published by Robert Aitken, well known as the printer of the “Aitken Bible.” Volumes IV and V were printed by Thomas Dobson at the Stone House. On May 8, 1804, the Treasurer of the Society wrote to Jefferson: “. . . The 1 ^t. p ^t. of 6 ^th Vol will be out in a very few days Miss Aitken has undertaken it out of her great zeal to succeed her father as printer to the 3 first volumes--, but I fear from her want of knowledge in the business of Book Selling, she may find it heavy on her hands, altho’ there is more popular matter in it than in any volume we have printed--As individuals therefore the members endeavor to take as many as they think they can probably place amongst their friends--I was in hopes she would have had it out before congress adjourned, but it was impossible--It will contain from 200 to 210 pages--after this vol. is completed in 4to the future publications will be in 8vo. & great exertions will be made to have it annual . . .”

Jefferson replied on May 18: “ On my arrival here I found your favor of the 8 ^th. instant, and now return you the Diplomas signed. I will thank you to subscribe for three copies of the volume of transactions now coming out. I am glad to learn they will in future be in 8 ^vo. it is certainly the most convenient form, and pedantry alone ever introduced the folio and quarto formats. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem. ”

The imprint to this volume reads: C. and A. Conrad and Co. Philadelphia. Conrad, Lucas and Co. Baltimore. Somervell and Conrad, Petersburg, and Bonsal, Conrad and Co. Norfolk. [Jane Aitken, printer.] 1809.

Jefferson’s manuscript catalogue calls for 6 volumes; he seems to have sold only 5 to Congress. The entry on the undated manuscript catalogue reads simply American Philosophical transactions. 4 ^to . and is without reference to the number of volumes.

The binding of a volume of American Philosophical Transactions appears on Joseph Milligan’s bill, February 24, 1809, cost $2.00.

Jefferson resigned from the Presidency of the American Philosophical Society in November 1814. On November 23, he wrote to the officers of the Society giving the reasons for his resignation. To the Secretary, Robert M. Patterson, he wrote: “ I sollicited on a former occasion permission from the American Philosophical society to retire from the honor of their chair, under a consciousness that distance as well as other circumstances denied me the power of executing the duties of the station, and that those on whom they devolved were best entitled to the honors they confer. it was the pleasure of the society at that time that I should remain in their service, and they have continued since to renew the same marks of their partiality. of these I have been ever duly sensible, and now beg leave to return my thanks for them with humble gratitude. still I have never ceased, nor can I cease to feel that I am holding honors without yielding requital, and justly belonging to others. as the period of election is now therefore approaching, I take the occasion of begging to be withdrawn from the attention of the society at their ensuing choice, and to be permitted now to resign the office of President into their hands, which I hereby do. I shall consider myself sufficiently honored in remaining a private member of their body, and shall ever avail myself with zeal of every occasion which may occur of being useful to them, retaining indelibly a profound sense of their past favors. I avail myself of the channel thro’ which the last notification of the pleasure of the society was conveyed to me, to make this communication, and with the greater satisfaction, as it gratifies me with the occasion of assuring you personally of my high respect for yourself, and of the interest I shall ever take in learning that your worth and talents secure to you the successes they merit. ”

At the same time he wrote to the Secretary’s father, his friend Robert Patterson, the director of the mint: “ I have heretofore confided to you my wishes to retire from the chair of the Philosophical society, which however under the influence of your recommendations I have hitherto deferred. I have never however ceased from the purpose; and from every thing I can observe or learn at this distance, I suppose that a new choice can now be made with as much harmony as may be expected at any future time. I send therefore by this mail my resignation, with such entreaties to be omitted at the ensuing election as I must hope will be yielded to: for in truth I cannot be easy in holding as a sinecure an honor so justly due to the talents and services of others. I pray ”