Thomas Jefferson Papers
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“Publick Good” to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1821

From “Publick Good”

B[al]timore August 21st 1821

Sir—

Probably you are not aprised of the unparalleled conduct of certain men in this city in traducing, in a new way, men of honorable standing to overthrow the Godly fabrick of philanthopy—: That God created all men at least politically equal, is a principle for which they labor day and night. Aristocracy never was more alive and allert than it is at this time, in this part of the country; the enclosed is some evidence of this assertion—and all this cannot be compared with the verbal abuse of truth: extortions and falcifications are continually made use of, and too often seduces the unwary. Good God is there no remedy? There are yet a few surviving friends of the Holy revolution of seventy six, who were they to deem it, as many good and wise men do, useful for the instruction of the rising and future generations, to bequeath them a Joint1 farewell address, as did the immortal Washington—the enemies of mankind would not delude so many good meaning men as these. Blessings, ever intended by our Heavenly Father, migh[t] flow from such an undertaking.

Continue to live happy, thou good [ole?]2 man.

Publick Good

RC (DLC); dateline torn; edge trimmed; addressed: “Hon. Thomas Jefferson Monticello Virginia”; stamp canceled; franked; postmarked Baltimore, 22 Aug.; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous letter “(of no acct)” received 6 Sept. 1821 and so recorded in SJL, with variant bracketed notation that it pertained to “nothing.” Enclosure not found.

1Word interlined.

2Word illegible.

Index Entries

  • American Revolution; advice of participants sought search
  • anonymous authors; letters from search
  • Baltimore, Md.; criticized search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; anonymous letters to search
  • Washington, George; Farewell Address search
  • “Publick Good” (pseudonym); letter from search
  • “Publick Good” (pseudonym); on Baltimore search