[Thomas Jefferson, his copy]. The Laws of the United States of America. Vol. VI[-VII]. ...

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Thomas Jefferson's Annotated Copy of The Laws of the United States of America for the Seventh and Eighth Congresses, which include His Presidency, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Law Establishing the Library of Congress

[Thomas Jefferson, his copy]. The Laws of the United States of America. Vol. VI[-VII]. Washington City: [William Duane, printer], 1803 and 1805.

FIRST EDITIONS, from the personal library of Thomas Jefferson, with his ownership ciphers, marginal annotations, and underlinings. Two volumes in one. Octavo in fours. With section titles for the first and second sessions of both the Seventh and Eighth Congresses. Contemporary polished calf stamped in blind, board edges gilt, spine with red and green lettering-pieces stamped in gilt, printed paper library label "Chap. 23/ No. 90." Library of Congress bookplate numbered "Chap. 19 / No. 32" amended to "Chap. 23 / No. 90." Housed in a custom morocco clamshell and matching chemise, gilt spine.

The present volume contains annotations characteristic of books owned by Jefferson. Before signature "I" his manuscript "T" is written; after the signature "T" Jefferson adds "I." Both annotations appear in volume VI only. This volume also contains additional annotations in Jefferson's hand, suggesting not simply the ownership of the present volume but the careful study of the text. Both sessions of the Seventh and Eighth Congresses occurred during Jefferson's two terms as President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson's most significant act as president was to greatly expand - indeed more than double - the territory of the United States. "An Act to enable the President of the United States to take possession of the territories ceded by France to the United States..." known colloquially as the Louisiana Purchase, was signed into law by President Jefferson on October 31, 1803. The Act is recorded in Chapter I of "Acts Passed at the First Session of the Eighth Congress" (Volume VII, pages 3-4). In the present text, Jefferson has carefully underlined in ink the following words in Sec. 2, recorded here in italics: "...That until the expiration of the present session of Congress, unless provision for the temporary government of the said territories be sooner made by Congress, all the military, civil, and judicial powers, exercised by the officers of the existing government of the same, shall be vested in such person and persons, and shall be exercised in such manner, as the President of the United States shall direct for maintaining and protecting the inhabitants of Louisiana in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion."

To "An Act for the More Effectual Preservation of Peace in the Ports and Harbors of the United States, and in the Waters Under Their Jurisdiction," (Volume VII, pages 330-332), Jefferson notes Sec. 1 concerns "proceed[ing]s in Federl court" (Federal is abbreviated and underlined) and notes Sec. 2 concerns "proceed[ing]s in State court" (State is underlined). To "An Act to Regulate the Clearance of Armed Merchant Vessels," Jefferson has made two lengthy annotations (Volume VII, page 339). He notes, "armed vessels going into gulph of Mexico give bond not to use arms unlawfully & that they shall be brought back." Next to Sec. 2, he notes, "armed vessels going elsewher [sic] make oath they are not going there & give bond not to go there."

E. Millicent Sowerby's annotated Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson records only volumes I and V of this title as remaining in the Library of Congress. She notes, "These two volumes are the only ones extant of Jefferson's collection of the Laws of the United States. Some volumes seem to have been missing shortly after the printing of the 1815 catalogue, in the working copy of which the entry is marked 'imperfect (see)'; there is a similar entry in the manuscript list of missing books made at a later date, reading 'Laws of the United States (to be examined).'"

Under the direction of George Watterson, who served as the Librarian of Congress from 1815-1829, the library underwent a reclassification of Jefferson's original catalogue. This reclassification was completed by 1829, and in 1830, a new edition of the Catalogue of the Library of Congress was released. During this process, librarians discovered duplicates in the library's holdings. The resulting duplications were apparently deaccessioned under the authority of the Congressional Resolution made on May 24, 1828, that held, "That the joint library committee be, and they hereby are, authorized to remove from the library of Congress, and dispose of in such a manner as they may think expedient, any duplicate, imperfect, damaged, or other work or works, not wanted for the use of the library." The deaccessioning of the present volume almost certainly occurred during this reclassification and resolution for removal.

A remarkable volume from Jefferson's own library, carefully studied, with annotations in his own hand.

Condition: Boards scuffed and rubbed, head and tail of spine chipped with losses, hinges cracked but cords holding. Textblock toned throughout, foxed, dampstaining confined to top margins.

References: Sabin 15558; Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, II:266 [Index no. 1874].

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2023 December 15 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6280 (go to Auction Home page)

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December, 2023

15th Friday

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Sold on Dec 15, 2023 for: $112,500.00

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