2 vol. 12mo. 185 and 204 leaves.
Evans 30493.
Seligman VI, 686.
Palgrave II, 2217.
Original calf, rebacked and repaired with the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate preserved in vol. I. Initialled by Jefferson
at sig. I and T in both volumes.
Jefferson mentioned this work in a letter to Bishop James Madison, written from Philadelphia on January 31, 1800, in which
he discussed the works of the abbé Barruel,
[
sic
--
Ed.
] Wishaupt and others: “
He [i.e. Wishaupt]
thinks he may in time be rendered so perfect that he will be able to govern himself in every circumstance so as to injure
none, to do all the good he can, to leave government no occasion to exercise their powers over him, and of course to render
political government useless. this you know is Godwin’s doctrine, and this is what Robinson, Barruel & Morse have called a
conspiracy against all government . . .
"
and I believe you will think with me that if Wishaupt had written here, where no secrecy is necessary in our endeavors to
render men wise and virtuous, he would not have thought of any secret machinery for that purpose: as Godwin, if he had written
in Germany, might probably also have thought secrecy & mysticism prudent . . .
”
Jefferson’s reference to Wishaupt was probably to Adam Weishaupt, 1748-1850, German philosopher and author and the founder in 1776 of the Society of the Illuminati, a secret society with severe rules, which included blind obedience by the members to their superiors.
William Godwin, 1756-1836, English political philosopher. This work was first published in 1793, and, written in answer to Montesquieu,
served as the interpreter to England of the French encyclopédistes.
In 1808 Godwin wrote to Jefferson concerning his book publishing business.
[2359]
J. 34
Godwin’s Political enquirer.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 98. no. 12, Godwin’s Enquirer, 12mo.
GODWIN,
William.
The Enquirer. Reflections on education, manners, and literature. In a series of essays. By William Godwin . . .
Philadelphia: printed for
Robert Campbell & Co. by
John Bioren,
1797.
AC8 .G23
12mo. 198 leaves.
Evans 32197.
Palgrave II, 217.
Rebound in half red morocco by the Library of Congress. Initialled by Jefferson at sig. I and T.
The first edition was published in London earlier in the same year. The
Essay on Avarice was answered by Malthus in his
Essay on Population
.
[2360]
J. 35
Chipman’s sketches on the principles of gov
(
~m
)t.
12
mo.l
1815 Catalogue, page 95. no. 65, as above, unabbreviated.
CHIPMAN,
Nathaniel.
Sketches of the principles of government; by Nathaniel Chipman, Judge of the Court of the United States, for the District of Vermont.
Vermont, Rutland: from the press of
J. Lyon: printed for the Author:
June,
m,dcc,xciii
. [1793.]
JC211 .C55
First Edition. 12mo. 146 leaves.
Evans 25297.
Gilman, page 55 (only the issue without
Vermont in the imprint).
Rebound in calf by the Library of Congress, with the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate preserved under the endpapers. Originally
bound in morocco for Jefferson by John March on March 10, 1804, cost $3.00. Initialled by Jefferson at sig. I and T.
This work usually had a place on Jefferson’s lists of recommended reading.
A copy was sent to Jefferson on March 23, 1801, by James Magoffin of Philadelphia: “Having once had the pleasure in company with M
r. Fleming of hearing you speak favourably of Chipman’s Principles of Government and at the same time signify your desire to
be in posession of it I beg Sir you’ll accept of the inclosed Copy being one of six presented me by a friend in Boston.--From
your remarks on the work I ”
