Thomas Jefferson Papers

Mathew Carey to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1816

From Mathew Carey

Philada Oct. 22. 1816

Sir,

Your favour with four1 Dollars, I have duly Recd. I enclose 25 cents.

By a letter of yours to Charles Thompson, Esqr I find you have been collating the Morality of the New Testament. Do you intend it for publication? If so, wd you be willing to let me have the MS. & on what terms?

With due respect
Your obt hble servt

Mathew Carey

RC (MHi); dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Nov. 1816 and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to Joseph Milligan, 6 Jan. 1817, on verso; addressed (in a clerk’s hand): “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello Va”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia, 22 Oct. Enclosure: Carey’s prospectus, Philadelphia, 25 Sept. 1816, for an eighth edition of his publication, The Olive Branch: or, Faults on Both Sides, Federal and Democratic, enclosing “proposals” (not found) and indicating that the seventh edition has almost sold out; that a subscription for the new edition will remain open until 1 Dec.; that it will be printed within two months once five hundred copies are subscribed for; and that he has been induced to prepare a new edition because “Time, calm reflection, and the suggestions of judicious friends, have pointed out errors in it, which I am desirous of having an opportunity of correcting” (broadside in MWA). A fuller version of the prospectus in the Washington Daily National Intelligencer, 5 Nov. 1816, adds that the work will cost $2.75; offers a free copy to anyone who procures nine subscriptions; lists those authorized to accept orders; and contends that, contrary to what some have said, the author has guarded against “undue bias” and tried to be impartial.

1Word interlined in place of what appears to be “five.”

Index Entries

  • Bible; New Testament search
  • books; on politics search
  • Carey, Mathew; and TJ’s religious beliefs search
  • Carey, Mathew; letters from search
  • Carey, Mathew; The Olive Branch: or Faults on Both Sides, Federal and Democratic search
  • Carey, Mathew; TJ pays search
  • Christianity; TJ on search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; Christianity search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; religion search
  • religion; and morality search
  • religion; TJ on search
  • subscriptions, for publications; political search
  • The Olive Branch: or Faults on Both Sides, Federal and Democratic (M. Carey) search
  • Thomson, Charles; and TJ’s religious beliefs search