“Laban Stringfellow” to Thomas Jefferson, [by 19 April 1818]
From “Laban Stringfellow”
[by 19 Apr. 1818]
Illustrious Sir,
This circular which I take the Liberty of addressing to you is the effusion of an old fellow who has like your Honour retired from the world to repose on the Bosom of Literature, and tho: my “Circular” will not give me place with Campbell and Tom Moore I dare swear your excellency will agree it is equal to the subject.
Before I take my leave allow me in the fullness of my heart to seize upon this occasion to thank you for the present unrivalled prosperity of this happy nation—the result of your prudence1 and foresight
L. Stringfellow
RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 212:37975); undated; with enclosed circular on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire late president of the United States Monticello virginia”; stamp canceled; franked; postmarked Natchez, Miss., 19 Apr.; endorsed by TJ as “a Pseudonymous libel” by “Stringfellow Laban” received 13 May 1818 and so recorded (as “Pseudonimous”) in SJL.
campbell and tom moore were, presumably, the British poets Thomas Campbell (1777–1844) and Thomas Moore (1779–1852). TJ owned works by both authors prior to the sale of his personal library to the United States in 1815 ( nos. 4406, 4432, 4519).
1. Manuscript: “pudence.”
Index Entries
- Campbell, Thomas; British poet search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; anonymous letters to search
- Moore, Thomas (1779–1852); British poet search
- poetry; sent to TJ search
- “Stringfellow, Laban” (pseudonym); letter from search
- “Stringfellow, Laban” (pseudonym); poetry of search