To Thomas Jefferson from Joachim F. Eckard, 12 April 1805
From Joachim F. Eckard
Philadelphia 12th. April 1805.
Sir
A scientific Gentleman at Copenhagen gave me in charge, when I was there last Winter, to convey to your Excellency the inclosed with a small Package containing some ancient coins, which he has begged your Excellencys permission to offer as a token of his great respect.
I have felt as highly gratify’d to have been honourd. with this commission, as I feel happy in this opportunity of most respectfully joining with my countrymen in paying you the tribute of my homage and veneration
I most humbly beg permission to sign Your Excellencies Most obedient and most humble Servant
J. F. Eckard
Danish V. Consul at Philadelphia
RC (DLC); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire President of the United States &.c. &.c. &.c. &.c.”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Nicolai Henrich Weinwich to TJ, 30 Oct. 1804.
Joachim Frederick Eckard (d. 1827) was a Danish merchant from the island of St. Thomas who settled in Philadelphia and married into a local family. Eckard sold goods sourced from the Baltic, offered his services as a translator, and served as the Danish vice consul (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 21 Mch., 5 May 1803; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 27 Aug. 1805; Philadelphia National Gazette and Literary Register, 5 Jan. 1821, 15 Oct. 1827).