Jefferson’s copy of this book was a presentation from the author who wrote from London, October 10, 1801 (endorsed by Jefferson rec ^d. Feb. 6 ): “Although unknown to the President of the United States of America, I could not be ignorant of his high character, even before Dr. Thornton introduced it to me; and from his account of the President’s condescension, as well as of his love to, and encouragement of, the Arts, I am induced to request his acceptance of a performance, which I have printed with a view to promote a practice of great national importance . . .”

Jefferson’s letter to Waterhouse, written on December 25, 1800 [see no. 945], is quoted in full at the end of this work. A footnote on page 66, referring to the account of Waterhouse, directs the reader to the “letters of the late President Adams, and the present, Jefferson, annexed.”

With regard to this unauthorized quotation of Jefferson’s letter, Waterhouse explained in a letter to Jefferson from Cambridge, January 29, 1802: “. . . I have been made uneasy at one occurrence. In an unrestrained & perfectly confidential correspondence with my intimate friend Dr. Lettsom, I transmitted him a copy of your first letter to me dated Dec ^r. 25th 1801. acknowledging the receipt of my pamphlet &c. Altho’ I did this in the pride of my heart, I meant that he and Jenner only should partake of my satisfaction; but my friend Lettsom printed it in his volume on the cow-pox; and the editors of a new edition of Aikin’s little book just published at Philadelphia have prefixed it to that work. Anti-monarchical as I am, I nevertheless think that a strong line of distinction should always be drawn between the private citizen & the Chief Magistrate of a nation, towards whom I am disposed to say in the language and meaning of that old book which all we New England folks sware by, “ ye are gods!””

Jefferson not only made practical use of Lettsom’s book himself but lent it to others. A letter from Dr. Cutler to Jefferson (undated but endorsed rec ^d. Feb. 11, 1802 ) begins: “Mr. Cutler returns his most respectful compliments to the President of the United States, and begs him to accept his most grateful acknowledgements for y ^e. favour of a perusal of D ^r. Lettsom’s Observations on y ^e. Cow-pock. This work, with its plates, has afforded him great pleasure.”

John Coakley Lettsom, 1744-1815, English Quaker physician, was born in the Virgin Isles. He was one of the founders of the Royal Humane Society, and of the Medical Society of London. He was one of the pioneers of inoculation for small-pox, and in addition to the above, wrote other pamphlets on the subject, in some of which Jefferson is mentioned. He was the subject of the squib:

When any sick to me apply,

I physicks, bleeds, and sweats ’em;

If after that they choose to die.

What’s that to me,

I Lettsom.

This report was printed in the Medical and Physical Journal , London, 1802.

The closing paragraph of the Petition reads: Your Petitioner, therefore, with the full persuasion that he shall meet with that attention and indulgence, of which this Honourable House may deem him worthy, humbly prays this Honourable House, to take the premises into consideration, and to grant him such remuneration as to their wisdom shall seem to meet.