John B. Spargella to Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1815
From John B. Spargella
Philadelphia. 24h Januar 1815
Sir!
I beg leave in addressing You to present Six copies of an allegorical engraving, I have had executed, which is intended to transmit to posterity the eminent Services You have rendered your Contry, before presenting the Same to the public, with the most lively acknowledgements, I Should hear this small token of my respect has met your Approbation.
I have the honour to be with much respect and regard.
Sir!
J. B. Spargella: |
143. S. 5h Street |
RC (CSmH: JF-BA); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqure”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Feb. 1815 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
John Baptiste Spargella (1761–1828), merchant, was a native of Vigevano in northern Italy who immigrated to the United States by way of France in 1813. He petitioned for American citizenship late in 1817 and operated a dry-goods store on North Second Street in Philadelphia thereafter. An 1828 city directory describes Spargella as a gentleman at New Street (Spargella’s naturalization records, 21, 28 Nov. 1817 [DNA: RG 21, NPEDP]; Edward Dawes, The Philadelphia Directory, for 1817 [Philadelphia, 1817?], 337; Thomas Wilson, ed., The Philadelphia Directory and Stranger’s Guide, for 1825 [Philadelphia, 1825], 132; Desilver’s Philadelphia Directory and Stranger’s Guide, for 1828 [1828], 77; Philadelphia Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 10 Apr. 1828).