James Smith (of Ohio) to Thomas Jefferson, 4 November 1822
From James Smith (of Ohio)
Mount Vernon (Ohio) Novr 4th 1822
Dear Sir
With sentiments of high esteem for you, from a correct knowledge which I have of Your important servises rendered to our happy Country I venture to address you in this letter, accompanied by two pamphlets of my own Scribling, I cannot be persuaded that they will be received1 and read by you with inattention.2 no person in the Universe perhaps has more exalted Ideas of your Virtues than myself. For many years past, priests have proclaimed from their pulpits (where truth only should be uttered) “that Mr Jefferson was an enemy to the Christian Religion.” I have long since abandoned priestly dominion, and entirely shelter under the mild and peaceable Gospel of Jesus Christ, the most perfect model of Republicanism in the Universe,3 My reasons for laying aside the foolish Idea of a plurallity of Gods, or that three eternal independant Gods, can make but one God, you will discovr in my work. To deny this superstitious4 priests Issue their bulls and anathemas, and condemn all such desscenters as incorrigible Herreticks and infidels, Indeed sir I am not so vain as to suppose that I can give instruction to men of Universal5 knowledge, yet I am induced to believe, that men of the highest attainments in Philosophy will be the first in receving, evidence, reason and truth, The subjects on which I have writtin I am sure will not be uninterresting to you, I am too well acquainted with the firm unshaken and heavenly principle of your soul (which governs6 your publick and private actions) than to suppose that I am addressing a Superstitious being. For twenty Years past I have made the studdy of Christiannity my great concern, the theme becomes more pleasing and glorious, If the production of my pen should afford you any Satisfaction, I am fully paid, and will by you be considered as an evidence of a grateful soul for the servises done by You, to the safety Happiness and Honor of the American people
Truth is my great object, should you discover a contradiction, or reason put to the torture You will be indebted to me one more kind office, to correct me.
I do solemnly invoke the Almighty that your declining days may be spent in firmness peace and Happiness, as your former were in integrity, wisdom and honor to your self and our Great Republick
from Sentiments of highest esteem and regard
James Smith
RC (ViW: TC-JP); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Nov. 1822, but recorded in SJL as received the previous day. RC (MHi); address cover only; with Dft of TJ to Bernard Peyton, 2 Aug. 1823, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Ex President of United States Charlottsville Virginia”; stamped; postmarked Mount Vernon, Ohio, 11 Nov. Enclosure: [Smith], James Smith’s Vindication, for resisting the ecclesiastical power and authority of their episcopal dignity, Michael Ellis & David Young: to which is added, a short sketch On the Government of God in the Church, and a few Thoughts on Infant Justification; also, the doctrine of Christian Perfection and Sanctification. Impartially Examined (Clinton, Ohio, 1814; probably , 10 [no. 545]; title editorially corrected from “episopal”).
James Smith (b. 1779), public official and religious leader, was born in Rockingham County. He relocated by 1808 to Knox County, Ohio, where he served from that year as clerk of the county’s Court of Common Pleas and of its Supreme Court from 1810, was tax collector in 1809, and became one of the first managers and commissioners of the Owl Creek Bank in Mount Vernon beginning in 1816. Around 1802 Smith became associated with the Methodist Episcopal church and acted as a local preacher in Ohio until he left that denomination about 1814. Thereafter, Smith was a leader of the “New Light” or Restoration movement, characterized in his case by rejection of Trinitarian doctrine and more generally by opposition to the power and authority of institutional church leadership (John Houston Harrison, Settlers by the Long Grey Trail [1935; repr. 2007], 319, 391; Smith’s Vindication, 3, 6; Anthony Banning Norton, A History of Knox County, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 Inclusive [1862]; DNA: RG 29, CS, Ohio, Mount Vernon, Knox Co., 1820, 1830).
1. Manuscript: “reived.”
2. Omitted period at right margin editorially supplied.
3. Manuscript: “Univese.”
4. Manuscript: “superstious.”
5. Manuscript: “Univesal.”
6. Manuscript: “govens.”
Index Entries
- Christianity; and Trinitarian doctrine search
- Christianity; works on search
- James Smith’s Vindication, for resisting the ecclesiastical power and authority of their episcopal dignity, Michael Ellis & David Young: to which is added, a short sketch On the Government of God in the Church, and a few Thoughts on Infant Justification; also, the doctrine of Christian Perfection and Sanctification. Impartially Examined (J. Smith) search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
- Jesus; as republican model search
- religion; and TJ’s rumored infidelity search
- religion; Unitarianism search
- Smith, James (of Ohio); and Christianity search
- Smith, James (of Ohio); and Unitarianism search
- Smith, James (of Ohio); identified search
- Smith, James (of Ohio); James Smith’s Vindication, for resisting the ecclesiastical power and authority of their episcopal dignity, Michael Ellis & David Young: to which is added, a short sketch On the Government of God in the Church, and a few Thoughts on Infant Justification; also, the doctrine of Christian Perfection and Sanctification. Impartially Examined search
- Smith, James (of Ohio); letter from search
- Unitarianism; spread of search
- Unitarianism; works on search