Original boards, now enclosed in buckram covers; not initialled by Jefferson; with the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.

Daniel Smith, 1748-1818, was a native of Stafford County, Virginia, and was at times in correspondence with Jefferson. He made the first map of Tennessee and in 1796 was a member of the convention which drew up the first constitution of that state.

Rebound in buckram by the Library of Congress in 1930. Initialled by Jefferson at sig. I and T.

Dedicated to Jefferson. Sent to him by the author, to whom Jefferson wrote from Monticello on January 29, 1812: “ I recieved from you, not long since, a small volume on Moral & Political truth, for which be pleased to accept my thanks, but especially for the favorable opinions expressed towards myself in the dedication. so far as intentions faithfully directed to the public good may have merited approbation, I feel conscious that I have just claim to it. of all beyond that I have no right to judge. it were much to be wished that the objects of poetry had generally been as praiseworthy as yours. had the Muses, instead of singing battles & bloodshed, & thus nourishing in weak, but ardent minds a thirst for murderous fame, employed their fascinations in praise of probity, benevolence, moral virtues generally, & the freedom of man, millions of human lives would have been preserved, and an ambition kindled to excel in virtue, as now in arms. ”