Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller - Old and Rare Books

The Independent Gazetteer; or, The Chronicle of Freedom, Tuesday, Novemb. 26, 1782 [Numb. 44.]

Levy, Ezekiel; Benjamin Nones; Myer M. Cohen.

Philadelphia: 1782. Broadside (folded). 4pp. Lightly embrowned; two small stabs (strictly marginal). A very good, crisp copy.

Issue no. 44 from the first year of the Independent Gazetteer, a Philadelphia newspaper. An ongoing dispute about an unpaid business commission, whose nature remains unspecified, is here continued. Three prominent Jewish residents, two of whom are connected with the local Congregation Mikveh Israel, are involved: [1] Ezekiel Levy: "The son of Abraham Levy arrived in Philadelphia in 1768. In 1776 he was employed as shohet, hazzan, and Hebrew teacher by Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. In 1777 he was in Northumberland in the employ of Aaron Levy. A trader, he returned to Philadelphia in 1782. He was married and had a family. (Rosenbloom, 90). [2]Benjamin Nones (1757-1826): Born in Bordeaux, France; died in Philadelphia. "In 1777 he came to America and served in the Revolutionary army. A merchant and broker [noted as important in AUC note], he was appointed interpreter of French and Spanish to the United States government. An active Mason, he was also prominent in politics and was a supporter of Jefferson. The Federalist Party attacked him because he was Jewish. From 1791 until 1799, he was president of Congregations Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. On may 2, 1782, he was married to Miriam Marks" (Rosenbloom, 135). [3] Myer M. Cohen (d. 1799 in Richmond): "A watchmaker, he was in Philadelphia in 1782, and in Richmond in 1790. A Whig, he took refuge in Philadelphia during the Revolution, but served in the Philadelphia militia. He later lived in New York City" (Rosenbloom, 25-6).

The letter addressed to the editor by Benjamin Nones concerns on ongoing dispute about a business commission Mr. Nones claims is owed him by Ezekiel Levy. Referencing a previous issue of the Gazetteer (no. 34), Mr. Nones challenges claims there advanced by Mr. Levy. Mr. Nones also refers to his prior letter, published in the previous issue (no. 43), in which he disputes those claims. In the present issue, a brief statement by Myer M. Cohen appears to offer eye-witness support of Mr. Nones' position. Mr. Nones evinces a noted distaste about airing his dirty laundry in public, espressing his desire "to rest the matter" before the public, as he is sure that "my own and Mr. Levy's disputes can afford them little pleasure, or entertainment." Very good. Item #52509

J.R. Rosenbloom, A Biographical Dictionary of Early American Jews (Univ. of Kentucky Press, 1960).

Price: $2,500.00