NOAH, MORDECAI MANUEL

New York

v.d

Autograph Letter Signed, to Messrs. Cary & Lia of Philadelphia, concerning a recommendation of employment of a Jewish printer, one Mr. Lyon. One page. March 25th, 1824 * WITH: Signed and scored certification for the import of two gallons of wine from Marseilles. February 20th, 1830

Mordechai Manuel Noah (1785-1851) was probably the most influential Jew in the United States in the early 19th century. He began his political career in 1808 in his home-town of Philadelphia, strongly supporting the Presidential campaign of James Madison. As a “hawk,” he favored the War of 1812 and served for two years as Consul to Tunis. Upon his return to the United States, he settled in New York becoming editor of the National Advocate, owned by his uncle, Naphtali Phillips. He later established a newspaper, the New York Enquirer in 1826-29. Critical of Andrew Jackson, he associated himself with the newly created Whig Party in 1834, and as editor of the Evening Star, a Whig paper, he demonstrated an anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic bias. He supported the Texas revolt against Mexico in 1836 and attacked the abolitionist cause. Noah’s involvement in Jewish affairs was inspired by his belief in the idea of Jewish territorial restoration. In 1825 he helped purchase a tract of land on Grand Island near Buffalo, New York, which he named Ararat and envisioned as a Jewish colony. Noah was involved in Jewish activities on behalf of the congregations of Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia and Shearith Israel in New York. See EJ, XII, cols. 1198-9