1From Thomas Jefferson to William Pearce, 15 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The newspapers tell us you have invented a machine by which 700. ℔ of cotton a day can be cleaned of it’s seed. Knowing that this operation has been one of our greatest difficulties in the course of our houshold manufacture in Virginia, I feel much interest in this discovery. The purpose of this letter is merely to ask of you whether the newspaper information be true. Because if it be, I shall...