This copy is the second of two sent to Jefferson by the compiler. The first was sent in November 1811, with an enclosed letter (undated but received by Jefferson on December 22), and went astray. Birch’s letter reads: “The inclosed volume was committed to the press near the close of your Excellency’s administration. The author saw with superlative pleasure the efforts that you were making to preserve that precious boon, for which, he when but a youth of 19 years of age was contending for with a naval lieutenant’s commission. From 15 to 20 years of age, he was incessantly traversing the seas in search of the enemy, and was assisting at the capture of no less than 47 of their vessels.

"The Ode which is dedicated to your Excellency is the only laurel that the author can offer, to your administration

Such as it is--ah might it worthier be,

Its scanty foilage [ sic -- Ed. ] all is due to thee.

"With sentiments of high regard and all due consideration, I beg leave to style myself, Sir, Your most obedient and very humble Servant / Tho ^s Erskine Birch / Preceptor of “Anchor & Hope” / Acad ^y, Wythe County, Virg ^a”

Jefferson received the letter, but not the book, and on January 1 Birch wrote again, sending another copy: “Some time in Nov ^r last I transmitted by the mail to your address a copy of the Virginian Orator, in which was inclosed a letter. Separate from the packet there was delivered to the stage-driver, at the same time, a letter to G & R Waile of Baltimore in which was inclosed 3 tickets in the “Susquehanna Canal lottery” all of which had drawn prizes, but by a reference to the post Office register in which they were all to be deposited, it appears that the temptation was too strong for the stage-driver to withstand, for they were never deposited & it appears that neither of them have reached the place of their destination. The Author of the Virginian Orator thought he could not pay a greater tribute of respect to the man who had rendered the unremitted service of 40 years to his country than by teaching the American youth to lisp the fame of the Man of Monticello as Pope did the “Man of Ross.”

"The Ode which is particularly addressed to yourself, and other parts alluding to your administration and retirement, were the only wreath that an obscure friend could offer;

Such as it is--ah might it worthier be,

Its scanty foliage all is due to thee.

"From some of your literary friends, I have had the satisfaction to hear, that the parts concerning yourself were more acceptable to them, than all the lapidary adulation of modern epitaphs. And when your body shall be consigned to the tomb I said with Ovid

“Carminibus vives in omne tempus mais.”

"With sentiments of high regard & all due consideration, the Author takes the liberty of transmitting another copy with this letter, requesting you to accept of this small tribute of respect.”

Jefferson replied to this on January 3, 1812: “ I duly recieved the favor of your letter wherein mention was made of a volume inclosed in it which had been committed to the press by yourself about the close of my administration, but which did not accompany the letter. whether omitted inadvertently, or more bulky than is admitted into the mail, or separated by the way and still to come on I do not know. whatever it’s contents may have been, I should have perused them with all the satisfaction I derive from whatever flows from the pen of pure republican patriotism. that such sentiments must be yours, your course thro’ the war is a sufficient pledge. for the song of the poet I have no pretensions of having furnished the brilliant materials. my humble object has been to endeavor honestly to deserve the approbation of my fellow citizens. in this consciousness I tender you thanks for whatever indulgencies you may have expressed towards me, and with these the assurances of my great respect. ”

On February 24, Birch wrote: “A few days previous to recieving your letter of the 3 ^d Ult, I was aware that the Virginian Ora- ”