11
Spafford’s general geography.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 117, no. 8, as above.
SPAFFORD,
Horatio Gates.
General Geography, and Rudiments of Useful Knowledge. In Nine Sections. Section I. Of the Solar System. Sec. II. Of the Earth,
in particular. Sec. III. Of Maps and Globes.--Comprising the Astronomical part of Geography, Philosophically arranged, as
a preliminary to the Study of Geography. Sec. IV. Takes a pretty comprehensive View of Natural Philosophy . . . Sec. V. Treats
of General Geography. Embracing a brief Historical and Geographical Description of America . . . of North-America . . . a
comprehensive and general, National View of the United States, collectively . . . and, a full and general, Geographical Description
of the several States, individually . . . Sec. VI. Contains a brief View of the different Languages, Systems of Religion,
and Governments of Nations. Sec. VII. Of Chronology. Sec. VIII. An extensive Geographical Table. Sec. IX. Contains, 1st. Decimal
Arithmetic . . . 2d. An extensive Table of the Monies of Commercial Countries . . . 3d. A List of all the Post-Offices in
the United States, where situated, and their distances from Washington. 4th. An improved and extensive Chronological Table
of Remarkable Events, Improvements, and Discoveries, from the Creation to the present time. Illustrated with an Elegant Improved
Plate of the Solar System . . . A Map of the World . . . of the United States . . . and several Engravings on Wood. Digested
on a new Plan, and designed for the Use of Schools. By H. G. Spafford.
Hudson: Printed by
Croswell & Frary,
1809.
G125 .S8
First Edition. 12mo. 203 leaves, folded engraved map of the world as frontispiece; folded engraved map of the United States; or
Fredon;
[
sic
--
Ed.
] both by G. Fairman after H. G. Spafford, full page plate of the Solar System; a few woodcut illustrations; directions to the bidner at the foot of the verso of the
title-leaf, followed by the Preface, signed H. G. S. and dated from Hudson, N.Y., 2 Mo. 18, 1809, with 7 lines of errata at the end.
Sabin 88847.
Not in Smith.
Jefferson’s copy was a gift from the author, who sent him a printed circular relative to it, dated from Hudson, N.Y., 3 Mo. 29 (March 29), 1809, and on April 3 (4 Mo. 3) wrote:
“It is with sentiments of very great respect, but with extreme diffidence, that I offer to obtrude upon thy retirement, & invite
again thy labors in the field of science. I ask thy aid. To a mind so constituted, & so long accustomed to exertion in every
mean of usefulness to mankind;--I know that, having relinquished thy public employments, the more active exertions of private
research will become pleasurable. And I am anxious early to solicit the assistance of such talents, in forwarding a design
announced in the enclosed printed letters.
"I enclose thee also, one of my
Books; & must hope thou wilt give it publicity. If, after having had sufficient time to form thy judgement of its merits, thou
wouldst write me thereon, the favor would be duly appreciated . . .
"If I succeed in my intentions, I may personally obtrude upon thy retirement at Monticello, during the ensuing summer. And
I need, hardly, to add that, an interview with Thomas Jefferson, at his own home, would be one of the most desirable objects
that engage my fancy. ”
