“. . . Mr. Vaughan having applied to me for a copy of my Harmony of the Evangelists, which was not to be had in Philadelphia,
and intimated that it was for you, my son, whose copy is more perfect than mine, begs the honour of your acceptance of it,
as a mark of his high esteem . . .”
Jefferson wrote to Priestley on January 29, 1804: “
. . . I have also to add my thanks to m(
~
r)
Priestley your son for the copy of your Harmony, which I have gone through with great satisfaction. it is the first I have
been able to meet with which is clear of those long repititions of the same transaction, as if it were a different one, because
related with some different circumstance . . .
”
[1492]
J. 40
The history of Jesus by Thompson & Price.
2. v.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 68. no. 84, as above.
THOMPSON,
Ebenezer,
and PRICE,
William Charles.
The History of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: with the Lives of the Holy Apostles, and their successors for three
hundred years after the Crucifixion. By Ebenezer Thompson, D.D. and William C. Price, L.L.D. In
Two Volumes. Vol. I [-II].
Wilmington: Published by The Rev.
William Pryce,
Bonsal and Niles, Printers,
1805.
BT301 .T4
2 vol. 8vo. Vol. I, 238 leaves: [ ]
4, [b]
4, A-Z, 2A-2Z, 3A-3L
4, 3M
2; vol. II, 214 leaves: [ ]
4, B-Z, 2A-2Z, 3A-3G
4, 3H
2, the last five leaves for the list of Subscribers’ Names.
Original tree calf, gilt back. Initialled by Jefferson at sig. I and T. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
Jefferson was one of the original subscribers to this work, and his name heads the list (vol. II, page 435).
On October 10, 1803, the Reverend William Pryce wrote from Wilmington to Jefferson: “I have just issued proposals for publishing by subscription, the History of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, with
the Lives of the Apostles, and their successors for 300 years after the Crucifixion, by Ebenezer Thomson D. D. and William
Charles Price L.L.D. Your high station in Life, and Literary character naturally pointed you out to me, as most likely to
patronise so interesting a work . . .
"The work is to be printed in a handsome Quarto volume, with a general index, on a fine paper, Embellished, with an elegant
copper-plate frontispiece, neatly bound and lettered, and subscribers names added, and delivered at $
4.50 pr. copy.
"Should I be so fortunate as to have permission to add your name to the list, I am well aware the great advantage I shall
derive, from the patronage of so Illustrious a Character, and I flatter myself you will never have cause to regret the promotion
of the work proposed: of which I should think it my duty to say more, if I did not believe, the compilers, and the work, both
familiar to you.
"I hope Sir, you will pardon this Intrusion; as well as the liberty I take of mentioning myself to be, a Minister of Christ,
(tho’ perhaps among the unworthyest who bear the sacred name) in the protestant Episcopal Church in this place . . .”
Jefferson replied from Washington on October 15: “
Your favor of the 10
th. is duly recieved, and I subscribe with great pleasure to the work you propose. it comprehends exactly the most interesting
period of Christian history, and it will be the more interesting if, as I presume it does, the plan embraces the object of
giving the primitive & earlier opinions entertained, being persuaded that nothing would place Christianity on so firm a base
as the reducing it simply to it’s first & original principles.
”
On March 9, 1805, William Pryce sent the book with a letter to Jefferson:
