1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 9–15 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
That I am a bad correspondent is so general a complaint against me, that I must expect the same accusation from you—But hear me first.—When there is no matter to write upon a letter is not worth the trouble of receiving and reading, and while any thing, which is to be the subject of a letter, is in suspence, it is difficult to write, and perhaps best to let it alone—“ least said is soonest...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 15 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It is difficult to write about an affair while the event of it is depending because prudence restrains a man from giving an anticipated opinion, but as matters at present appear the Construction will take place here. Perhaps the excess of paper Currency and the wish to find objects for reallizing it, is one of the motives for promoting the plan of the Bridge, but I can raise any sum of money...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 16 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 23d Der. continued to the 11th of Janry. came safe to hand for which I thank you. I begin this without knowing of any opportunity of conveyance, and shall follow the method of your letter by writing on till opportunity offers. I thank you for the many and judicious observations about my bridge. I am exactly in your Ideas as you will percieve by the following account.—I went...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 19 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned to you that I had some conversation with the Marquis de la fayette respecting the Bridge, and his opinion is that it would be best to make some direct proposition to which either yes or no should be given. My principal object is to get the Bridge erected because until then all conversation upon the subject amounts to but little. My chief expectation as to the money part was on Mr....
5To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your saying last evening that Sir Isaac Newtons principle of Gravitation would not explain, or could not apply as a rule to find the quantity of the Attraction of cohesion, and my replying that I never could comprehend any meaning in the term “Attraction of cohesion,” the result must be, that either I have a dull comprehension, or that the term does not admit of comprehension. It appears to me...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, [after 3 July 1788?] (Jefferson Papers)
Explanatory Circumstances 1st. The lost dispatches are dated Octr. 6th. and Oct. 7th. They were sent by a private hand—that is, they were not sent by the post. Capn. Folger had the charge of them. They were all under one cover containing five separate Packets, three of the Packets were on commercial matters only. One of these was to Mr. R. Morris, Chairman of the commercial Committee, one to...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 18 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the Book you are so kind to send me. The second part of your letter, concerning taking my picture , I must feel as an honor done to me, not as a favour asked of me, but in this as in other matters I am at the disposal of your friendship. The Committee have among themselves finally agreed on their report which I saw this morning. It will be read in the Academy on...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, spring 1788(?) (Jefferson Papers)
After I got home, being alone and wanting amusement I sat down to explain to myself (for there is such a thing) my Ideas of natural and civil rights and the distinction between them. I send them to you to see how nearly we agree. Suppose 20 persons, strangers to each other, to meet in a Country not before inhabited. Each would be a sovereign in his own natural right. His will would be his Law,...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 16 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Mr. Quesney. I also wrote you a long letter of (I believe) 14 or 16 pages, enclosing a Philadelphia News paper with the account of the Procession on the 4th. of July. I requested Mr. Bartholemy to enclose it in his dispatches which he promised me to do. This is about ten weeks ago. I was then setting off to the Iron Works in Yorkshire to execute a small Bridge. The work goes on...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 15 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As I cannot get any letters from you I think something must be the matter, and I shall be exceedingly glad to be informed what letters you have received from me and whether any. I wrote you one letter by Mr. Quesney and another a long letter of 14 or 16 pages which [I] requested Mr. Bartholemy to take charge of, and left it with him, this was in Sepr.—I was then going to the Iron works in...