Letter from Isaac Leeser to Zalma Rehine;August 29, 1837 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Isaac Leeser to Zalma Rehine;August 29, 1837

Author

Isaac Leeser

Contributor

Zalma Rehine

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection

content

Philadelphia Menachen 28th 5597
Dear Uncle,
In Rachel's letter to Abby Iserawles a few lines, but as Mr. Moses does not go till tomorrow I have resolved, to write a little more in detail on the matter just now engrosses rationally a good deal of my attention. The congregation consists of about 48 members, seven or eight of whom are not in town or perfectly inactive. I or Mr Lyons may be counted sure; John Moss Samuel Lyons Joseph Aseh Frederic Samuel Simeon Dreyfous Aaron Asch Hyman Pollock Joseph L. Moss David Samuel E. L. Moss 10. Probable Abr. M. Cohen E. L. Cohen. J. A. Phillips Possible Joseph S. Cohen S. M. Cohen Isaiah Nathans Samuel M. Solomon—in all seventeen 17. For me certain Hyman Gratz, Joseph Gratz, Samuel Hays Isaac B. Phillips Joseph Phillips Jacob Phillips Elias Hyneman Ab. E. Israel J. L. Hackenburg Ab. Hart, S. Morais Sol. Moses Isaac Jacob Levy David Pesoa 14 If at meeting which however is doubtful whe-ther they will attend David Nathan, Jacob Nathan, Liman Gratz Jacob Gratz, Isaac Moses, Dr. Is. Hays Barnet Eylinze? 7 Doubtful altogether Lewis Allen, Zeligman Phillips, Aaron Levi, Reuben Etting, Gratz Etting Ab. Elkin 6

In all forty four members. Absent and I believe no longer voters Joseph J. Andrews David S. Seixas; & Raphael De Cordova; absent Jacob De Lange, and Levi M. Goldsmit, who if present would be for me, and be certain at meeting. Of those ten put down for Lyons, it is possible but hardly likely that Joseph & E. L Moss will not be present; and the Cohens, altho' they are somewhat bitter against me, may perhaps be gained, if Mr. Gratz can get a chance of speaking to them after the Lyons have done all they can. Joseph Cohen is in my favour, but Abraham has somehow conceived an opinion that I have slighted him, but I can freely say, that it is without foundation. He has avoided me for about two years, and I never once saw him even at his own house during all this time. No doubt some persons have been busy with him as well as with others, and his about such a man, as can be influenced if his pride is flattered. His brothers hardly dare to disobey him, so that if they will not vote for Lyons they will perhaps stay at home, unless Miss Gratz & her brother, as I have mentioned already can induce them to do as they should and would do, were it not for the friendship of Samuel Lyons.—Old Mr. Nathan is calculated on by them, but I hardly think, that he has authorized them to use his name; on the contrary his expressions are upon the whole in my favour. Altamont Phillips never was for me, altho' to all appearance there never was a difference between us. Polock once owed me fifteen Dollars for 18 months, and because he had to pay he is angry these four years. Dreyfous never was for me; why I never heard. The brothers Asch last year were busy to cut my salary down and though then at variance with the Lyons' have since been flattered over. Mr. Moss & his sons all likewise his son in law D. Samuel & his brother are of course for the family.—But those on my

side put down as certain have been uniform supporters except Jacob Phillips & Elias Hyneman, as also Joseph Phillips & I. J. Levy, who last year gave such votes as caused all the present difficulty; if these four had supported Abraham Hart's resolution and not been fooled by Mr John Moss I would have been elected for three years, but Mr. M. pro-fessing that he never wished to see me out of office, they believed him, and were caught in the cunning trap of annual elections, in ? as was said to keep the officers dependant, but in truth to make room for Lyons. S. Morais has been friendly, though I know not whether he ever gave a vote for me, I rather think the opposite is the case. Isaac B. Phillips never attended meeting, but now he has been roused by the monstrous injustice the Moss family intend. Simon Gratz likewise was never present at an election these 8 years, altho' it is said he has now expressed his intention of attending. David & Jack? Nathans, son of Isaiah may perhaps be brought to the meeting by David Pesoa, as also Samuel M. Salomon, who is counted on by Lyons; Lewis Allen I call doubtful because he is a brother in law of Lyons, and has not said any thing from which his intentions can be known. Ab. Elkin never goes to meeting and then he cannot be depended upon because he speaks fair to all. Jacob Gratz altho' a staunch friend has latterly almost withdrawn from congregational business & it is doubtful whether he will be in town, and if whether his sisters can make him go down; yet doubtlessly he will be roused, and if so, he will cast a vote in my favour.—B. Eylinge? is lame of gout, but yet if urged by my friend may go for me, or otherwise for Lyons; he is like Elkin smooth spoken. Isaac Moses & Isaac Hays never go to meeting, yet Miss Gratz may induce them to attend for that day.—Zaligman Phillips has never been for me, and even if he votes for me, he may do it in such a manner as to destroy all good effects from it. Aaron Levy is also very doubtful, altho'

he is said to have spoken in my favour. Reuben Etting is calculated on for Lyons, because I would not attend the funeral of his grandchild; yet I believe this to be false, as he would hardly so much offend his relatives, who always have been kind to him; yet I should think he will not go to meeting. His son Gratz you know has been crazy, and if he is even well, it is hardly to be supposed that he will dare to expose himself to the existence of a public meeting. I candidly believe that I have given you a fair statement, and you will see that Lyons will have certain from 8-10; I about 14, doubtful when present 19; doubtful whether they will come 10; now if we divide these 20 and give him 20, the rest for me 24; it is certainly by no means ascertained who will be elected; but if there is a full meeting, it is not likely that he can be carried. The only fear is, a this meeting, when 12 or 14 determined men can do as they please. But persons have so often publicly said, that Mr. Lyons' conduct was shameful, that one would suppose in reason, that it would unite all, who are in my favour; but time only can show. He may be elected; but if he is, it is by management and such tricks as he must be ever ashamed of.—They have also been round to get scholars for him, without asking us, whether it would interfere with my interest.—Last Sunday week I called at Mr. Allen's and left word, that if Mr Lyons would let me see his certificates I would let him read. The certificates were left in Mr A's hands, never-theless they continued running to members, and at length obtained ?. Even to Sol. Moses they sent Joseph Moss & Isaac Phillips, not daring to go themselves; but he told them, they Tebah belongs to me, and alone had the powers to dispose of the prayers. The signers to the petition requesting the Parnass to appoint (whether I would or not) were I Nathans, E. L. Cohen, F. Samuel, Hyman Pollock, E. Hyneman, A. Elkin, Aaron Arch, B. Eytinger? I think Aaron Levy; but I am not certain. Hyneman & Nathans declared they merely did it to give him a chance, but nothing further. He read ?

March 1837
Philadelphia Ab 22nd 5597
(Aug. 23, 1837)
Lewis Allen Esq.
Parnass K. K. M. I.
Dear Sir,
Understanding that the Revd Jacques Judah Lyons, Hazan of a congregation of Israelites in Paramaribo, Surinam, Dutch Guiana, South America, is desirous of reading the Prayers for an entire Sab-bath, and you having submitted to my inspection his credentials, which prove that he has been Hazan for a space of five years, and that his conduct has uniformly been religious; I yield cheerfully to him the right of so reading the entire service, I doing this however I utterly disclaim the power of the congregation, unless by a majority in meeting assembled, of compelling the Hazan for the time being, to admit any other person to officiate upon any occasion, or for any purpose whatever. My yielding the right of the Tebah to him is owing to a mere spirit of courtesy, as I could not well refuse one who has been in office, to read the service, if he is earnestly desirous to do so; although I must at the same time express my surprise at the unusual request, especially as no communication whatever from the applicant himself has up to this moment reached me. In conversation with sundry persons I expressed myself before Mr. Lyon's arrival, that if he had been Hazan, I would permit him, to read; I trust therefore that my compliance with the Revd gentleman's implied wishes may not be ascribed to motives which I do not entertain. Yours respectfully
Isaac Leeser.
This note is not private, you may therefore show it to any one you please.

Identifier

LSKAP20-659

Date

1837-08-29