The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson

By Subject

KNOWLEDGE / SCIENTIFIC / INVENTIONS

It has been some time since I have tried the experiments for which you were so kind as to lend me your dynamometer and the reconveyance by sea and under the care of some passenger. This to New York never happens from our quarter, to Philadelphia once or twice a year only, if I knew with whom to lodge it there for you. To Washington I could more frequently send it. I must, therefore, ask your instructions on this subject.

A Mr. Abraham Howard Quincy, number 108 Chatham street, New York, informs me he has made an improvement in fireplaces, such as that with one-tenth of the fuel ordinarily laid on a fire and that kept up but one hour in five, maintains summer temperature in the room, and he has requested me to ask some friend in whom I have confidence to call on him and receive his demonstrations of it. I have no acquaintance there whose turn is mechanical, of whom I could ask this; but it occurs to me that you may possibly be there occasionally, and that your affection to improvements in the arts might induce you to take the trouble to examine this one, my confidence in your judgment as to the reality of the improvement would settle my Opinion. I would therefore ask you to give a leisure moment to this examination.

to Robert Fulton, 8 March 1813