Letter from S. Wolff to Isaac Leeser · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from S. Wolff to Isaac Leeser

Author

S. Wolff

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 6 page(s) on 3 sheet(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3r49h22p/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3r49h22p

Physical Characteristics

Lined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material

http://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125097480

content

There is however a good underplot that few know, but which I can unfold.
Let me premise that all parties here—our friend Dr Eckman J. J. Jones amongst the rest were anxious to have Dr Eckman elected here. The question was, will Dr E. accept—which was doubtful as the Dr was on his way to N. O. with a view for election there—in fact he was “up for cowes & a market—Well they (I think our worthy friend J. J. J.), persuaded Dr E. to stop in Mobile & examine things before going to N. O.— He did so—remained some days, including a Sabbath, preached to the congregation, had all the advantages graphically described by Israel I. to him of Mobile as a locale for a congregation &c &c. & was then permitted to go to N. O.—After spending some days in N. O. preaching there I believe, Dr E. returned to Mobile—Now comes the fun—They (J. J. J believe) commenced ? Dr E. as they did not wish to elect him & then have him decline the election whilst Dr E. fought shy & would not commit himself either way. A few days before the election here took place “Sixteen numbers of the N. O. congregation met & elected Dr E. for one year at $1800. The Mobile election was close at hand & every means was tried to get the Dr to say aye or no that he would serve here if elected—he refused to do so—the electoral committee were in a stew—they had no candidate

to present for election (Dr E. had not yet replied to the N. O. election) at a private caucus it seems that Dave Solomons suggested to elect you to the office in place of Dr E. but would you accept? To ascertain this Jones trotted off to me—I told him I would use my influence towards it & if the salary was not large enough the Wolff family would contribute $100. pr annum towards enlarging the salary—this was midday of the evening for election—Jones bothered me to say positively whether you would accept or not & I finally told him I thought you would although I knew to the contrary—with this assurance he was forced to be content & then went & told D. E. that if he did not say positively that he would accept if elected they would not even consider him as a candidate. Dr E. still refused to say aye or no & Jones left him & went into the committee room It was then announced that no definite answer could be obtained from Dr E. & our friend J. J. J stood up to propose you as a fit subject for election—at this moment in rushed Jim who was on the committee “It is all right Dr E will accept if elected unanimously. On being question he repeated that Dr E. had told him so & that he had just left him. On this Dr E. was elected unanimously Hazan, Rabbi_successor to Moses & what not.
No doubt out rushed our worthy friend

J. J. J. to congratulate Dr E. Hold says the Dr. I have not committed myself. Mr Jones? must have misunderstood me I said no more to him than I did to you, which was truly noncommittal. Here was a shaking of dry bones—a tempest in a teapot—Dr E. leaves for N. O. & our committee perfectly furious determine to hold another election forthwith & elect you & again I am questioned—but I say I am doubt-ful now whether you will accept under these circumstances. The matter rests thus till D. E. returns & formally accepts the office here on account of the enlarged field presented by the congregation here over that of N. O. &c &c.
I scarcely think this affair needs a comment & I hope you will laugh over it as much as I did & do whenever I think of it. Each of us can form a fair estimate of the motives influencing all parties concerned in the transaction & I venture to say that Dr E. will prove a treasure to the congregation over the left

This is a long rigmarole for me to write you, but I could not keep it quiet & had to let it out you will of course consider it confidential.
It is getting near nine oclock & as he is at home alone I must doze shortly. It was too damp for her to come out tonight as it is rainy—Jerry? & Baptiste are at work.
I have little of interest to communicate as regards myself—my health is good & business about as usual. I am getting anxious to see the result of my years work—which I shall know in the course of two or three weeks?. H's health is pretty fair & Mrs cozens need not be alarmed about her. She is overcareful of herself & will not run the slightest risk by exposing herself. I hope that by next summer she will be stout & hearty & that there will be no necessity to inquire how she is. She has an occasional touch of Dyspepsia but is getting along very satis-factorily indeed—can walk as well as anyone drinks Claret at dinner every day & can eat a Dominic Sampson would say “prodigious„ Remember us to the children & give our love to Mrs C. we will write her soon.
Hoping that the present New Year may be bring you happy prospects I Remain
Ever your Sincere friend.
S Wolff

To-morrow evening we anticipate are going to the Theatre (so see Lola Montes) shall ride of course, and use all care, Mama must not be frightened

Revd Isaac Leeser
371 Walnut St
Philadelphia
Please assure my dear mother that my health continues to improve, when dear S. does >not mention particularly concerning it, she must not suppose me ill, I am very careful regarding exposure to the damp &c and thus far there is no cause for anxiety—will write soon, love to all M.

Identifier

LSTCAT_item166