To Thomas Jefferson from John Coakley Lettsom, 10 October 1801
From John Coakley Lettsom
London Oct. 10. 1801.
Although unknown to the President of the United States of America, I could not be ignorant of his high character, even before Dr. Thornton introduced it to me; and from his account of the President’s condescension, as well as of his love to, and encouragement of, the Arts, I am induced to request his acceptance of a performance, which I have printed with a view to promote a practice of great national importance; and, which of course, is patronized1 by the distinguished character addressed by
John Coakley Lettsom
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Feb. 1802 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: John Coakley Lettsom, Observations on the Cow-Pock (London, 1801; , No. 949).
Physician and philanthropist John Coakley Lettsom (1744–1815) was educated in England and at the universities of Edinburgh and Leiden. In addition to having a successful medical practice in London, Lettsom was a prolific author and promoter of institutions for the improvement of public health and education. Benjamin Waterhouse credited Lettsom, a supporter of vaccination, for sending to him a copy of Edward Jenner’s Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolæ Vaccinæ, a Disease … Known by the Name of the Cow Pox, published in London in 1798 (; Waterhouse, A Prospect of Exterminating the Small-Pox [Cambridge, 1800], 3).
Dr. Thornton: William Thornton was a friend and relative of Lettsom’s. Both were born into Quaker families in the British Virgin Islands (, 1:xxxv, xxxix).
1. MS: “pratronized.”