Jefferson’s copy was sent to him by Lacroix, who wrote from Boston, 29 September, 1807 (endorsed by Jefferson rec ^d. Dec. 1807 ): “. . . Le principal mérite de l’ouvrage, que j’ose vous recommander, consiste dans la scrupuleuse vérité qui le caractérise, et l’impartialité qui en fera toujours un renseignement util. M. le professeur Mackay, au quel vous fites l’honneur d’une lettre á Benington . . . s’est chargé de l’éxécution de l’ouvrage que j’ose vous offrir aujourd’hui . . .”

On December 21, Jefferson wrote from Washington: “ . . . Your favor of Sep. 29. was not recieved till two days ago. I have with pleasure sent to mr Mackay my subscription to the book you recommend. no period in human history merits more to have all it’s truths produced than that of the French revolution. I am only sorry that the new lights which your materials are to throw upon it, are to be passed through the medium of a translation only. the best translation can render a sentiment but imperfectly, often falsely . . . ”

On April 3, 1808, Jefferson acknowledged the receipt of the book: “ Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M. de la Croix and his thanks for the book he was so kind as to send him. he considers the effective organisation of the militia as so important that he sees with pleasure M. de la Croix’s effort to induce a just attention to it . . . ”

Irenée Amelot de Lacroix, b. circa 1775, French general. On December 2, 1807, he wrote to Jefferson from Boston, Mass., applying for a commission in the United States army with permission to raise a batallion, and stated that he was two and thirty years of age; that he had the honour to belong to the staff of the gallant Moreau, and his extreme veneration for this great man had induced him to fix his residence in the country inhabited by him; that he had acted as a general officer in the army of the French colonies, and was for fifteen months chief of staff in the 66th regiment at Guadeloupe.

Samuel Mackay, captain in the United States army. In the above letter de Lacroix stated that if his request were granted he would earnestly solicit the appointment of Mr. Samuel Mackay, an old captain of the 14th Regiment of the United States, as his major.