51To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg the favor very particularly of you to give a letter of recommendation for Langford Lovell Esqr. (who gives the inclosed account of himself) addressed to the Govr. of Dominica. I should esteem it an addition to the favor, if you would yourself inclose a duplicate of such letter to Mr Lovel in Dominica, by some safe conveyance; as in such case, by means...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 5 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have seen Mr. L—— [Laurens] since his return from Bath. He had received my Letter, but was so much incapacitated by his disorder having lain in his head, as to have written only one letter; and that, though a common one, & in reply to his physician, cost him three hours and an half.— He says that Indigo certainly was sent from America, by the young...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 30 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you a pacquet with a number of sheets of your printed papers; which I suppose you have received, though as yet I have not had it signified to me. I send you more sheets which now lie by me; and have still another or two finished, which I believe are with the printer. I send you also all that I have written out of my remarks on motion &c &c: it...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There seems still an indecision in public affairs, as far as relates to ministry, but every body is glad to stand upon the clear ground of a peace; so that you need not fear that your treaty will be shaken. I find every plan I had heard spoken of, was in a great state of ripeness, when I arrived in London; and the grandest ideas prevailing about free trade,...
55To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I beg to recommend the bearer to your best patronage, friendship, and advice. I shall say nothing more of him, than that to warm benevolence and good parts, there have been joined a virtuous education and public principles. In these times and upon the plan on which he goes, his success is fundamentally important to his family. Particulars he will explain;...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 20 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now fulfil a part of the promise I lately made you, of a communication upon the subject of natural history & philosophy. Arthur’s seat you know to be a considerable hill in the neighborhood of Edinburgh. While I was in that city, my excellent friend Professor Dugald Stewart informed me, that Dr. Hutton (one of the philosophical society of that place) had...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 17 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society In about 3 weeks time I hope to send you every thing complete, relative to a certain collection. There will be an engraving of the head of the party, taken from the larger medallion, of which you sent a miniature-size to Miss G: S.— The motto, given by her father at my request, is “His country’s friend, but more of humankind.” I wanted something that should...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan and Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs: Vaughan have the honor to present their respects to Dr: Franklin. A prior engagement obliges them with the most extreme regret to decline the pleasure of waiting upon him on sunday, agreeable to his kind invitation. Mr: Vaughan has the honor to inclose a list of some books sold by the same bookseller who furnished Mr V with the copy of the Politique...
59To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 3 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society You will be a little out of humor with a set of your friends here, though secretly but little so, as you must understand the history of their pompous language. For my own part, I think it right to keep up the characters of the men into whose hands the country is likely to fall; for the sake of the people here and in America, and of our enemies; for their...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you an extract of a letter from Dr. Priestley to my brother William, on the subject of his late supposed discovery. At the same time I inform you that I have procured a small glass jar, for the purpose of observing the cause of the phœnomenon of the small bits of tea-leaves, which you find whirled to the centre of the bottom of your breakfast cup,...
61To 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...
62Benjamin Vaughan to William Temple Franklin, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs: Vaughan has ordered your glasses, and we will engage Major White or some earlier passenger, to take care of them as far as Calais. Major White has for some time past had your damping cases from Woodmason, and other articles; so that no censure will fix upon myself for delay. The gout has lately seized him, but I think he will soon be getting abroad...
63To 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...
64To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
I was not very easy on the noon when you first saw me; but I was still less so at dinner , to find there was no post. There was also no post the next day. Judge then my happiness, at finding M r Potter, with letters that contained a little girl, which they called very beautiful; all but the upper lip, which they said was like mine; & M rs Vaughan, as well as possible. I am not fond of ^...
65To 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...
66To 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...
67To 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...
68Enclosure: 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...
69To 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...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74To 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...
75To 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...
76To 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...
77Benjamin 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...
78To 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.
79To 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...
80To 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,...
81To 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...
82To 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...
83Benjamin 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
84Benjamin 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
85To 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,...
86To 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...
87To 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...
88To 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,...
89To 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...
90To 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...
91To 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...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94To 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...
95To 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...
96To 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...
97To 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...
98To 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...
99Benjamin 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
100Benjamin Vaughan to Shelburne, 24 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have no knowledge of any right which I have to add to the number of letters (Already perhaps of a style that may seem improper) which I have at different times written to your lordship, but a fact or two has occurred to my knowledge which I beg to communicate in extreme confidence. On monday last, the 19th the American ministers went to communicate their late conferences with Mr. Oswald, &...