Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Thornton, William" AND Period="Madison Presidency"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-02-02-0324

William Thornton to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1810

From William Thornton

Farm—May 7th 1810

Dear Sir

We came here to spend two or three Days, for the first time these six months, so closely have I been confined by my Duties, which have encreased to six fold, and I am yet without any Assistant, except when I hire, one at my own expense.—The Patents amounted last year to 219! Among them are Inventions that do honor to our Country. I think the coming Season will be the most abundant in fruit that we have had for many years—and the wheat & other Grain promise well.—

I shall take some young Fig trees down with me this Evening, but do not recollect the Post Day, & consequently do not know whether I shall be in time for the present Post. I hope these will succeed, for I have taken them up, myself, with good roots.—They ought to be planted in very light rich woodland mould, such as is generally obtained to put into Asparagus Beds—that the roots may shoot freely in all directions, and run deep for a supply of moisture.—If placed toward the South they will also enjoy more Sun, and be less subject to frosts.—my Family join me in best respects to every member of your excellent and amiable Family.—

I am with the sincerest good wishes and most respectful Consideration yr &c

William Thornton

RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Honble Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 May 1810 and so recorded in SJL.

Thornton’s farm was situated about six miles from Washington, D.C. (C. M. Harris and Daniel Preston, eds., Papers of William Thornton [1995– ], 1:534).

Index Entries

  • asparagus search
  • food; asparagus search
  • patents; number issued search
  • Thornton, William; and fig trees search
  • Thornton, William; as patent office superintendent search
  • Thornton, William; letters from search
  • trees; fig search
  • wheat; prospects for coming harvest search