1To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
You will not, I am persuaded, be displeased with any hint, though from one who has not the honour of being personally known to you, which aims at public utility.— The advantages which must accrue to the community, from the establishment of uniform weights and measures throughout the United States, are obvious at first view.—I would beg leave to suggest what appears to me a matter very proper...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 29 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The drawings, model, and description of your mold-board of least resistance , which you have been pleased to submit to my inspection, and which I had not seen before, I have now examined with much attention and pleasure; and do not hesitate in giving it my approbation, if that can be thought of any consequence after the one it has already received from Mr. Rittenhouse. The doctrine of...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 25 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing the bearer Mr. Smith an acquaintance of mine from Bucks county. He wishes to see the model of your mould-board , as he and his brother have turned their attention a good deal to that subject. He has with him the description and model of a mouldboard for which he has had thoughts of obtaining a patent—It is I believe the spiral or twisted-board, which, in...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 10th. of last month, and communicated your desire to the Society at their meeting on the 19th. I perceived, however, among the members, an universal wish of continuing you at the head of their Institution: For though they would highly prize the advantage of your personal presence at their sessions, yet they considered this as but of secondary importance—and,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson and Andrew Ellicott, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the office of Superintendant of the military stores of the United States, created by an Act of Congress passed the 2d of April 1794, and now held by Mr. Harris , become vacant; we would take the liberty of recommending Mr. George Ingel, of this place, as a suitable person for that office. For several years during our revolutionary war , and till the close of it, he served in a similar...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 8 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Relying on your known goodness—I have taken the liberty of thus introducing the bearer, Mr. John Woodside, who wishes for this opportunity of paying you his personal homage and respects.— He is a man of the strictest integrity, & most exemplary morals— was an officer, and served with great reputation, in the Pennsylvania line, during our revolutionary war—Has now for many years been a clerk in...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The art of secret writing, or, as it is usually termed, writing in cypher , has occasionally engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages; and yet I believe it will be acknowledged, by all who are acquainted with the present state of this art, that it is still far short of perfection. A perfect cypher, as it appears to me, should possess the following properties.—...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your favour of the 22d Ult. and feel, with a lively sense, the obligation I am under for the interest you were pleased to take in behalf of my friend, though the appointment has fallen on another worthy gentleman of the same name. I am not a little flattered with the notice you have taken of my cypher—Your alteration will certainly very much facilitate the labour of...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, a few days ago , of mentioning to you an interesting experiment which Mr. R. Peale had exhibited before a number of citizens; namely, the depuration of foul or putrid water, by simple filtration through sponge, sand, & charcoal;—that he had also succeeded in an attempt to render salt water fresh, and that he was preparing to make the experiment with true sea-water—He has this...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the directions in your favour of the 17th I am getting a stand made for the sextant , and the whole will be carefully packed up, and, by Mr. Roberts, sent on, by water, in the course of a few days. With respect to the cypher, when applied to a single word or line, I would observe, that in strict conformity with the general system, each letter must, in this case, be considered as a...