Donald Fraser to Thomas Jefferson, 9 July 1805
From Donald Fraser
New York July 9th. 1805
Sir
The affability of your Character, induces me to think, that you will not be offended at the liberty which I have taken in addressing you, at present.
Being about publishing a work, of considerable merit, by subscription; I flatter my self that you will indulge me with the Weight of your name, at the head of my Subscription list:—A name, far Superior to that of Emperor, King or Duke! I have not the folly nor temerity, to attempt to flatter one of your discernment; But, yet, as a Republican, I must consider a person, calld by the voice of Millions of enlightened men to preside of their dearest rights, (from a conviction of his Superior talents & Patriotism) a greater man than any King, from Nimrod’s1 time ’till this.—
Governor Lewis of this State, The Honorable DeWitt Clinton and the Honorable Doctor Samuel L. Mitchell, have countenanced the Undertaking with their names; the last mentioned Gentleman I have the honor of being personally acquainted with for a number of years—He knows my Sentiments.—I owe him much Gratitude for Literary & pecuniary aid.—
Permit me to add, that I taught three years in Manchester, & upwards of twenty in this City; Published Several tracts for the benefit of the Rising generation, some of which, Sold to advantage; but by, misplaced confidence have lost all the fruits of my arduous industry—And, have now, at the age of fifty two, to struggle through this scrambling world a new!
I have the honor to be, with with great respect, Sir, your most obedient and humble Servant
D. Fraser
P.S. I have taken the liberty of enclosing two pages, from a Miscellaneous work which, I published twelve Years since (for the use of Schools) Wherein I expressed my, then, Sentiments of, the most eminnat Statesmen in America—My Sentiments are Still the Same; with regard to the first & last mentioned: Namely, Washington & Jefferson.—In page 37, of the enclosed leaves, I was rather mistaken, in my Idea of the French revolution!—
The foregoing extracts will Show, that I have long entertaind a high idea of the talents & Patriotism of the now President, of these United & happy States—I am now, addressing, a Philosopher, a Republican & a Gentleman; have therefore, Spoken my mind freely; perhaps, with too little regard to the eminent Character of the personage whom, I address.
D.F.—
RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; franked; postmarked 10 July; endorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
Donald Fraser (ca. 1753-1820), a relative of Richmond attorney Alexander McRae, taught school in Fluvanna County, Virginia, and New York for more than 20 years. He operated a circulating library from 178 William Street in New York and became an author and compiler of a wide range of historic and didactic writings. Among his publications were The Young Gentleman and Lady’s Assistant, The Columbian Monitor, and A Collection of Select Biography, or the Bulwark of Truth. During the War of 1812, Fraser sought an appointment as a military chaplain. He struggled financially for the remainder of his life (New York American Citizen, 3 Dec. 1803; New-York Commercial Advertiser, 28 Jan. 1805; New York Columbian, 2 Nov. 1816; New-York Daily Advertiser, 18 Dec. 1820; No. 1396; , 4:305, 545–6; 6:525–6; 7:656–7; 10:188n).
publishing a work: The History of Man; or, A View of the Virtues and Vices of Human Nature in Both Sexes, published in New York in 1806, included DeWitt Clinton, Morgan Lewis, Samuel L. Mitchill, and TJ among the prominent subscribers’ names listed in the back matter.
1. MS: “Nimrd’s.”