Bound for Jefferson in tree calf, marbled end papers, by John March, cost $3.00. Initialled by Jefferson in each volume, and with several small corrections by him. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.

Jefferson was one of the original subscribers to this work. The author sent him a copy of the Prospectus with a letter, written from Plymouth, Mass., on January 5, 1805: “I take the liberty to direct to the President of the United States, the Prospectus of a work, of which the author indulges the flattering anticipation that it will accord with his opinions . . .”

Jefferson replied from Washington on February 8: “ Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr( ^~s ) Warren & returns her the paper she had been pleased to inclose to him with his own subscription & that of the heads of departments except General Dearborne who had signed another paper. he learns with great satisfaction that mr ( ^~s ) Warren’s attention has been so long turned to the events which have been passing. the last thirty years will furnish a more instructive lesson to mankind than any equal period known in history. he has no doubt the work she has prepared will be equally useful to our country & honourable to herself . . . ”

On April 14, 1806, Mrs. Warren sent the book: “With respect and diffidence, the author asks his acceptance, and presents the two first Volumes of the History of the American Revolution, to the President of the United States. Perhaps the perusal of them may serve as an interlude in some leisure hour, when detached from the momentous avocations which occupy your important life . . .”

To which Jefferson replied from Washington on April 26: “ Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to M ^rs. Warren & his thanks for the copy of her History of the American revolution which he recieved yesterday. his emploiments have not yet permitted him to enter on it’s reading; but he anticipates much pleasure from the perusal of a work which taking truth, both of fact & principle, for it’s general guide, will furnish in addition original matter of value not before given to the public . . . ”

Several references to Jefferson and his part in the Revolution are made in this history, including the statement (vol. I, p. 309) that a declaration of the independence of America, and the sovereignty of the United States, was drawn by the ingenious and philosophic pen of Thomas Jefferson, Esq., a delegate from the state of Virginia , and a footnote gives information as to the posts held by this wise and patriotic statesman, from Ambassador to the court of France to President of the United States of America. Vol. III. page 316, a footnote refers to the correspondence published between Mr. Jefferson, the American secretary of state, and Mr. Hammond, the British plenipotentiary to the United States, on which a British writer observed to his countrymen--‘Your diplomatists have shrunk before the reasonings of Jefferson’.

Mercy Otis Warren , 1728-1814, historian, poet and dramatist, was the wife of General James Warren. Her history is written from the democratic and antiaristocratical point of view, and her sources of information include letters from Thomas Jefferson and other politicians. The original manuscript of this history is now in the Library of Congress.

Rebound in half red morocco by the Library of Congress. Signed by Jefferson at sig. I in each volume. Vol. III has the 1815 bookplate, the other volumes that of 1864.