Thomas Jefferson Papers

Gilbert J. Hunt to Thomas Jefferson, 12 October 1816

From Gilbert J. Hunt

New York Oct. 12 1816

Respected Sir,

I had the honor of recieving1 Your answer to my note, with its enclosure; and now, at this late hour, with pleasure, fulfil my obligation, by forwarding the enclosed copy of the Late War in the Scriptural Style.

It should not have been So long delayed had my pecuniary resourses been adequate to its accomplishment. Though but a trifle, it is received here with flattering marks of approbation.

The question might be delicate; and the answer troublesome; but, if I may presume so much, a line from you, expressive of your opinion of the publication, whatever may be the result, will be a pleasure to him whose best wishes for your health and happiness can only cease with life.

Though no stern religionist myself; a professor of no particular Sect; not bound by fetters whorse than the clanking chains of criminals—the fetters of the mind; but free to act and reason; yet I would be liberal to all classes:—And perhaps if rightly appreciated, this little volume might be made, as Such would think, a benefit to the children of the most religious class, and be an inducement to them to read the scripture as well as to strengthen their belief in it.—

With due respect & esteem

G. J. Hunt

NB. I should have sent you a copy on blossom paper, but I thought you would prefer the hot-prest copy on white.—

RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 17 Oct. 1816 and so recorded in SJL. RC (MHi); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to Elizabeth Trist, 23 Nov. 1816, on verso; addressed: “Thos Jefferson Esq Late President U States Monticello.” Enclosure: Hunt, The History of the Late War between the United States and Great Britain. Written in the ancient historical style (New York, 1816; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 5 [no. 144]).

blossom paper is a soft, spongy type of stationery often used for preserving pressed botanical specimens (Encyclopædia Perthensis; or Universal Dictionary of the Arts, Sciences, Literature, &c. [2d ed., Edinburgh, 1816], 17:621).

1Manuscript: “recievig.”

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