Presentation copy from Jean Chas to Jefferson, to whom he had some years previously, in 1786, sent the manuscript for his perusal. Jefferson wrote to Chas from Paris on December 7, 1786: “ I should with great pleasure have perused your manuscript of the history of the American revolution, but that it comes to me in the moment of my setting out on a journey into the South of France where I am to pass the winter. in the few moments of leisure which my preparations for that journey admitted, I have read some detached parts, & find that it would have been very interesting to me. in one of these, page 60. I have taken the liberty of noting a circumstance which is not true, and to which I believe M. D’Auberteuil first gave a place in history . . . ”

Jefferson then expressed his opinion of the work of D’Auberteuil and of the Histoire Impartielle [by Longchamps] already quoted under those authors (see nos. 450 and 477).

In his presentation letter, written from Paris “ ce 11 germinal, l’an 9. ou le 1 avril, l’an 1801” (endorsed by Jefferson “ March 1”), Chas claimed full authorship of the work: “Daignes accepter un exemplaire de mon histoire politique, et philosophique de la revolution de l’Amerique Septentrionale--cet ouvrage a été presenté et dedié au premier consul de la republique francaise. j’ai obtenu les suffrages, et les felicitations des savant et des philosophes. mon ouvrage a eu le plus grand succès. j’en suis seul l’auteur, quoiqu’il porte le nom d’un second cooperateur . . . vous vous rappellerez, monsieur le president, que dans le tems ou vous etiez ambassadeur des etats unis . . . J’eu l’honneur de vous voir plusieurs fois, que je vous remis mon manuscrit et que vous me fites des observations dont j’ai su profiter . . .”

On the 17 floréal (May 7) 1801, Chas again wrote to Jefferson, and mentioned that “je m’occupe d’une seconde edition de l’histoire des etats unis je vous prie, monsieur le president d’en accepter la dedicace . . .”

On September 3, 1801, Jefferson wrote to Chas from Monticello, acknowledging the receipt of the book: “ I have safely recieved the copy of your history of the American revolution . . . which you have been pleased to send me, and for which accept my respectful thanks, & the assurances of my sensibility at this mark of attention . . . ”

This letter was written five days after Chas, worried at having received no acknowledgment of the arrival of his books, wrote a letter to Jefferson, from Paris on August 29, explaining that a package containing a copy of his Histoire had been placed aboard Le Franklin on April 13, and wondering if it had arrived safely. This letter was received by Jefferson on March 27, 1802.

On December 12, 1801 (received February 25, 1802) Chas wrote that “je travaille a une nouvelle edition de l’histoire politique et philosophique de la revolution de l’Amerique septentrionale . . . j’espère avec confiance monsieur le president que vous daignerez en accepter la dedicace . . .”

No edition of this work was published after 1802.

The author’s opinion of Jefferson is stated on page 440 of the work: Aucune matière n’est étrangère à M. Jefferson, il embrasse toutes les parties des sciences; on receuille dans ses ouvrages, écrits avec autant de noblesse que de gout, l’instruction et le plaisir; M. Jefferson réunit aux dons précieux de l’esprit, les vertus douces et bienfaisantes d’un ami de l’humanité.

Jean Chas, c. 1750-c. 1830, French juriconsulte and author.