1To 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...
2Robert 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 ,...
3Robert 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,...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 25 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I would hereby take the liberty of introducing to your notice the bearer of this, Mr. Hassler, who has recently returned from Europe, with the apparatus of instruments, which, in execution of his mission for that purpose, he had there procured for the Government of the United States. A descriptive list of these instruments (which are at present in my custody) has lately been transmitted to the...
9Robert 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...
10Robert 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...