From Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan and Charles Willson Peale, 13 January 1802
To John Vaughan and Charles Willson Peale
Washington Jan. 13. 1802.
Gentlemen
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 1st. inst. informing me that the American Philosophical society had again elected me President of the society for the ensuing year. for this mark of their continued favor, I pray you to present them a renewal of my thanks and of my profound respect. I have still to lament that my distance & other occupations leave me nothing but expressions of useless regrets that I have it not in my power to render them the services I would wish.
Accept for yourselves, gentlemen the assurances of my esteem and high consideration.
Th: Jefferson
RC (PPAmP); addressed: “Messrs. John Vaughan and Charles W. Peale of the American P.S. Philadelphia”; endorsed for the . PrC (DLC).
Favor Of The 1st. Inst.: on 1 Jan., Vaughan and Peale, signing themselves “Judges of Election,” sent TJ a one-sentence letter informing him that he had been “duely elected” president of the American Philosophical Society in a meeting held that day (RC in DLC; in Vaughan’s hand, signed by Vaughan and Peale; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. and so recorded in SJL).
Present Them A Renewal Of My Thanks: the received TJ’s acknowledgment of his election at a meeting on 19 Mch. 1802 (, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 322).