TO JOHN DALY BURKE - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]
Edition used:
The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.
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TO JOHN DALY BURKE
j. mss.
Washington June 1, 1805.
Sir,
—Your favor of May 26th is received, and I am perfectly disposed to communicate to you the collections I possess as far as their condition will admit. What this is will need explanation.
I have a collection, nearly compleat, of the laws from 1624 to 1662 where Purvis’s printed collection begins. But some of the volumes are in such a state of decay, that the leaf falls to pieces on being turned over. Consequently as they never can be examined but once I reserve that to the moment when the legislature shall decide to have an authentic copy taken. In the meantime I have sewed them up in oil cloth, and seared the joints to preserve them from the air. These being antecedent to Bacon’s Rebellion are not within the period of your desires.
The printed collection of laws in my possession which comprehend the period you mention, to wit, from Bacon’s Rebellion to 1752 are
- Vol. 1 Purvis’s collection 1662–1682
- 2 Revisal of 1733 1662–1732
- 3 Revisal of 1748 1662–1748
- 4 Revisal of 1768 1662–1768
- 5 Fugitive sheets published each session 1734–1772
6th, 7th and 8th volumes are of subsequent dates.
The 1st 2d 3d & 4th vols. above mentioned are in every lawyer’s hands, therefore you will easily obtain them in your neighborhood. The 5th volume is the only one of which there exists probably no other collection. This fact being generally known, the courts in the different parts of the state are in the practice of resorting to this volume for copies of particular acts called for in the cases before them. For this reason I have always refused to let it go from Monticello not only because it might be lost, but because while it was gone out in the service of one person, many might have occasion to recur to it. But as the depositing it with Governor Page at the seat of government, will keep it within the access of others, and you mention that that deposit will be perfectly convenient for you, it shall be deposited there.
My collection of newspapers is from 1741 downwards. The vols. preceding 1752 shall be sent with the other to Richmond to be used by you either there or at Petersburg according to your convenience. These also being the only collection probably in existence I purchased & cherish it with a view to public utility. It is answering one of its principal objects when I put it into your hands, & the same public principle will insure your care of it, and it’s restoration to it’s deposit when you shall have taken what you desire from it. I will immediately write to Mr. Randolph to take these books from the library at Monticello, of which he has the key, & to have them safely conveyed by water to Govr. Page at Richmond to whom also I will write on the subject. Altho’ I have not yet had time to peruse the volume you have published (for indeed my occupations permit me to read almost nothing) yet occasional recurrence to parts of it & the opinions of others who have read it, occasion me to regret that I am not in a situation to give you the benefit of all my materials. Were I residing at home I could do it, and would with pleasure: and should a second edition be called for after my return to live at Monticello, I am persuaded it will be in my power, as it is certainly in my wish, to furnish you with some useful matter, not perhaps to be found elsewhere. I pray you to accept my salutations & assurances of great respect.
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