11Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 12 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 2. arrived a little before I sat out on a journey on which I was absent between 5. and 6. weeks. I have still therefore to return you my thanks for the seeds accompanying it, which shall be duly taken care of, and a communicated communication made to others of such as shall prove valuable. I have been long endeavoring to procure the Cork tree from Europe , but without...
12James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
With sentiments of respect & esteem, I beg you to accept a bust of Gen l Andrew Jackson , the hero of New Orleans , a citizen whose devotion to his country has proved him worthy her highest confidence. It is the chef d’Oeuvre of Rush , and an evidence of this nation being destined to not less celebrity in Arts than in Arms. The progress of manufactures is to me astonishing; when I recollect...
13Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 7 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, dear Sir, for the present of the bust of Gen l Jackson . he holds a high place in my esteem, as an undeviating patriot and a military character who has deserved well of his country. I shall give his bust a place in my most honorable suite , with those of Washington , Franklin , Fayette E t c. it’s value is moreover heightened as from the hand of an Artist of whom our country has a...
14James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing you take a lively interest in all that is goeing forward in the United States , marking the improvements, and their progress towards independence of other countries, for whatever is necessary or usefull, I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy of my latest specimen of Printing type thinking it will suffer nothing from a comparison with any thing of the kind; perhaps I view it...
15Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 18 July 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d is duly recieved and with it a copy of the Specimen of your types, for which accept my thanks. altho’ increasing debility warns me that it cannot be long before the transactions of the world will close upon me, yet I feel ardent wishes for the continued progress of science and the arts, and the consequent advancement of the happiness of man. when I look back to Bell ’s...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Ronaldson, 4 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with no small degree of reluctance, that I impose on you the trouble of this letter. I am sensible that you have done a full share of the duties and labours of Society, and ought now to be allowed the pleasures and comforts of that retirement you have so ardently sought. I hope that the object of this letter, will, in the goodness of your heart and the recollection of past times, find...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Ronaldson, 22 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The patterns of cloth and Yarn I have taken the liberty of sending to you, are all manufactured from the raw material, and carried through the whole process in Phila. The motive for submitting them to you is, to communicate as true an Idea as possible of the first efforts of this part of our Country, and enable you to form some opinion of what may be effected by our own energies should...
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 25 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Ronaldson & his thanks for the samples of Alms-house manufactures. he will take pleasure in exhibiting them to the members of the National legislature as proofs of our internal resources, which is the best way he can profit the public by Mr. Ronaldson’s attentions in this instance. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
19From Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 13 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the spring of 1806. you sent me many patterns of a variety of manufactures then carried on in Philadelphia. these proved that the arts had already taken good root there. occurrences since that have made it the duty of every one to improve every opportunity in his power of promoting these. I happen by accident to have obtained the Iceland or Shetland race of sheep of many horns. it is from...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Ronaldson, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Being unacquainted with the wool business, and not from my own experience capable of giving an oppinion that ought to be relied on in estimating the intrensic merit of the fleece you sent,—I availed myself of the oppinion and judgment of those that appeared most likely from their pursuits qualified to give the best information— You mention the fleece is from “the Iceland or Shetland sheep of...
21From Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 28 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Ronaldson & his thanks for the satisfactory information he has been so good as to give him on the quality of the wool of the many horned sheep. it has determined him to make trial of them on quite a small scale, until he shall see whether they possess any other qualities which may countervail the low value of their wool. DLC : Papers of Thomas...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 13 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I must once more be troublesome to you on the subject of Wool. I inclose you a sample of the wool of a race of sheep which I have been propagating for 14. or 15. years as the Merinos of Spain. their history is stated on the back of the paper, and I ask the favor of you to be so good as to ascertain, by the opinion of the best judges, it’s quality & value, & particularly in comparison with that...