Letter from John Belton O'Neall to Isaac Leeser Regarding a Case Involving Jewish Merchants and the 'Blue Laws' of Charleston, South Carolina, August 8, 1848

This letter, dated August 8, 1848, is from John Belton O'Neall, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Court, to Isaac Leeser, editor of *The Occident*, in Philadelphia. O'Neall addresses concerns raised by the Jewish community regarding his opinion in the case *City Council vs. Benjamin*. This case involved alleged slander by the Charleston city council and revolved around the interpretation and application of the 'Blue Laws'. O'Neall defends his statement that he knows "no other standard of good morals" than Christianity, clarifying that this reference encompassed the entirety of the Bible, not just the New Testament. The letter demonstrates the intersection of legal proceedings, religious interpretations, and social prejudices against the Jewish community in 19th-century America.

Associated People/Businesses

• Leeser, Isaac
• O'Neall, John Belton, 1793-1863
• P. Whitlock (Firm)
• LEESER, ISAAC / O'NEAL, JOHN BELTON

Geography

• Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania
• Richmond

Subjects

• Jews--United States
• Antisemitism
• Sunday legislation

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Box 3, Folder 2