To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Pindar’s Cousin Pindar, 23 September 1805
Greenville M.d. Sept. 23d. 1805.
Sir,
I have not the vanity to think the enclosed trifle can afford you great pleasure—or the diffidence of my own powers to suppose it incapable of affording you any:—I think you would peruse with some interest any thing which resembled a production of genius coming from this uncultured and sequestered quarter, though even inferior in merit, if such could be, to my poor tale. But as mine is more than poetically a tale of truth, and its principal personage being one over whose official Conduct it is part of your extensive duty to keep a scrutinizing eye, it was thought proper, though with no design of injuring any human Creature, that you should see the bantling “Rab & Jane.”
That you may long continue as heretofore, successfully to direct the destinies of our happy and grateful Country, & in the full enjoyment of that fame and happiness which you so eminently merit—Is sir, the prayer of one who is politically and poetically
Your friend and Sincere admirer
The Author.
MHi: Coolidge Collection.