1To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [1773?] (Jefferson Papers)
I know not in what Manner sufficiently to thank you for your kind offices . It is happy that Circumstance was mentioned, as it is probable it might otherwise have been of much Prejudice. Mr. Henley proposes going with me this Morning to Most of the Visitors, which with the Assistance of your previous Application and a Recommendatory Line from Mr. G——n I flatter myself, will ensure success. I...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Rev. James Madison, 26 July 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very glad to see your Observations , tho they differ considerably from those we made here. The same Misfortune of a cloudy Morning prevented us from seeing the Beginning, but we had a very good View of the End which Mr. Page made at 11h 3′ 25″ and myself at 11h 3′ 27″ tho’ I think the Altitude of the Sun was such as must render the Observations uncertain to a few Seconds. The End of...
3From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison and Robert Andrews, 31 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The principles on which the Boundary between Pensylvania and this State is to be run having been fixed it is now proposed by President Reid that Commissioners proceed to execute the work from the Termination of Masons and Dixons Line to the Completion of the five Degrees of Longitude and thence on a meridian to the Ohio. We propose that the extent of the five Degrees of longitude shall be...
4To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Favour to Day , and am sorry I cannot return a positive Answer. It would give me real Satisfaction to contribute in the least towards the Service of the Public, but many unfortunate Circumstances operate strongly against the present Undertaking. The Vicinity of the Enemy, my Engagements at College, and add to this, my real poverty which will not admit of my procuring the...
5From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 8 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am authorized to “inform you that a good Horse or two shall be furnished you by the Public for your Journey. I think it would be unreasonable in us to expect the Pensylvania Commissioners to carry a Time Piece to Fort Pitt unless we should send one to Philadelphia which would be preposterous. I should be very unwilling to admit a Difference to be begun with them on this Subject. I think in...
6From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison and Robert Andrews, 22 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received a Letter from President Reid acknowledging the Receipt of mine on the subject of running our joint Boundary, deferring answering the particulars respecting the mode of running the line till he can confer with their Commissioners on the subject and in the mean time proposing as the season is fast advancing that your meeting shall be on the 12th. of June. I have informed him...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Andrews and Rev. James Madison, 3 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The advance of the season has induced his Excellency President Reid to propose deferring the final Settlement of our boundary till the first Day of May 1782 which we have agreed to. You will be pleased therefore to consider that as the time at which your Services will be hoped for by the public. I am &c., FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “The Revd. Robert Andrews and James Madison.”
8[From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 24 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 24 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “J. Madison of the college—to observe thermometer just before sunrise—Crawford’s theory—Rittenh’s orrery. Hopkinson’s quilling.” Not found, but see Madison to TJ, 22 Jan. 1784 . Hopkinson’s “quilling”: on 21 Nov. 1783 TJ attended a meeting of the American Philosophical Society at which Hopkinson presented “a Plan and directions for improving the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 22 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive your Favour of the 24h Decr. untill last post. I immediately looked out for a Thermometer and obtained one which appears very sensible as to Heat or Cold, tho’ it is so constructed that I cannot ascertain the Accuracy of the Division by plunging it in boiling water; This appears of Consequence especially when we keep correspondent Observations. I shall observe the Time you...
10To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 28 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It is finally determined that we shall enter upon the Business of adjusting the Boundary Line between Penna. and Virginia in June. We had given Orders for the Importation of valuable Instruments for this Purpose, and also for the Connoissance des Temps and nautical Almanach. But we have been disappointed by the extreme Severity of the Winter. They cannot arrive in Time. The Pennsylvanians...
11[From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 8 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 8 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Madison. Wms.bg. Diary of weather enclosed. Tender of service to College—valedictory.” Letter and enclosure not found.]
12[From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Madison of College. Send him report on Animal magnetism. Roberts, Conn. des tems 85. and 2 doz. Phosph. matches. New windmill—Hydraulic rope—Abbé Rochon’s lenses of double focus. War in Eur. Address.” Not found.]
13To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 10 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei affords me an opportunity of expressing the real obligation I feel myself under for the Letter and Packet you were so kind as to favour me with by Col. Le Maire. Nothing can be more desireable to us here than such literary Communications. It is certainly of great Importance to us to know what is done in the Philosophical World; but our Means of Information are confined almost...
14From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 2 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of April 10. by Mr. Mazzei. You therein speak of a new method of raising water by steam which you suppose will come into general use. I know of no new method of that kind and suppose (as you say that the account you have received of it is very imperfect) that some person has represented to you as new a fire engine erected at Paris and which supplies the greater...
15To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 27 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive your Favour of Octr. 1785 till last Month, or so long a Time should not have elapsed, before I made you, at least, the Return of my sincere Thanks for your valuable Communications. The Trunk with the Books arrived safe, and its precious Contents were disposed of as you directed. As to those you were so kind as to favour me with, Nothing could have been more acceptable....
16To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 28 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just heard of Monsr. Quesnay’s Departure for France I have requested the Favor of him to take Charge of the Shells mentioned in a former Letter. I thought they would probably be acceptable to you, especially whilst in Paris, where the Science of Natural History has so many able Votaries. Monsr. Buffon in his celebrated Epoques speaks of Shells found in the highest Parts of this Country,...
17To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [ca. 28 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Oster, an agreable and amiable, but unfortunate French Lady will deliver this. And tho’ I have Nothing worth communicating, I could not refrain, on so favourable an opportunity, of once more testifying the sincere Wishes I always entertain for your Happiness whilst so remote from your native land, and also Acknowledgments which are due for past Favours. I sent, some Time past, a small...
18From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been long, very long, without answering your favor of Mar. 27. 1786. and since that I have received those of Dec. 28. and by Mrs. Oster. The reason of this has been that the genius of invention and improvement in Europe seems to be absolutely taking a nap. We have nothing to communicate to you but of the small kind, such as the making the axle tree turn with the wheel, which has been...
19From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 19 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 13th. of August last. As you seem willing to accept of the crums of science on which we are subsisting here, it is with pleasure I continue to hand them on to you in proportion as they are dealt out. Herschel’s volcano in the moon you have doubtless heard of, and placed among the other vagaries of a head which seems not organised for sound induction. The...
20To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 10 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Favour of July last as well as the valuable Books you were so good as to send to the Care of Mr. Wythe. I cannot sufficiently express the obligations I feel myself under for these continued Marks of your Kindness. The Books were such as have afforded me the greatest Entertainment as well as Instruction. Fourcroy’s Chymistry was a great Acquisition to me, especially as he...