Notes on the state of Virginia : written in the year 1781, somewhat corrected and enlarged in the winter of 1782, for the use of a foreigner of distinction, in answer to certain queries proposed by him respecting ; 1782.

Author
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
[Paris : s.n., 1784-85]
Description
391, 14 p., [1] p. of fold. plates : 1 ill. ; 20 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Special Collections - Rare Books 1230.495.14 EX Browse related items Reading Room Request
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  • Princeton copy 2
    Special Collections - Rare Books 1230.495.14 EX Browse related items Reading Room Request
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    • Princeton copy 3
      Special Collections - Rare Books 1230.495.14 EX Browse related items Reading Room Request
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      • Princeton copy 1
        Special Collections - William H. Scheide Library 103.23 Browse related items Reading Room Request
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        • Princeton copy 4

          Details

          Subject(s)
          Former owner
          Bookseller
          Notes
          • Full page illustration, "An eye-draught of Madison's cave," p. 35. Folded table of names of Indian tribes at p. 169. Appendix, p. 367-391: observations on the Notes, by Charles Thompson, secretary of Congress.
          • First edition : 200 copies printed for private distribution. The printing was furnished May 10, 1785. cf. Writings of T.J. ; ed. Ford. v. 4 (1894) p. 46.
          • Princeton copy 1 Ex copy 1: In this copy p. 51-54, 167-168, 181-184 and 315-318 have been replaced by reprinted pages. Includes at end Jefferson's "Draught of a fundamental constitution for the commonwealth of Virginia" (14 p.) and "An act for establishing religious freedom, passed in the Assembly of Virginia in the beginning of the year 1786" (4 p.) Then at end is inserted the "Map of the country between Albermarle sound and Lake Erie," prepared by Jefferson for the French translation of the "Notes" (Paris, 1786) and engraved by S. J. Neele.
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: includes at end Jefferson's "Draught of a fundamental constitution for the commonwealth of Virginia" (14 p.),
          • Princeton copy 3 Ex copy 3: includes Jefferson's "Draught of a fundamental constitution for the commonwealth of Virginia" (14 p.), "Notes on the establisment [!] of a money unit, and of a coinage for the United States" (14 p.) and "An act for establishing religious freedom, passed in the Assembly of Virginia in the beginning of the year 1786" (4 p.) At end is inserted the "Map of the country between Albermarle sound and Lake Erie," prepared by Jefferson for the French translation of the "Notes" (Paris, 1786) and engraved by S. J. Neele. cf. Thompkins, H.B., Bibliotheca Jeffersoniana, p. 63-67.
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy: includes Jefferson's "Draught of a fundamental constitution for the commonwealth of Virginia" (14 p.), "Notes on the establisment [!] of a money unit, and of a coinage for the United States" (14 p.) and "An act for establishing religious freedom, passed in the Assembly of Virginia in the beginning of the year 1786" (4 p.). Map not present.
          • The boundaries on the Neele map are not colored.
          Binding note
          • Princeton copy 1 Ex copy 1: Contemp. full mottled calf, hinges repaired, gilt spine, brown marbled endpapers, marbled edges.
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: Contemp. full mottled calf, hinges repaired, gilt spine, brown marbled endpapers, sprinkled edges; in brown goatskin slip case.
          • Princeton copy 3 Ex copy 3: Contemp. full mottled calf, foot of spine repaired, gilt spine, red marbled endpapers, sprinkled edges.
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy: Contemp. full calf, red marbled endpapers.
          Provenance
          • Princeton copy 1 Ex copy 1 is inscribed on front free endpaper 'De la part de l'auteur.'
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: Presentation copy to Dr. Price with inscription by the author: 'Thomas Jefferson begs Doctr. Price's acceptance of a copy of these Notes. The circumstances under which they were written, with the talents of the writer, will account for their errors & defects. The original was sent to Monsr. de Marbois in Decemb. 1781, being asked for a copy by a friend who wished to possess some of thedetails they contain, he revised them in the subsequent winter. The vices however of their original composition were such as forbid material amenament. He has now a few copies printed with a design of offering them to some of his friends and to some other estimable characters beyond that line. A copy is presented to Doctr. Price as a testimony of the respect which the writer bears him, unwilling to expose them to the public eye, he asks the favor of Doctr. Price to put them into the hands of no person on whose care and fidelity he cannot rely to guard them against publication.'
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: Inscribed on front free endpaper 'Ben Lewis Richmond 1790. Fleming Russell Richmond.'
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: Inscribed on page facing contents 'Fleming Russell's Book August 24th 1808 Richmond Virginia.' 'J.A.Smith.
          • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2: Inscribed on back free endpape ' John Russel son of Fleming Russell loan this book to us James B. Clarke of Richmond. John Russell. Richmond.'
          • Princeton copy 2-3 Ex copies 2-3: Booklabel of Cyrus Hall McCormick.
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy Inscribed on page 1 'A present from the Honbl. George Wythe to J Breckinridge June 1788.'
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy booklabel on front pastedown 'James Breckinridge, Botetourt.'
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy inscribed on front free endpapers ' J Breckinridge' and 'James Breckinridge 1790' and on stub at back ''James Breckinridge Esquire.'
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy inscribed on front free endpaper 'W. Gordon Robertson from E.W. Breckenridge Grace [?] HIll Oct 15th 1882.'
          • Princeton copy 4 WHS copy acquired 11/7/23 from Rosenbach; inv. 680.
          References
          ESTC T120377
          LCCN
          01002904
          OCLC
          6443112
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