“ because it is not known. it would be so when it should become known, being really the history best fitted for common use in this country . . . ””

A postscript reads: “ I do not know whether a copy of Baxter could be got in the US. the only I know of went with my library to Congress.”

To which White replied from Richmond, on December 30: “Before me I have your esteemed favour of the 11th inst.-- Since you know of no other work smaller than Baxter’s History of England, which you would recommend a republication of, I have to beg of you to endeavour to procure for me the Copy formerly belonging to yourself, so soon as you possibly can make it practicable.-- I will then immediately print one octavo form, which shall be a true specimen of the work . . . May I further ask the favour of you to write for me a suitable and explanatory Proposal, setting forth the merits of the work, and pointing out its advantages for Historical Reading, in Colleges and other advanced Seminaries of Learning. Perhaps you might also wish to make many improvements.-- In plain and undisguised truth, I should like you would devote your leisure hours to it . . .”

Jefferson’s reply was dated from Monticello, January 7, 1824: “ The copy of Baxter’s history which is in the library of Congress cannot possibly be borrowed. it is against their law establishing their library. but you might get it from London, within 4. months thro’ any importing merch ^t or bookseller of Richm ^d.. ”

Jefferson next tried John Laval of Philadelphia. A memorandum by Jefferson dated January 11, 1824, notes that he had written to Laval “to import Baxter’s history.”

On February 5, Laval replied: “I have been prevented, to this day, by indisposition, from informing you that, agreeably to your desires, I have ordered from London, on the 20th of December ulto . . . Baxter’s history of England, the 8vo edition, if any has been printed, if not, & then only, the 4to Book . . .”

On September 24, 1824, the subject of Baxter’s history was closed by a letter from Laval: “My correspondent in London informed me, in June last, that Russell’s view of education & Baxter’s history of England were entirely out of print . . . I was so much mortified with my want of success that I have delayed, from day to day, to impart to you this unfavorable answer.”

John Baxter, fl. 1796, English republican and author, was an associate of Horne Tooke and Thomas Hardy[,] with whom he was tried in 1794, and one of the original members of the London Corresponding Society. His History is dedicated from St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch, London, To the People at Large, to the London Corresponding Society in Particular, and to The Political Societies of Great Britain in General, associated for Parliamentary Reform, and the Promotion of Constitutional Information.

There is no suggestion from Baxter that his work is an adaptation or abridgment of Hume’s History. The title states that in this work he was Assisted by Several Gentlemen, Distinguished Friends to Liberty and a Parliamentary Reform.