Again in the letter to Madison on January 12, 1789: “ . . . the works of the K. of Prussia, in 16 vols. 8 ^vo. these were a little garbled at Berlin before printed. the government lais it’s hands on all which come here, and change some leaves. there is a genuine edition published at Basle, where even the garblings of Berlin are reestablished. I doubt the possibility of getting a copy, so vigilant is the government as to this work. I shall obtain you one if it be possible . . . ”

Similarly on March 24 to Doctor Willard, Jefferson included this as one of “ The most remarkable publications we have had in France for a year or two past . . . the Berlin edition is in 16. vols. 8 ^vo. it is said to have been gutted at Berlin: and here it has been still more mangled. there are one or two other editions published abroad, which pretend to have rectified the maltreatment both of Berlin & Paris. some time will be necessary to settle the public mind as to the best edition . . . ”

Jefferson originally subscribed for three copies of the Oeuvres Posthumes of Frédéric II, but it is doubtful whether he took the copies. On January 23, 1787, he wrote to Wurtz at the Hotel de Lyons: “ J’avois souscrit, Monsieur, pour les oeuvres posthumes du roi de Prusse, edition de Berlin qui auroit du m’etre delivré aussitot qu’elle a paru. à peu près un an après qu’elle a paru, on me propose, non pas les ouvrages du roi de Prusse, mais ce qu’on a substitue ici à leur place par des cartons. vous sentez bien Monsieur que les propriétaires n’ayant pas rempli leur engagement ni pour le tems ni pour la chose, la justice ne vaut pas que je reçoive un tout autre objet que celui pour lequel j’avois souscrit, et que ne me disposerait pas d’acheter la veritable edition ne me vaudroit rien. ainsi, Monsieur, je vous prie de trouver juste que je ne la reçoive pas, comme assurement je ne le ferai . . . ”

Exactly two years later, on January 21, 1789, Wurtz wrote to Jefferson: “Je vous prie de vouloir bien faire prendre les Trois Exemplaires des Oeuvres posthumes du Roi de Prusse en 15 voll in 8 ^o. pour lesquels vous avez souscrit, & d’en faire payer le montant de 180--à raison de 60--l’Example prix de Souscription. P.S. Vous etes prié d’envoyer le matin.”

This work is on many of Jefferson’s recommended reading lists.

Frederic II, King of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great, 1712-1786. The first edition of his complete works appeared in 1788.

Jefferson’s undated catalogue has an entry for the Oeuvres du Philosophie de Sans souci 4 v. 12 ^mo. 8f.

These two volumes form vol. I and II of Jefferson’s Book of Kings , see no. 411. They were sent to Jefferson in April, 1812, by Madame Noailles de Tessé. A letter to William Short dated from Monticello April 26, 1812, mentions: “ . . . the letter from Mad ^e de Tessé with the Memoires of the Margrave came to hand only the last week . . . ”

On December 8, 1813, Jefferson wrote to Madame de Tessé: “ While at war, my dear madam and friend, with the Leviathan of the ocean there is little hope of a letter’s escaping his thousand ships; yet I cannot permit myself longer to withold the acknolegement of your letter of June 28 of the last year, with which came the Memoirs of the Margrave of Bareuth. I am much ”