“ prehend in my work. I have the French system translated making about 700 manuscript pages, to which will be added perspicuous
diagrams of all the modern movements. It will be seen from the price of this number, I have not looked so much to profit as
to public utility, and I persuade myself that the circulation of such a work would be of very great use . . .”
The American Military Library was published by Duane in 1809, 2 vol. 8vo. It included the translation of Guibert’s work, mentioned
in the letter above, with a separate title-page, and imprint dated 1807, the year of Duane’s letter to Jefferson. The title
reads:
The System of Discipline and Manoeuvres of Infantry, forming the Basis of modern Tactics: established for the National Guards
and Armies of France. Translated for the American Military Library, from the edition published by authority in 1805.
Philadelphia: Printed by B. Graves, for William Duane, 1807.
It seems clear from Duane’s letter that this work was still in manuscript at the time of his sending the first number to Jefferson.
The date is omitted from the Library of Congress early catalogues.
For the first mention of William Duane in this catalogue, see no. 544.
[1158]
18
Not in the Manuscript Catalogue.
1815 Catalogue, page 54. no. 59, Duane’s Handbook for Infantry, 8vo.
DUANE,
William.
[
A Hand Book for Infantry: containing the First Principles of Military Discipline, Founded on Rational Method: intended to
Explain in a Familiar and Practical Manner, for the Use of the Military Force of the United States, the Modern Improvements
in the Discipline and Movement of Armies. By William Duane, Adjutant General in the Army of the United States . . .
Philadelphia: Printed for the Author, 1812.]
First Edition. 8vo. in fours. No copy of the first edition has been located for collation.
This edition not in Sabin.
Not in the
U.S. Army War College Library Catalogue.
This edition not in Clark,
William Duane.
The first edition of this work is not mentioned in the bibliographies. It was copyrighted on June 20, 1812, and Jefferson
received a copy from the author sometime before July 17 of that year on which day the latter wrote to him: “. . . I sent you a copy of my
Infantry Hand Book by which I meant to supply what was so much wanted in the country; and I now send you another for
Riflemen . . .”
Jefferson replied on August 4: “
Your favor of the 17
th. ult came duly to hand; and I have to thank you for the military Manuals you were so kind as to send me. this is the sort
of book most needed in our country . . .
”
Duane’s Handbook for Infantry 8vo was one of the books reported by Jefferson to Milligan as missing on March 28, 1815, before the delivery of the library to Congress, with the request that
he provide substitute copies.
Milligan secured a copy, listed on the bill sent to Jefferson on July 31, under date April 7, price $
1.25.
Copies of the third edition exist, though the fourth edition, 1813, is the first one listed in the bibliographies. The book
was frequently reprinted, and by an order of the Secretary of War, dated March 19, 1813, it was received and observed as the
System of Infantry Discipline for the Army of the United States.
[1159]
19
Not in the Manuscript Catalogue.
1815 Catalogue, page 54. nos. 61 and 99, Tousard’s American Artillerist’s Companion, 8vo. and 4to.
TOUSARD,
Anne Louis de.
American Artillerist’s Companion, or Elements of Artillery. Treating of all Kinds of Firearms in Detail, and of the Formation,
Object and Service of the
