1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, with Enclosure, 26 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of the 29th. of December only last night, and take the first moment of answering it, presuming to offer a few remarks on the objects you have in view, by way of preface. It appears that many mistakes respecting the animal and vegetable productions of America have arisen from the precipitancy of European philosophers in deciding upon slight evidence; as well as...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 29th: of Decr., though it arrived four weeks after its date. The very day after I received it, I began a long answer, which only waits for Messrs. Nairne & Blunt’s execution of what is mentioned in it, to be forwarded to you through Col. Smith; for it is too bulky for the post. I hope it will leave my hands tomorrow, and convince you of the anxiety I...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, [ca. 1 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintance, Mr. Garnett of Bristol, a gentleman who is particularly recommended to me by my particular connection Mr. Richard Bright of Bristol, as his friend and a person of very good character. His object with you, will be to make you acquainted with an invention of his (for which himself and the Revd. Mr. Milton have obtained a patent here) for...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 5 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter written at the time of its date, but which I have since had transcribed on account of an alteration I have since made in my sentiments. The letter was delayed to allow me time to make experiments, which I have not been able to accomplish. I send the hygrometer I describe in it, somewhat doubtful however of its success. I have the pleasure to add another,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 28 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming upon your kindness on a former occasion, I beg leave to have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance Mr. Baillie, nephew of the late Dr. William Hunter and who at present participates in the possession of his valuable cabinet. I take this liberty at the desire of a friend whom I esteem without having the pleasure of knowing Dr. Baillie, though not without being assured from his...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be perfectly ashamed of the liberty I have lately taken in giving a letter of introduction to you, had you not in some small degree favored me with encouragement. I presume for a double reason to give a letter in favor of my friend Mr. Dugald Stewart, as I am well convinced you will have considerable satisfaction in his acquaintance. He is the son of the late Dr. Stewart of Edinburgh,...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I request the favor of your attending to the interest of Mr. James Rumsey of Virginia, who wishes to obtain patents for a new boiler to the steam engine and for the application of steam to the purposes of navigation. These patents he wishes to be separate; and to have a caveat entered through your means, or such other steps taken, as shall prevent any person not duly authorized by him from...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 2 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 23rd. ulto. Mr. Rumsey has been informed of the result of the inquiries you have been pleased to make on his account, and will I presume, take the necessary measures speedily. By my advice, he has enlarged the description to attend one of his discoveries. I had no design that Col. Smith should settle for the magnet box; consequently did not mention...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Duncan of Edinburgh an old friend having informed me, that Professor Cleghorne of St. Andrews wishes earnestly for an opportunity of being known to you, and having reminded me at the same time that Pr. Cleghorne has rights of hospitality over me; I hope you will not think it too presuming in me to introduce this gentleman to you. The pain I feel in taking a liberty of this kind, is...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 17 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 11th. inst. and have in some degree anticipated the wish expressed in it. Sir Joseph Banks having consulted me respecting the degree in which seeds of the dry rice might be acceptable in our West India islands, in consequence of my representations in reply, favored me with three sorts of seed collected by Mr. Millar, son of the Mr. Millar who published the...