Seixas, (Gershom Mendes). A Discourse Delivered in the Synagogue in New York on the Ninth of May, 1798, Observed as a Day of Humiliation...Conformably to a Recommendation of the President of the United States of America

Gershom Mendes Seixas (1746-1816) “The Patriot Rabbi” the first native-born American rabbi, served as a spiritual leader of New York’s Congregation She’arith Israel. Intensely patriotic, Seixas’ removed his congregation from New York in 1776 when the city was threatened by British forces, to be able to live and pray only where “American freedom reigned.” See D. & T. de Sola Pool, An Old Faith in the New World (1955) p.168. This important sermon was preached at a time of tension between Federalists and Republicans - those whose political sympathies were with England, the former mother-country, or with France, America’s revolutionary ally. The Genet Mission and the XYZ Affair has fostered bitter opposition in America to the French Revolution despite the similarities of the two countries’ respective struggles. Here, Seixas defends Franco-American relations, unwilling to forget the friendship France extended during America’s War of Independence. He also pleads for internal harmony; for the diversity of American Society must adhere to “the grand principles of benevolence towards all our fellow creatures.” Above all, preaches Seixas, America is a country that “Hath pleased God to have established us...where we have every advantage that other citizens of these States enjoy...for which let us humbly return thanks for manifold mercies.” See J.L. Blau & S.W. Baron, The Jews of the United States 1790-1840-A Documentary History (1963) pp.81-2; D. de Sola Pool, Portraits Etched in Stone (1952) pp.344-75 and A.J. Karp, Beginnings-early American Judaica (1975) pp.18-22 Provenance: Swann Galleries, New York, Hebraica & Judaica, 25th June 1991, lot 8