Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to James Fishback, Lexington KY, re: religion & French atheism
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00180 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Monticello, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 September 1816 Pagination: 1p. : address ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Jefferson denies a statement attributed to him that he had heard atheism discussed by French bishops at a table. Fishback, a Kentucky minister and politician, maintained that "by corruption in religion" all of Europe had "gravitated into atheism." Jefferson denies having declared that, "in Paris, atheism was the common table-talk of the French bishops." He admits having perhaps said "'I had heard the doctrines of atheism maintained at table in mixed company,'" but adds "never by a bishop nor even in presence of a bishop." Some letters lost when opening the letter. Ink on the letter is slightly fading.
Notes: Not in Bergh, although compare 12: 314 ALS of 1809 Sept. 27. Fishback, a Kentucky minister and politician, maintained that "by corruption in religion" all of Europe had "gravitated into atheism" (An Oration delivered in the First Presbyterian Church. Lexington, Ky.: 1816, p.19). Fishback and Jefferson had been correspondents for seven years before on matters of divine revelation and politics. Angled brackets indicate letters lost in the original from breaking of the seal.
Sir Monticello Sep. 19. 16.
Presuming that a copy of your oration delivered in Lexington on the 4th. of July last, which came inclosed to me yesterday, may have come from yourself, I take the liberty of addressing to you my thanks for this mark of attention. I have read it with satisfaction, a single paragraph only [struck: excepted] in the following words excepted. 'mr Jefferson, it is said, declared that when he was in Paris, atheism was the common table-talk of the French bishops.' I protest to you, Sir, that I never made such a declaration; and that as far as my knolege of that order of clergy enabled me to judge, it would have been entirely untrue. when speaking of the religious freedom, in matters of opinion, and conversation, practised in that country, in opposition to laws never put in execution but against what is printed, I may have said, what was true, that 'I had heard the doctrines of atheism maintained at table in mixed company,' but never by a bishop nor even in presence of a bishop. such rudeness would not have been co[text loss]mitted by any man of decent manners, nor witnessed without offence by a[text loss]y society. the importance of religion to society has too many founded supports to need aid from imputations so entirely unfounded. I am persuaded of the innocence with which you have introduced this matter of report: but being myself quoted by name, and in print too, as the author of such a calumny on a respectable order of prelates, I owe to them, as well as to myself, to declare that no such declaration, or expression, was ever uttered by me. trusting it will be as acceptable to yourself to receive this truth, as it has been incumbent on me to testify it, I pray you to accept the assurance of my great respect.
Mr. James Fishback. Th:Jefferson
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