Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Thomas Jefferson to Peter Burtsell, 19 December 1821

To Peter Burtsell

Monticello Dec. 19. 21.

Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to the New York publisher of Colton’s Lacon for the copy of that work he has been so kind as to send him. he sees, on a first opening, that it will afford both amusement and instruction, qualified rather highly with paradox & puzzle. it’s numerous editions in England bespeak it’s merits favorably.

PoC (DLC); on verso of a reused address cover from George Alexander Otis to TJ; dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Burtsell Peter.”

Peter Burtsell (ca. 1775–1831), bookbinder and stationer, worked as a bookbinder in New York City by 1795, and within a few years he also sold books and stationery. By 1825 he partnered with John Low Burtsell as stationers in the firm of P. Burtsell & Son. Burtsell died in New York (William Duncan, The New-York Directory, and Register, for the year 1795 [New York, 1795], 34; Longworth’s New York Directory description begins Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, New York, 1796–1842 (title varies; cited by year of publication) description ends [1800]: 153; [1826]: 111; New York National Advocate, 23 Mar. 1825; New-York Evening Post, 14 July 1831; New York Co. Surrogate’s Court Will Book, 67:419–21).

Burtsell was the publisher of C. Caleb Colton, Lacon: or Many Things in Few Words; addressed to Those Who Think (New York, 1821; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 9 [no. 486]), which was reprinted from the eighth London edition. Burtsell also sent a copy to John Adams, who thanked him in a letter of 12 Dec. 1821 (Lb in MHi: Adams Papers).

Index Entries

  • Adams, John; works sent to search
  • books; of aphorisms search
  • Burtsell, Peter; identified search
  • Burtsell, Peter; letter to search
  • Burtsell, Peter; publishesLacon: or Many Things in Few Words; addressed to Those Who Think (C. C. Colton) search
  • Colton, Charles Caleb; Lacon: or Many Things in Few Words; addressed to Those Who Think search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives works search
  • Lacon: or Many Things in Few Words; addressed to Those Who Think (C. C. Colton) search