Jeremiah Greenleaf to Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1822
From Jeremiah Greenleaf
Philadelphia May 17 1822
Sir,
I have done myself the honour to transmit you a copy of the 3rd. Edition of “Grammar Simplified,” which I beg you will have the goodness to accept and give a cursory perusal.
This work claims the merit of being more simple, and of being calculated to impart a knowledge of Grammar with more facility, and in a much shorter time, than any other system extant—and should you think it redeems the pledge, given in the title, a1 few lines, expressive of your opinion, would be most gratefully received. Accept, Sir, my assurance of high
| J. Greenleaf. |
| Quondam Lieut. in the U.S. Army. |
P.S. You will probably recollect, that in 1819, I presented you a copy of the first Edition2 of “Grammar Simplified,” and that you excused yourself from examining it, on account of the “torpor of age and the drudgery of letterwriting”—but I have lately been reading the Scriptures, from which I learn, that a certain woman was heard, on account of her much importunity. Perhaps I may be heard on the same account.
J.G.
RC (DLC); dateline adjacent to closing and full signature; beneath full signature: “Thomas Jefferson Esq. Late President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 June 1822 and so recorded in SJL.
The Bible describes Jesus rewarding the importunity of a Canaanite woman who had refused to accept his original, dismissive reply to her petition (Matthew 15.22–8).
1. Greenleaf here canceled “letter by mail.”
2. Manuscript: “Editon.”
Index Entries
- aging; TJ on his own search
- Bible; Matthew referenced search
- books; on grammar search
- English language; books on grammar of search
- grammar; study of search
- Grammar Simplified; or, an Ocular Analysis of the English Language (J. Greenleaf) search
- Greenleaf, Jeremiah; Grammar Simplified; or, an Ocular Analysis of the English Language search
- Greenleaf, Jeremiah; letters from search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; fatiguing or painful to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Health; aging search