From Haven to Home: Harby Letter to Monroe Protesting Removal of Noah As Tunis Consul

Isaac Harby of Charleston protested the removal of Mordecai Manuel Noah from his post as consul to Tunis because he was a Jew, arguing in a letter to Secretary of State James Monroe, Harby writes: "It is upon the principle, not of toleration . . . but upon the principle of equal inalienable, constitutional Rights, that we see Jews appointed to offices, that we see them elected in our State Representation, & that, in proportion as their talents and their influence can bear them through, we see their mingling in the honours of their country. They are by no means to be considered a Religious sect, tolerated by the government; they constituted a portion of the people."

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Isaac Harby (1788-1828) to James Monroe (1758-1831).
Manuscript letter, May 13, 1816.
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

Sources: Library of Congress