To James Madison from Thomas Herttell, 11 November 1819
From Thomas Herttell
New York Novr: 11th: 1819.
Respected Sir
You will please to pardon the liberty I have taken to request your acceptance of the accompanying pamphlet entitled “An expose of the causes of intemperate drinking and the means by which it may be obviated.”1 Should it hereafter be deemed worthy of a second impression, I will avail myself of the benefit of any remarks you may be pleased to make on the subject of which it treats. That you may enjoy long life, and perfect health and happiness is the sincere wish Venerable Sir of Your’s respectfully
Thos: Herttell2
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Thomas Herttell, An Expose of the Causes of Intemperate Drinking, and the Means by Which It May Be Obviated (New York, 1819; 48219).
2. Thomas Herttell (1771–1849) was a New York City magistrate, a freethinker, a writer on social topics, and a New York legislator. In addition to the subject of intemperance, Herttell wrote against imprisonment for debt and in favor of women’s rights (Roderick S. French, “Liberation from Man and God in Boston: Abner Kneeland’s Free-Thought Campaign, 1830–1839,” American Quarterly 32 [1980]: 202–3; New York Daily Advertiser, 2 Aug. 1792; Christian Philanthropist, 11 Feb. 1823; New York Ithaca Herald, 30 Nov. 1836).