Clark’s Naval History is not entered in Jefferson’s dated, nor in his undated manuscript catalogue. One copy of the second edition, 2 vol. 12mo. was sold to Congress in 1815, of which one volume was subsequently lost. The manuscript list of Books missing from Congress Library includes Chapter 4. no. 11, Clark’s Naval History of the United States 2nd vol. The later catalogues list a copy of Volume I, credited to the Jefferson collection.

Jefferson owned also a copy of the first edition, published in May, 1813, in one volume, which he read, and subsequently offered suggestions to be incorporated in a later edition. This copy was a presentation from the publisher, Mathew Carey, who on June 3, wrote to Jefferson: “I have taken the liberty to transmit you by mail, & request your acceptance of, a copy of “Sketches of the Naval History of the U. States,” which, due allowance being made for the haste in which it was prepared, will I hope be found not uninteresting.”

Jefferson acknowledged this from Monticello on June 19, in a long letter with his suggestions for improvements in a later edition, which had been requested in a printed broadside signed by Thomas Clark and dated from Philadelphia June 1, 1813 (received by Jefferson on June 9): “ I thank you for the copy of m( ^~r ) Clarke’s Sketches of the naval history of the US. which you have been so kind as to send me . . . I recieved also one of m ( ^~r ) Clarke’s circulars asking supplementary communications for a 2 ^d. edition. but these things are so much out of the reach of my inland situation, that I am the least able of all men to contribute any thing to his desire. I will indulge myself therefore in two or three observations, of which you will make the use you may think they merit. 1. Bushnel’s turtle is mentioned slightly. would the description of the machine be too much for the scale of the work? it may be found very minutely given in the American Philos. transactions . . . I do not know the difference between this & m ( ^~r ) Fulton’s submarine boat. but an effectual machine of that kind is not beyond the laws of nature, and whatever is within these is not to be despaired of. it would be to the US. the consummation of their safety. 2. the account of the loss of the Philadelphia does not give a fair impression of the transaction . . . 3. but why omit all mention of the scandalous campaigns of Commodore Morris? . . . it is due to the honorable truths with which the book abounds to publish those which are not so. a fair & honest narration of the bad is a voucher for the truth of what is good . . . ”

This letter was acknowledged by Carey on July 13: “Your favour of the 19th ult. (which I rec ^d. only the 3 ^d. inst.) was handed to Mr Clarke, who detained it several days; which prevented its being answered in due course.

"For the various valuable suggestions it contains for the improvement of the Naval History, accept my sincere acknowledgments. Mr Clarke promises to pay due attention to them. Should any thing further occur on the subject, have the goodness to communicate it, which shall be regarded as an additional favour . . .”

On January 26, 1814, Carey forwarded to Jefferson a copy of the second edition: “By this day’s mail, I take the liberty of forwarding you a copy of the Second Edition of the Naval History, for which I request a place in your Library, as a mark of the esteem & ”