|
|
| & etc |
FEEDBACK
(C)1998-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Site last updated
13 January, 2012
|
|
|
|
Thomas Jefferson - A Character Sketch
Would Take No Presents
by Ellis, Edward S. (A.M.)
|
The Rev. Mr. Leland sent him a great cheese, presumably as a present. Mr.
Jefferson was not in the habit "of deadheading at hotels," nor of receiving
presents, however inconsiderable in value, which would place him under any
obligation to the donor. The diary contains the following minute regarding
the cheese:
1802. Gave Rev'd Mr. Leland, bearer of the cheese of 1235 Ibs weight, 200
D.
So the monster article cost the President sixteen cents a pound.
It will be a surprise to those who have been educated to associate Mr.
Jefferson's name with indifference, if not open hostility, to revealed
religion, to find among his expenses—some entered as charity, but most of
them, exclusive of what is reported under the charity rubric— entries like
the following:
1792
Nov 27 Pd Mr B a Subscription for missionaries 15 D.
1798 Feby 26 pd 5D in part of 20D Subscription for a hot-press bible
1801
June 25 Gave order on J Barnes for 25D towards fitting up a chapel.
Sept 23 pd Contribution at a Sermon 7.20
1802
April 7 Gave order on J Barnes for 50D charity in favor of the Revd Mr
Parkinson towards a Baptist meeting house.
9 Gave order on J. Barnes in favr the Revd Doctr Smith towards rebuilding
Princeton College 100D
1802
July 11 Subscribed to the Wilmington Academy 100D
1803
Feby 25 Gave Hamilton & Campbell ord. on J. Barnes for 100D charity to
Carlisle College.
" 28 Gave Genl Winn ord. on J. Barnes for 100D charity to Jefferson
Monticello Academy in S. Carolina.
March 1. Gave in charity to the Revd Mr Chambers of Alexandria for his
church an order on J. Barnes for 50D
Nov 18 Gave order on J. Barnes for 100D in favor of Revd Mr Coffin for a
college in Tennessee.
We doubt whether since the Presidential salary was doubled any of President
Jefferson's successors has contributed as large a percentage of his salary
to charitable or religious uses.
|
|
| |
