1Horatio 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...
2Horatio 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 .
3Horatio 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...
4Horatio 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
5Horatio 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,...
6Horatio 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...
7Horatio 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...