Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from "A Sybill Leafe," [28 September 1802]

From “A Sybill Leafe”

[28 Sep. 1802]

Mr Jefferson,

America in general, feels itself under great obligations to Mr Paine. But is very unwilling you should Represent its gratitude, at the expence of your own popularity—And the very Gods, conjure you, never to meddle with the religious prejudice’s of your country—for this reason—because the moment you become a party concerned, you forfeit the merit of A judge—You may think what you please about this schrawl, with one exceiption—which is this, Your Good understanding is not meant to be insulted by it.

A Sybill Leafe

RC (DLC); undated, with date supplied from postmark; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States at the City of Washington”; franked; postmarked “Bristol,” 28 Sep.; endorsed by TJ as received from “Anon.” on 5 Oct. 1802 and so recorded in SJL.

For previous letters from the same anonymous author, see Vol. 35:575–6; Vol. 37:458–9.

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