1From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 8 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Jan. 24. on the subject of the establishment of Agricultural societies, a subject which had formerly occupied my attention to a certain degree, and had been recently called up again by a proposition from the President of the board of agriculture in England. the difficulty in this country is to call into activity some principle which will command...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 29 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 26th. came to hand last night. that of Jan. 30. had been recieved in due time. with more business than can be dispatched at once, I am often obliged to lay by to a more leisure moment that which will best bear delay. this lot falls often on my philosophical and literary correspondence. to this circumstance alone is owing the omission to answer that part of your letter which...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 5 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have something to propose to you much to your advantage: but it is necessary I should see you; & as I leave this the day after tomorrow, I have only tomorrow for an interview. I send the bearer express, to see if you could come here tomorrow (Sunday) Accept my best wishes. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. Isaac Briggs”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. something to propose : TJ offered...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 20 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The writer of the inclosed letter, James Dinsmore, is an excellent young man from Philadelphia, who has lived in my family as a housejoiner 5. or 6. years. I have great confidence in his recommendations making due allowance for the connection in this case. of his brother John Dinsmore I know nothing. but as he resides near the Natchez, should you have occasion for him, you can learn his...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 20 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your attention to the commission respecting the clock, and will immediately remit the money to mr Ferris with directions how to forward the clock. I inclose you part of a letter from mr Fitz , (the residue I tore off & retained as relating to something else.) I write him this day that you will recieve his queries but in the moment of your departure when you will not have time...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 11 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fitch proposes to set out from hence for the Missisipi about the 1st. of October, and to go by Knoxville & Nashville along the post road. as there is still time enough to recieve an answer from you by post before his departure, the object of this letter is merely to ask if you have any thing to advise him of before his journey which may be useful to him either on the road or preparatory to...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 5 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The favor I meant to ask of you was to chuse me two thermometers descending as far below zero as you can get them. the kind preferred is that on a lackered plate slid into a mahogany case with a glass sliding cover, these bearing best an exposure to the weather. I have had so many broke in coming from Philadelphia by the stage that I am authorised to recommend the packing them in a box at...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 11 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned to Baron Humboldt my proposition for taking lunar observations at land without using a time piece. he said there could be no doubt of it’s exactness, but that it was not new, that even De la Caille had proposed it and De la lande had given all the explanations necessary for it, I think he said in his 3d. vol. I have not the book here but presume you can consult it in Philadelphia...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 17 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John H. Smith, a native of Virginia, now resident in Kentucky, wishes to be employed as a Surveyor in the South Western department. I am not personally acquainted with him, but he is recommended by a friend , on whose testimony I rely, as having had a tolerably good education, of modesty & merit, capable of application to business, and one whose zeal & fidelity may be relied on in any...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 14 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 9. comes to hand in the moment of my departure on a short visit to Monticello. I have time therefore only to thank you for the information it contains, and to pray you to continue it, as it is impossible for me to govern without information. I wish to know every thing & then do what I find is right. on your information I have reliance.—your map & report arrived 3 or 4 days...