A Commentary of Montesquieu s Spirit of Laws.

Jefferson, Thomas

Verlag: William Duane, 1811

A Commentary of Montesquieu s Spirit of Laws. Prepared for the Press from the Original Manuscript, in the Hands of the Publisher. To Which are Annexed, Observations on the Thirty-First Book, By the Late M. Condorcet: and Two Letters of Helvetius, on the Merits of the Same Work. Printed by William Duane, Philadelphia, 1811, 292 pp, later 19th c. leather, 9.5 x 6 , 8vo. In fair condition. Later 19th century leather rebinding in poor shape. Moderate scuffing to extremities with heavy wear at corners and end bands. Loss of leather at ends. Red rot present at edges and joints. Abrasions and light scratching to surface of leather. Prone to flaking. Front gutter splitting with binding mesh exposed. End papers toned at edges and soiled. Free of ownership or markings. Internally soiled with age stain and darkening. Moderate foxing throughout. Ink stain at fore-edge starting at page 187-292. Does not affect text. Binding remains intact, but fragile. A good candidate for restoration. Please see photos. 1st edition, translated and revised by Thomas Jefferson. This is the first edition, and an edition in French did not appear until 1817. In his preface the author states that he wrote this work, in which he extols the superiority of the republican constitution of America over that of England, during his residence in America and, more important, that he wrote it for Americans, albeit in his native language for lack of sufficient skill in English. It also contains considerable discussion of economic policy. "Using the French manuscript that he received from the author in 1809, Jefferson undertook to see into print an English edition of Destutt de Tracy's commentary on Montesquieu's Esprit des Lois. He recruited Philadelphia printer and journalist William Duane for the task with the letter and sample translations printed below. Duane engaged his own translator, even for the portions Jefferson had already translated, and made further revisions himself before sending the work in batches to Jefferson for his review. Jefferson spent part of the last months of 1810 composing a preface and reviewing the draft translation" (The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series, vol. 3, 12 August 1810 to 17 June 1811). Jefferson would promote the sale of the book, including having it added to the curriculum of the University of Virginia, as a fundamental work on the science of government. [With:] Joyce Appleby. "What is Still American in the Political Philosophy of Thomas Jefferson". An offprint from the William and Mary Quarterly, regarding his translation of de Tracy. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers RAREA1811COPX

Bibliografische Details

Titel: A Commentary of Montesquieu s Spirit of Laws.
Verlag: William Duane
Erscheinungsdatum: 1811
Einband: Hardcover
Zustand: Fair
Zustand des Schutzumschlags: No Jacket
Auflage: 1st Edition