Letter from A. H. DeLevante to Isaac Leeser;March 23, 1853

Title: Letter from A. H. DeLevante to Isaac Leeser;March 23, 1853
Author: A. H. DeLevante
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 23 March 1853
Location(s): Kingston; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).; Legal
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3b56dr2w/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3b56dr2w
Physical Characteristics: Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: Kingston Jamaica
March 23/1853
My Dear Sir,
I am almost ashamed to address you in reply to yours of such an early date, but, believe me sir, it is from no want of regard for your kind attention to me, neither is it from any disrespect to your correspondence, far from it, for, although personally unacquainted yet, from the tenor of your letters, I feel satisfied, I could too esteem you as a friend, and I have no doubt that the reasons I assign for my delay, will be ample apology for not replying to you at an earlier period, firstly, I had to make preparations in my school for a public & private examination, in which I am sure you will sympathize with me, (I have sent you the whole particulars for insertion in your Occident,) secondly, though not least, I had to complete arrangements for my union with Mr. Sarfaty's daughter, this completed I will devote myself to your service. Should you feel disposed to appoint me your Agent, I shall most readily render my aid in order to forward your in-terests, but I fear, as the state of things are, you must not expect great progress, as to all appearance we are in a fallen state, and very likely a just retribution for the well known immorality practised here Hebrew I hear of no other country with so little hope of success as Jamaica, the veil of dispair seems to overshadow us, and a gloom hovers over us, threatening the approach of some impending evil. I have been here about 9 years, but I have not known things to bear such a fearful aspect as at present, 'tis true it affects me little, but every thing sooner or later must have its turn, and I fear the future, I will at any rate do my best for you

let me know the state of your affairs in Jamaica, and order to be handed over to me such Books as you have in the possession of other persons, I obtained a Subscriber for you, and would have obtained more, had I been in possession of your authority, this was merely in conversation with Mr. Phenias Bravo on your letter to Mr. Jacobs, which was the gem of the day in Jamaica, I went up at Sollas' my brother in law, to operate at his child's bHebrew and he was delighted with it, I think it a good incentive to your getting sub-scribers, but you must know more or less that we have very few literary characters here. I thank you for the numbers you have sent me gratuitously
Miss Peixotto handed me your last correspondence enclosed in hers, when she was ex-ceedingly ill, and indeed not expected to live, she has since recovered, and wrote a letter in reply to yours but not living in Kingston she left it at her brother's residence in Spanish Town, so therefore she has been unable to address you by this conveyance. I have taken the opportunity of Mr. Hart's leaving for your part of the world being a large communication and would have cost you a little extra postage.
The financial condition of our Synagogue is any thing but prosperous, my income is about $800 by both departments Assistant Reader & School master, which taking all things into consideration I would resign tomorrow for the same amt: either in England or America should you hear of any thing you may let me know

I cannot write you at greater length at present but will prepare something more lengthy next opportunity. I have sent you enclosed a detailed a/c of matters connected with the Jews in Jamaica you may use it at pleasure with any addition your better judgment may think fit to make the a/c of the examination you will receive through my father in law per Steamer. I therefore conclude by wishing you all the success that mortals can receive on earth, and that you may reap the goodly fruits of your labour in this & the world to come is the sincere wish
of yours Truly
A DeLevante

Revrd Isaac Leeser
371 Walnut St.
Philadelphia
Kindly favored
by Mr. N. Hart
Identifier: LSDCBx9FF14_20
Date: 1853-03-23

Part of Letter from A. H. DeLevante to Isaac Leeser;March 23, 1853

A. H. DeLevante, “Letter from A. H. DeLevante to Isaac Leeser;March 23, 1853”, 1853-03-23, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65047