The "Wall of Separation..." letter by Jefferson...

"The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, gave me the highest satisfaction; my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing. Believing with you, that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" thus building a wall of separation between church and state. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation, in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural rights in opposition to his social duties. I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and belessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you, for yourselves, and your Religious Association, assurances of my high respect and esteem. THOMAS JEFFERSON. Jan. 1, 1802"

This phrase is still referenced today in discussion about the first part of the First Amendment as Jefferson wrote above: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or respecting the free speech thereof...". This newspaper contains the letter with that very phrase.

Although we knew of this letter, for 28 years we had searched through many 1802 bound volumes which have come into our inventory and were never able to find this report. We had all but given up hope that it ever appeared in a newspaper. A recent correspondence from an authority noted he had been in touch with Jefferson scholars and none of them had seen this letter in a period newspaper. To my knowledge this is the only newspaper to contain this letter, but it is possible others may eventually turn up.

This is a choice issue which would be a prime piece for the very best of collections, and would be a most significant addition to any collection of American documents or "famous American utterances". The issue is complete in 4 pages, has a professional archival mend near the top of page 2, not close to the Jefferson letter, has some very light damp staining, but is otherwise in very nice condition.