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JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") to James L. Edwards of Boston; Monticello, 5 September 1811. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, 250 x 200mm. (9 3/4 x 8 in.), integral address leaf, the two leaves neatly separated at central fold, small repairs to extreme edges of folds, otherwise in good condition. [With:] Autograph free frank ("free Th:Jafferson") on address panel in Jefferson's hand, a small piece at edge excised, not affecting text
Details
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") to James L. Edwards of Boston; Monticello, 5 September 1811. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, 250 x 200mm. (9 3/4 x 8 in.), integral address leaf, the two leaves neatly separated at central fold, small repairs to extreme edges of folds, otherwise in good condition. [With:] Autograph free frank ("free Th:Jafferson") on address panel in Jefferson's hand, a small piece at edge excised, not affecting text
JEFFERSON REBUFFS A REPUBLICAN PUBLISHER'S ATTEMPT AT POLITICAL EXTORTION
The former President decisively deflects a rather clumsy attempt at extortion. Edwards wrote to Jefferson on 20 August, asking for $1,000, claiming Jefferson had promised it to two Savannah printers, Lyons and Morse, editors of the Savannah Republican, "for certain services performed." The newspaper was then sold to one Norman McLean, who also died, owing money to Edwards, who transparently attempted to appeal to Jefferson's Republican principles. Jefferson frostily replies: "Your letter...has truly surprized me...[I]t is said that for certain services performed by Mr. James Lyon and Mr. Samuel Morse, formerly editors of the Savanna[h] Republican, I promised the sum of 1000 D[ollars]. This, sir, is totally unfounded. I never promised to any printer on earth the sum of 1000 D[ollars] nor any other sum, for certain services performed, or for any services which that expression would imply. I have had no accounts with printers but for their newspapers, for which I have paid always the ordinary price & no more. I have occasionally joined in moderate contributions to printers, as I have done to other descriptions of persons distressed or persecuted, not by promise, but actual paiment of what I contributed. When Mr. Morse went to Savanna[h], he called on me & told me he meant to publish a paper there, for which I subscribed, and paid him the year in advance. I continued to take it from his successors Everett & McLean, & Everett and Evans, and paid for it, at different epochs, up to Dec[ember] 31 1808. When I withdrew my subscription, you say McLean informed you he had some expectation of getting the money, as he had received a letter from me on the subject. [I]f such a letter exists under my name, it is a forgery. I never wrote but a single letter to him; that was of the 28 January 1810 and was on the subject of the last paiment made for his newspaper, & on no other subject: and I have two receipts of his...both stating to be in full of all demands, and a letter ...manifestly shewing he had no demand against me of any other nature. The promise is said to have been made to Morse & Lyon. Were Mr. Morse living, I should appeal to him with confidence, as I believe him to have been a very honest man. Mr. Lyon I suppose to be living, and will, I am sure acquit me of any such transaction as that allowed. The truth then being that I never made the promise suggested, nor any one of a like nature to any printer or other person whatever, every principle of justice of self respect requires that I should not listen to any such demand..."
JEFFERSON REBUFFS A REPUBLICAN PUBLISHER'S ATTEMPT AT POLITICAL EXTORTION
The former President decisively deflects a rather clumsy attempt at extortion. Edwards wrote to Jefferson on 20 August, asking for $1,000, claiming Jefferson had promised it to two Savannah printers, Lyons and Morse, editors of the Savannah Republican, "for certain services performed." The newspaper was then sold to one Norman McLean, who also died, owing money to Edwards, who transparently attempted to appeal to Jefferson's Republican principles. Jefferson frostily replies: "Your letter...has truly surprized me...[I]t is said that for certain services performed by Mr. James Lyon and Mr. Samuel Morse, formerly editors of the Savanna[h] Republican, I promised the sum of 1000 D[ollars]. This, sir, is totally unfounded. I never promised to any printer on earth the sum of 1000 D[ollars] nor any other sum, for certain services performed, or for any services which that expression would imply. I have had no accounts with printers but for their newspapers, for which I have paid always the ordinary price & no more. I have occasionally joined in moderate contributions to printers, as I have done to other descriptions of persons distressed or persecuted, not by promise, but actual paiment of what I contributed. When Mr. Morse went to Savanna[h], he called on me & told me he meant to publish a paper there, for which I subscribed, and paid him the year in advance. I continued to take it from his successors Everett & McLean, & Everett and Evans, and paid for it, at different epochs, up to Dec[ember] 31 1808. When I withdrew my subscription, you say McLean informed you he had some expectation of getting the money, as he had received a letter from me on the subject. [I]f such a letter exists under my name, it is a forgery. I never wrote but a single letter to him; that was of the 28 January 1810 and was on the subject of the last paiment made for his newspaper, & on no other subject: and I have two receipts of his...both stating to be in full of all demands, and a letter ...manifestly shewing he had no demand against me of any other nature. The promise is said to have been made to Morse & Lyon. Were Mr. Morse living, I should appeal to him with confidence, as I believe him to have been a very honest man. Mr. Lyon I suppose to be living, and will, I am sure acquit me of any such transaction as that allowed. The truth then being that I never made the promise suggested, nor any one of a like nature to any printer or other person whatever, every principle of justice of self respect requires that I should not listen to any such demand..."
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