Letter from L. T. Levin to Isaac Leeser;June 28, 1854

Title: Letter from L. T. Levin to Isaac Leeser;June 28, 1854
Author: L. T. Levin
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 28 June 1854
Location(s): Columbia; Philadelphia
Format: Print. 2 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).; Letter
Type: Print
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p32z1388b/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p32z1388b
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: Columbia June 28th 1854
Dear Sir
I have taken the liberty of enclosing you the following slip, cut from one of our Daily Journals of this State, after perusing it, you will understand my motive in addressing you.

A card.
MESSRS. EDITORS: I am informed that some persons have spread the rumor that I am of Israelitic origin. Why they do so, or what has led to the rumor, I do not know, nor is it of any consequence. Perhaps it may even be thought unimportant whether the story be believed or not, but truth is any day worth as much as error, and as we live here in a small and close community, I may as well state that there is not a shadow of truth in it.
I have known as honorable men, and when I was a soldier, as brave men, among the Jews as among any other people; but I have not the honor of belonging to the Shemitic tribe, for whom Mr. D'Israeli claims the highest rank among the peoples of the earth. I can only claim unadulte-rated Teutonic blood. Neither I, nor any of my forefathers, had ever any admixture of Hebrew blood in his veins. I am simply and plainly a German by birth. That is all; and since it is a fact, I do not see that rumor has the right of cir-cumcising me without my consent.
There is a passage in my “Journal in Greece,” which, at Niebuhr's advice, I gave in Latin, be-cause “a foreign language does not blush.” Those who have perused it will remember it as a very curious incidental proof that I descend from the Gentiles.
Not long ago I saw it stated that Niebuhr had been of Jewish extraction. This is no more the truth. If by chance this article should be seen in Germany, it would create a hearty laugh.
If I leave no imprint on “the shore of time,” it is utterly indifferent to talk of me or my extrac-tion; if I succeed in doing that which others see fit to claim as not unworthy of note, then let it simply be vindicated in the right quarter. I am a German emigrant, and not ashamed of it; I am an American citizen, (and one that is of age, for I have been a citizen more than twenty-one years,) and am proud of it, and have always shown that am so. Your obedient,
FRANCIS LIEBER.
6-28-1854

Turn over

A friend mentioned to me that he was inclined to think that you were acquainted with Dr Liebersi origin, and that possibly you might throw some light upon the subject, the fact of his being, or not being a Jew would not render it a criminal offence, he is a Professor in the South Carolina College, and I have understood changed his religion, as also the spelling of his name.
If you can give any information on the subject, it shall be considered strictly confidential unless otherwise authorized by you, and you will confer a lasting obligation upon all Israelites of this place.
Be pleased to give me an early answer, and by so doing oblige
Your sincere friend
L. T. Levin
Rev Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
Pa
6-28-1854
Identifier: LSDCBx2FF1_63
Date: 1854-06-28

Part of Letter from L. T. Levin to Isaac Leeser;June 28, 1854

L. T. Levin, “Letter from L. T. Levin to Isaac Leeser;June 28, 1854”, 1854-06-28, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/68589