of the 29th. of December only last night, and take the first moment of answering it, presuming to offer a few remarks on the objects you have in view, by way of preface. It appears that many mistakes respecting the animal and vegetable productions of America have arisen from the precipitancy of European philosophers in deciding upon slight evidence; as well as...
38To John Adams from Benjamin Vaughan, 20 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r B Vaughan presents his respectful comp ts. to M r Adams, and having waited for the inclosed, wishes for the favor of an answer upon the subject of it. D r. Gray makes a private party for M r V:, and of course will be happy to see M rs & Miss Adams, with Col Jefferson & Col smith. M r V: is endeavoring to procure M r Bolton’s permission to see the immense machinery at Blackfriars Bridge
39To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In reply to your favor of the 5th: instt. I send you the Extract from the English translation of Kæmpfer’s history of Japan Vol. 2nd. Book 5. c. 6. p. 444–5, as follows. “The candles brought in at night, are hollow in the middle; the wick, which is of paper, being wound about a wooden stick, before the tallow is laid on. For this reason also the...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It is long since I have heard from you. The present is the first opportunity I have had for writing to you by a private hand, & my ignorance of the party still prevents my being particular. You will receive herewith a parcel of books. I am sorry not to have another copy of the Cincinnati at hand, with one or two other pamphlets, but these shall come by...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I will not affront your grandson by supposing that I can inform you of any thing passing here at this moment more perfectly & fully than he himself can explain it to you. The same thing has been true during his whole stay here. I may say indeed of himself, what he will not be forward to tell you; that he has been relished & respected here; and has always...
42To George Washington from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 October 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 Oct. 1784. On 5 Feb. 1785 GW wrote to Vaughan : “I pray you to accept my acknowledgement of your polite letter of 31st of October.”
43To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 5 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you lately to inform you that a roof-covering of pure tin would be equally expensive with copper. I added, that it was customary in some places, to cover with [ black ?] tin plates supported on iron plates within, & ^ to ^ lay a coat of paint or pitch over the whole.— But I have since seen some cast-iron covering, described in the book inclosed. I understand that this ^ last ^ practice...
44To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 3 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I shall not sett off till tomorrow afternoon, by which time you may be better. If I should hear nothing farther from you, I shall without fail deliver your message at Bowood Park, which is near Calne in Wiltshire, on one of the two roads to Bath. I shall certainly, if living & well, be back before Tuesday, to get you & M r Bingham, & M r Adams & Son, into the House of Lords on the 11 th : inst...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL : American Philosophical Society Having heard that you have been told at Paris, that Lord Shelburne had used foul play about the instructions for removing the troops from New York, I have only to state as a fact, that Genl. Gray in a letter I have in my possession addressed to Lord Keppel, requests to know on what means he may depend for removing the troops from New York, which...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I beg to introduce to your kind regards one of my best respected friends, Mr Dugald Stewart, who though as yet little known out of Scotland, is one of the best known men in it. He stands in the very first class of their mathematicians & literary men. He has twice at a day’s warning taken up Dr. Adam Ferguson’s lectures in Moral Philosophy, & twice completely excelled...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 24 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having an opportunity of writing you by the Dutch envoy from London, I cannot omit sending you a line to tell you that I see nothing more that is amiss here than you know of, notwithstanding Mr Knox & two or three people pretend that the Loyal Colonies are to have the trade to the islands. If you keep firm, & good humored, I hope you will in the end lose...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan: Two Letters, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg permission to introduce to your warm civilities, Lord Daer, son of the Earl of Selkirk. He was introduced to me lately as a very valuable & philosophical acquaintance, & my short intercourse with him has confirmed every report I had heard of him. His political principles are well known, & very friendly to us. He means to stay some time at...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society I have received your several late favors by Mr Jonathan Williams & Mr. Penn, with many thanks.— I cut out such parts of your newspapers as I judged proper to have published here, & was about to send them to some printer, but young Mr H. Laurens coming at the moment, I put them into his hands, as his father was well enough acquainted with the...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A very respectable planter of Antigua writes to desire of Mr Manning, “as a particular favor, that he would procure for his son a letter to Dr Franklin, as he is desirous he should know one of the first characters this age has produced.” The young gentleman, Mr Mackinnen, who presents you with this letter is the person alluded to, and though he is...