细节
JEFFERSON, Thomas, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson") as President, to "The Revd. Dr. [William] Bentley," Washington, D.C., 29 December 1808. 1 page, 4to, one small brown spot, otherwise in good condition.
THE PRESIDENT AKNOWLEDGES THE GIFT OF BOTANICAL SPECIMENS
Jefferson, who is preparing to turn over the presidency to his successor, James Madison, takes time, a few days after his last Christmas in the White House, for a gracious letter of thanks, though alluding to the continuing burden of his responsibilties: "I received safely by Genl. [Henry] Dearborn [Secretary of War] the specimens you were so kind as to send to me, of a hortus siccus by Mr Crownenshield, and of drawings with the pen by miss Crownenshield, the relations of my late friend, and the excessive pressure of business, during a session of Congress, must be my apology for this late ackno[w]legement." He continues by praising the specimes, commenting that he has "certainly never seen anything, in either way, equally perfect, and I esteem them as models which will not, I believe be exceeded. I pray you to accept my ackno[w]ledgements for this mark of attention from yourself, and to be so good as to present to the young artists the assurances of my thankfulness for these acceptable proofs of their uncommon talent. If my testimony of their eminence can be any gratification to them, it is offered with sincerity, as justly due to them. To yourself I tender the assurances of my great esteem & respect."
The addressee of this letter, William Bentley (1759-1819), was a Unitarian Minister of Each Church, Salem, Massachusetts, author, diarist and liberal Jeffersonian Republican. Jefferson refers in the letter to members of the celebrated Crowninshield family of Salem. Jefferson's friend, the Secretary of the Navy Jacob Crowninshield (1770-1808), had died earlier in the year.
THE PRESIDENT AKNOWLEDGES THE GIFT OF BOTANICAL SPECIMENS
Jefferson, who is preparing to turn over the presidency to his successor, James Madison, takes time, a few days after his last Christmas in the White House, for a gracious letter of thanks, though alluding to the continuing burden of his responsibilties: "I received safely by Genl. [Henry] Dearborn [Secretary of War] the specimens you were so kind as to send to me, of a hortus siccus by Mr Crownenshield, and of drawings with the pen by miss Crownenshield, the relations of my late friend, and the excessive pressure of business, during a session of Congress, must be my apology for this late ackno[w]legement." He continues by praising the specimes, commenting that he has "certainly never seen anything, in either way, equally perfect, and I esteem them as models which will not, I believe be exceeded. I pray you to accept my ackno[w]ledgements for this mark of attention from yourself, and to be so good as to present to the young artists the assurances of my thankfulness for these acceptable proofs of their uncommon talent. If my testimony of their eminence can be any gratification to them, it is offered with sincerity, as justly due to them. To yourself I tender the assurances of my great esteem & respect."
The addressee of this letter, William Bentley (1759-1819), was a Unitarian Minister of Each Church, Salem, Massachusetts, author, diarist and liberal Jeffersonian Republican. Jefferson refers in the letter to members of the celebrated Crowninshield family of Salem. Jefferson's friend, the Secretary of the Navy Jacob Crowninshield (1770-1808), had died earlier in the year.