First Edition 2 vol. 8vo. in fours. Vol. I, 182 leaves; vol. II, 182 leaves.
Sabin 67687.
Evans 22090.
Rebound in half red morocco by the Library of Congress in 1907. Initialled by Jefferson at sigs. I and T.
Presentation copy from the author.
Ramsay first mentioned this history to Jefferson in the letter written from Charleston in November 1786, quoted above. Commenting
on his history of South Carolina, he wrote: “I am nevertheless not discouraged but going on with a larger work on the continental system. I have now the first volume nearly
ready for the press which will bring the history down to the close of 1776. When I shall print I know not as I mean to take
time & to publish the volumes separately & in different years. I wish I had an opportunity of submitting the sheets to your
perusal. I have sent the first part to New:York to the care of Charles Thomson . . .”
The work was published in 1789, and on April 12 of the following year Ramsay wrote to congratulate Jefferson on his return
to America, and arranged for him to have a copy of the book: “. . . I do not know any other way that is in my power to express my particular respect for your character than by requesting
the favor of you to accept a copy of my history of the American revolution which by calculation must make its appearance about
this time, You will therefore oblige me by sending the inclosed order to mr Allen Bookseller in New:York.”
Jefferson replied from New York on June 27: “
your favor of April 12. came safely to hand, and permit me to thank you for the copy of your history which I have received
from Allen, & hope to have the pleasure of reading in a few days.
”
Jefferson’s name occurs several times in the text in connection with his official acts and appointments. On page 320 his name is included in a list of the most distinguished writers in favor of the rights of America.
The Preface of this work is dated October 20, 1789.
Ramsay’s
History of the Revolution in South Carolina
and his
History of the American Revolution have been stated to be the first books to be copyrighted by the general government. Ramsay’s petition for the former work,
1785, and for the latter, which he proposed publishing, was presented to Congress on April 15, granted April 20, 1789. These
antedated by over a year the passage of the general copyright law, passed on June 1, 1790.
Worsley and Murray, a Richmond firm, sent to Jefferson on February 8, 1802, Proposals for publishing a Richmond edition of Ramsay’s work: “We have taken the liberty to inclose you one of our Proposals for publishing a Richmond Edition of Dr Ramsay’s History of the American Revolution, and beg leave respectfully to solicit your patronage. It is really to be regretted that the art of Printing is not more encouraged in the State of Virginia; but, from the very flattering patronage we have received since we issued our proposals for publishing the above Work, we are induced to believe that it has been owing, rather to a deficiency of perseverance in Publishers, than a want of Public Spirit and liberality in the People.” (Original letter in the Huntington Library.)
[490]
J.47
Tarleton’s history of the campaign of 1780. 1781.
4
to.
1815 Catalogue, page 25. no. 77, as above.
TARLETON,
General Sir Banastre.
A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Provinces of North America. By Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, Commandant of the late British Legion.
London: Printed for
T. Cadell.
M. DCC. LXXXVII. [1787.]
E236 .T17
First Edition. 4to. 344 leaves; 5 folded maps; publisher’s advertisement on the last leaf.
Lowndes V, page 2573.
Sabin 94397.
Old calf, repaired; marbled end papers. Initialled by Jefferson at sigs. I and T. On the title the word
Banastre is written in ink above the name
Tarleton with a caret, and one or two pencil notes occur in the text, none by Jefferson. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
Bought from
Stockdale, in an order sent to him by Jefferson from Paris, July 1, 1787. The price, as entered by Jefferson on a memorandum was
26/-. It is not given on the Stockdale list, nor is it entered in the undated manuscript catalogue.
Several references to Jefferson occur in the text of the volume. On pages 194 and 195 a letter from Horatio Gates, dated from Hillsborough, Oct. 12, 1780, to Governor Jefferson, is quoted in full.
On page 294, the statement that
Amongst other papers of consequence from the Marqus
[
sic
]
de la Fayette to Generals Greene, Steuben, &c. one letter, addressed to Mr. Jefferson, the governor of Virginia, was particularly
striking . . .
is followed by an excerpt from the letter.
