Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas B. Parker to Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1819

From Thomas B. Parker

Boston April 12. 1819.

Sir

I have just published a small work against the doctrines of Calvin and Hopkins and have taken the liberty to forward you a copy of it presuming you to be a friend to the great cause of truth.1 If I do not intrude on your retirement and if it is compatible2 with your numerous occupations be so obliging as to favor me with your opinion respecting the subject and merits of the work.—

With great consideration I have the honor to be your obt Hl Servt

Thomas B Parker

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Honle Thomas Jefferson Monticello Virginia”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 May 1819 and so recorded in SJL.

The small work was “A Lover of the Truth” [Charles Prentiss?], The Trial: Calvin and Hopkins versus the Bible and Common Sense ([Boston, 1819]; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 9 [no. 534]).

1Omitted period at right margin editorially supplied.

2Reworked from “is not.”

Index Entries

  • Calvin, John; as religious leader search
  • Hopkins, Samuel; American theologian search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books and Library; works sent to search
  • Parker, Thomas B.; letters from search
  • Parker, Thomas B.; sends pamphlets to TJ search
  • Prentiss, Charles; purported author ofThe Trial: Calvin and Hopkins versus the Bible and Common Sense (“A Lover of the Truth”) search
  • religion; works on search
  • The Trial: Calvin and Hopkins versus the Bible and Common Sense (“A Lover of the Truth” [C. Prentiss?]) search
  • “A Lover of the Truth” [C. Prentiss?]; The Trial: Calvin and Hopkins versus the Bible and Common Sense search