Jefferson’s original introduction to this pamphlet was through the copy of the American Philosophical Society, sent to him by John Vaughan from Philadelphia on August 29, 1807: “The enclosed singular production of M. Lippi Neapolitan, was forwarded to the Society by the Rev. Mr Waldron [sic] Secret ^y. to our Minister at Paris who translated Cuviers Historical Eulogy on Priestley--as we do not meet until the 3 ^d Fryday in Sep ^r. I thought it would be agreeable to you to see it--This Traveller, of Universal Science, may come to the United States & it may be of importance to have had a clue by which to ascertain what his real merit is . . .”

Jefferson’s reply was dated from Monticello, September 8, 1807: “ Th: Jefferson presents his thanks to m( ^~ r) Vaughan for the communication of M. Lippi’s pamphlet. it is certainly a remarkable instance of the passion of vanity keeping full pace with the degree of science inspiring it. one would hardly expect in a mind exhibiting so much strength to find a weakness so little indicative of it. he returns the pamphlet to m ( ^~ r) Vaughan with his friendly salutations.”

Carminantonio Lippi, fl. 1806, is described in Au Public et a l’Étranger at the beginning of this pamphlet, as: Voyageur Napolitain pour l’acquisition des Connaissances utiles, Professeur de Diplomatie, Statistique, et des Sciences des Finances, de la Police, et du Commerce, Avocat et Médecin, Professeur de Physique expérimentale, de Chimie, de Minéralogie, et des Sciences des Mines et Monnaies, Expert en tout genre de Fabriques et Manufactures, Ingénieur en Hydraulique, des Ponts et Chaussées et en Mécanique, Professeur des langues latine, allemande, anglaise, française, espagnole et italienne.

These two pamphlets have not been identified.

Sent to Jefferson by the author, who wrote from Brunswick, New Jersey, on December 18, 1805: “I take the Liberty--and if it is too much I shall with great pleasure beg your pardon, in sending you a little Pamphlet that was intended for your amusement, when at your seat under some spreading oak--But I was cut short of time, to git it ready By a Daingerous fit of illness--At preasent shall only ask your favour to reade a note in the 20 ^th. page, How it was omitted in my first pamphlet I cannot account for as it was the strongest reason in my power to offer on that subject--and allso a short note in the Last Leef--All which I trust will please your Philosophie . . .”

Jefferson replied from Washington on December 25: “ Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to m( ^~ r) Guest and his thanks for the book he has been so kind as to send him. he has read the passage page 21. particularly referred to by m ( ^~ r) Guest, and finds the fact there stated to be equally new and useful. he shall avail himself of the first leisure to peruse the residue & to ”