Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1816
From Horatio G. Spafford
Albany, 12. 15, ’16.
The Essay which thou wast kind enough to wish to See in print, is commenced in this No., & I anxiously hope the spirit & plan of it may meet thy approbation; & that I may be favored with the assurance.
It is venturing a good deal, but not more, in my opinion, than the circumstances of the times demand. For the good of our Country, it is neccessary that the Men of the South express their liberality, in respect to Religious opinions. Theology, every where, is of Monarchical tendency. The people of the South really know little of what is going on in the N. & East. God grant they may, & in good time. They have an independence of mind, & a freedom of opinion,1 far more noble & manly than those of the North. Oh Orthodoxy, how I hate thy reign!—
H. G. Spafford.
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Hon. T. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Dec. 1816 and so recorded in SJL.
Spafford’s essay on establishing a national, secular school of science and the mechanic arts and improving the United States patent system appeared under the pseudonym “Franklin,” as a letter to the editor dated 10 Dec. 1815, in the American Magazine, a monthly miscellany, vol. 1, nos. 8–9 (Jan.–Feb. 1816): 289–97, 313–26.
1. Spafford here canceled “which the Theologi.”
Index Entries
- American Magazine; edited by H. G. Spafford search
- patents; and reform of patent system search
- religion; H. G. Spafford on search
- schools and colleges; national technology school proposed search
- Spafford, Horatio Gates; and patents and patent system search
- Spafford, Horatio Gates; as editor ofAmerican Magazine search
- Spafford, Horatio Gates; letters from search
- Spafford, Horatio Gates; national technology school proposed by search
- Spafford, Horatio Gates; on religion in America search
- United States; religion in search