1From James Madison to William Thornton, ca. 18 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 18 July 1810. Acknowledged in Thornton to JM, 27 July 1810 . Encloses a letter to be forwarded to Daniel Eccleston.
2Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 24 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having accidentally mentioned to my former servant Joseph Dougherty my misfortune in losing both my big-tailed rams, he, in his zeal for whatever concerns me, took the liberty of mentioning it to you & informed me you were so kind as to offer to supply my loss with one from your farm. by the cart which now goes to bring it, I take the occasion of returning you my best thanks for your kindness,...
3Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 11 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you a thousand thanks for the fine pair of sheep you have sent me. they arrived in perfect health & so continue and will I trust enable me to get into that breed entirely. I am also well pleased to learn both the manner & success with which you have commenced the removing the tail, for I really believe it must be practised, however heterodox to the sex it may appear to consider that...
4Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 23 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return hither, after an absence of a fortnight I found at the post office your favor of the 16 th & avail myself of the first return of post to write the letter desired & now inclosed. I sincerely wish to success to the enterprize. at the same time I would rather see some of the French Merinos introduced because theirs have been selected from all Spain , as the finest individuals of the...
5Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 24 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of May 7. & 10. are both recieved, and with them came the figs in perfect condition. on my proceeding to plant them in the same places where I had planted those you were so kind as to send me the last year, & reopening the holes, to my great astonishment I found a young bud putting out from the root of every one. they had been long on the road, were planted late, & this succeeded...
6Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 27 [June] 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
A Your letter of the 8 th was duly recieved, & I have to return you thanks for the kind offer of Barbary sheep as a mixture with the Merino. I will state to you the stock from which I propose to breed. one of Robert Morris’s captains about the year 1792. brought him a pair of what he said were Merino sheep which he smuggled from Cadiz . the ewe died, & he gave me the ram. I bred in & in from...
7Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 14 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all busied in the country with our houshold manufactures of clothing. I do not believe one fifth of the coarse clothing has been bought this year from the importers which has been heretofore bought, and the next year nobody counts on wanting a single yard of coarse goods (blankets excepted) & but little will be wanted of goods of midling qualities. for the fine we must depend on the...
8Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 24 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of Jan. 26. recommending Barrett’s Spinning machine, I wrote to him for one; but not knowing his particular address, my letter was long getting to him; so that within this day or two only, instead of a machine I have recieved only a letter from him. in this he informs me you have the exclusive right to make and sell them to our state; and adds that if you wish it...
9Enclosure: William Cranch to William Thornton, 9 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Greenleaf will sell the domestic roving & spinning machine which he purchased of Barret for the same he gave for it, which is 50 Dollars—it has 12 spindles—he will have it put in order—and it may be pack’d in the same case in which it came. He wishes you, when you send for it, to send a person to pack it—and to pay the money to me. It will be ready to some time next week. RC ( MHi );...
10Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 24 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 8 th and 9 th arrived here just after I had set out on a journey to Bedford from whence I am but just returned. I accept with great pleasure the offer of the machine of Barrett made for mr Greenleaf , and I now inclose you a fifty dollar bill, the price stated: and my spinning works having been some time and still continuing suspended till I get this machine, a cart will be...