1Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 31 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of mr Warden I transmit to the A. Philosophical society an Analysis of tobacco by M. Vauquelin , translated by mr Warden . Having lately recieved from mr Treat , an officer stationed at our post on the Arkansa , a meteorological diary of two years & three months continuance, I take the liberty of presenting it to the society.
2Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 1 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Lambert does not, in the inclosed letter , say precisely that he meant it as a communication to the Philosophical society , yet from a particular expression in it, I think it was his idea. I send it to you therefore to be made such use of as the you think proper, and of which you are the best judge. I salute you with constant esteem & respect. RC ( PPAmP : APS Archives, Manuscript...
3Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 7 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I had thought that the copies of the Nautical Almanac which you had been so kind as to furnish me with some time ago, had included the present year, till I had occasion to use one, and found myself mistaken. having no other medium of obtaining it at present this moment, I have indulged myself with the hope that your friendship would permit me to ask the favor of you to send me that of the...
4Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 21 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12 th is recieved and also the Nautical Almanacs for 1811. 12. for which accept my thanks as well as for the artificial horizon proposed to be forwarded. as it would be liable to be broken, it would come best by some of the vessels sailing daily from Philadelphia to Richmond addressed to me to the care of Mess rs Gibson & Jefferson merchants at Richmond , adding ‘ to be...
5Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 11 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed work came to me without a scrip of a pen other than what you see in the title page. ‘A Mons r le president de la societé.’ from this I conclude it intended for the Philosophical society , & for them I now inclose it to you. you will find the notes really of value. they embody and ascertain to us all the scraps of new discoveries which we have learnt in detached articles, from less...
6Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 10 November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 23. came to hand in due time, and I thank you for the Nautical almanac it covered for the year 1813. I learn with pleasure that the Philosophical society has concluded to take into consideration the subject of a fixed standard of measures weights and coins; and you ask my ideas on it; insulated as my situation is, I am sure I can offer nothing but what will occur to the...
7Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 10 November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I write this letter separate, because you may perhaps think something in the other of the same date, worth communicating to the Committee. I accept willingly mr Voigt’s offer to make me a timepeice, & with the kind of pendulum he proposes. I wish it to be as good as hands can make it, in every thing useful; but no unnecessary labour to be spent on mere ornament. a plain, but neat mahogany case...
8Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 29 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since any occasion presented itself of addressing a letter to you. I avail myself with pleasure therefore of that offered by the papers I now inclose you. they were intended for the society as I judge from the superscription. a long journey soon after their reciept from which I am but just returned, prevented my earlier transmission of them. I was very sensible of the solidity of...
9Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 9 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you another paper from our indefatigable calculator William Lambert . I do not know whether he is a member of our society, but I think his assiduities and qualifications render him entirely worthy of the choice of the society. our literary fare must be of homespun materials, I presume, during the continuance of the war, except so far as we may be refreshed by the precarious reciept of...
10Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 27 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
After an absence of five weeks at a distant possession of mine to which I pay such visits three or four times a year, I find here your favor of Nov. 30. I am very thankful to you for the description of Redhefer’s machine. I had never before been able to form an idea what his principle of deception was. he is the first of the inventors of perpetual motion, within my knolege, who has had the...
11Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 8 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 15 is duly received. I think the time-piece should not be risked until our coast becomes entirely safe by an armistice, or considerably so by some remission in the vigilance of the British cruisers. In the meantime, I should be glad you could take charge of it yourself and keep it agoing. Perhaps, if Mr. Voight has prepared the apparatus for ascertaining the rod vibrating...
12Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 29 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper came to my hand for communication to the Philosophical society as you will percieve by it’s contents. this I beg leave to do thro’ you, and to avail myself of this as of every occasion of assuring you of my friendship & respect. RC ( PPAmP : Thomas Jefferson Papers); addressed: “Doct r Robert Patterson Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked Milton , 30 June. PoC ( MHi ); with...
13Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 23 July 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to D r Patterson a paper from M r Lambert proposing a correction of the Julian calendar additional to that of Gregory , which paper was intended for the use of the society ; and he salutes D r Patterson with sincere friendship & respect. PoC
14Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 23 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore confided to you my wishes to retire from the chair of the Philosophical society , which however under the influence of your recommendations I have hitherto deferred. I have never however ceased from the purpose; and from every thing I can observe or learn at this distance, I suppose that a new choice can now be made with as much harmony as may be expected at any future time....
15Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 13 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
A long absence from home must apologise for my delay in acknoleging your favor of Aug. 25. and thanking you for your attention to the time piece. the best method of packing it would be to wrap it in one or more coarse striped woollen blankets (commonly called Dutch blankets) place it in a well jointed case, and if the case could be covered with oil cloth it would be still safer from moisture;...
16Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 22 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Of the last 5 months, I have passed 4. at a possession I have 90. or 100. miles S.W. from this. this must apologise for my having to acknolege your three favors of Oct. 24. Nov. 28. & Dec. 2. all at the same time. on my return, I make it my first duty to comply with your request of Dec. 2. by writing to the President on behalf of mr Hassler , which I have done by this mail. I am sure he will...
17Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 1 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 13. came to hand but two days ago. nothing could be so desirable to me as to have settled in the neighboring village of Charlottesville such a family of artists as is described in mr Hassler ’s letter to you . yet I dare not advise it; because I do not believe they could find employment there. it would be a good stand for a single workman, a real proficient in the...