To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel D’Oyley, 24 July 1802
From Daniel D’Oyley
Charleston S:C: 24th: July 1802
Sir
The inclosed discourse which I request you to do me the honour of accepting was delivered on the last anniversary of the glorious declaration of Independence—as it affords a corroborating testimony of the goodness of Mr. Furman’s heart I am well pleased for from the belief with which he was of late impressed he conscientiously opposed the advancement of the Republican party dreading I suppose the destruction in case of their success of what he is devoted to and most explicitly and candidly acknowledges in his thirteenth page is more generally diffused and better supported at present than at any former period—there is an unusual spirit of rationality throughout the piece & it was delivered with a pious respect to the occasion—his invitations and acknowledgements appeared to be the result of conviction and were sincerely and devoutly made—would to God any thing short of submission could change the minds of the leading Federalists here—their works border on desperation, they avow an indifference to all reconciliation and declare they care not how wide the breach is extended—there are two points under which they are attempting to rally and the Government though I know most undeservedly are made to bear the blame of both—I fear to enter into particulars—but I beg you to beleive that I am with sincerity and great attachment true in the profession and practice of the Republican principles on which our Government was instituted and established, and undiviating in the most profound respect and venerable affection I subscribe myself
Sir Your most Obdt. hble Sevt:
Daniel D’oyley
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 12 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see below.
Daniel D’Oyley (ca. 1761–1820) of Charleston was a cousin and political ally of Charles Pinckney. From 1799 to 1804, he served as state treasurer of the lower division of South Carolina. Republicans in the state, especially Pinckney, repeatedly urged D’Oyley’s appointment as collector at Charleston, but without success. Although the president considered D’Oyley “a most respectable republican,” contradictory information about the political situation in South Carolina led TJ to delay removals there. Questions also arose about D’Oyley’s character, with Pierce Butler describing him as “a republican from selfish & interested principles.” By the fall of 1802, TJ came to feel that D’Oyley’s desire for office and constant calls for removals bore “a very dubious aspect.” Pinckney later sued his cousin for mishandling his financial affairs, while in 1807 the South Carolina legislature found D’Oyley guilty of misconduct while serving as treasurer and disqualified him from holding public office for five years (, 3:192–3; Marty D. Matthews, Forgotten Founder: The Life and Times of Charles Pinckney [Columbia, S.C., 2004], 115–21; Vol. 32:348, 349n; Vol. 33:331, 513; Vol. 34:187, 221; Vol. 35:13–14n, 32, 53; TJ to Thomas Sumter, Sr., 22 Oct. 1802).
INCLOSED DISCOURSE: Richard Furman’s America’s Deliverance and Duty. A Sermon. Preached at the Baptist Church in Charleston, South-Carolina, on the Fourth Day of July, 1802, before the State Society of the Cincinnati, the American Revolution Society; and the Congregation Which Usually Attends Divine Service in the Said Church published in Charleston in 1802. Furman, pastor of the Baptist church in Charleston and a leading religious figure in South Carolina, declared in his oration that victory in the American Revolution was brought about by God and that the nation continued to benefit from divine sanction. As such, he emphasized the nation’s obligation to secure and improve upon the blessings of republican government, including a strenuous attention to religion and religious freedom, strict adherence to the Constitution, suppression of party spirit, respect for public authority, and the election of wise and virtuous national leaders (; No. 1667).