Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Bartlett, 9 February 1824
To Joseph Bartlett
Monticello Feb. 9. 24.
Sir
I recd some days since your favor of Jan. 7. and with it a copy of your Aphorisms for which accept my thanks. the patronage you quote of the mr Adamses, Hancock & Gerry is a sufficient voucher that your course has been meritorious, and doubtless those1 who have been witnesses of it will take2 an interest in it’s being closed in comfort. the testimony of the Psalmist is encoraging3 to the good. ‘I have been young, and now am old: yet never saw I the righteous forsaken or his seed begging their bread.’ as you mention having published this volume in aid of your means of living, you must permit me to return the inclosed bill in compensn for the copy you have been so kind as to send me & to accept with it the assurance of my respect and best wishes for your well being.
Th:J.
Dft (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of Charles Willson Peale to TJ, 8 Feb. 1823; at foot of text: “Mr Joseph Bartlett Plymouth Mass.”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL with additional bracketed notation: “10.D.”
The phrase i have been young … begging their bread appears in the Bible, Psalms 37.25.
On 11 Feb. 1824 TJ noted in his financial records that he had enclosed Bartlett “in charity 10.D.” (MB, 2:1402).
1. TJ here canceled “among whom it has.”
2. Word interlined in place of “feel.”
3. Reworked from “is a high encoragment.”
Index Entries
- Adams, John; and subscriptions search
- Adams, John Quincy; and subscriptions search
- Aphorisms on Men, Manners, Principles and Things. Physiognomy, a Poem: and the Blessings of Poverty (J. Bartlett) search
- Bartlett, Joseph; Aphorisms on Men, Manners, Principles and Things. Physiognomy, a Poem: and the Blessings of Poverty search
- Bartlett, Joseph; letter to search
- Bible; Psalms referenced by TJ search
- charity; TJ gives search
- Gerry, Elbridge (1744–1814); as governor of Mass. search
- Hancock, John; as governor of Mass. search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives works search