271V. Secretary of State to James Hutchinson, 25 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. [Hutchinson] and sends him the result of the five Experiments which have been made on the sea water. Tr ( DLC ); in clerk’s hand. Although not recorded in SJL , this was obviously a circular report addressed to Hutchinson, Rittenhouse, and Wistar. Enclosure: Tabular statement of the experiments conducted on 14, 21, 22, 24, and 25 Mch. 1791, showing...
272VI. Affidavit of the Secretary of State on the Result of the Experiments, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having referred to me the Petition of Jacob Isaccks praying a reward for a secret he possesses of converting Salt-water into fresh, I procured a Cask of sea-water to be taken up without the Capes of Delaware at flood-tide, and brought to Philadelphia, and asked the favour of Mr. Rittenhouse, President of the American Philosophical Society, of Dr. Caspar Wistar, Professor of Chemistry...
273VII. Secretary of State to Isaac Senter, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having referred to me the petition of Jacob Isaacs setting forth his possession of a secret for facilitating the separation of sea-water from it’s salt, it becomes necessary for me to know exactly the advances which have been already made towards obtaining that desideratum. I have reason to believe no body has carried them further than Dr. Lind. I possess his book on the diseases of...
274VIII. Isaac Senter to the Secretary of State, 13 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a letter from you yesterday, dated 26th March, desiring me to send you some writings of Dr. Lind’s which you could not procure elsewhere, upon the subjecting of Distilling fresh water from that of the Ocean. It is Sir with the greatest pleasure that I embrace the first opportunity, by the post to comply with your request, as far as is in my power. All the writings...
275IX. Secretary of State to Isaac Senter, 10 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of April 13. together with Dr. Lind’s book, which I now return you with many thanks. I had been able to get here the editions of 1774. and 1788. but not that of 1762. which was most important, as it was the best evidence of the time of his first publishing his idea of distilling seawater without any ingredient. The other peices you have been so kind as to...
276X. Jacob Isaacks to the Secretary of State, 1 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to address You on the subject of taking the fresh water from the Sea Water, notwithstanding I met not with the encouragement by Some that attended at the time I made the tryall before you, tho’ they were pleased to tell me that my method was not New, still it was their Oppinion that I was entitled to have some gratuity allowed me even for renewing the same, but I can say...
277XI. Secretary of State to Jacob Isaacks, 23 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. instant did not come to hand till yesterday 3. aclock. Unfortunately I had that very morning given in my report, which had been read in the house, and of which I inclose you a printed copy. That the discovery was original as to yourself I can readily believe. Still it is not the less true, that the distillation of fresh from seawater, both with and without mixtures, had...
278XII. Jacob Isaacks to the Secretary of State, 19 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved Yours with the Report, and was sorry to find You was so Hastity in Making the same so soon Publick, As it has proved greatly detrimental to my Interest. Altho’ you were not in possession of my secret which I am fearful wou’d have shared the same fate, you must be thoroughly senceable of the injury that report has done me by making it of Publick use without any advantage to the...
279To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 27 Mch. 1791 . Before receipt of TJ’s letters of 17 and 23 Dec. Purdie had told him of Capt. Young’s mistreatment, but at the same time he found Purdie “more violent if possible against Mr. John Brown Cutting, charging him with motives that I was sensible never actuated Mr. Cutting, and making use of threats violent and dishonorable against him.” He tried to get Purdie to return to...
280From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been again to see Mr. Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. You know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character, in order to save expence. He observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
281From John Cooke to George Washington, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Tipperary, 28 Mch. 1791 . Understanding that regulation of weights and measures is one object of American government, he sends the enclosed “invention” from “a poor individual, in an obscure corner of a remote nation, as a mark of that universal esteem, which your Excellency’s Merits have excited in all countries, and amongst every class of men.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by TJ: “To...
282To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Gerna, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Dublin, 28 Mch. 1791 . “It would be an insult to your goodness to apologize” for introducing the bearer, Robert Stafford, a skillful young apothecary, lately married, who is resolved to settle in America. Stafford will deliver “a small Parcel containing a new publication of the Dublin newspapers of this date.” TJ’s advice to him will “be an additional proof of that humanity and benevolence...
283From Thomas Jefferson to James McHenry, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sent your letters to Mr. Short with a desire that he will, as far as is right, patronize the applications which shall be made to the minister on your demand, instead of destroying your first letter to Messrs. Le Couteulx, I have thought it better to return it to you, in proof that your desires have been complied with.—A murder of some friendly Indians a little beyond Fort Pitt is likely...
284From Thomas Jefferson to William Channing, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me to take up the subject of my former letter to you and to acknowlege the receipt of yours of Nov. 24. in answer, together with the laws you were so kind as to send forward. The M.S. copies of laws relating to British property, which you mention to be in hand, will be acceptable, as that subject will probably come under discussion some day. The perpetual...
285From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Gore, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me the honor of acknowleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 27. together with the copies of the laws you were so kind as to send, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. Our collection now stands thus. The only chasm in this seems to be from 1772. to 1780. to which I will continue to ask the attention you are so kind as to promise, as occasions arise...
286To Thomas Jefferson from Fenwick, Mason & Company, [29 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Bordeaux, 29 Mch. 1791 ] Enclose duplicate of theirs of 10 Feb. and invoice for 14 cases of wine for TJ and 14 for the President as ordered by TJ 6 Sep. 1790, shipped on Eliza , Capt. Tilden, via Charleston, to Robert Hazlehurst & Co. with request to forward by first packet. “The proprietors of the Mirosmenil Estate … declined shipping the wine of Segur order for the President. We therefore...
287To Thomas Jefferson from William Jackson, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Georgetown, 29 Mch. 1791. The enclosed papers “from the Secretary of the Western territory” were received by the President last evening. “His engagements with the Commissioners not permitting him to peruse them during his stay here, he commands me to transmit them to you for your consideration, and he requests, if you should think it necessary, that they may be reported on.” RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
288To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 29 Mch. 1791. When he left for Philadelphia last November he sought to place his brother “in a quiet good family and where he might pursue his studies to the best advantage.” From general opinion of his friends he engaged lodgings for him with James Kerr, the more so because Monroe “had render’d him services, and had a claim to his attention.” But to his astonishment he...
289From Thomas Jefferson to William Nelson, Jr., 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favours of Nov. 22. and that of Feb. 4. came to hand during the session of Congress, and making part only of a very extensive subject, I was obliged to postpone it till Congress had risen. The laws also which you were so kind as to send have been received. Our collection stands thus at present. Laws of 1775. Dec. 1783. Oct. 1776. May and Oct. 1784. May and Oct. 1777. May. 5. 1785.Oct...
290From Thomas Jefferson to John Samuel Sherburne, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress permits me now to acknowlege the receipt of your favor of Oct. 20. and also of the laws of New Hampshire from 1696 to 1773 and from 1776 to 1787. Should there be any other printed laws not in these collections I will avail myself of your kind promise to procure them for the use of my office, as it is very desireable to possess a compleat collection of every law that was...
291To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival here a few days ago I found your letter of the 23d. of January. The statement which you there give me of the reciept of my several letters is truly mortifying. They must necessarily have lost their principal merit by arriving so long after their contents had become known and given place to other matters of more recent date and greater interest. I had however followed the same...
292To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. (private) accompanied that of the 23d. and was received here on my return from Amsterdam. The commissions you there charge me with shall be attended to. Mr. Fenwick writes me that he shall ship the wine you ordered, on a vessel bound to Charleston, despairing of finding an immediate conveyance before the warm weather.—Vernon was still there and he thinks has no...
293From Thomas Jefferson to Pierpont Edwards, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me to resume the subject of my circular letter of Aug. 12. which had the double object of procuring from all the states 1. a statement of their proceedings as to British property, and 2. a complete collection of their laws to be deposited in my office for the use of the general government. As to the first I am to thank you for the papers and observations you...
294From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The publication of the laws of the U. S. and the purchase of those of the several states call on us immediately for about five hundred dollars, for which sum I must ask a warrant from you to be accounted for. The contingent expences of my department to the 1st. inst. are now stated and will be settled with the Auditor tomorrow. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect Sir Your most...
295To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 31 Mch. 1791. He received packet last night from Mr. Bulkeley and information of a vessel departing for Alexandria in a few days, hence he sends this by a servant to Lisbon. Having accounts from America as late as 10 Feb. and not being advised by “the Department of foreign affairs” of receipt of any of his letters, he fears their detention or miscarriage. He gives their dates to show it...
296From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy to have a letter of yours to answer. That of Mar. 6. came to my hands on the 24th. By the bye you never acknowlege the receipt of my letters, nor tell me on what day they came to hand. I presume that by this time you have received the two dressing tables with marble tops. I give one of them to your sister and the other to you. Mine is here with the top broke in two. Mr. Randolph’s...
297From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress permits me now to resume the subject of my letter of Aug. 12. and to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Sept. 14. Nov. 25. and Jan. 1. with respect to British debts and property. It was thought possible then that they might come forward and discuss the interests and questions existing between the two nations; and as we knew they would assail us on the subject of...