1To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have more than one motive for complying with the request of my amiable young Friend Mr. James Craig of giving him an opportunity of paying his personal respects to you; for the Period being near when by official Rule I can only communicate with you on military Subjects, through the medium of the department, I wish now to avail myself of the liberty of private friendship, to Solicit in the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Beverley Randolph a Cadet, who goes on to take his place under you. he is the son of a friend of mine in Virginia, born to independant expectations, but by the entire reduction of his father’s circumstances, left without any resource but in himself. my concern for the family induces me to sollicit on his behalf your friendly counsel & tutelage on all occasions;...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on seeing the military Constitutions of Nations in the Intelligencer, I thought it my duty as President of the Society to give it currency in the form of a Communication to it; for I consider the dissemination of correct military Ideas as the primary object of its Institution. I am this morning highly gratified by your favour of the 23d. and in imitation of your example, I shall...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and his thanks for the peice on the subject of Militia which he was so kind as to send him. it presented the general subject in so concise and perspicuous a view, that he thought it would have a considerable effect if communicated in some way to the members of the legislature. this could not be done formally. he therefore took the...
5To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 3 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
To the Copy of my translation of the Manoeuvres of Horse Artillery by Genl. Kosciusko, which should be deposited in your office according to Law, permit to add one for your own use in the name of the U S M P Society. I have the honour to be with the highest respect & esteem Sir Your obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 31 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Paper has been annonymously communicated to our Society.—I have had it transcribed expressly to lay it before you, beleiving that if the Ideas it contains can be of use to our Country, this is the proper moment to communicate them where they are most likely to produce a good effect. I trust that my motive in so doing will be at once apparent & excuseable. I have the honour to be...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 28 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of Genl. Kozciusko’s treatise on the flying artillery. it is a branch of the military art which I wish extremely to see understood here to the height of the European level. your letter of Sep. 20. was recieved in due time. I never recieved the letter said to have been written to me by mr Malesherbe in favor of mr Masson. the fact of such a letter having been written by...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of the U.S. Military Philosophical Society, I beg leave to present to you a Copy of the Translation of General Kosciusko’s manoeuvres for Horse Artillery.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your faithfull & obedient Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
9To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 20 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Just before I left New York I saw General S Smith on his passage through that City, and conversing with him on the Subject of the Bill relative to the military Academy in consequence of your message I found that its being among the unfinished Business of the last Session will not give it any preference I feel extremely apprehensive that, owing to the multiplicity of matter which always is...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before you a proof Impression of the Diploma of the Society under your Patronage, which I hope will be considered as a favourable test for the estimation of American skill in the fine arts. The one belonging to you as a Member will be forwarded when the signatures of the proper Officers, who are at a distance from each other, can be obtained I have the honor to be with the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by a circular letter from the Treasurer of the Military Philosophical society of May 10. that it is thought that a sum of 25. D. once paid will answer the purposes of the society as well as the annual paiment heretofore recieved: and knowing from experience the facility of forgetting these small demands and the difficulty of remitting them to a distance, I have to ask the favor of you...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received under the cover of the Letter you did me the honour to write this morning twenty five dollars, which in conformity to your desire I shall convey to the Treasurer of the US Military Philosophical Society in discharge of your contribution, according to the terms of the circular from the Treasurer to which you refer.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 5 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of my second visit to Warburton, the Seretary of War has agreed to a plan I proposed, of having a Battery near the Water of 13 Guns protected by a Block House or Star Redout above a floating chain to be extended across the River in the narrowest part of the Channel, at its turn round Sheridens Point. I found, by making Sections of the Land in three different directions that...
14To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
There being now in this City a considerable number of the Members of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it my duty in conformity to the 3d Section of the 4th Chapter of the Constitution, to call an occasional meeting to be held at the first apartment on the right hand in the War Office, on Saturday Evening 30 Inst for the purpose of stating to the members, who have not...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 21 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
After a Silence of many years, I lately received from Gov: Franklin, by the return of Mr N Biddle, several Letters on family subjects, one of which I inclose because I believe we have like sensations as to the blameable delay, if not infamous sacrifice of Doctor Franklins Fame to paltry pecuniary motives. There has been for a very long time an irreconcileable dissention between Governor...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and is obliged to excuse himself from attending the meeting proposed in his note of yesterday, the constant pressure of his business having obliged him to decline meeting other societies here of which he is a member, and the observance of this as a rule being a matter of real necessity PPAmP .
17To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly gratified by your approbation of the amendments to the Constitution of the U.S. Mily Philo: Society expressed in the note you honoured me with a few days since. As there are more Members at present in this City than at any other place, I think it my duty to call a meeting as well to obtain their assent to the amendments, as to explain to them the origin, progress, & present State...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your circular letter of Nov. 2. with the copy of the Constitution of the United States military Philosophical society & the amendments proposed to it. and in conformity with your request to say in answer whether I assent or dissent, I hereby declare my assent to them. Accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. NHi : United States Military Philosophical...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the other side is a copy of the Constitution of the United States Military Philosophical Society, which has undergone some amendments, found essential in practice: you will discover them by comparing this copy with that sent to you with the notice of your election. William Popham, Esq. Treasurer of the Society, will receive all communications during the winter, (there being then no stated...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Colo. Williams with respect and incloses him a 10. D. bill for his arrearages for 1806. & 1807. according to notification of July 31. 07. NHi : United States Military Philosophical Society Papers.
21To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 31 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The United States Military Philosophical Society are desirous of making the next annual account of their transactions as extensive and useful as possible: they have therefore instructed me to solicit communications; and they hope to receive a good collection, tending to promote military science, before the end of the year. The Treasurer of the Society being absent on distant command, they have...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 31 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States Military Philosophical Society are desirous of making the next annual account of their transactions as extensive and useful as possible: they have therefore instructed me to solicit communications; and they hope to receive a good collection, tending to promote military science, before the end of the year. The Treasurer of the Society being absent on distant command, they have...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 12 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing by a communication you honoured me with sometime since, that you held Capt Mansfields majority open for his return to my Corps; I cannot deviate from propriety, in transmitting for your consideration a Copy of a confidential Letter just received from him, and of my answer. It has been so generally circulated through the medium of Newspapers, that you intend to retire from Office, at...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams most respectfully Sollicits The President of the United States to permit him to deposit in his hands Six Copies of his thermometrical navigation requesting him to distribute them according to his pleasure among the Persons he may think proper to employ to Survey the Coast. Col. W would not trouble The President, if he knew of any other way of contributing this mite, towards so...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams will have the honour of dining with The President of the United States on Saturday next in conformity to his obliging invitation Col. W begs leave to lay before The President three Specimens of the Art of Mr Thiebout of Philadelphia a native american whom he intends to employ to engrave the Plate for the proposed diploma for the Mily Philo. Society.— MHi : Coolidge Collection.
26From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am again to return the tribute of my thanks for the continued proofs of favor from the American Philosophical society; and I ever do it with sincere gratitude, sensible it is the effect of their good will, and not of any services I have it in my power to render them. I pray you to convey to them these expressions of my dutiful acknolegements; and to accept yourselves thanks for the favorable...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 15 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As Patron of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it proper to lay before you a transcript of the circular letter and note of transactions, which I propose to have printed and distributed among the Members. I have made a separate Copy of the Memoir on a double Gun Boat, conceiving that if there be any weight in the Suggestions it contains, their usefullness must depend on...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When I was last at West Point, the Gentlemen of the Corps of Engineers and military academy met together, and unanimously requested me to prepare a memorial and petition to be signed by them, and presented to Congress at their next Session, praying that a Chaplain may be added to that Institution. The Secretary of War has not been able to comply with a request made to him some time since, the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On my passage through this City, I found the Seal of the United States military philosophical Society executed in a masterly manner by Mr. Reich. Presuming that a Fair Impression would be agreeable to you, I have directed Mr. Reich to make one and forward it with this Letter: You will perceive that I have availed myself of Mr. Barlows judicious corrections, and doubtless be pleased with the...
30To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 6 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Jonathan Williams. 6 May 1806, West Point. “Five Dollars ⅌ annum, to be remitted to Lieut Walker. K. Armistead, Treasurer of the Society at West-Point State of New York. is the Contribution established by Law, for Every Member of the U.S.M.P.S. —all Surplus Funds Will, at the End of Every Year, be a fund to be employed in premiums for Scientific improvement, as compensations for...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly indebted to your goodness in procuring for me so essential an improvement of my device, and I beg you to take a convenient opportunity of making my thanks acceptable to Mr. Barlow.— I have the honour to be with the most perfect Respect Your Faithfull & obed Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
32To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 24 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Jonathan Williams. 24 February 1806, Elizabethtown. “Although I am not conscious of having any personal claim to your preference, yet actuated by a disinterested friendship for a meritorious young man, and a sense of public propriety, I venture to submit to your consideration for the office of Consul at Cadiz, Mr Richard Meade a native of Philadelphia, now a settled merchant in that...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. was recieved in due time. it was impossible the designs therein inclosed could have been addressed to a person more inept in things of that kind. to supply my own incapacity, & yet answer your views, I referred them to mr Barlow whose science & poetical imagination qualified him to give an opinion worthy of attention. I now inclose you his answer which I dare say you...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 3 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming on the encouragement you have been pleased to give to the Institution of the military philosophical Society, I am emboldened to solicit your attention to a subject which derives its importance from the Dignity of your Patronage. The Society have requested me to devise an appropriate Seal, and, (although I feel myself inadequate to the task,) I am bound by my station to make the...
35To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 1 December 1805 (Madison Papers)
with a view to collect and preserve the Military Science, which must still exist among the Veterans of our Revolutionary Contest, and those of our Fellow-Citizens, who may have gathered Scientific Fruits in the course of their Travels, the Corps of Engineers have, under the Auspices of the President of the United States, commenced an Institution for the purpose of establishing and perpetuating...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 5 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the obliging opinion you have been pleased to give relative to Selection of Characters proper for members of the U.S. military philosophical Society and it will be closely observed.— The inclosed Circular has been delayed only on accot. of the dormant State of the Society: I hope another year will not pass away without producing some fruit.— I have the honour to be with the...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 14 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A press of business has prevented me from sooner acknoleging the reciept of your favor of June 18. altho’ I do not feel myself entitled to give an opinion on questions to which the members of the new military institution are solely competent, yet being requested by you, I shall frankly express it as my opinion that if you appoint all the members of the legislature to be members of the...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
among the Duties I felt myself bound to perform on resuming my Station at the Head of the Corps of Engineers, that of reviving the United States military Philosophical Society did not appear to be the least important. The first, and most pleasing charge that devolves upon me, is to present the thanks of the Society for the honour you have done it, by becoming its Patron; and particularly for...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 5 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg you to excuse one more intrusion relative to my late Station as Lt Col Comdt of Engineers, and the circumstances that caused my Resignation. I am impelled to it from having seen, with equal concern & surprize, a Letter from the Secretary of War to Capt Barron date June 21 (of which you have a Copy inclosed) stating that the reason of my Resignation was “the adherence to the principle...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
To depart from Washington without taking leave of you was extreemly unpleasant to me; but I found it impossible to separate the real motive of such a visit, from the apprehension of an imputed one, which, to those not well acquainted with me, would but illy accord with a decision of character, and the events of the day had placed me in a very delicate position. Being now out of the way of any...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 25 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 12th. inst. a friend to science in all it’s useful branches, and believing that of the Engineer of great utility, I sincerely approve of the institution of a society for it’s improvement. from the smallness of our establishment, it’s numbers will be small for awhile but it’s pursuits being directly in the line of their profession and entitled to all their...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 12 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Gentlemen composing the Corps of Engineers thinking that, besides the Duties prescribed to them, as such, it would be the most acceptable Service they could at present render to their Country to collect and preserve, as far as possible, the military Science which must still exist, in a different State, among the Veterans of our revolutionary Contest, and those of our fellow Citizens who...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 22 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
After having ascertained by repeated Experiments that the Coast of America, and the eminences of Land upon it can be discovered by the varied Temperature of the Sea; it became a very natural suggestion that by a judicious use of the Thermometer a correct Chart might be made, which would not only be usefull to mariners by indicating soundings, when they could not heave the Lead; but to Society...
44To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 9 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with great regret that I found myself dissappointed in my attempt to pay my gratefull respects to you this morning.—Conceiving that the bad weather, and worse Roads, would have rendered your arrival before to day impossible, I remained in the Country in full confidence of meeting you either to day or tomorrow. I beg you to be assured, Sir, that in your Retirement from public Life, my...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 7 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Wishing to submit my slender Performances to the candid Examination of those of my Philosophical Associates whose talents and acquirements inspire me with the utmost deference, and whose approbation is the first object of my Ambition, I took the liberty of sending you, among others, a Copy of my thermometrical improvements in Navigation . Permit me now to ask a place in your private Library,...