Gilbert J. Hunt to Thomas Jefferson, 28 May 1823
From Gilbert J. Hunt
New York May 28 1823
Respected sir,
I have enclosed 2 prospectus of a new work, the latter part of which will embrace one of the most important circumstances, singular & extraordinary, that has been know for eighteen centerues perhaps. I had the honor of receiving your Signature to the Prospectus of the “Late war, in the scripteral style,”—some years ago, forwarded on to me with the money in advance more than the supscription price; you will be pleased to put your Signature to the two papers, and return them with such Donation for my Suffering children as you think proper;—and on the publication of1 the work it may be refunded, and as I look up to you as one of the fathers of my country, I have no doubt of your goodness towards suffering humanity; I should not have introduced my pecuniary affairs, had not mine been and is one of the most extraordinary2 nature in the world, my sensibillity is so extreme and misfortunes so great that in reality the cup of my misery has been overflown.
| G. J. Hunt |
| No 5 Burling slip |
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 3 June 1823 and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; with Dft of TJ to David Bailie Warden, 31 Oct. 1823, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Late President of the U.S. Monticello. Virginia”; franked; postmarked New York, 28 May.
The enclosed prospectus of a new work was probably the Proposal for Publishing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Gilbert John Hunt (undated broadside in DLC: Printed Ephemera Collection), giving three examples of his work consisting of a poem entitled “Lines, Occasioned by a visit on board the Washington 74,” another on “Morning and Evening,” and an extract from his “Elegy on the death of Mrs. M. Hunt”; noting that the book will include “a very interesting account of the author’s wonderful Suicide, with the circumstances that led to this shocking catastrophe, and his miraculous resuscitation to life, by almighty power”; stating that the proposed publication is to be “about 300 pages duodecimo size,” that it will cost subscribers $1 and go to press on the attainment of 500 names, and that anyone who obtains ten subscriptions will receive a free copy; indicating that, “As the proceeds are to be chiefly appropriated to the support and education of his 6 orphan children, the subscribers names will be published at the end of the volume, as donators”; and ending with blanks for the name and residence of subscribers. No such volume seems to have been published.
1. Manuscript: “on.”
2. Manuscript: “extrodinary.”
Index Entries
- charity; requests to TJ for search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; family of search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; letters from search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; Proposal for Publishing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Gilbert John Hunt search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; requests money from TJ search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; sends prospectus to TJ search
- Hunt, Gilbert John; The History of the Late War between the United States and Great Britain search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; works sent to search
- poetry; subscriptions to, sent to TJ search
- Proposal for Publishing by Subscription, the Poetical Works of Gilbert John Hunt (G. J. Hunt) search
- subscriptions, for publications; history search
- subscriptions, for publications; poetry search
- The History of the Late War between the United States and Great Britain (G. J. Hunt) search