Jefferson’s copy was sent to him by William Roscoe, who, in a letter of introduction on behalf of Mr. John Bradbury, wrote from Liverpool on April 25, 1809: “. . . Among those who have encouraged his [i.e. Bradbury’s] undertaking . . . are the Proprietors of the Botanic Garden in Liverpool, by whom he is requested to offer to your acceptance a Copy of their regulations & a Catalogue of their collection.”

Jefferson’s copy was a presentation from the author, who wrote from Boston on February 17, 1813: “I take this opportunity, by my friend Mr. Gerry of sending a small volume for your acceptance. No part of Natural histroy was ever taught, in this quarter of the Union untill I commenced the subject, about 25 years ago. It being a new study, I was obliged to give it a popular form. The Essex Junto had got such an entire possession of our University, & had made it a fort, or stronghold, whence to annoy republicanism, that I saw I must quit them; and this expedited the publication of the Botanist. Nearly the whole impression was sold to the Southward of Connecticut . . .”

Jefferson replied from Monticello on March 9: “ I thank you for the book you have been so kind as to send me. it puts a dry subject into a pleasant dress; and explaining the principles of vegetation as well as of Botany, it will be a better preparation to a student than the elementary books generally are. that it’s sale should have succeeded only South of Connecticut proves two things; one which I have long observed, that the scale of science cultivated in the east is more limited than that to the South, the clergy, who are afraid of science every where, controuling it there. the second, that the fell hatred of party spirit thinks no persecution too mean . . . ”

For a note on Benjamin Waterhouse see no. 946. The Botanist consists of a series of Essays, originally printed in the Monthly Anthology , Boston, 1804-1808, and now first collected into a volume, which is dedicated to John Adams.