1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 24 January 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Rush’s Compliments to Mr. Jefferson and sends him herewith a packet for Mr. B: Vauhan to whom he has taken the liberty of introducing Mr. Jefferson as a fellow worshipper in the temple of Science. Mr: Vauhan is a gentlemen of knowledge and taste in Science, and possesses a most extensive acquaintance among the literati in London. Dr. Rush wishes Mr. Jefferson a safe voyage, and a...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 16 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 June 1785 . Introduces Samuel Fox, a descendant of “one of the most respectable Quaker families in Pennsylvania.” RC ( NNP ); 1 p. Recorded in SJL as received 1 Nov. 1785, “by Saml. Fox.”
3To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. Tench Coxe who has been called upon to share in the toils of our new Goverment, has solicited the honor of an introduction to you. He has acquired great reputation and many friends by his singular zeal, and industry in promoting the Adoption of the federal Goverment. His valuable publications discover genius, taste and extensive information. The two inclosed essays in the...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 15 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of this letter Mr. Andrew Brown has applied to me as One among many witnesses of his zeal in promoting the Adoption of the fæderal constitution by means of his paper, and has requested me to add my testimony, of his faithful and meritorious services, to that of his Other friends . His sacrifices to his principles, and to the best interests of our Country have been great. The...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after the accession of Mr: Mifflin to the Government of Pennsylvania, he gratified his resentment against me for opposing his election, by removing my brother from a Seat on the bench of the supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The public clamor against this cruel and arbitrary measure, and the numerous testimonies which rose up in favor of my brother’s integrity and Abilities in the execution...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 17 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Being obliged to lecture every day at 4 oClock, it will not be in my power to accept of your kind invitation to dinner on friday next. The difficulty, and novelty of the subject of my present course of lectures (Physiology and Pathology) has prevented my claims upon you for a visit. It has been the only cause of my having neglected to call more frequently upon you. But be assured my dear Sir,...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 26 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a few copies of the tract on the manufactory of Maple Sugar. It owes its existence to your request. It therefore has a right to claim your Support under all the congenial infirmities it derived from the hand of Dr. Sir yours very Affectionately, RC ( NjP ); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Jan. 1792 and so recorded in SJL . The work enclosed by Rush was his An account of the...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 26 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer John Hall, a freeman has been encouraged to apply to you to dispose of one of your female Slaves to whom he was married while he resided in Virginia. The man bears a good Character, and from the number of worthy people in our city who have taken an interest in his happiness, I have no doubt but he will faithfully comply with any engagement he may enter into, to pay the full price...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 28 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. Parry Hall wishes to reprint your notes on the state of Virginia . He is One of our most correct printers, and a worthy man. Should you incline to add any thing to the work, or to make any Alterations in it, he will gladly obey your instructions. From Dr Sir Yours sincerely RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. 1793 and so recorded in SJL . Hall, a printer, bookseller,...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 3 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson being engaged in packing his books will thank Dr. Rush for the volumes lent him if he had done with them. He presents him his best compliments. Douignan de la vie humaine. 2. vols. Compendium of Physic. RC ( DLC : Rush Papers); addressed: “Dr. Rush”; endorsed by Rush. Not recorded in SJL . The first book TJ requested was Guillaume Daignan, Tableau des Variétés de la Vie humaine...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 7 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. Rush and will be happy if he can take a dinner with him in the country with a small party of friends on Friday at three aclock.—He presumes Dr. Rush knows that his house is on this side the river 3, or 400 yds. below Grey’s ferry. RC (J. William Middendorf, Jr., Baltimore, 1949); addressed: “Dr. Rush.” Not recorded in SJL .
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 1 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of this letter Mr. Weld a young Gentleman of amiable manners, and good education was introduced to me by a letter from an old Scotch friend now settled in Dublin. In travelling through the United States he could not be satisfied without paying his respects to Mr. Jefferson. What strange events have happened in our city since your retirement from public life! The late honourable...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a humble tribute to the memory of our great republican and philosophical friend Mr. Rittenhouse. It is a feeble expression of respect for his Character compared with yours, in your defence of the genius of the Americans. Few such men have ever lived, or died in any Country. Accept of my Congratulations upon your election to the Vice President’s Chair of the United States, and...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your kind favor of the 4th. inst. and the eulogium it covered on the subject of our late invaluable friend Rittenhouse, and I perused it with the avidity and approbation which the matter and manner of every thing from your pen has long taught me to feel. I thank you too for your congratulations on the public call on me to undertake the 2d. office in the US. but still more...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Communication upon the Subject of the large Claws, and bones of the Lyon kind Animal , will arrive time en’o to have a place in the Volume of the transactions of the philosophical Society which is now in the press. I have Often been struck with the Analogy of things in the natural, moral and political world. The Animals whose stupendous remains we now and then pick up in our Country, were...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 29 July 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive two pamphflets, the one upon the causes of Animal life, the Other upon the Origin of the yellow fever in our city, & upon the means of preventing it. The latter has been generally read by our citizens, and has removed a small portion of their prejudices upon the Subject of our annual calamity. But time, and Another Visitation by the disease, I fear will Alone cure us...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 12 September 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your friendly letter inclosing two pamphlets . I have deferred acknoleging them till I could have time to read them. that time should be scarce here will seem odd to you. but mine, from an early breakfast to a late dinner is given to my farms, & from dinner to early bedtime to society or light reading. I have read that on animal life with very great delight. a great...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 22 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
The following thoughts have lately occurred to me. To whom can they be communicated with so much propriety as to that man, who has so uniformly distinguished himself by an Attachment to republican forms of government? In the Constitution of the United States, titles are wisely forbidden, and pensions for public Services are considered as equally improper by many of our Citizens. There is a...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 23 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Aug. 22. and to congratulate you on the healthiness of your city. still Baltimore, Norfolk & Providence admonish us that we are not clear of our new scourge. when great evils happen, I am in the habit of looking out for what good may arise from them as consolations to us: and Providence has in fact so established the order of things as that most...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 6 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I agree with you in your Opinion of Cities. Cowper the poet very happily expresses our ideas of them compared with the Country. “God made the Country—man made Cities.” I consider them in the same light that I do Abscesses on the human body viz: as reservoirs of all the impurities of a Community. I agree with you likewise in your wishes to keep religion and government independant of each Other....
21To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 2 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive the musk melon seed which I promised to send you by a private hand in my last letter , to which I refer you for an Account of the Method of cultivating it. The Seed came originally from Minorca. Receive Once more the Assurances of respect and esteem from Dear Sir your sincere Old friend RC ( NIC ); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Dec. and so recorded in SJL . Last letter...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 2d. inst. and the melon seeds accompanying it. I shall certainly cherish them, and try whether the climate of Monticello can preserve them without degeneracy. the arrival of Genl. Davie here with the treaty is our only news. mr Elsworth is gone to England, and returns again to France to pass the winter in it’s Southern parts for his health....
23To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Character as a Philosopher & friend of mankind predominates so much more in my mind over that of your new station, that I cannot resist the habit of addressing you as I have done in my former letters. Your new official title has added nothing to my respect for your person. It could not add to my friendship for you. You have opened a new Œra by your Speech on the 4th: of March in the...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your friendly favor of the 12th and the pleasing sensations produced in my mind by it’s affectionate contents. I am made very happy by learning that the sentiments expressed in my inaugural address give general satisfaction, and hold out a ground on which our fellow citizens can once more unite. I am the more pleased, because these sentiments have been long &...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 27 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept much honoured & dear sir of a Copy of the enclosed publication. How joyful the Sound of Peace! It brings a thousand blessings in its train, among which the revival & diffusion of knowledge will not I hope be the least. Receive again, and again Assurances of the friendship of Dear sir your Affectionate humble Servant PS: Vaccination as you have happily called it, has taken root in our...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 20 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of Nov. 27. with your introductory lectures which I have read with the pleasure & edification I do every thing from you. I am happy to see that vaccination is introduced & likely to be kept up in Philadelphia. but I shall not think it exhibits all it’s utility until experience shall have hit upon some mark or rule by which the popular eye may distinguish genuine from...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just finished the labors of the Winter in the University, and hospital, I sit down with great pleasure to acknowledge your favor of Decemr last . One part of it commands my first Attention, and that is your communication of a discovery of a flaw in your Constitution from which you anticipate a certain, but easy passage out of life. Permit me my dear and long respected friend to request...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 18 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your friendly letter of the 12th. which shall be answered the first practicable moment. in the mean time I send you Latude which I happen to have here. affectionate salutations. RC (Swann Auction Catalogue, sale 2058, New York, 2005); address clipped: “Doctr. Benjamin [Rush]”; franked and postmarked.
29From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 28 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish to mention to you in confidence that I have obtained authority from Congress to undertake the long desired object of exploring the Missouri & whatever river, heading with that, leads into the Western ocean. about 10. chosen woodsmen headed by Capt. Lewis my secretary, will set out on it immediately & probably accomplish it in two seasons. Capt. Lewis is brave, prudent, habituated to the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Solicitude I felt upon the account of your health , excited by your letter of last summer, is in a great measure removed by the history you have given me of your disease in your favor of the 28th. of February. Chronic diseases even in persons in the decline of life, are far from being incurable, and I have great pleasure in assuring you that complaints of the bowels such as you have...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In some of the delightful conversations with you, in the evenings of 1798. 99. which served as an Anodyne to the afflictions of the crisis through which our country was then labouring, the Christian religion was sometimes our topic: and I then promised you that, one day or other, I would give you my views of it. they are the result of a life of enquiry & reflection, and very different from...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 23 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly letter of Mar. 12. was recieved in due time and with a due sense of it’s value. I shall with confidence avail myself of it’s general prescription, and of the special should the state of my health alter for the worse. at present it wears a promising aspect. At length I send you a letter, long due, and even now but a sketch of what I wished to make it. but your candour will find my...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 5 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I was made very happy by learning from your letter of the 23rd of April that your disease is less troublesome than formerly. As I know you have no faith in the principles of our Science, I shall from time to time combat your prejudices, and your disease (should it continue) by means of facts . Ever since I began the practice of medicine, I have kept common place books, in which I have recorded...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 11 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavoured to fulfil your Wishes by furnishing Mr Lewis with some inquiries relative to the natural history of the Indians . The enclosed letter contains a few short directions for the preservation of his health, As well as the health of the persons Under his Command. His mission is truly interesting. I shall wait with great solicitude for its issue. Mr: Lewis appears admirably...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 24 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am thankful to you for your attentions to Capt Lewis while at Philadelphia and the useful counsels he recieved from you. he will set out in about 4. or 5. days, and expects to leave Kaskaskias about the 1st. of September. he will have two travelling months which will probably carry him 7. or 800. miles up the river for his winter quarters, from whence he will communicate to us, in the course...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 5 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you herewith Sir John Sinclair’s pamphlet upon Old Age with many thanks. I have read it with pleasure, and subscribe to the truth of most of his opinions. They accord with opinions which I published many years ago in the 2nd Volume of my Medical Inquiries and Observations . I have just finished reading Col: now Sir Robt Wilson’s account of the British Campaign in Egypt. It is well...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 4 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
No one would more willingly than myself pay the just tribute due to the services of Capt Barry , by writing a letter of condolance to his widow as you suggest. but when one undertakes to administer justice it must be with an even hand, & by rule, what is done for one, must be done for every one in equal degree. to what a train of attentions would this draw a President? how difficult would it...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Dr: Chapman —formerly one of my private pupils, wishes for the honor of your acquaintance. He has just returned from Europe, where he has spent his time profitably in improving himself in every kind of knowledge as well as in medicine. During his residence in Scotland he was not only entertained; but patronized by your friend the Earl of Buchan . He will repay you by his anecdotes...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 28 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Dr Anth: Fothergill wishes to do himself the honor of paying his respects to you. He is a relation of the late illustrious Dr John Fothergill, & possesses a large share of his philanthropic disposition. After having acquired wealth & independance at Bath, he has come to spend the evening of his life in our peaceful & flourishing country. He is well informed & amiable, and will duly...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. came to hand last night. the embarrasment of answering propositions for office negatively, and the inconveniencies which have sometimes arisen from answering affirmatively, even when the affirmative is intended, has led to the general rule of leaving the answer to be read in the act of appointment or non-appointment whenever either is manifested. I depart from the...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 29 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter from Monticello of the 8th of August, was perfectly satisfactory to me. I applied for the private Secretaryship to a supposed English Embassy for my Son, only to gratify his repeated Solicitations to me for that purpose. He is daily acquiring business, and his prospects in his profession (which a Voyage to Europe would have interrupted) are very flattering. He possesses talents and...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 29 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Boudinot having lately built a house at Burlington in the state of New Jersey, and purposing to remove there with his family in the Course of two months, it is presumed he intends to resign the Directorship of the mint of the United States. Should this be the Case, I have been induced by the wishes of all the Other Officers of the mint, as well as by Other Considerations, to solicit the...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 13 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A considerable time before the reciept of your letter of Apr. 29. it was known here that mr Boudinot intended to retire from the Direction of the mint, & as was expected, immediately. it had therefore been made a question to the members of the administration who should be his successor. it was supposed that the duties of that office required the best mathematical talents which could be found,...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 15 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now recd your friendly letter, and take the earliest opportunity to express my entire satisfaction with the contents of it. no man could have been nomd. as Mr B Successor that wd. be more agreeable to me than Mr Potter, & had I known before that he was a candidate for the appt I should not have requested it. He will likewise I have no doubt be equally agreeable to all the officers...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 3 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer General Miranda visits Washington chiefly with a design to pay his respects to the President of the United States. He has seen the crowned heads, and courts, and governments, and people of Europe with a microscopic eye, nor have the late changes which the unfortunate issue of the French Revolution have produced among them, lessned his enthusiasm in the cause of liberty. His opinions...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 6 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you, with this letter, two pamphflets upon the yellow fever.—One of them for yourself, and the Other to be sent to the Chairman, or any other Active member of the Committee appointed to consider of that part of your message which relates to the Quarantine laws of the United States. I wish the pamphflet to be sent in your name, and that mine may not be mentioned in...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 28 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now received a letter from Dr Waterhouse in which he has requested me to address you in favor of his petition to be appointed Successor to Dr Eustis in the Charge of the marine hospital at Boston. Dr Waterhouse stands high with all the Scientific members of his profession. The New England states are indebted to him for introducing Vaccination into them,—and at an expense too of...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Waterhouse has been appointed to the Marine hospital of Boston as you wished. it was a just tho small return for his merit in introducing the Vaccination earlier than we should have had it. his appointment makes some noise, there & here being unacceptable to some: but I believe that schismatic divisions in the medical fraternity are at the bottom of it. my usage is to make the best...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 13 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by my grandson Th Jefferson Randolph, who goes to Philadelphia to attend a course of lectures in Natural history Anatomy & Botany. he will also attend the lecturer in Surgery, but as an amateur, and with a view to the care of a family when he shall have one, in a country situation where we have no surgeons & want them every day. he may then recollect and apply what...
50Benjamin Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Though late, I hope I am not among the last of your friends in congratulating you upon your escape from the high and dangerous appointment which your Country (to use the words of Lord Chesterfield ) inflicted upon you during the last eight years of your life.—Methinks I see you renewing your Acquaintance with your philosophical instruments, and with the friends of your Youth in your library —...