1Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 25 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It requires an apology that I have not before now sent you the Time-Piece, which has been so long in my custody. The commencement of the late war before the Time-Piece was finished, & the consequent depredations of the enemy on our coast, prevented its being sent before the restoration of peace. When this event had taken place, I perceived that some parts of the veneering were scaling off from...
2Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I am directed, by the Philosophical Society , to acknowledge the reciept (under cover from you) of a paper from M. Du Jareau of New Orleans , on the construction of a saw-mill to be worked by a horse. This paper, according to the usage of the society, was referred to a committee , who have reported, in substance, —That the paper does not appear to be intended by the Author as a communication...
3Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My younger son, Robert Maskill , having gone thro the usual course of collegiate studies in our Seminary , and of medical studies under D r Barton , and obtained degrees both in the Arts & in medicine; has devoted the last twelve months chiefly to the study of mineralogy under M r Godon ; in which, it is said, he has made considerable proficiency. He has a strong desire of visiting some parts...
4Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your time-piece has been packed up, ready for shipment, in the manner you directed, for a considerable time. But as soon as our river was had been rendered navigable, by the breaking up of the ice, it was again stoped & still continues to be so, by a British fleet. I am therefore, Sir, about to set it up at my own house, as it will be better to keep it going than standing; & shall wait your...
5To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have now the honour of laying before you, a Report of the operations of the Mint for the last year. From the Treasurer’s statement of the coinage, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during the above period, there have been struck & issued— In Gold coins, 15,454 pieces, amounting to $77,270 In Silver coins 1,460,575 pieces, amounting to 561,687 50/100 In Copper coins, 357,830...
6Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d & read your interesting communication of the 10 th Nov r with great satisfaction, and have laid the same before the Committee appointed on the subject of your former communication; who, I am sure, will give it that consideration which it so highly merits. In the meantime, Sir, you will permit me to make a few observations, which may not, however perfectly agree with the ideas...
7Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that you may not as yet have seen a little tract, by Doctor Buchanan , on “Christian Researches in Asia ,” lately republished in Boston ; and not doubting that you would find it highly interesting, I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy, of which I most respectfully request your acceptance. Some time ago, inclosed I believe in A Nautical Almanack for the year 1813, I returned...
8To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour, at this time, of laying before you, a Report of the operations of the Mint during the last year. From the Statement of the Treasurer, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during that period there have been struck at the Mint— In gold coins, 635 pieces, amounting to $3,175 dollars; In silver coins, 69,232 pieces, amounting to 17,308 dollars; Making in the whole 69,867...
9To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 6 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
The ordinary repairs of the Mint, the director has considered himself as authorized to make, from the annual appropriations for that purpose, without troubling the President with repeated applications for his sanction. But the repairs which the late fire has now rendered necessary, being so considerable, I would not venture to undertake, without your approbation; which is, therefore Sir, most...
10Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
You have no doubt been informed, at least thro the medium of News-papers, of M r Peale ’s complete success in illuminating his Museum with gas - lights , & presuming that it would not be uninteresting to you, I shall do myself the pleasure of giving you a description of his apparatus & process for generating & distributing the gas. It is well known that any substance containing hydrogen will,...
11Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Some days ago, I received your favour of the 11 , with the French poem on Astronomy. The Society had rec d a copy of the same work from the Author , & therefore they wish me to return your copy. They have eagerly embraced your proposal respecting the universal standard of weights and measures , and have referred the subject to a Committee who earnestly solicit, not merely your co-operation,...
12Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time ago, you made some enquiries relative to a good clock & watch-maker , who, you suggested, might advantageously settle in your neighbourhood. Neither then, nor since, till the other day, could I hear of one that I could recommend, who was willing to make the trial. From the enclosed letter , you will be able to judge whether the persons therein Recommended by m r Hassler ,...
13To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour of laying before you a Report of the operations of the Mint for the last year. From the Treasurer’s statement, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during this period, there have been issued from the Mint, of gold coins, in half eagles, 33,875 pieces, amounting to 169,375 dollars; of silver coins, in half dollars & dims., 1,450,520 pieces, amounting to 707,376 dollars;...
14Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 13 th & shall immediately take measures to send on your Time-piece as you have directed. I have had, for some years an artificial horizon , which, by means of a reflecting sextant, answers the purpose of measuring all altitudes of the sun, or any other visible object, from 0 to 90° as well as all depressions not exceeding 50° with great ease &...
15To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have now the honour of laying before you, a Report of the operations of the Mint during the last year. From the statement of the Treasurer, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that within the above period, there have been struck & emitted— In silver coins, 67,153 pieces, amounting to 28,575 dollars & 75 Cents & in copper coins, 2,820,982 pieces, amounting to 28,209 dollars & 82 Cents. The...
16Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
At length M r Voigt has finished your timepiece. The delay, notwithstanding repeated solicitations to the contrary, has been shamefully long; for which no apology can be made but the common one among Mechanicks—a great pressure of business. The workmanship, however, appears to be well executed. A week or so will be necessary to regulate the pendulum; after which it shall be shipped for...
17Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
This day I had prepared to ship your Time-piece &c on board the Happy Return , Capt Hand , for Richmond , to be addressed to M r Gibson , as you direct in your favour of the 27th Ult . But our river is now frozen over, & we must wait for an opening, when the shipment will be made:— The pendulum has a compensating thermometer attached to it; the invention, I believe, of M r Rittenhouse , and...
18To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1811, Philadelphia. Forwards annual report on the operation of the Mint. Enumerates gold, silver, and copper coins struck, amounting to $1,155,868.50 in value. The Bank of the United States continues to furnish an ample supply of bullion for coinage. RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 11A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 11A-E5); FC ( DNA...
19To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 11 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the mortification to inform you, that this morning, about 2 o’clock, a fire broke out in the Mill-house, a wooden building, belonging to the Mint, which is consumed, together with an adjoining building containing the rolling & drawing machines; & also the melting-house. The front part of the building, containing the coining presses, the office, & assayers department is uninjured. The...
20Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your desire I send herewith Garnetts’ Nautical Almanacs for the years 11. & 12—& shall not fail, life remaining, to forward those for succeeding years as soon as published. I have lately added to the common artificial horizon, (the polished plane surface adjusted by a spirit-level) a very simple appendage, by the aid of which any altitude of the sun &c may be taken, on land, from...
21Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the people of Passamaquoddy are now furnished with a new object of pursuit— gold finding . There was yesterday brought to the Mint , as a deposit, part of a grain or lump of native gold , weighing 14 oz 7¼ grs which was lately found, by a little boy, on Sewards neck beach , in the town(ship) of Eastport , near the mouth of the bay. This piece of gold ,...
22To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 20 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
It becomes my heart-affecting duty, to announce to you, the decease of Doctor Rush. He died yesterday evening, after a short Typhus fever. illness of six days. By his death the office of Treasurer of the Mint has become vacant: such arrangements, however, may be made that no material inconvenience or impediment in the operations of this Institution will be experienced for two or three weeks,...
23To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 15 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
On the morning of the 11th. I had the painful task of acquainting you, with the destruction of a part of the mint, by fire. At that hour, its origin was totally unknown & unsuspected by any of the officers or workmen belonging to the establishment. But on examination, we have now very little doubt, that it must have originated from a barrel, in a neighbouring yard, partly filled with...
24Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The Author of this Synopsis (formerly Secretary of Congress) desires me to send you, by this opportunity, a copy of the work, of which he begs your acceptance; & Requests that you would please to favour him with your remarks on the same RC ( MHi ); dateline beneath signature; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Dec. 1815 “with the clock” and so recorded in SJL ; with...
25To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1813 , “ Mint of the U. States .” Forwards an annual report on the operation of the Mint. Enumerates gold, silver, and copper coins struck, amounting to $1,115,219.50 in value. “The supply of gold & silver bullion still continues to be abundant; the deposits for coinage, at this time in our vaults, amounting to upwards of half a million of dollars.” RC and enclosures, two copies (...
26Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour of the 8 th . Your time-piece, agreeably to your desire, I have had set up at my own house, & shall with great pleasure make experiments on its going with the rod-pendulum. This pendulum is at present suspended by a few inches of watch-spring attached to the upper end, as in common pendulums: But M r Adrain , an able mathematician, in...
27To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have now the honour of laying before you a Report of the operations of the Mint, for the last twelve months. From the Treasurer’s statement of the coinage, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during that period, there have been struck and issued— In gold coins, 95,428 pieces, amounting to $477,140 In silver coins, 1,241,903 pieces, amounting to 620,951 80/100 In copper coins, 418,000...
28Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
A pretty severe attack of the prevailing epidemic, with a good deal of sickness in the family, must be my excuse for not sending on your Time-piece somewhat sooner. It was, however, last saturday shipped on board the Guinea Hen , &, according to your directions, consigned to mess rs Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond. On examining the pendulum mentioned in my last, & which I proposed to substitute...
29Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Hassler has just transmitted to the Sec’y of the Treasury , a descriptive list of the instruments which, in execution of his appointment for that purpose, he had procured in Europe , & has lately brought with him to this city. Presuming that you might be pleased to have a copy of this list, I herewith send you one, for your acceptance. M r Hassler ’s circumstances are, at present, somewhat...
30To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 8 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
It has become my duty to announce to you the decease of another officer of the Mint, Mr. Henry Voigt, the Chief Coiner, who died yesterday evening. Mr. Adam Eckfeldt, the Assistant Coiner has been employed in the business of the Mint from the very commencement of its operations; is perfectly acquainted with the construction & repairs of all its various machinery, and has, for a considerable...