Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;February 16, 1848

Title: Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;February 16, 1848
Author: Ansel Leo
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 16 February 1848
Location(s): New York City; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 4 sheet(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3c82513w/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3c82513w
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material
content: New york 134 Elm St
Feby 16th 5608
Dear Sir/
I have been so much engaged since the rect of yours dated 9th Feby that I could not find time to reply thereto untill this moment—The commencement of your Letter gave me much pain as it was far, very far from my thoughts when I wrote to you concerning the B. H. B Society—to wound your feelings in the slightest degree—all that I wished to know from you was whether the article that you inserted in your Periodical was an official one—and whether the party who sent it had omitted part of the minutes ignorantly which would have been likely enough if it had been conveyed to you from a private source Rest assured my dear sir I have too high an opinion of you to suppose for one moment that you yourself (to use your own words) would be guilty of such meanness as to insert only a part of the minutes—
I will as briefly as possible give you my reasons for asking you for the information—when the B. H. B. Society was first instituted, a resolution was passed (at least so I am informed) electing all the Hebrew in New York Honorary Members and Letters were sent accordingly informing us of such resolution &c &c The one I received was “word for word” the same as yours—I felt that an honorary membership would not be of any value to a charitable Institution and in my reply to their Letter I told them so at the same time requesting them to admit me as a pay member. I received another a Letter in answer accepting me as a subscriber with sundry compliments &c &c— Now my dear sir judge my surprise on reading the extract of the minutes in the “Occident”

and I ask you whether it is not an insult to my Brother Hebrew as well as to myself to see a partial statement of the minutes published making it appear (if officially sent) that Mr Isaacs is the only Hebrew that that the B. H. B. Society think worthy of their notice— for my own part I read it in this way that it was another link added to the chain of “quack advertisements” that you had innocently inserted in your paper to land a particular person and his patrons—or maybe it was or is intended to be the commencement of a new series—
It is supposed that either Mr Godfrey or Mr Isaacs or both together sent you the particulars—whoever the party may be they have incurred the censure of the committee in consequence at least so one I am informed by one of the managers—
You will probably receive a new notice “from the Board what it may be I know not there is however only one course open to them that will satisfy me—and that is to publish in your work. That the 1st article sent was without the sanction of their Board—that it was a false statement giving the reason why &c
You entirely mistake me if you think I wish to appear in print in this matter in the shape of puffery—I therefore do not comply with your well meaning request viz to send you my Letters for insertion—In respect to the “Occident” a work of inestimable value in my eyes I would I had the power of increasing its circulation, but the majority of my congregation are opposed to it and were so when I arrived in america owing I believe to the

numerous articles that have been inserted therein complimentary to Mr Isaacs whom they despise—and this last article is not likely to diminish the prejudice—
I regret exceedingly that you did not publish the communications relative to the Ladies singing but nevertheless I sincerely believe you suppressed them with the purest motives
I have not as yet informed the Ball Committee of the Donation & Tickets but I will attend to it either to day or to morrow
I am my dear sir
your faithful Friend
Ansel Leo
To Revd I. Leeser
&c &c

Revd Isaac Leeser
&c &c Philadelphia
371 Walnut St
Identifier: LSTCAT_item42
Date: 1848-02-16

Part of Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;February 16, 1848

Ansel Leo, “Letter from Ansel Leo to Isaac Leeser;February 16, 1848”, 1848-02-16, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/68821