11To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 23 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
When I determined to inclose for you the first fruits of my medical education, I was fully sensible of the superiority of that philosophic mind to which it was to be offered & consequently, of the greater certainty of the detection of my errors. In not confining it then, to a sphere, where the faint rays of respectability are eclipsed by the splendid appearance of great men, I was influenced...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 16 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter I have just been favored with, from you, is like all the treatment I have experienced at your hands—which has been uniformly kind and benevolent. To my very soul I am mortified at giving you so much trouble; and may eternal curses crush me, if I prove unprincipled & ungrateful. Indeed Mr. Jefferson my views of other characters become jaundiced—after seeing so much of that liberality...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 26 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
To be poor and dependant is dis–agreeable to every feeling mind; to make others acquainted with such circumstances is painful; and to be urged by pressing wants to communicate an account of them, to elevated characters on whom we have no claim for favor—is distressing in the extreme. But even this should be prefered to suffering in silence for want of employment. After anxiously appealing to...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 28 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My opinion of your goodness towards everyone, is such, that I cannot give way to the fear that you may be offended at my addressing you so frequently.—Indeed it is with unaffected diffidence I now offer for your consideration, the first pages of that work, of the plan of which you were pleased to approve. My feelings are common to those who engage in hazardous enterprises, on which they are to...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 15 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
No ruin hanging over me could make me again trouble you with a communication, if I alone was to feel the ruin. But my growing family will more keenly suffer; and it is this Good Sir urging me on to solicit the protection of a president—too just to sanction the undeserved disgrace of the lowest officer & too benevolent to withold his kind 2 from the man he had raised—’in the moments of...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 26 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival in this place– I have been so much taken up with the discharge of pressing duties– that I could not as early as I wished, complete the reading of the works on chemistry published by order of the French government, which you were so obliging as to put in my hands. At any time that you may be desirous of having it returned– an order from you will be strictly obeyed; and this I...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 4 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
With this your Excellency will receive the work on chemistry by Mr. Adet—with which you were pleased to honor me. by entrusting it to my care & attention, while at Washington. There being scarcely any thing new in it—either in matter—or arrangement—I have altered a determination to translate & publish it in this country. Before next December a copy of “Plain discources on the chemical laws...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 6 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
since I had the honor to converse with you, I have received intelligence of the intention of Doctr. Bullus to resign his appointment at the Navy Yard. No doubt you recollect the kindness with which last summer you determined that I should succeed to this office, on the Doctor’s resignation. In consequence of repeated assurances received from the Hon. Rt smith—that I should have the...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 1 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
After reflecting on that liberality which it is generally stated, often leads your excellency to encourage the honest endeavours of young men, and after adverting to the letter you honored me with on the 28th of last october in which you express a “ friendly disposition to aid me by any suitable appointment that might occur ” I cannot avoid believing that you will readily pardon me for again...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 23 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding the prospect of procuring many subscribers to my work on chemistry, encreasing in a flattering degree, I shall send it, in a short time to the press. In pursuance with the custom of authors—I have determined to usher my performance into the world—under a dedication to an illustrious character. If the inclination of a private citizen can have a resemblance to the acts of an exalted...