1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 20 June 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time since I conveyed to you , through the medium of Mr. Maddison, a transcript of my barometrical Journal over some of the mountains in Virginia. As the philosophical Society are about publishing another Volume, and as the Committee of selection have put my paper on the list for publication, I am extreemly desirous of receiving your answer to my last, that I may avail myself of your...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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.
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
As you are now retired from public Business you will not, probably, consider a philosophical communication as an unpleasant Intrusion on your Leisure; If, however, I were to offer an Apology, it would be the Experience I have had of your Indulgence in many Conversations. In the Summer of 1791 I went with my Family to the Redsprings in Bottetourt, and took with me the best Thermometer and...
18Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
After the Society was adjourned a number of members (all your particular Friends) were conversing on various subjects when the proposed sale of your Library to Congress was mentioned. It can hardly be supposed, that in this Room surrounded by a Library consisting almost wholly of donations, with your almost animated Bust looking full in our faces, we could avoid expressing our regret that the...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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.
22Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not deny myself showing you another Instance of the usefulness of the thermometer in navigation : When science comes in aid of humanity it must be particularly pleasing to you.— Having this occasion to write to you, I will take the liberty of intimating that a kind, although monitory Letter might be of service to young Randolph . He is a very fine youth, of very good natural talents, &...
23To 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...
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, 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.
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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,...