51Enclosure: Substance of an Address, [ca. 12 January 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The time is now fully arrived when it has become expedient to decide the fate of the Museum to which Pennsylvania has given birth. It has commanded every exertion in my power for 16 years, and meeting with public approbation has certainly arrived to considerable Maturity; but from the uncertain tenure of human life it may not long continue in the same circumstances in which it has progressed,...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing you would be pleased in knowing my success in a trip up the north river, by the purchase of the Bones in the possession of Mr. Mastens. Although an object of great importance to me, in undertaking the journey I had very faint prospects of the issue. On my return to New York elated with the hopes of seeing the Skeleton of the Mamoth put togather, I hastily wrote to inform you of my...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 30 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the receipt of your favor of the 23d. having the determined size of the Polygraphs, the work goes on with spirit, and I flatter myself that you will be pleased with the execution, as well as with the Mahogany, it is pretily cloulded but without knots. Some people admire knots in their Mahogany furniture, and I have observed that it is very liable to crack, this is a sufficient reason for...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I was desirous to made enquiry of the Merchant about the Packet which carried your Lamp & Bridle-bit before I wrote, I cannot be certain of the Captns. Name and the Bill of lading is mislaid or I should have had recouse to it, I hope to be able to find it by a general search amongst my different deposits within a few days. I have received your favor of the 7th. instant enclosing fifty Dollars...
55To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. ult. enclosing the payment of Sixty Dollars for your small polygraph, received in a time of great hurry, I posponed answering as I ought to have done, but by this delay I can answer it to better effect, and the failling to write correctly in the first 4 or 5 lines of the Machine we think we can account for. My Sons having examined the machine for making the Pivot holes...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 11 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 29th. July I did not receive until I had reached the place of bones, when I should have been pleased to have answered it, had it been possible or proper to have taken my attentions from engagments so earnest & constant. The use of a powerful Pump might have saved me 50 or 60 Dollars expence, but perhaps the obligation to return one belonging to the Public in a limited time,...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 28 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My son Rembrandt now at Baltemore exhibiting his Skeleton of the Mammoth, writes me as follows. “Saterday there was a young man here, lately (4 weeks) from Pittsburg, who saw Reeder and his Bones. He gave me a very accurate description of them. He has a very fine thigh bone much like mine, an underjaw not so large as mine but a good deal broken, a great number of back bones of different...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
every object which can add to the comforts and conveniences of life are important to us, none more so than that respecting our sight. I know you have improved the frames of Spectacles, and Mr. Mccallister tells me he has sent you a number of Glasses fitted to some of your improved frames—This induces me to write to you on this subject to offer some Idea’s which may have escaped your notice, I...
59To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 20 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
with great reluctance I wrote my last letter to you, for I hold the military profession as the most debasing of human Nature of all other Professions, therefore to recommend a deserving young man was very repugnant to my feelings, independant of my desire to intrude on your precious moments on such a triffling occasion. yet I hope when the passion for a military Coat is worn off & he feels the...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Model for a very small Polygraph is now before me, to give a proper answer on it, I must first make some machinery to try if it is possible to write to the bottom of 8. vo Paper, and then find room within the Gallows when put down with said machinery. At present it really appears to be impossible for want of height in the perpendicular as well as lengths of the horizontals. however it is...
61To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
While offering to your acceptance the two enclosed Publications, I am prompted by my knowledge of your attachment to the Arts & Sciences, to intrude upon a few of your leisure moments. I remember in an early stage of the Museum, your obliging recommendation to my attention of the works of Buffon; and since I have been obliged to gain a more critical knowledge of Natural history, his writings...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday General Proctor called on me with the enclosed Letter to make what use I pleased with it, only reserving him a copy, which I have done. A knowledge of the upper part of the head, is indeed very desirable—The Cranium and Nasal bones particularly, as being wholly deficient in my Skeleton. I marval what are the teeth which he says weighs 19 or 20 pounds, can they be grinders—The largest...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your small Polygraph sent by Mr. Hawkins I have at last received from New York. It is ingeniously contrived to raise the paper to write with ease to the bottom of fools-cap size, in this respect complete, but it is too short to write on our common post paper without leaving a large margin. Yet that you may better understand me I will give the measurements &c. The length 15 Inches & width 8 ¼ ....
64To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 29 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that I am so far on my return to the Museum with the Bones which were lately dug up at Shawangunk, in the county of Ulster. with the purchase of these I have also the right from the owner of the land to take up the remainder, when I can be prepared to undertake so important a work. I have viewed the Grounds, and have laid my plan, or rather plans to overcome,...
65To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale (Abstract), 17 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
17 April 1805, “Museum.” “Desireous of having some business done in the Patent Office I have taken the liberty of sending the enclosed Letter. The Guide will shew you some of my progress to bring my Museum into use and public notice. Present my respectful compliments to Mrs. Madison and believe me your friend.” Letterbook copy ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Enclosure not found. Peale presumably enclosed a...
66To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received the enclosed Pamphlet with Letters from my Sons —they closed their Exhibition of the Skeleton of the Mammoth the 18th. of June, and with every exertion have not been able to pay all their expences in London, are gone to Reading, 40 miles distant from London, The Mayor had been so obliging as give them the use of the Common Counsel Hall; prepairing to put up the Skeleton...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Polygraph you desire for Mr. Volney is in the hands of my Workmen, who are pleased in the Idea of shewing their skill in nice American workmanship. I will inform you when it is complete, and shortly send you a Polygraph in Mr. Hawkins mode with the addition of the screw pens. The one you now use may then be dispossed off to some Person in Washington who may wish to have it. Your Letter...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 13 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now write with your Polygraph by way of tryal, and find that it is absolutely necessary to hold the Pen of the left or West side, the beginning bears a little harder than I could wish in the right hand Pen, but at the other end of the line the pressure is nearly equal, after the first line the difference is scarce perceptible. The Pen-bar being longer than the width of the paralells, renders...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The machinery to make your Inkpots moovable will be sent by tomorrows post, the only difficulty in the execution of the work, will be to find room to fasten it in the upper board, which is scarcely more than ¼ Inch thick. and as the letting said machinery in that board is absolutely necessary, in order to have room for the brass plate that hold the paper to moove back and forwards...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 19 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 15th Instant received yesterday. The Cabinet work of your Polygraph is nearly complete, it is a neat and good piece of work but without any ornaments of fineering. I am now making tryal of the machinery and finding some advantage by a different length of the horozontal part. I have ordered such to be made as I think will best suit the desk; something shorter than that you have in...
71To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 28 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Polygraph for Mr. Volney $60.— The Polygraph at Washington & that at Monticella being 60$ Instruments, 50$ on each of which having been paid, There remains a ballance of 10$ Each 20.— $80.— RC ( MHi ); undated; in Peale’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “paid Jan. 28. 1805.”
72To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is to be regreted that you had not sent sooner, when we might have sent you some of Coll. Humphreis’s Cloath, I could not find either Cloath or Cordduroy. but I have sent by this days Mail as ⅌. enclosed Bill, and Buttons made at Trenton. If you think the Stuff fine enough for your use, it will be necessary in the present season to use flannel Drawers. I have prefered sending two patterns...
73To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 29 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your drawings of a Polygraph I received in due time. It was my intention to have wrote, that you might have received the letter soon after your arrival at Monticella, as about that time I made the discovery, that the fault of incorrect writing with the Polygraphs ought not to have been attributed to the boards the paper rested on, but to the incorrectness of the drilling machine. Having made a...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 14 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Wishing to find some means of improving the Machinery of your Polygraph, I have since writing the foregoing, examined critically every part, and now pronounce it as perfect as can be made in the present construction of moovement—but must acknowledge that the touch of the Pens at the top is not what it ought to be. This I have found to be the case in some Machines on an larger scale, and where...
75To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 1 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It will give me pleasure to meet your wishes in every thing which may tend to the benefit and happiness of your grand Son as far as our little means will admit. We do the best we can to train in a good course our several children, & like Randolph, one of them about the same age, whose destiny will depend much on the turn of mind he takes from this period. Mrs. Peale is of a mild & indulgent...
76To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 5 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 27th. Ult. and 1st. Instant I have received.—A Polygraph with the alterations you desire, and also Brunelle’s, which I have borrowed for your inspection, will both be sent by a Packet, said to sail on wednesday next. The defects of the Pens in that which Mr. Latrobe lent you, I can readily account for, therefore it is easily cured. I have much to say on this subject, and doubt not...
77To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote last, the 10th. Ult., the head of a Common Ox then before me was so imperfect as to lead me into an error about the width of the horns—since I have procured a head from a Butcher, who did not brake the Scull, which cleaned and free’d from the horns, I find the measurement from pith to pith of the Horns is Inches. I also observe that the difference of form between this head and...
78Enclosure I, Diagram: Top of Bison Skull, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of the Upper Part From the Suter H the center of the Head to root of the horn I 7 Inches From the place of Insertion of the muscles of the Neck K to the fore part of the upper head broke off at L 10 Inches. The weight of this piece is 35 ℔ MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21495); in Peale’s hand.
79To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received letters from my Sons dated Octr 14th, about two weeks after they had opened their exhibition of the Skeleton of the Mammoth. They inform me, although but little company had visited the Room yet they were respectable and seemed pleased. my Sons had not then published in the news papers, and probably not known to the Public. they had only thrown out a few hand-bills Enclosed I...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 3 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Baron requests me to present his compliments that he will do himself the pleasure to wait on you with Messrs. Bonpland & Montufar. Doctr Woodhouse also desires me to include his respects that he will also wait on you. Doctr Fothergill is not at present within, but I shall see him this afternoon—& I believe he will isteem your invitation, an honour not to be neglected—& therefore I answer...
81To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 18 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Polygraph will be put into the Mail Stage on tomorrow. Desiring to make it as correct as possible prevented me from sending it sooner. one small deviation from your directions will I hope have your approbation; the top and bottom projecting so much beyond the Gallows as to shew the Riband. That you may have a choice of Pens, I have sent all the variety of Pen-cases. The Polygraph you...
82Diagram: Fossil Skull from Kentucky, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
View of Bone from Kentucky, presented the American Philosophical Society. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 124:21493); in Peale’s hand, with a line and notation on the lower left side of the diagram indicating “Hollow to recieve the Angle of the under Jaw,” a line and notation on the lower right indicating “Passage to the Brain,” and a label across a portion of the diagram, “broken.”
83To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Having finished your Polygraph, I find it performs very well; therefore I have put the Pens as Mr. Hawkins has advised, in lieu of the Nibs, but any contrivance of adding the Screw which I have yet though off, will either make a clumsey addition; encreasing the weight, or make the pen-tube liable to a various direction. Suppose the outter tube was made to screw into the brass arm, where it is...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 5 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Skins of the several Antilopes was so badly managed in the Skining, and also so much eaten by Dermests, that it was with much difficulty I could mount one of them, but being so interesting an Animal, I conceived it was better to have one even in bad condition, than to let it be wanting in the Museum, and should no description and plate have yet been made of this American Antilope, it may...
85To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging letter wrote at the moment you were setting out for Monticello,—I sent to my Son Rembrandt at New York, and I doubt not he will profit by your hints of different times and prices, to seperate and accomodate the Variety of Company that probably will desire a sight of the Skeleton. In order to improve and fit my Son Rubens to conduct my Museum, I have permited him to accompany his...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am pleased that I can announce to you what I esteem an important improvement of the machinery of the Polygraph. Thinking on the subject the other day a thought occured that if the arm that connects the two pen-arms had a length nearly equal to the length of the Pen nib from the center of motion it would equalize the moovment. In short the longer the arm that joints with the connecting bar,...
87To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 30 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Mail Stage I have sent you two Polygraphs in one Box. The ease with which writing may be done with either of them, I hope will determine you to send me your Polygraph by the same conveyance, in order that I may put new Machinery to it, which may be done in a few days and returned to you. I have made some improvements in the manufacture of the Machinery to render it more durable and less...
88To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. also the Model I have received—and I doubt not by clamping the boards with pieces 3 Inches wide, to prevent the warping, which boards will ever do if pieces are put one on the other with the grain in opposite directions—and provided the joints are made without the least shake, That such a Machine may be made very useful to travelers—several of whom visiting the Museum...
89To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 22 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Polygraph is in the Schooner Charming Mary, Captn. Potter, now on his passage to Richmond—It is in a tight packing case agreable to your directions. I have fortunately found an ingenious invention of Mr. Stansbury Junr. of New York for making several pens of a single quil, which will apply well to the Polygraph, I send enclosed a specimen of his Pens—and as soon as I can have made a pr....
90To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 19 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The three Polygraphs intended as presents for Tripoli are finished, but finding I was too late to send them round in ⟨the⟩ Vessel which sailed last friday, and no probability of another chance for 3 weeks or perhaps a month, I have thought it best to send that intended for the Tripolian Ambassidor, by the Packet that goes to Apoquinimy sailing this day, and I have wrote to Messrs. Levering &...
91To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 6th. Instant enclosing fifty Six Dollars for the use of Mr. Randolph &c. It is not to be wondered that you should desire the calm of the rural abode and the enjoyments of your improoved Montecella. Will you not want to purchase sundry articles to supply the several tradesmen, which, I presume you chuse to employ on so extensive a farm? besides the wants common to...
92To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 10 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In conversation with a friend this morning as the Indians were leaving this City, he said they were sadly deseased; they had been with the women of bad fame in the lower part of the town and contracted the venerial disease. I have had no opportunity to enquire for the facts of this report, however think it my duty to give you this notice, with the Idea that you will give orders for their cure...
93To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 25 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Puting some of the Machinery togather will complete the Polygraph you intend for Mr. Volney—It is very handsome, I expect will perform better than that you have, and may be esteemed a princely present. One for your use is in hand, and will be made according to the desire expressed in your Letter of the 17th. Instant—the workmanship will be a specimen for you to judge of the merrits of the...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 22 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hawkins has not in any of his letters to me, said a word about the price of the Polygraph he sends you, I presume it may be settled at some future day, and therefore I will send it by tomorrows Mail Stage. In my slight sketch of Machinery, omiting to give the vertical parallelograms, I find has led you to suppose that part was dispenced with, and however desirable it may be to lessen the...
95To James Madison from Charles Willson Peale, 14 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 February 1803, Museum. “Be pleased to accept the inclosed. Should you ever meet me in the Museum I may then tell you to whom the letter was originally intended. … It would give me pleasure to be able to trace out the probable progress of the museum while under my care, and to Devise with you the best means for its permanent Establishment.” FC ( PPAmP ). 1 p. Printed in Miller, Selected...
96To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Several days I have been meditating to write and give you a description of Mr. Hawkins’s improvements on the Polygraph , but as you have returned to Washington, where I will send one as soon as it can be completed for the Secretary of States office , as one has been ordered some time past—I am not sorry for the delay I made—for while I was making some additional improvements to it, that from...
97To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 24 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Polygraph was nearly finished before I received your favor of the 21st. Instant, and your improvement to command the pull of the spiral Spring shall be made to it. The Machine appears on a short tryal of it, to perform with great accuracy & considerable freedom. The joints are made to fit close without being stiff, and I have thought it best, not to use a single drop of oil in puting it...
98To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from a journey into Montgomery County or your letter of the 1st. Instant would have been answered Sooner. I send enclosed Captn. Lewis’s Catalogue. The specimen of your improvement on the Pen-case shews that the nibs may be held firm, which was wanting in those made by my workmen. and altho’ I have at some expense got a Tool to make the large Screw with a finer thread than...
99To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 12 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in the country when your note encloseing a Check for fifty Dollars, for the use of Mr. Randolph, arived at the Musm. or I should have acknowledged it immediately. I shall keep a faithful account of the receipts and also of his expenditures as far as comes to my view. I do not discover the least turn of extravagance in him, on the contrary he conducts himself in every respect with...
100To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 2 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
After a long silence Rembrandt again communicates to me, dated London March 28th.—1803. “ The best news I can tell you , is that we are all well from, Influenza, coughs & colds, and feel the balmy breath of Spring; Nothing but a tempory Fog obscures the morning Sun, our Parlour fire is extinguished, the buds are bursting & the fragrant Hyacinth is drest in all her gaiety: such a pleasing...