1802. COPYING PRESS, Jefferson's portable.—
Having a great desire to have a portable copying machine, and being satisfied
from some experiments that the principle of
the large machines might be applied in a small
one, I planned one when in England, and had
it made. It answers perfectly. I have since set
a workman to making them here, and they are
in such demand that he has his hands full.
* * * I send you one. The machine costs
96 livres, the appendages 24 livres. * * *
You must expect to make many essays before
you succeed perfectly. A soft brush, like a
shaving brush, is more convenient than the
sponge.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. ii, 110.
Ford ed., iv, 369.
(P.
1787)
