Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia

The West Virginia and Regional History Collection holds four copies of Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia:

1. The earliest copy is the John Stockdale edition printed in London in 1787. This is the first edition of the first English version of Jefferson’s books. One of the interesting features of this volume includes the use of the long or medial “s” in the text. The series of letters and numbers found at the base of the page denote the signatures of the book – signatures are a series of folded pages that when compiled in sequence make up the text block. Also you will note that at the bottom of each page there is a word, this is the first word of the next page is designed to assist the reader.

2. The next edition is from 1788 and was printed in Philadelphia by Pritchard & Hall. Of note is the publisher’s catalog at the rear of the book. This was a common way for printer’s to advertise their inventory. This book also uses the long or medial “s” in the text. An interesting piece of ephemera is included with this volume. There is an undated newspaper clipping laid in which addresses the new composition of Congress as well as the admission of states to the Union, notable Kansas, Nebraska, Jefferson, Nevada and New Mexico. Did someone say Jefferson? The idea for the state of Jefferson was first proposed in 1852 and involves areas that are now part of Oregon and Washington.

3. The third copy was printed in Baltimore by W. Pechin in 1800. Again, this copy uses the long or medial “s” in the text. Perhaps the most interesting feature of this book is the inclusion of Jefferson’s Inaugural address to the Senate, House of Representatives, and others delivered in the Senate chamber on the 4 th day of March 1801, upon his taking the presidential oath. This section is dated 1801. This is an excellent example of good salesmanship. This printer took advantage of Jefferson’s presidency in order to sell old inventory. He attached Jefferson’s Inaugural speech to material already in stock and was able to sell it again. The last page bears a note from the Department of State which reads

To wit:
I hereby certify that the preceding copies, beginning with a letter of November 29 th, 1791, and ending with one of September 25 th, 1793; and the paper it enclosed, are from originals, or from authentic copies in the Office of the Department of State.
Given under my hand, this 4 th day of December, 1793.
Th. Jefferson

4. The fourth copy was printed in New York by M.L. and W.A. Davis for Furman and Loudon. This is the third American edition of 1801. Of note is an article pasted inside the front cover and another on the rear discussing the Notes, an overnight stay at Monticello and conversations with Thomas Jefferson. The article in the rear is the printed text of a letter to Governor Tiffin of Ohio and dated June 20, 1801 regarding the navigation of the Mississippi, so it is contemporary with the book. This book also makes use of the long or medial “s” so you can imagine what the word “ Mississippi” looks like spelled that way.

An associate title in the Rare Book Room is a rebuttal to Jefferson’s Notes printed in 1804 called Observations Upon Certain Passages In Mr. Jefferson’s Notes On Virginia, which appear to have a tendency to subvert religion, and establish a false philosophy. This book was written by someone you will all recognize, Clement Clarke Moore, who would later be recognized as the author of the Christmas poem, A Journey of Saint Nicholas or Twas The Night Before Christmas. Not everyone was pleased with Jefferson’s ideas and here we have proof of that as well as the edition these remarks were based on, the 3 rd American edition of 1801.