Robert Elliott to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1811
From Robert Elliott
City of Washington March 6th 1811
Sir
I take the liberty of sending the enclosed for your signature—If not presumptuous, (with permission) wd wish to dedicate them to you—as these now selected for publication with many others were preached in your presence & during your administration.
To return it as soon as possible will be esteemed a favour—as I wish to present it also to Mr Madison and the several Heads of Departments. And am Sir with much respect and esteem, and prayers for your Happiness both here and hereafter your most
Robt Elliott
RC (DLC); at head of text: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mar. 1811 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
Robert Elliott, a native of Ireland, was a Presbyterian clergyman who taught at academies in Easton, Maryland, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, where he served as chaplain to the United States Congress, 1806–07 and 1808–09. He was one of the first chaplains formally commissioned to minister to the United States Army, 1813–18 (Robert Emory, The Life of John Emory, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church [1841], 14; Washington National Intelligencer, 3 Nov. 1806; , 5:472 [4 Dec. 1806]; , 4:298 [10 Nov. 1808]; Elliott to TJ, 9 May 1807 [DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–09]; , 1:402; Elliott to James Madison, 20 June 1815 [DLC: Madison Papers]; Elliott to James Monroe, 23 May 1818 [DNA: RG 94, LRAG]).