1To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from the Secretary at War to Dr. Hunter of this expedition is fitting out for the purpose of exp of the rivers &c of Louisiana, I hope it will not be as officious in me to recommend to your notice a ge ntleman, who I am persuaded would do no dishonour to any appointment which you might think proper to give him, either in this or in any other similar undertaking. The gentleman I...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson and Andrew Ellicott, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the office of Superintendant of the military stores of the United States, created by an Act of Congress passed the 2d of April 1794, and now held by Mr. Harris , become vacant; we would take the liberty of recommending Mr. George Ingel, of this place, as a suitable person for that office. For several years during our revolutionary war , and till the close of it, he served in a similar...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 8 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Relying on your known goodness—I have taken the liberty of thus introducing the bearer, Mr. John Woodside, who wishes for this opportunity of paying you his personal homage and respects.— He is a man of the strictest integrity, & most exemplary morals— was an officer, and served with great reputation, in the Pennsylvania line, during our revolutionary war—Has now for many years been a clerk in...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to former practice, I have the honor, at the commencement of the present year, to lay before you a statement of the Issues from the Mint of the United States, and the Expences of the Institution, during the past year: and conceiving, that it might not prove unacceptible, the Treasurer has, at my request, drawn up, and exhibited, in one comprehensive view, (Schedule No. 4) a Statement...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 26 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
With most respectful compliments, I would request your acceptance of the inclosed pamphlet—a Discourse lately delivered by the Pastor of the church to which I belong. It contains many sentiments and observations relative to the present circumstances of the nation, which, I presume; will meet with your approbation. With sentiments of the greatest respect & esteem I have the honour to be your...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The art of secret writing, or, as it is usually termed, writing in cypher , has occasionally engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages; and yet I believe it will be acknowledged, by all who are acquainted with the present state of this art, that it is still far short of perfection. A perfect cypher, as it appears to me, should possess the following properties.—...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 21 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I have sent you by post, N. As. for 98. 99. 06. 07. & 08 The two first have seen service and bear the usuel marks. English Almanacs for .09 & 10 may be had, but our own will soon be published, and will be preferable in many respects. Of the above five, two only have been purchased $2.50—the others are duplicates which I can spare without the least inconvenience. I...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 30 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Some years ago, I remember to have laid before you a scheme of secret writing , which you were pleased to honour with a friendly notice: And relying on your well-tried patience; I would again take the liberty of submitting a few further remarks on the same subject. That scheme, in common with all others heretofore practised, had one defect, which it is the object of the present attempt to...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
With your approbation, I have employed Mr. John Reich as an Assistant Engraver in the Mint, at the annual salary of 600 dolls. He has covenanted “to execute any work, in the line of his profession, that may be required of him, either by the director or chief engraver, whether for the immediate use of the mint, or for that of the U. States, when ordered by any special resolution or act of...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
At the commencement of the present year, I have the honour of laying before you a Report of the operations of the Mint during the last year. From the Treasurer’s annual statement, it will appear, that during this period there have been struck at the mint, gold coins to the amount of 324,505 dollars, and silver coins to the amount of 471,319 dollars; making the total amount 795,824 dollars, and...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is subjoined, by way of appendix to the 1st vol of an American edition of Adams’s Philosophy, the proof sheets of which I examined, making a few occasional notes & corrections. As the Author frequently alludes to the principles of modern chemistry, but without sufficiently explaining them, this outline , it was presumed, would not be unacceptable to the reader. My aim has been to...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the directions in your favour of the 17th I am getting a stand made for the sextant , and the whole will be carefully packed up, and, by Mr. Roberts, sent on, by water, in the course of a few days. With respect to the cypher, when applied to a single word or line, I would observe, that in strict conformity with the general system, each letter must, in this case, be considered as a...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 2d. and thank you for your confidence, which I will never abuse—I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—I take the liberty of subjoining the formula which I commonly use for computing the longitude from the common lunar observation, illustrated by an...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 3 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to your notice Mr. Hassler, a Gentleman lately from Switzerland. He is a man of science & education; and, as will appear from the inclosed paper, written by himself at my request, was a character of considerable importance in his own country. It is his wish to obtain some employment from the United States, which would require the practice of surveying or astronomy. He...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 16 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Theodolite, which by advice from Mr. Freeman I purchased of Mr. Biggs, is carefully packed up, & put on board, a sloop for Georgetown—The bill of lading is here inclosed—The draft for 54 dolls was this day recd. & paid to Mr. Biggs—I have taken the liberty of enclosing, for Mr. Freeman, a Formula for solving a problem in practical Astronomy which I concieve may be of some use in his...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor, once more, of laying before you an Annual Report of the operations of the Mint. From the Treasurers statement, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during the last year there have been struck at the Mint, 1,368,600 pieces of silver coins, amounting to 684,300 dolls. 58,288 pieces of gold coins, amounting to
17To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 23 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 16th. inclosing a method of finding the longitude without a time piece by Mr. Moore; on which, as well as on other methods for the same purpose, suggested by yourself, & sometime ago shewn me by Mr. Freeman, you are pleased to ask my opinion. It is scarcely necessary to remark that all the methods here proposed are strictly true in theory; and...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 29 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your favour of the 13th. announcing the resignation of Mr. Boudinot, and your pleasure in appointing me as his successor, I entered into a free communication with him on the subject of the mint. He has shown me the most friendly attention, & has formally introduced me to the other Officers of the institution; from whom I doubt not to experience the most cordial co-operation....
19To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your unexpected & very flattering favour of the 27th. demands my most grateful acknowledgements. My long services in this institution, & the respect I have always experienced both from the trustees & students, so strongly & justly attach me to the seminary, that the offer of a more lucrative employment could not of itself induce me to have it. But, happily, in the present instance, this, as...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 6 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to solicit your acceptance of another morsel of nut-shell philosophy , in the form of a “collegiate examination”. I have aimed at nothing more than a systematic view of the subject, in as small a compass as was consistent with any degree of perspecuity; believing that something of this kind might not be a useless accompaniment to the larger treatises which are commonly put into the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The American edition of the nautical Almanac for the year 1809 being just published, I have the pleasure of sending you a copy; as also a copy of Garnetts Requisite Tables. In these you will find several valuable additions & improvements not to be met with in the English edition—and I have little doubt that these Almanacs & Tables will in a short time supercede the necessity of importing the...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recommended to Capt. Lewis, the use of a statistical Table , in which to set down his Astronomical observations, in the course of his intended expedition; as an expedient that would save a great deal of time, and be productive of many other obvious advantages. I had proposed to draw him out a sketch of such a table, but an unusual hurry of business prevented me, while he was in the city—I...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not till the day before yesterday that, upon coming to the city, I received your favour of the 16th. ulto; and this must be my apology for not replying sooner. The usual course with the Phil. Socy. is to refer every communication to a committee, who report their opinion to the socy, merely on the propriety of publishing the communication in their Transactions: but neither the Socy, nor...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer, Mr. Alexr Stuart, is about to remove from this city to the Havanna in the line of mercantile business. His moral character, as well as reputation in his profession, so far as I have learned, stand fair with all such as know him; And it is confidently believed, that any appointment which you might please to give him, as agent or Consul in that city, would be ably & faithfully...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
At the commencement of the present year, I have the honour of laying before you a report of the operations of the Mint during the last year. From the enclosed statement of the Treasurer, it will appear, that during that period there have been struck at the Mint; gold coins, to the amount of four hundred and thirty seven thousand, four hundred and ninety five dollars, silver coins, to the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 6 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, your letter of the 30th. Novr. last, directed to the Vice Presidents of the American Philosophical Society, was laid before them, and by them, before the Society, at a stated meeting, on the 2d of Decr. and again, on the afternoon of this day, at thier annual meeting for the election of officers. The Society, as such, have had no opportunity of expressing their...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret exceedingly that I have not been able to procure a translation of the two little Arabic manuscripts you were pleased to send me for that purpose. Capt. Obrien, though he understands the oral, has no knowledge at all of the written language. I have shown the papers to a native of Smyrna, Mr. Sennup? , now in this city—He says “they are written in one of seven of the Arab dialects,...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, a few days ago , of mentioning to you an interesting experiment which Mr. R. Peale had exhibited before a number of citizens; namely, the depuration of foul or putrid water, by simple filtration through sponge, sand, & charcoal;—that he had also succeeded in an attempt to render salt water fresh, and that he was preparing to make the experiment with true sea-water—He has this...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 14 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A Committee from the Directors of the Bank of the United States have represented to me, as Director of the Mint, that, in order to prevent, as much as possible, the exportation of Spanish dollars, so injurious to the general interest of the country; it is their wish, as well as perhaps that of most of the other Banks in the United States, to send this species of money, of which there are now...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your favour of the 22d Ult. and feel, with a lively sense, the obligation I am under for the interest you were pleased to take in behalf of my friend, though the appointment has fallen on another worthy gentleman of the same name. I am not a little flattered with the notice you have taken of my cypher—Your alteration will certainly very much facilitate the labour of...