Dana, Samuel (1767-1835) to Joseph B. Varnum
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03845.07 Author/Creator: Dana, Samuel (1767-1835) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 December 1808 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.6 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy
Massachusetts Congressman Samuel Dana introduces William Whittemore to Varnum, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Informs Varnum that Whittemore will be travelling to Washington, D.C. in order to preserve the patent for "the exclusive use of his machines."
The Whittemore family, including Amos, Samuel and William, created a machine to mass-produce the cards used for straightening the fibers of cotton and wool. William also served as a Massachusetts State Representative (1804-1806) and State Senator (1820-1821).
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.