Rebound in half brown morocco by the Library of Congress in 1904. Vol. II initialled by Jefferson at sigs. I and T, vol. I not initialled.

Presentation copy from the author.

Jefferson, living in Paris at the time, was closely associated with the publication of this book and its translation into French from the outset. Ramsay not only sent him a copy of the book, but sent him month by month the sheets as they were printed for the purpose of having a translation made in Paris.

Ramsay first wrote to Jefferson from New York, on June 15, 1785: “Presuming on a slight acquaintance with your Excellency in the year 1782 or 1783 in Philad ^a by the introduction of our common friend Mr. Madison I take the liberty to inclose a part of a work which is now in the press written by myself and entitled the “History of the revolution of South Carolina from a British Province to an Independent State”. It originated when I was in confinement in Augustine in the year 1780 and has employed my leisure hours ever since. I am printing it at my own risque & expence & have already advanced above fourteen hundred dollars for it. When completed it will consist of three volumes & will contain over and above the civil Notice of South Carolina the whole of the Military operations in Georgia & both Carolinas & also the reduction of Lord Cornwallis in Virginia. The importance of the subject & of the contents of the second volume is great, & may perhaps excite the public attention. Your Excellency knows the infant state of literature in the United States & the risque a person runs who undertakes a work of this kind without subscription . . . I propose to be aforehand with them, & if any advantage is to be made of the work in Europe I think myself entitled to it preferably to a piratical printer.

"I submit the whole matter to your Excellency. If you think any advantage would arise from a French edition I will be obliged to you to set forward the work so as that it may appear soon after the American edition which would perhaps check piratical adventurers . . .”

In July he started sending the sheets. On July 13 he wrote: “By the French packet which sailed on the fifteenth of June I did myself the honour to inclose to your care 185 pages of the history of the revolution of South Carolina with propositions relative to a translation of it into the French language. I now do myself the honor to inclose to you all that is now printed--which is to page 328.

"M. de Marbois the Consul General of France has done me the honor to enclose a copy of it to Count Chatelleaux [ sic -- Ed. ] to interest him in the translation if it should be thought advisable. I therefore request that any thing which may be done in the matter may be done in concert with that Gentleman. From the infant state of literature in America I shall probably lose money by my publication in the United States. Unless nine hundred copies sell at four dollars a piece I shall not be reimbursed for the expences of the impression. I therefore wish that whatsoever may be done in Europe may be done in such a manner as will interest me in the profits as well as the bookseller, the Translator & Printer. The second volume will be much more interesting than the first as it will contain the campaigns of 1780. & 1781 in the Southern States inclusive of Lord Cornwallis’s surrender. If a translation should not be thought advisable I am contented. if it should I hold myself entitled to a share of the profits. Whatsoever you do I beg may be done in concert with Mr. De Marbois’s correspondent. I have shewn the whole manuscript to Mr. De Marbois who thinks it will bear a translation . . .”

In August he sent more sheets, and began to consider seriously the prospects of a translation into French. On August 8 he wrote: “In conformity to my promise I continue to send ”