Joseph Priestley (1)Critiques

"The Revolution of France does not astonish me so much as the Revolution of Mr. Burke. I wish I could believe the latter proceeded from as pure motives as the former. But what demonstration could scarcely have established before, less than the hints of Dr. Priestly and Mr. Paine establish firmly now. How mortifying that this evidence of the rotteness of his mind must oblige us now to ascribe to wicked motives those actions of his life which wore the mask of virtue and patriotism. To judge from what we see published, we must believe that the spirit of toryism has gained nearly the whole of the nation: that the whig principles are utterly extinguished except in the breasts of certain descriptions of dissenters. This sudden change in the principles of a nation would be a curious morsel in the history of man.—We have some names of note here who have apostatised from the true faith: but they are few indeed, and the body of our citizens are pure and insusceptible of taint in their republicanism. Mr. Paine’s answer to Burke will be a refreshing shower to their minds. It would bring England itself to reason and revolution if it was permitted to be read there. However the same things will be said in milder forms, will make their way among the people, and you must reform at last." — Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Vaughan, May 11, 1791

"Burke’s pamphlet and the answers to him occupy much attention there [i.e. Europe] and here [i.e. Philadelphia]. Payne’s and Priestly’s are excellent." — Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, May 14, 1791

"Cursory. Unworthy of Priestley." - Journal, 26 April 1804.

"Coleridge, in reading your Musings I felt a transient superiority over you: I have seen Priestley. I love to see his name repeated in your writings. I love and honour him most profanely. You would be charmed with his sermons, if you never read them. - You have doubtless read his books, illustrative of the doctrine of necessity. Prefixed to a late work of his, in answer to Paine, there is a preface, giving an account of the man and his services to men, written by Lindsey, his dearest friend - well worth reading" --Lamb letter of 1796.

"This is the work of a dying man of extraordinary application and research. But Enfields History of Philosophy will show its glaring imperfections. ..." (Inscribed on verso of half-title).

While on a short visit lately to Monticello, I received from you a copy of your comparative view of Socrates and Jesus, and I avail myself of the first moment of leisure after my return to acknowledge the pleasure I had in the perusal of it, and the desire it excited to see you take up the subject on a more extensive scale.

(TJ to Joseph Priestley; April 9, 1803)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I shall receive and read with great satisfaction the last work of your father as I have done whatever came from his pen. That he undertook the work at my request I have no objection to have known.

(TJ to Joseph Priestley, Jr; December 27, 1804)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I have safely received the volume of Dr. Priestley's works which Mr. Priestley has been so kind as to destine for me. The matter is worthy of its author, and the mechanical execution does honor to the American artists.

(TJ to Patrick Byrne; February 14, 1805)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

The branch of the work which the title announces is executed with learning and candor, as was every thing Priestley wrote; but perhaps a little hastily; for he felt himself pressed by the hand of death.

(TJ to John Adams; August 22, 1813)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I have read his Corruptions of Christianity, and Early Opinions of Jesus, over and over again; and I rest on them...as the basis of my own faith. These writings have never been answered, nor can be answered, by quoting historical proofs, as they have done. For these facts therefore I cling to their learning, so much superior to my own.

(TJ to John Adams; August 22, 1813)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I have written to Philadelphia for Doctor Priestley's History of the Corruptions of Christianity, which I will send to you, and recommend to an attentive perusal, because it establishes the groundwork of my view of this subject. (TJ to Martha Jefferson, 25 April 1803)

The work of Dr. Priestley which I sent you has always been a favorite of mine. I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented by priestcraft and established by kingcraft constituting a conspiracy of church and state against the civil and religious liberties of mankind. (TJ to Henry Fry, 17 June 1803)

I have read his Corruptions of Christianity...over and over again; and I rest on them...as the basis of my own faith. These writings have never been answered, nor can be answered, by quoting historical proofs, as they have done. For these facts therefore I cling to their learning, so much superior to my own. (TJ to John Adams, 22 August 1813)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I have also to add my thanks...for the copy of your Harmony, which I have gone through with great satisfaction. It is the first I have been able to meet with which is clear of those long repetitions of the same transaction, as if it were a different one, because related with some different circumstance. (TJ to Joseph Priestley, 29 January 1804)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...

I had not before learned that a life of Dr. Priestly had been published or I should certainly have procured it; for no man living has a more affectionate respect for him. In religion, in politics, in physics, no man has rendered more service. . . . I revered the character of no man living more than his.

(TJ letters to Thomas Cooper, 1807)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca... (and 193)