“ he esteems thee a principal patron! The Work sells at 5 dolls., but I am directed to send thee a Copy from the Author, who
by-the-by is a very poor old man. If thou hast not read his Work, please inform me . . .”
Jefferson replied on March 15: “
. . . With Doct
r. Williams’s Natural and Civil history of Vermont, I have been long acquainted. it was printed in a single vol. 8
vo. at Walpole in N. H. in 1794. I procured it as soon as it appeared, read it with great pleasure, and consider it among the
very best of the accounts which have been published of our different states. it now makes a part of the library I have lately
ceded to Congress on the loss of theirs. if the history which you mention be a different work, it is unknown to me, and I
shall be very glad to recieve it and to remit the price, which I can do to Philadã, where I have dealings, but not so easily
to Vermont or even New York, unless Congress should emit treasury bills of low denomination which may have a general currency,
no bank bills being recieved here but of our own state. be so good as to present my respects to D
r. Williams whom I find by your account to be within 3. years of my own age . . .
”
On April 6, Spafford wrote: “The work of Dr. Williams, of which I spoke, is a second edition of that which thou hast seen, published in 1809, at Burlington
Vt., in 2 8vo volumes, containing about 1000 pages. Much of it is written anew, & the additions are extensive & valuable.
I know the Doctor would be highly gratified to have it read & applauded by thee. He prides himself on his Republican sentiments,
particularly in the 2
d. vol. of this edition. . .”
Samuel Williams, 1743-1817, was educated at Harvard College, and succeeded Professor Winthrop as Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural
Philosophy. He lectured for a time at Vermont University. Jefferson’s name is not in the list of subscribers to the first
edition.
Nathaniel Chapman, 1780-1853, physician, was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. For a time he was a pupil of Benjamin Rush, and later he was the President of the Philadelphia Medical Society for six successive terms. He was the first President of the American Medical Association.
For Horatio Gates Spafford see the Index.
[457]
J.16
Smith’s history of New Jersey.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 25. no. 32, Smith’s history of New Jersey, 8vo.
SMITH,
Samuel.
The History of the Colony of Nova-Caesaria, or New-Jersey: containing, an account of its first settlement, progressive improvements,
the original and present constitution, and other events, to the year 1721. With some particulars since; and a short view of
its present state. By Samuel Smith.
Burlington, in New-Jersey: Printed and sold by
James Parker: sold also by
David Hall, in
Philadelphia,
MDCCLXV. [1765]
F137 .S65
First Edition. 8vo. 294 leaves, list of errata on the last printed page.
Sabin 83980.
Evans 10166.
Church 1053.
Rebound in red morocco by the Library of Congress. Initialled by Jefferson at sigs. I and T. This copy is of the small paper
issue with the date in the imprint commaless as above, and with the corrected text except for
Imprimus on page 512 and the numbering 33 for 339 on that page.
Samuel Smith, 1720-1776, historian, was a native of Burlington. This work is the first general history of New Jersey, and was compiled
to a great extent from sources no longer available. For the connection of Franklin with the printing of the volume see Sabin.
[458]
J.17
Historical Review of Pennsylvania by D
r. Franklin.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 24. no. 33, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 8vo.
[FRANKLIN,
Benjamin.]
An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pensylvania, from its Origin; so far as regards the several Points
of Controversy, which have, from Time to Time, arisen between the several Governors of that Province, and
