“ have my doubts wether I should have been able to have got remittances for them, having not yet re( ^~c)ed any, or even answers to my Letters, for several Years past.--excepting D ^r. Ramsay. but I sincerely hope that the new Constitution will have the desired effect & put them upon a better footing--I am just inform’d by a friend from Philadelphia that the report of the failure of M ^r. Aicken Bookseller was groundless.”

Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia was much read, and was used as a source book by many of the writers of the period, both American and European, as a study of this catalogue, and particularly of this chapter, will show.

Others wrote comment and criticism to Jefferson, and he was frequently approached as to the publication of a new and enlarged edition.

On March 28, 1793, Benjamin Rush introduced to Jefferson Parry Hall, a Philadelphia printer, with a view to the republication of the Notes: “The bearer M ^r. Parry Hall wishes to reprint your notes on the state of Virginia. He is One of our most correct printers, and a worthy man. Should you incline to add any thing to the work, or to make any alterations in it, he will gladly obey your instructions.”

Parry Hall seems not to have published an edition at this time, though on July 25, 1793, he wrote to Jefferson from Philadelphia: “Parry Hall incloses a Proof Sheet of the Notes on Virginia; which, with the gratest Respect, and a high sense of Obligation, he lays before the Hon ^ble. M ^r. Jefferson.”

Three years later, on May 28, 1796, Jefferson’s friend William Strickland, of York, England [q.v.], writing from London, mentioned the desirability of a new edition: “. . . In your Notes on Virginia, of which the world looks and wishes for a new and enlarged edition, because no one is so well qualified as yourself to afford an history of your country in all its branches, political, Philosophical, and Natural, notice is taken of several caverns in the mountains from which issue strong currents of air; this is said to be very cold, tho the temperature probably does not fall much below 60 degrees of Farenheit’s thermometer, the usual temperature of the water and consequently of the earth in the climate of Virginia, but which affords a sensation of greater cold, in consequence of the violence with which the current impinges upon the surface of the body . . .”

On October 14, 1800, M. L. & W. A. Davis of New York approached Jefferson with regard to a new edition of the Notes: “We contemplate putting to press an Edition of your Notes on Virginia, and printing at the end of the volume the Appendix recently published by you on the subject of Logans speech--

"If there are any alterations, corrections or additions that you are desirous of making, we shall be highly gratified in communicating with you on the subject. If, however, the copies at present extant, meet your approbation, then Sir, you will pardon our soliciting a line from you, stating whether the Notes on Virginia, or the Appendix have been presented by you to any Printer or Bookseller exclusively.

"Should you consider it of consequence to suggest any amendments or additions, you may rely on a punctual and respectful attention to your suggestions.

"We were the publishers of M ^r Gallatins Sketch of the Finances of the United States, and also his late pamphlet entitled, Views of the Debt &c, both of which publications were entrusted to us by him, without his examining the proof sheets, and printed, amidst a pressure of business in very great haste. We mention this circumstance, that you may not be deceived in us, as it respects our Mechanical talents. With M ^r Gallatin we have the honor of a personal acquaintance.”

Jefferson replied from Washington on December 21: “ Your favor of Oct. 14 did not get to my hands till the 3d. of Nov. when the arrangements for my departure to this place engrossed my whole time, nor have I been master of the earliest part of it here.

" With respect to the Notes on Virginia which you propose to reprint, it is not in my power to add to, or alter them at present. the subject would require more time & ”