First Edition. 8vo. 226 leaves; the initials
A. D. written in ink on the back of the half-title.
Quérard I, page 12.
Poggendorff I, 12.
Bound for Jefferson by March in tree calf, gilt ornaments and the original labels on the back, marbled end papers, marginalia
shaved; the initial
T written by Jefferson before sig.
i; with the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
Presentation copy from the author, who wrote to Jefferson from Nevers on March 3, 1806, a long letter beginning: “J’ose esperer que vous reçevrez avec bonté l’exemplaire que j’ai l’honneur de vous adresser d’un traité elementaire de chimie
que j’ai redigé par ordre du gouvernement. je desire bien sincerement que cet ouvrage puisse obtenir votre suffrage, et surtout
que l’hommage que je me plais à vous en faire soit à vos yeux une preuve de l’attachement, et du respect que je vous ai voué
. . .”
Jefferson replied on June 29, in the same letter quoted before on the affairs of Dr. Devèze [see no. 684] concerning whom Adet had written another letter, three days after this one. Jefferson’s letter opens: “
Your two letters of Mar. 3. & 6. have been duly recieved, and with them the copy of your elementary lessons in chemistry,
for which I pray you to accept my thanks. my occupations not permitting me to read anything but the papers of the day, I reserve
it among the treasures to be carried into that retirement to which I shall withdraw at the close of my present period . .
.
”
Immediately after its receipt, sometime in June, Jefferson sent the book to Thomas Ewell, engaged on a similar work (above).
Ewell returned it to Jefferson on July 4: “With this your Excellency will receive the work on chemistry by Mr. Adet--with which you were pleased to honor me by entrusting
it to my care & attention, while at Washington. There being scarcely any thing new in it--either in matter--or arrangement--I
have altered a determination to translate & publish it in this country . . .”
March’s binding bill was presented to Jefferson on October 7 in the same year, cost $1.00.
Pierre Auguste Adet, 1763-c. 1832, French chemist and diplomat, was for a time in the United States as minister plenipotentiary.
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J.13
Chemistry. tracts.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 35. no. 27, as above.
Two tracts bound together for Jefferson in one volume 8vo., half calf, by John March in August, 1805 (cost 62 ½ cents), a
later label on the back lettered
Archer. /
Carbon- /
ates. / With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
QD27 .P85 1803
On the fly-leaf Jefferson has listed the tracts:
i.
Archer’s Inaugural essay on lime, Magnesia & Potash.
ARCHER,
James.
An Inaugural Essay on the Effects, & Modus Operandi of the Carbonates of Lime, Magnesia, and Potash; in the cure of General
& Local Diseases. By James Archer, of Maryland.
Philadelphia: Printed for the Author, by
W. F. M’Laughlin,
1804.
First Edition. 8vo. in fours. 28 leaves: [ ]
4, B-G
4.
Not in Sabin.
Surgeon General’s Library Catalogue I, i, 511.
Presentation copy to Jefferson from the author, who has written on the verso of the fourth leaf:
For Thomas Jefferson, Pres
dt .U. A. S. &c. with the Compliments & highest respects of The Author. Nov. 1, 1804.
The book is dedicated to John Archer, M.B. A few corrections in ink occur in the text, probably by the author.
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