Thomas Jefferson to Samuel L. Osborn, [29] August 1817
To Samuel L. Osborn
Aug. 28. [29] 17.
Sir
Your favor of July came to hand on the 18th instant. and I am very sensible of the favor with which you are pleased to express yourself towards me. if, in the course of my political term of service, my fellow citizens think I have effected any thing useful for our country, my reward is in their approbation. I am thankful that I have lived to see the sacrifices of the revolutionary generation, whatever they may have been, result in so great a share of happiness to their descendants, and that they may perpetuate and improve these blessings, will be my last prayer. to yourself I tender the assurance of my best wishes & respects
Th: Jefferson
RC (facsimile in The Rendells, Inc., Newton, Mass., catalogue 150 [ca. 1979], item 50, pp. 62–3); misdated. RC (Heritage Collectors’ Society, Doylestown, Pa., 1994); address cover only; addressed: “Mr Samuel L. Osburn Kennebunk, Maine”; franked; postmarked Lynchburg, 31 Aug. PoC (DLC: TJ Papers, 211:37623); on verso of reused address cover of Isaac Briggs to TJ, 21 May 1817; misdated; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 28 Aug. 1817. Recorded in SJL as a letter of <28> 29 Aug. 1817.
TJ later corrected the date of receipt of Osborn’s favor of july 28 from 18 to 19 Aug. 1817 in SJL.