1From George Washington to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 28 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the favor to address to me on the 15th of this instt from New York has been duly received, and I take the speediest occasion to well-come your arrival on the American shore. I had always hoped that this land might become a safe & agreeable Asylum to the virtuous & persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong; but I shall be the more particularly...
2From George Washington to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 27 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you was pleased to favor me dated the 29th of Augt came duly to hand, and afforded me the pleasure of hearing that you had made a purchase agreeable to your wishes in the vicinity of Esopus—I sincerely hope that it may prove an agreeable retreat, and a happy Asylum from your late troubles in Holland. The Mangal Root which you saw growing in my Garden is not, I believe, of...
3Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 22 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I am indebted to you for the communication of the Prospectus of a work embracing the history of civilised man, political & moral, from the great change produced in his condition by the extension of the feudal system over Europe thro’ all the successive effects of the revival of letters, the invention of printing, that of the compass, the enlargement of science, & the revolutionary spirit,...
4Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 17 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 16. arrived here soon after I had set out on a journey on which I was absent between five and six weeks. this must apologise for this late acknolegement of it. I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any direct information on the subject of the mammoth. about half a dozen years ago I had a number of labourers hired & employed a fortnight or three weeks in collecting...
5Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 25 April 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 24. was handed to me just as I was setting out on a journey of time and distance, which will explain the date of this both as to time and place. the Syllabus, which is the subject of your letter, was addressed to a friend to whom I had promised a more detailed view. but finding I should never have time for that, I sent him what I thought should be the Outlines of such a...
6Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 30 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 14. is recieved, and I am entirely satisfied with the disposition you have made of the Syllabus, keeping my name unconnected with it, as I am sure you have done. I should really be gratified to see a full and fair examination of the ground it takes. I believe it to be the only ground on which reason and truth can take their stand, and that only against which we are told that...
7Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 24 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve your favor of Nov. 1. at this place at which I make occasionally a temporary residence; and I have perused with great satisfaction the magnificent skeleton you inclose me of what would indeed be a compleat Encyclopedia of Christian philosophy. it’s execution would require a Newton in physics a Locke in metaphysics, and one who to a possession of all history, adds a judgment and...
8Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with real concern that the editor of the Theological Repository possesses the name of the author of the Syllabus. altho he coyly witholds it for the present, he will need but a little coaxing to give it out and to let loose upon him the genus irritabile vatum , there and here. be it so. I shall recieve with folded arms all their hacking & hewing. I shall not ask their passport to a...
9Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 1 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your letter of Mar. 30. my mind is entirely relieved by your assurance that my name did not cross the Atlantic in connection with the Syllabus. the suggestion then of the Editor of the Theological Repository was like those of our newspaper editors who pretend they know every thing, but in discretion will not tell us, while we see that they give us all they know and a great deal...
10Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 25 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of M r Vanderkemp to make his thanks acceptable, if occasion should offer to the worthy lady, miss Halshoff who has been so kind as through him to send him her interesting Republican Manuel. it is replete with the soundest principles of human independance, and I commiserate her sufferings in so holy a cause. gloomy however as is the present appearance of it’s...